The Asian Star February 6 2016 by The Asian Star Newspaper

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Saturday, February 6, 2016

Tel: 604-591-5423

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2 i Saturday, February 6, 2016

LOCAL

Two abandoned homes worth $10 million combined share same owner 3/9 in west side

h e $6.2-million Point Grey home is vacant and rotting. Like a symbol of futility, a June 2015 City of Vancouver “u n t i d y - p r e m i s es” order remains pinned to the door. The 1926-built home’s issues seem to encapsulate a rising tide of angst revealed on websites documenting vacant homes and “bulldozer-bait” teardowns in Vancouver. City hall is currently trying to estimate how many Vancouver homes are vacant. And these online communities are anecdotally gathering photo evidence and coming to conclusions that offshore investment is to blame. “That is what is driving everything,” said Caroline Adderson, whose website, Vancouver Vanishes, has over 8,000 followers. “It is sickening on all levels.” The Point Grey property apparently stopped functioning as a home and became a storage of wealth six years ago, according to property documents and a neighbour’s account. It was well-cared for in 2010 when it was sold to an investor. Since then it has been flipped through a property transfer in a Beijing law office and left unoccupied. Current owners Huai Can Ren and Xue Pei Sun bought the 4100-block 8th Avenue West home from Wei Min Zhang in July 2011 for $4.6 million, records show. The couple’s occupations were both listed as “business person.” Wei Min Zhang had bought the home in July 2010 for $3.35 million. A neighbour said he hadn’t seen the current owners. City of Vancouver spokesman Tobin Postma said a 2015 order to clean up the property was “remedied.” However the order remains pinned to the property and messy conditions appear to continue.

Pakistani born man loses deportation fight Prince George

Prince George man facing deportation for crimes he committed when he was 18 years old has had his application for a judicial review of his case dismissed. Raafay Shehzad, now 20 years old, was convicted on April 3, 2014, of two counts of extortion and one count of impersonating a peace officer and given a one-year conditional sentence. He was also convicted of theft under $5,000 and fraud under $5,000 and given a three-month conditional sentence. According to reports, Shehzad attached police emergency lights he bought online to his car and pulled over drivers. Shehzad posed as an undercover police officer and extorted money from some drivers. At the same

Postma said city departments respond to safety and mess complaints at vacant homes and issue cleanup orders in warranted cases. If owners don’t respond, the city will clean up and issue a bill. In 2014, there were 213 actions taken against 85 properties, Postma said. Huai Can Ren and Xue Pei Sun are also owners of a $3.57-million Arbutus Ridge home in the 2300-block 21st Avenue West, records show. The home also appears to be unoccupied. On Wednesday, a Province reporter found that the windows were shuttered, a phone book was left on the doorstep and a mailbox was stuffed with letters. No one answered the door and the home’s external condition seemed degraded. Huai Can Ren, then listed as “businessman,” and Xue Pei Sun, as “homemaker,” bought the home in 2006 for $1.75 million from transferees Zhaohong Su and Xin Li. In transfer documents, Xin Li was listed as lawyer for Su, who had bought the home in 2005 for $778,000. Adderson said she started her website in 2013 because she couldn’t get Vancouver councillors to address her concerns about countless character homes being demolished for redevelopment. Some of her readers want to see heritage-zoning protections to slow down Vancouver’s crazed property investment market and others want to see foreign investors taxed or restricted. Adderson’s following jumps when she posts stories such as a recent Postmedia report of a $6-million mansion that was built in 1996 and is now “bulldozer bait.”

time, he was working at London Drugs and ringing through expensive items that had not been paid for, and then giving the items to his friends. He then did returns on the merchandise and gave his friends the money. Five months after he was sentenced, the Immigration Division made a deportation order against Shehzad on the basis of serious criminality. Shehzad was born in Pakistan and is a citizen of the Republic of Ireland. He became a permanent resident of Canada on July 1, 2012. A permanent resident is considered inadmissible to Canada when convicted of an offence punishable by a maximum of at least 10 years in prison or sentenced to imprisonment for more than six months.

Police warning after family struck and injured at Surrey crosswalk

olice are reminding both drivers and pedestrians to pay more attention on the road after two young children and their mother were hit by a car as they crossed a street in Surrey. A four-year-old girl and her six-year-old brother were crossing the road with their mom and dad around 6 p.m. Tuesday at 76th Avenue at 147A Street when three of them were struck. The little girl suffered critical injuries and is in serious condition, and her brother was also seriously hurt. The mother suffered minor injuries. Police say there were several other people in the same crosswalk at the time. Cpl. Brian Fedirchuk of Surrey RCMP Traffic Services is urging caution. “Pedestrians…really need to pay attention. Drivers, you need to pay at-

tention as well,” he said. “Don’t assume that pedestrian is waiting for you to go. That pedestrian may not have seen you just as easily as you may not have seen them.” The driver stayed on scene and called 911. Police say that person is cooperating with the investigation, and drugs, alcohol and speed are not being considered as factors. The City of Surrey says the crosswalk was installed in mid-January.

www.theasianstar.com

Vol 15

Issue 1 Saturday, February 6, 2016

Tel: 604-591-5423

Toyota to buy out rest of Daihatsu

Anoop Prakash, MD of Harley Davidson Canada.

Page

Americans concerned about short cuts given to Syrian refugees moving to Canada

anada’s plan to resettle 25,000 Syrian refugees was the focus of a U.S. Senate committee today in Washington, where lawmakers wanted reassurances America’s ally and neighbour to the north isn’t taking any “shortcuts.” Senator Ron Johnson, a Republican representative from Wisconsin who is chair of the committee, and Senator Thomas Carper, a Delaware Democrat who is a committee ranking member, heard from four witnesses — one U.S. border patrol guard and three Canadians. “Will there be shortcuts taken? Is that something that really ought to concern Americans here, as Canada is really ramping

up — ... with all wonderful intentions, being very compassionate — admitting a much higher level of refugees than they are normally taking in and at a much faster pace,” said Johnson as the hearing got underway. The hearing comes not long after Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump called for a ban on all Muslims entering the U.S. and some American lawmakers voted to ban Syrian refugees from entering their states. Dean Mandel, a U.S. border patrol guard who works along the Buffalo-Ontario crossing, told the powerful homeland security committee he was much more concerned with Canada’s overall immigration policies Continued on page 6

Syrian refugees should not worry about finding jobs - say agencies Taxpayers would bear the cost of housing and supporting refugees as they learn English

he Syrian refugees who have landed in Canada by the thousands over the past three months often use what little English they know to heap praise on their new country and talk about how anxious they are to get their new lives here under way. That means finding a home, a school for their children and a job. But some settlement agencies

Refugees arriving in Canada are eager to find work, but settlement agencies say they should get a good grasp on English first so Continued on page 6 they don’t get trapped in low-wage jobs.

Toronto woman faces 1st-degree murder charge in stabbing death of aonther woman

he charge against Rohinie Bisesar, who is accused of stabbing a woman to death inside a downtown Toronto Shoppers Drug Mart last December, has been upgraded to first-degree murder. Bisesar, 40, appeared in court via video link on Wednesday afternoon to hear the charge. Previously, she had been charged with second-degree murder in the death of 28-year-old Rosemarie Junor. Staff Insp. Greg McLane

Rohinie Bisesar

told CBC News that police “have uncovered more evidence” that leads them to believe a first-degree murder charge is warranted. The change suggests there was premeditation and planning in the attack. Bisesar allegedly stabbed Junor shortly before 3 p.m. on Dec. 11, 2015, while the victim was at a Shoppers Drug Mart in Toronto.

BC politicians more concerned about hurting feelings of foreign speculators than helping locals By Umendra Singh

C’s political leaders appear to be more concerned about the feelings of foreign real estate investors and speculators than the feelings of taxpayers and voters of this province. Premier Christie Clark, Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson, Surrey Mayor Linda Hepner, and others are always concerned about what foreign investors will think if they are penalized by way of higher real estate taxes to help locals afford homes.

The BC NDP has not been strong enough or vocal enough in demanding that the three levels of government take immediate action to help locals afford homes. How many people can afford the average of $3 million, 4 bedroom homes in Vancouver, Burnaby and Richmond or close to $1 million homes in Surrey and tri cities area? Mostly, offshore investors, who don’t pay taxes in Canada nor live here! Theses foreign investors are buying up residential properties for only one reason – Continued on page 4

Setback for Kitimat LNG as Shell postpones investment decision

he huge LNG Canada export project proposed for Kitimat appears to have suffered a setback with Royal Dutch Shell announcing it will postpone its final investment decision. The announcement comes on the heels of Shell releasing 2015 fourth-quarter results which show a 44 per cent slump in earnings due largely to the slump in oil prices. “Operating costs and capital investment have been reduced by a total of $12.5 billion as compared to 2014, and we expect further reductions in 2016,” said Shell CEO Ben van Beurden. Shell owns a 50 per cent stake in LNG Canada. PetroChina, Korea Gas Corp. and Mitsubishi Corp, are also stakeholders in the joint venture.

4 i Saturday, February 6, 2016

BC politicians more concerned about hurting feelings of foreign speculators than helping locals

From page 1

to make huge profits by re-selling them to other foreigners. Premier Christie Clark announced earlier this week that BC Housing had been studying for a year the level of foreign investment real estate in BC. What a surprise? No one seems to have known about this study. Why the secrecy? Clark says B.C. Housing has been studying the issue for more than a year but will need the help of the federal government to fully understand the data. She says the provincial government will also include initiatives in this month’s budget to help it determine if non-citizen buyers have an impact on the property market. Clark says the government needs to understand the issue before it can find solutions, and she is also asking people not to vilify non-residents who buy homes in the Vancouver area. In that case, perhaps locals should vilify the politicians ho are helping create this situation by their inaction. “I think with more data, we’ll be able to get a grasp on how to address it better because affordability, especially in the city of Vancouver, less so in the suburbs but certainly there as well, is a real issue and we have to find ways to address it,” she said Opposition MLA David Eby, the housing critic for the B.C NDP, says the province’s announcement about the study came as a surprise.

OPINION

EDITORIAL

He pointed out Clark has already ruled out a tax increase on foreign homebuyers in Metro Vancouver. She has also ruled out foreign investors as the cause of the Lower Mainland’s skyrocketing housing prices, saying domestic buyers were more likely to blame. Eby said research conducted by a party that has already decided what the conclusion will be isn’t likely to be accurate. “I don’t understand why they would pay for this research to be done when there are researchers at SFU, at UBC who would love access to this data and would love to do this research for free as part of their academic work,” he said. “The only reason you would pay someone to do it is to maintain control over the results.” Premier Clark has ruled out levying taxes on foreign buyers but has not come up with any incentives that will help local afford homes. How will she be able to help Vancouverites buy $3 million homes? The only way to help locals afford homes is to make it unaffordable or unattractive investment proposal for foreign speculators. A story on Page 2 of this edition makes it clear of the future of real estate in BC if political leaders continue to hesitate to tale action against foreign buyers. Two homes in West Vancouver, currently valued at $10 million,

Suspension of National Federation Party and of Fiji is wrong! Munna Prasad, Vancouver, BC he creation of Office of the Registrar of Election is by a decree of Bainimarama coup government. This draconian decree has never been brought before the Fijian Parliament nor approved by Parliament. There are a number of the powers given to the Registrar of Elections in this decree. This decree lacks regulations thus on cursory look, it appears that the Registrar, whose appointment itself raises many questions, has arbitrary powers do what he has done by suspending NFP and its MPs from Parliament. Apparently, the Registrar was told by a person that the organization that audited the National Federation Party’ NFP) as required by law for the year ending 2014 was not a member duly registered under the provisions of Fijian Accounts requirement. The Registrar of Elections Continued on page 7

bought in 2006 by Hong Kong investors are lying empty for many years. The houses are derelict and appear to be abandoned. There are many similar homes lying empty in Vancouver – owned by foreign investors. These foreign owners don’t pay any taxes here, don’t live here, and have neither obligation nor loyalty to Vancouver or BC. Their only interest is to make money out of BC real estate. So why are they allowed to buy homes, keep them empty and then sell them at a profit without paying any taxes? A group of academics last month suggested a tax of about 2 percent on real estate purchases by foreigners and the money to be distributed amongst locals. The governing BC Liberals and their federal Liberal counters remained silent while the NDP supported the idea. But, like so many other good ideas, it will come to naught unless the local taxpers and voters pressure the government into doing something right now. Otherwise, in 20 years Metro Vancouver might become one giant ghost town owned by foreigners but with no local residents

Saturday, February 6, 2016

i 5

Local

6 i Saturday, February 6, 2016

Syrian refugees should not worry about From page 1 finding jobs - say agencies say not all Syrian refugees should be so hasty to join the workforce. They want the refugees to spend a bit of time learning the language if they need to rather than jumping into the job market. Josie Ditzio works with new arrivals at COSTI Immigrant Services, the official settlement organization in Toronto for government-assisted refugees. She encourages Syrian refugees to learn a little English first, then start applying for jobs to ensure they don’t get left behind. “History has shown us that with past waves of immigrants and refugees, if you don’t acquire your language in the earlier time of arrival, then it’s less likely you are to acquire it down the road,” she said. Ditzio says she has to remind the refugees there is no great rush to get a job. Government-sponsored refugees can receive up to a year of financial help, roughly equivalent to the amount Canadian welfare recipients receive. Private sponsors are supposed to have raised enough money to provide the same amount. ‘When can I work?’ But the groups working with privately sponsored refugees are finding many of them say they don’t want to

be a burden and want to get to work as soon as possible.refugees-jobs Yervant Chopurian recently attended a job fair in Toronto organized by the Armenian community, which has sponsored some Armenian-Syrian refugees. ‘I know the first year can be a little bit hard,’ says the 24-year-old electrical engineer. Ratna Omidvar is chair of Lifeline Syria, a group started last year to help people privately sponsored Syrian refugees. Her group sponsored a couple and their eight children just before Christmas. She says the father seemed to know just four English words, which he kept repeating, “When can I work?” Omidvar and her colleagues convinced him to take a few weeks of English classes, which started last week. She expects the man, who works in construction, to find a job in early spring. “I want to make sure that when he gets to work … he has the basic English concepts of workplace health and safety,” Omidvar said. Unemployment rate high for 1st 5 years But even Syrian refugees who are proficient in English know that finding work, especially work in their field, will be a challenge.

From page 1

Setback for Kitimat LNG as Shell postpones investment decision

LNG Canada responded to a CBC News request for interview with a statement: “We have always stated that our Joint Venture Participants plan to make a Final Investment Decision in 2016,” wrote Andy Calitz, CEO LNG Canada. “We are pleased, given the current oil and LNG prices, and turmoil in global energy markets, that the Joint Venture Participants in LNG Canada are still working towards a Final Investment Decision

for the proposed facility later this year.” Last month LNG Canada cleared an important hurdle when it was granted the first permit to build a liquefied natural gas export facility in northern British Columbia. The project could cost up to US$40B and would initially consist of two processing units called trains, each able to produce 6.5 million tonnes of LNG annually. The facility could be expanded to four trains in the future.

Americans concerned about short cuts given to Syrian refugees moving to Canada From page 1

than the Canadian government’s plan to resettle Syrian refugees. “I know that there is significant controversy regarding Canada’s recent decision to admit 25,000 Syrian refugees. In my opinion, it’s very difficult to gauge the risk by these refugees and much of the risk will depend on the screening process utilized by Canadians.” “Candidly, of greater concern to me — from a border security perspective — are the over five million foreign visitors entering Canada annually,” he said. “Canada is a diverse nation and has a per capita Muslim population three times our own. As a result, they have major inflows from tourists and business travellers and throughout the Middle East.” ‘Canada is not the weak link in the fight against terrorism, rather it is part of a shared security perimeter with the United States’- Laura Dawson, Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars Mandel was testifying on behalf of the National Border Patrol Council, the union representing 16,500 U.S. border patrol agents. “As someone stationed on the northern border, I want to be clear what happens in Canada matters to the

United States. Whether it be Canadian policies for refugees or immigration, their decisions impact U.S. security given the size and nature of our shared border.” He said that his union believes the current staffing level of 2,100 agents should be boosted “by another 1,500 on our northern border.” “This

additional manpower will help to decrease our almost complete reliance on Canadian law enforcement intelligence agencies for our security.” Laura Dawson, an expert in Canada-U.S relations and a former senior advisor at the U.S. embassy in Ottawa, countered some of the anti-Canadian rhetoric heard in Washington circles after the 9/11 attacks. “Canada is not the weak link in the fight against terrorism, rather it is part of a shared security perimeter with the United States,” Dawson said Immigration Minister John McCallum, right, speaks with a Syrian family during his visit to a refugee camp in Lebanon in December. Canada’s Syrian refugee resettlement plan was the subject of hearings at a U.S. Senate committee Wednesday.

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LOCAL

Saturday, February 6, 2016

i 7

Premier Clark ranks first in fiscal management according to Fraser Institute

hristy Clark tops the list for the best record of Canadaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s premiers for fiscal management according to a report from the Fraser Institute. The reportâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s authors based their findings on three main factors: government spending, tax rates and debt. Clark excelled in one category in particular, according to the think tank: running a surplus. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Premier Clarkâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s performance is largely driven by her ability to manage increases in government spending more prudently compared to her counterparts,â&#x20AC;? said Charles Lammam, director of fiscal studies at the Fraser Institute. â&#x20AC;&#x153;In addition sheâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s one of the few premiers who has managed to run a surplus, a budget surplus over the course of her tenure.â&#x20AC;? Clark received a score of 78.5 out of 100 and Quebec premier Philippe Couillard came a close

second in the report, while Ontarioâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Kathleen Wynne ranked last among sitting premiers. â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Deficit now is the wrong choiceâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Lammam says there is no hard and fast rule about when governments should run deficits, because it can make sense during tough economic times. â&#x20AC;&#x153;When thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a shock to the economy, government revenues can decline, some types of spending can automatically increase â&#x20AC;&#x201D; things like unemployment insurance.â&#x20AC;? But he says provincial and federal governments should not be spending more than what they have in the bank today, eight years after the 2008 recession. â&#x20AC;&#x153;To fall back into deficit now is the wrong choice for any government, really.â&#x20AC;?

Suspension of National Federation Party and of Fiji is wrong! has failed to disclose to the press who parted this information was it a member of Fiji Accountants Association or a snitch.Upon this information, the Registrar has written a letter to the company which audited NFP and inquired if they are members of Fijian Accountants Association. According to Registrar of Elections, the auditors delayed in their response. The Registrar of Elections failed in his duty to write to or to request the Leader of NFP for an explanation to-date. The Registrar has in turn has suspended the NFP thus denying them the natural justice. The Registrar of Elections informed the Speaker of the

Fijian Parliament asking the Solicitor General for legal advice regarding the suspension of the NFP Parliament members. The Solicitor General of Fiji is wearing a number hats and holds a number of portfolios. In this case he or his Office ought to have framed the question raised by the Speaker to an independent law firm. Upon the advice of the Solicitor General the NFP Parliamentarians have been suspended from the Parliament for thirty days without pay. This is not only wrong but undemocratic.

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8 i Saturday, February 6, 2016

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Saturday, February 6, 2016

i 9

Blooming Legacy: Harley Davidson

Anoop Prakash, MD of Harley Davidson Canada.

hey say ,”four wheelers move the body and two wheelers move the soul.” The beauty of riding a motorcycle can never be expressed in words. Recently we got privileged to have words with Mr. Anoop Prakash, MD of Harley Davidson Canada. The passion and love for the brand was clear in his tone. “I feel very lucky to grow up around motorcycles in Minnesota. I have always loved motorcycles and wanted to be a part of motorcycling. Getting an opportunity with a brand like Harley Davidson felt like a dream job”, told Anoop Prakash, Managing Director Harley Davidson. The now Canadian MD of Harley Davidson has a background serving U.S. military. After graduating from Stanford University, he joined the brand as Managing Director in India. After serving in India for around seven years, he has entered Canadian market with new range of motorcycles targeting young crowd between 25-35 years age group. The brand has introduced seven new motorcycles in-between the price range of $8000-$13000 in Canadian market. Motorcycling is a very popular activity in Canada and Harley Davidson has been into the Canadian market for past 98 years. Talking about the new range of motorcycles, Anoop emphasised on the style and youth feel of the

machine. “What we see at this point is that motorcycling is getting highly popular among the younger/ new riders coming into the sport. Our whole focus is to get young, sporty people to experience the legacy of Harley Davidson”, said Anoop in a telephonic interview with the Asian Star. Harley Davidson was spotted at the motorcycle show held last week in Abbotsford. “Our products are very stylish and all the new range has attractive price points. Iron 883, 38 and the street are three bikes that have been redone in 2016. Their style, model and vibe is all about youngsters”, told Anoop. In North America, the largest market is United States of America that consists of 60% of the total market share. Canada at present consists of over 30% of total market share which is still growing. Talking about the difference between the services of Harley Davidson a n d other c om petitors, A n o o p told,” The

biggest advantage we have is not just our motorcycle and pricing but also the community build around Harley Davidson.” Owning a Harley Davidson Bike makes one a part of Harley Owners Group, a riders community across Canada. The group organises biking events on regular basis and involves all the members to ride and experience the motorcycle adventure. “We have year round events. We are doing our first rally of the year in Chilliwack near Vancouver around July. Also the local Harley group chapters that are affiliated with the dealers, they organized local level events”, said Anoop. There are three Harley Davidson Dealers in Surrey who host Harley Davidson events for the riders throughout the year. At present, Harley Davidson has nine store locations across BC, inclusive of three locations in Vancouver itself. “We are planning to open up a 10th location in Richmond area this year as

Vancouver is a very important area for motorcycling. The weather, road conditions and surroundings allow you to ride throughout the year”, said Anoop. Apart from expanding in Vancouver, Harley Davidson has plans to accelerate in Toronto and Montreal as well. The brand is all geared up for their next MMIC Motorcycle show in Quebec City on Feb 5, followed by Toronto on Feb 19’2016. Harley Davidson is running special interest rate promotion of 0.99% for new buyers during the MMIC motorcycle show i.e. until March 8’2016. Anoop believes that it is very important for young riders to test drive the motorcycles that suite their riding style, comfort and confidence. “Many of the youngster riders are not been exposed to Harley Davidson lifestyle. We want them to experience what the brand stands for. We want them to experience the freedom, character, heritage and history of Harley Davidson”, quoted Anoop.

10 i Saturday, February 6, 2016

LOCAL

Prime Minister Trudeau commits to fasttracking infrastructure and helping Alberta

lberta Premier Rachel Notley (pictured) and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau emerged from a meeting with a formal commitment to fast-track $700 million in previously committed federal infrastructure money to the struggling province. The money was allocated by the previous Conservative government in 2014 and the new Liberal government had previously indicated that it had hoped to get it out the door more quickly. There were no specifics on what projects the

money might go toward, but Notley says she expects to see it start flowing in a matter of weeks and month. Notley says she also pushed Trudeau to make changes to Employment Insurance that will broaden access for laid-off energy workers. Trudeau didn’t make any commitments around EI, but noted that his party campaigned on easing access to the program in times of need. After meeting with Notley in Edmonton, Trudeau heads to Calgary on Thursday to meet with leaders in the energy industry.

Judge in B.C. terror plot case wants CSIS to obey her order

he judge in the B.C. legislature terror plot trial criticized CSIS on Tuesday for failing to comply with a court order. B.C. Supreme Court Justice Catherine Bruce grilled a lawyer for the Canadian Security Intelligence Service about the order she made last week, apparently in relation to ongoing applications by the defence for disclosure. CSIS lawyer Donnaree Nygard told the judge she had no further information to provide as to why CSIS has yet to obey the order. The judge said the lack of compliance was of “great concern” to her and was causing a delay in proceedings. She said that if Nygard cannot provide an answer, she wanted a representative from CSIS to explain why she should not find the spy agency in contempt of court. “I need to have someone from CSIS here to explain to me why they have not complied with my order.” Nygard appeared later in the day and told the judge that the Attorney-General of Canada is expected to take days or several weeks to decide whether to disclose the materials.

If the attorney-general decides to withhold the material, citing a national security issue, the matter will be heard in the Federal Court of Canada. The upshot is that the defence cannot close its case in the police entrapment hearing until the CSIS issue is dealt with. The judge has previously ordered that CSIS produce documents related to a possible human source who had contact with accused John Nuttall prior to RCMP launching an undercover operation against him. The defence is suggesting such a source might have played a role in radicalizing Nuttall. Nuttall and his wife, Amanda Korody, were convicted last year of conspiring to commit murder in relation to a plot to detonate bombs on the lawns of the B.C. legislature on Canada Day 2013. The convictions were not entered pending the outcome of a defence application to have the charges stayed on grounds the police engaged in an abuse of process. The defence argues that Nuttall and Korody were entrapped by police during the lengthy undercover operation.

Zika virus threat

Canadian blood service agency set 21 days blood donation ban

he agency responsible for most of Canada’s blood supply says people who have travelled outside of Canada, the continental United States and Europe will be ineligible to give blood for 21 days after their return. Canadian Blood Services says it is implementing the waiting period to mitigate the risk of the Zika virus entering the Canadian blood supply. In a release Wednesday, Canadian Blood Services says the new waiting period is being implemented across the country and will take full effect in all of its clinics starting on Feb. 5. Quebec’s blood operator, Hema-Quebec, will be implementing the same change as of this Sunday. Canadian Blood Services says the 21day period ensures enough time has passed for the virus to be eliminated from a person’s bloodstream, but it is asking people to postpone blood dona-

tion for at least a month after returning from travel outside the specified zones. The three-week waiting period also applies to cord blood and stem cell donors who have travelled to affected areas. The waiting period begins the day a person returns to Canada. Canadian Blood Services says the risk of a Canadian donor transmitting the Zika virus to a blood recipient is very low, adding that the mosquito that carries the virus does not live in Canada due to the colder climate. There have been very few reported cases of Zika virus infection in Canadians who travelled abroad. “This new temporary deferral period will safeguard Canada’s blood supply against the Zika virus, and will also help us protect against other similar mosquito-borne viruses,” Dr. Dana Devine, chief medical and scientific officer for Canadian Blood Services, said in a statement.

Saturday, February 6, 2016

LED streetlights coming to Surrey — to the tune of $11 million

urrey, BC is upgrading all of its streetlights to LED technology — a move that will cost $11 million, which the city says it will recuperate in savings over time. “I think everybody else should be looking at the cost benefit analysis that’s here,” said Mike Starchuk, a Surrey city councillor and the chair of the environmental sustainability advisory committee. “When you start using less energy, it only makes sense.” According to Starchuk, the city will save $1 million annually, with $700,000 of that coming from energy savings alone. The rest of the savings will come in the form of a reduction in maintenance. He said the 28,000 new lights will have a shelf life of more than 20 years, which will also mean a lot less landfill waste.

“I know we’re going to be one of the first in the country to be completely converted over,” he said. Council voted unanimously to upgrade to LED technology. The economic and environmental advantages aren’t the only reason they voted to go ahead with the conversion — Starchuk said the LED lights are brighter, which should lead to improved public safety.

12 i Saturday, February 6, 2016

LOCAL

Liberals to repeal Tory changes to public servant sick leave — at a cost of $900M

disrespected the negotiating process. It reasury Board President was irresponsible and unfair. Scott Brison tabled legisla“It set the wrong tone and tion in the House of Comsullied the negotiating enmons today to repeal controvervironment with the public sial Conservative changes to the service unions. We’ve always sick leave program for federal been clear we’re going to nepublic servants, a move that will gotiate in good faith … and add $900 million to the governwe will seek to modernize sick ment’s mounting budget deficit. leave benefits with the public But the Liberal government servants in a way that is fair.” said reversing the change is not Treasury Board Presi- The legislation comes at a dent Scott Brison an endorsement of the status crucial time as Brison requo, and Brison said he will still push to turned to the bargaining table with the “modernize” sick benefits for bureaucrats. Public Service Alliance of Canada this “Repealing what the Conservatives did week — the largest of the 17 unions repwas the right thing to do,” Brison told re- resenting public servants — to hammer porters when asked about the latest move out a new collective bargaining agreement. to reverse legislation enacted by the last Relations are expected to be less frosty government. “What the Conservatives did with the sick leave changes off the table.

Winnipegger seeks physicianassisted death for depression

access it. Winnipeg womTara Brousan has a dying seau Snider wish that’s sparkTara Brousseau ing fear among mental Snider of the Mood health advocates — she Disorders Assois living with depression ciation of Manand wants to take her itoba, says perown life with the help of a sons living with physician-assisted death depression need when it becomes law. better treatment, “[My colleague] told me Tara Brousseau Snider not better access that if she could get an to physician-assisted death. (CBC) assisted suicide now, she’d go through As it stands, it will only be available to perwith it,” said Tara Brousseau-Snider, ex- sons living with a “grievous and irremediecutive director of the Mood Disorders able” medical condition with “intolerable Association of Manitoba. “If it was in suffering.” It remains Persons living with de- to be seen whether place, they’d apply for it.” pression need better treat- mental illness will fall Lawmakers have unment, not better access to under that criteria. til June to craft phyphysician-assisted death” “Let’s just say I am sician-assisted death legislation and Brous- Tara Brousseau Snider of glad it wasn’t leseau-Snider fears it the Mood Disorders Associgal before now,” will allow for a dan- ation of Manitoba says. said John Melnick, gerously easy exit who’s lived with depression for decades, plan for people in emotional despair. and tried three times to kill himself. Before then, Brousseau-Snid“Because if [physician-assisted death] er hopes the woman will find a suc- was in place then, I likely would have tried cessful treatment for her depression. to get one. And I wouldn’t be here today.” “I’m very concerned for her,” BrousMelnick said thanks to a combination seau-Snider said. “And I’m very con- of therapies, he is today alive and well. cerned about this law. It’s not a per- Treatment-resistant depression a reality mission-giving thing. Governments But not everyone responds to treatshould not mandate that if you’re ment, and that’s why some experts depressed, it’s OK to kill yourself.” say physician-assisted death should Upcoming law unclear be made available to those people. In fact, it’s unclear whether the law Dr. Udo Schuklenk hopes it will. will allow that. In February 2015, the Schuklenk is a Queens University proSupreme Court of Canada struck down fessor of philosophy and the Ontario a ban on physician-assisted death. Now Research Chair in Bioethics. He also lawmakers must decide not only how headed the Royal Society of Canada’s to provide it, but who will be allowed to 2011 panel on end-of-life decision making.

LOCAL

Saturday, February 6, 2016

Federal government open to changing funding formula for new infrastructure cash

he federal government is open to renegotiating the formula that divides the cost of infrastructure projects three ways going forward, but “may not” be able to apply that change to existing funds left unspent by the previous government. “I served on city council for eight years before being elected into this position. and I absolutely understand the challenges that

cities face,” Infrastructure Minister Amarjeet Sohi said Thursday after a meeting with big city mayors. “For every dollar Canadians pay in taxes very small portion of that is collected by local governments.” Sohi made the comments at a press conference in Ottawa after meeting with the Big City Mayors’ Caucus — a group of mayors from Canada’s largest cities whose meet-

Trudeau restarts ‘neglected’ relationship with Canada’s mayors

alks between the mayors of Canada’s largest cities and Justin Trudeau’s Liberal government continued in Ottawa. “We are restarting a relationship that had been significantly neglected over the last 10 years,” Justin Trudeau told reporters at the conclusion of their Friday morning meeting on Parliament Hill. From the mayors’ perspective, Gregor Robertson of Vancouver said his colleagues were “thrilled” to be working with a prime minister who “gets cities.” Federal government open to changing funding formula for new infrastructure cash Canada’s big city mayors want infrastructure spending details from Liberals

Finance MPs to hold marathon hearings ahead of federal budget The consultations and lobbying by the Big City Mayors’ Caucus (BCMC) come as Trudeau’s government prepares its first budget, expected late next month. Ambitious plans for municipal infrastructure spending are intended to promote economic growth across Canada at a time when the resource sector is struggling. “Obviously job losses are a continuing challenge across the country,” said Trudeau. “[We need to be] responding to the very real needs for infrastructure investment that will lead to jobs and the kind of growth in our economy that that we haven’t had over the past decade.”

Injured mom who crawled up snowbank barefoot to save daughter loses feet to frostbite

n injured Manitoba woman who crawled up a snowbank to seek help after spending overnight in a frigid ditch trying to keep her young daughter warm has lost her feet to frostbite. Kristen Hiebert and four-year-old Avery were going home last month when their car slid off a rural highway near a bridge and rolled down a steep slope to the frozen Souris River. The spent the night huddled together for 10 hours as temperatures dipped to -23 Celsius. Handout via Canadian PressKristen Hiebert’s daughter Avery is shown in a handout photo. At dawn, Hiebert dragged herself up the snowbank despite a broken leg, broken neck and severe frostbite to her bare feet. Her friend, Morgan Campbell, says Hiebert’s feet had to be amputated last week. Campbell says on a GoFundMe page that Hiebert’s family is overwhelmed but buoyed by public support. “Kristen

is overcome with emotion by all of the love shown towards her and her family,” Campbell wrote. “She sends her sincerest gratitude to everyone who has donated, sent kind thoughts, words and prayers. “She is in awe of your compassion. You have made their ability to recover achievable.” Avery has been discharged from hospital and “is doing wonderful” as she recovers from frostbite on one foot, Campbell wrote. Hiebert continues to heal and the frostbite on her right hand is showing improvement, she added. “She is quite amazing,” Campbell wrote. “Her feeding tube will be removed soon, but her biggest irritant is the neck brace she has to wear constantly for the next while.” The GoFundMe page set up to help Hiebert — a single mom who worked two jobs cleaning homes and a hotel — has raised just over $64,000 so far.

ing is hosted by the not want to presuppose the Federation of Canaoutcome of those discussions. dian Municipalities. ‘As few strings as possible’ He said the federSohi said there is from $7 al government is billion to $9 billion in infraopen to adjusting structure funding left in the the existing formula Building Canada Fund that because “we underwas not allocated by the prestand those realities.” vious government. The vast “We may not be able majority of the money in that Infrastructure and Communities to adjust the current pot is earmarked for projMinister Amarjeet Sohi andVanformula for the exects with a three way split. couver Mayor Gregor Robertson isting funds. For the The minister said he wanted new $60 billion over the next ten years we to get this existing money flowing quickly are definitely open to that and we will do that and would look at improving the federin consultation with big city mayors, other al approval process to make that easier to partners, FCM and other stakeholders.” avoid missing another construction season. . Presently the federal, provincial and mu- “We want to make sure that our apnicipal levels of government split the cost proach is as flexible as possible,” he of an infrastructure project equally. Sohi said. “We need to have as few strings refused to give an indication of what the attached to the funding keeping in new split would look like saying he did mind the outcomes that we wanted.”

14 i Saturday, February 6, 2016

LOCAL

Man sentenced for role in dial-a-dope operation

Richmond man has been given an intermittent jail sentence for his role in a dial-a-dope operation. Alexander Masamiko Yamamoto, 30, pleaded guilty in November to one count of trafficking in a controlled substance. He was sentenced Monday in provincial court in Richmond. Yamamoto was one of eight people charged last summer following a “highly complex, resource-intensive and lengthy” investigation by the Richmond RCMP organized crime unit. In June 2014, police began investigating a drug-trafficking group that was operating in the city, selling cocaine, crack cocaine and heroin. In April 2015, two men were arrested during a suspected drug transaction near Lansdowne and No. 3 roads, and arrest warrants were subsequently issued for

six more people, including Yamamoto. Yamamoto was given a 90-day intermittent sentence and one year of probation. Four other drug-trafficking charges were stayed. Yamamoto is the second person to be sentenced in connection with the drug line. In September, Tobias Ling-Hui Martin Zhuang was sentenced to one year and 217 days in jail, after credit for time served and one year of probation, following his guilty plea to one count of possession for the purpose of trafficking and one count of wilfully resisting or obstructing a peace officer. Randy Charles Rothman, Randy Bryan Geddes, Tsen Chen Hsia,Desmond Shum, Timothy Austin Yeung and Elsie Sevim Yucesoy have further court appearances scheduled for this year.

Vancouver parents step up fight against school closures

arents are speaking out about school closures in Vancouver, expressing concerns about funding for education, how school capacity is calculated, and that more vulnerable children may lose their neighbourhood schools on the city’s east side. The two Metro Vancouver districts struggling with school closures — Vancouver and Richmond — lost nearly 1,000 students between them this year. But in cities in more affordable parts of the Lower Mainland — Surrey, Maple Ridge, Coquitlam and Langley — nearly 2,000 new students showed up. New Westminster, Delta, Burnaby and even North and West Vancouver also saw modest increases. Surrey is now by far the province’s biggest district with more than 68,000 students compared to Vancouver’s nearly 50,000. Coquitlam, Burnaby, Central Okanagan and Richmond round out the list of largest districts.

Vancouver lost 629 students while Richmond lost 303. Surrey gained 872, while Maple Ridge, Langley and Coquitlam all gained about 350 students. The Parent Advocacy Network for Public Education (PAN), a Vancouver parent group, announced this week that it will send more than 1,000 postcards and online signatures to Premier Christy Clark demanding more funding for public schools. “We ask the provincial government to stand by their words and invest in our chil-

dren, as they are the future,” said Andrea Sinclair, Parent Advisory Council chairwoman for Charles Dickens Elementary and a founding member of PAN. “Our public education system has been crippled by over a decade of inadequate funding. Parents are tired of fundraising for everything from playgrounds to art and music programs, library books and basic technology.

Federal audit reveals problems within B.C. First Nations Health Authority

he First Nations Health Authority in British Columbia has numerous problems with executive hiring, compensation and conflict of interest, a report by Canada’s auditor general says. Michael Ferguson’s office was conducting a study of the health authority in the fall of 2014 when it received an anonymous letter outlining several allegations including workplace misconduct by senior officials. A report released by the office Tuesday said the authority became the subject of an audit in the midst of the study that was launched in October 2013. It said the country’s only such health authority was not transparent about the amount of money it spent on professional and service contracts, hospitality and travel or senior executives’ salaries. The letter also raised questions about hiring practices, prompting auditors to review 14 personnel files. “We found that evidence was limited, in most of these files, to demonstrate that the most qualified candidate was the one hired,” the report said. Three of the 14 positions were publicly posted, resumes showing the candidate had the required qualifications were found in six of the files, and background checks were done on three of the employees, the report said. While the health authority had established an accountability and governance model, the report said it didn’t meet its own requirements. “We found gaps in the policies we examined pertaining to conflict of interest, recruitment, personnel security, administrative investigations, financial information and disclosure, and employee relocation,” the report said. A policy requiring staff to disclose whether they had conflicts of interest involving personal or family relationship was not followed even though such disclosure was a condition of employment, the report said.

LOCAL

Landmark deal protects huge swath of central B.C. coast from logging Industrial logging will be prohibited across 85 per cent of forested lands within B.C.’s Great Bear Rainforest, according to a long-awaited landmark agreement announced Monday in Vancouver by the province, First Nations, environmentalists and forest companies.

boriginal chanting and drum beats heralded an end to the province’s war in the woods and a new era of cooperation in B.C.’s Great Bear Rainforest. In a ceremony at the University of B.C.’s Museum of Anthropology on Monday, First Nations, environmentalists, forestry companies, and the province announced a long-awaited landmark agreement that prohibits industrial logging across 85 per cent of forested lands on the central and north coast. Dallas Smith, president of the Nanwakolas Council, which speaks for eight Kwakwaka’wakw First Nations on resource issues, said he has been working on land-use policies on the coast for close to 20 years. “I am proud and happy but still a little upset it took this long. Our communities are still not better places to live, yet.” Wearing ermine-wool-cedar head gear, he joked that when he began the coastal land-use planning process in 1997 he was told it would be a two-year exercise. Ultimately, it spanned the terms of three premiers and an estimat-

Alberta leads Canada’s job slump as nation’s jobless rate hits two-year high

lberta continues to reel from the oil price shock as the province’s unemployment rate in January climbed above the national rate for the first time since December 1988. The province lost 10,000 jobs in January, pushing its unemployment rate to 7.4 per cent — the highest since 1996 — from 7 per cent in December. Canada overall saw 5,700 job losses in January, which edged up the national unemployment rate to a two-year high of 7.2 per cent. Economists surveyed by Bloomberg had predicted that the Canadian economy would add 6,000 new jobs in January and that the unemployment rate would remain unchanged. “Canada’s job prospects are only just catching up to the malaise in the rest of the economy,” said Avery Shenfeld, chief economist. “ likely more to come on that front as impact of a resource price slump trickles across the broader economy, and not surprisingly, it’s oil-centred Alberta where the bad news is hitting hardest.” The Bank of Canada will likely have no other choice but to cut interest rates further Employment was one of the few bright spots in the Canadian economy last year, with 158,000 new positions being filled even as provinces such as Alberta, Saskatchewan and Newfoundland and Labrador struggle with vanishing energy jobs.

ed 86 chiefs from 26 First Nations, he said. Smith noted there has also been a significant evolution over the years as court cases have recognized First Na-

tions rights in management of natural resources in their traditional territories. “It’s been an interesting transition, a different world back then,” he said in an interview.

Saturday, February 6, 2016

Permanent residents to BC from China drops by half

verseas immigration to B.C. is down 22 per cent in the past decade, driven largely by a plunge in migration from China, which has long been this province’s largest source of immigrants. The number of permanent residents moving to B.C. from China has fallen by half, to just over 6,000 in 2014 from 13,600 in 2005, according to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada. China’s proportion of B.C.’s new permanent residents dropped to 17 per cent from 30 per cent in the decade. As of Dec. 31, 2014, China was on the verge of being dethroned as B.C.’s largest contributor of permanent residents. It had dropped to being on par with India and only slightly ahead of the Philippines. Those three countries contributed roughly equal shares of permanent residents in 2014. Taken together, those three countries represented half of all new permanent residents to B.C. in that year. There is no consensus on what’s driving the decline, which is also happening nationally. Henry Yu, a history professor at the Uni-

versity of B.C. who studies migration between China and Canada’s west coast, said the decline in permanent residents does not mean there are fewer Chinese in B.C. “What you’re seeing is the benefits of permanent residency have declined over time. It doesn’t mean there are less Chinese here. It just means that permanent residency as a desirable decision has declined, at times precipitously.” Yu points to the former Conservative government’s introduction of a 10-year super visa as “ground changing.” Super visas are valid for 10 years and allow parents and grandparents to visit children in Canada for up to two years at a time. The government introduced the program in 2011 as it capped the number of new permanent residence applications for parents and grandparents it would accept because of a lengthy backlog. For Chinese parents who have children studying in Canada, for example, it often makes more sense to apply for a super visa than for permanent residence, Yu explained.

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LOCAL

16 i Saturday, February 6, 2016

Quebec cabbies to file court injunction in hopes of getting Uber off the roads

uebec’s taxi industry is stepping up its fight against ride-hailing giant Uber Technologies Inc., unveiling plans to file a court injunction this week seeking to shut down the service in the province. The move by the union representing 4,000 Quebec drivers and taxi owners comes on top of a class-action lawsuit application against Uber, and warnings that more protests by the taxi industry against the popular service are coming. Union leaders on Sunday spoke about an “Uber hunt” to be held Feb.10, where cabbies will be scouting for Uber drivers and denouncing them to the authorities. “This isn’t ride-sharing. This is transport between point A and point B for payment and it’s clearly illegal” in Quebec without a permit, said Alain Croteau, Quebec director of the United Steelworkers union, which represents the taxi workers. “It has to stop.” The legal salvo is the latest pitting taxi drivers around the world against the San

Francisco-based ride-request company, whose market valuation at the end of 2015 was pegged at $62.5-billion (U.S.). The taxi drivers say Uber is dodging regulations they’re forced to accept, including buying pricey permits and commercial insurance to operate. Uber denounced the injunction request as a ploy by Quebec’s taxi industry to cement its hold over the urban transport market and stifle competition. “This request for a protectionist suit is without merit and aims at preserving the monopoly of the taxi industry to the detriment of consumers,” Uber Canada spokesman Jean-Christophe De Le Rue said in an e-mailed statement. “We believe that Quebeckers deserve an alternative transportation option that is safe, reliable and affordable and that taxi and ride-sharing can complement each other.” Quebec lawmakers have long declared Uber, which uses an app that matches drivers with passengers seeking short-distance transport, illegal.

Woman wearing burka denied service in Edmonton shop because of ‘no-mask policy’

he owner of a north Edmonton shoe repair store says the reason he refused to serve a woman wearing a burka was motivated by safety, not religious or cultural reasons. “We have a no-mask policy in the store and I certainly cannot discuss any race, religion, politics on the (sales) floor,” said Ryan Vale, owner of Edmonton Shoe Repair in Northgate Centre mall. The response comes in the wake of accusations from 19-year-old Sarii Ghalab who claimed Vale told her he could not serve her because it goes against his ethical beliefs. “He blatantly told her not to touch anything in

info@eyelevelrichmond.com www.eyelevelrichmond.com

his store and that he will not offer her any service,” Ghalab’s sister wrote in a Reddit post while searching for online advice. A burka is a traditional dress worn by some Muslim women that covers everything except the eyes. Ghalab later told CBC News that she tried to deliver flowers to Vale along with a letter explaining the reasons she wears the burka. But she said he simply ushered her out of the store. Vale said that isn’t the case. “I certainly did not bring up the issue of race,” said Vale, pointing out a hand-written sign on his counter saying “Please, for security reasons no facial coverings Thank you” as well as another printout saying “For security reasons No masked customers allowed” with a silhouette of a head wearing a balaclava. “That’s the way it’s always been. I know lots of businesses adhere to that business — strictly a no-mask, veiled mask, policy in the store; for white people, black people, dogs, anything. Please show who you are for safety,” Vale said. Ghalab said she isn’t looking for retribution (though her sister posted she would file a human rights complaint) and the incident details remain he-said-she-said. According to Susan Coombes, a manager in education and engagement with the Alberta Human Rights Commission (AHRC), it is rare that a complaint makes it as far as the hearing stage and no such case involving the wearing of a burka or niqab have made it that far in the province. The Alberta Human Rights Act says shop owners or salespeople have to provide the same service to anyone, regardless of a number of characteristics including race, religion, place of origin and ancestry to the point of “undue hardship.” Coombes said legally contravening the law based on what someone is wearing would depend on the shop owner showing crime or violence rates linked to specific clothing use. She said each case is considered independently but even assuming someone could shoplift because of their clothing could offend them and spur a complaint.

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LOCAL

Judge reverses human rights ruling that found regulator discriminated against foreign-trained man

judge has reversed an Alber- at jeopardy when they make decisions. ta human rights ruling that Queen’s Bench Justice June Ross found a regulator discrimi- said the tribunal’s ruling connated against a foreign-trained man tained errors and was unreasonable. who wanted to work as an engineer. “The tribunal’s reasons leading to (the Ladislav Mihaly, from the former chairman’s) conclusion that APEGA could Czechoslovakia, had been seeking since have accommodated Mr. Mihaly and oth1999 to register with the Association of ers sharing his characteristics are rife with Professional Engineers and logical errors, findings Geoscientists of Alberta. Kelowna tops of fact that are not supThe association required the list of 34 Cana- ported by evidence and Mihaly to write exams to dian cities for the failures to take into confirm his credentials, highest account relevant conbut after failing two tests per capita rate of siderations,” she wrote. and refusing to take oth- marijuana charges “I conclude that ers he filed a complaint the decision of with the Alberta Huthe tribunal should be reversed.” man Rights Commission in 2008. The association’s CEO, Mark Flint, said the In 2014, a human rights tribunal ruled judge’s ruling will help protect public safety the tests were discriminatory and ordered and confirms its application process is fair. the association to reconsider Mihaly’s application and pay him $10,000 in damages. The tribunal also required the association to form a committee to review any of his perceived academic deficiencies, to consider exempting him from exams and to provide him with a mentor to guide him into the engineering profession. The public knows a licensed engineer or geoscientist has a certain level of knowledge and skills and can practice independently and will not put them

Lawsuit claims company sat on study indicating Cold-FX was ineffective

he makers of Cold-FX have sat for years on a study that suggested Canada’s most popular cold and flu remedy was no more effective than a placebo in treating symptoms of the viruses. The 2004 trial was conducted by Dr. Gerry Predy, a top Alberta public-health official, at a time when the supplement’s makers told consumers the product would bring fast relief from the effects of such ailments. Predy continued to do other research on Cold-FX — based on people taking it over months as a preventive measure – and spoke of its prophylactic benefits well after 2004. But it appears neither he nor the manufacturers have ever publicly divulged results of the short-term treatment trial. The study has just surfaced in a class-action lawsuit against Valeant Pharmaceuticals, the Quebec drug giant that now owns the product after buying Edmonton’s Afexa Life Sciences in 2011. “If true, this kind of information should have been disclosed,” argues John Green, the Vancouver lawyer spearheading the class action. “If it had been disclosed, it would probably have been the end of Afexa Life Sciences.” Companies like Afexa and Valeant are not legally obliged in this country to release any trial results. The Cold-FX report was filed with Health Canada, according to the court document, but the government is barred from making such proprietary information public.

Saturday, February 6, 2016

Liberals call Jason Kenney a racist for requesting ‘English to English’ translation of Minister Sajjan

ason Kenney is fighting back against allegations he shouted something racist at his Liberal successor as defence minister during question period Monday. Kenney, the Conservative MP for Calgary Midnapore, allegedly heckled the new defence minister Harjit Sajjan’s over his answer to a question about the Canadian mission in Syria. The Liberals said Kenney yelled he needed an “English to English” translation of the minister’s response in order to understand the government’s convoluted stance on the mission. Sajjan is Sikh and immigrated from India as a child, so many Liberals took Kenney’s words as barb related to the minister’s (very subtle) accent. One Liberal rose on a point of order to ask Kenney to apologize, which he refused, saying: “There’s nothing to apologize for and he would encourage

the minister to explain” the government’s plans for the international fight against ISIL. That only further incensed Liberal parliamentarians. But Kenney — who served briefly as defence minister before the Conservatives lost power and for years as minister responsible for multiculturalism — tweeted Tuesday his comments had nothing to do with Sajjan’s linguistic skills but the lack of substance in his answers. “I have huge respect for Mr. Sajjan. As (citizenship and immigration) minister I featured him as a role model in the Discover Canada Citizenship guide!” Kenney wrote. “Unfortunately, I find his answers on ending combat against ISIS to be at best unpersuasive & at worst incoherent. That’s the point I tried to make. Sorry if it was misconstrued in any way. He’s a fine, intelligent man but, IMHO (in my humble opinion), his position is wrong.”

18 i Saturday, February 6, 2016

TYLE

Saturday - February 6, 2016

Did Anushka turn down Virat Kohli’s marriage proposal ?

here seems to be something wrong here. We haven’t seen Anushka Sharma and Virat Kohlitogether of late and they have even unfollowed each other on Instagram. And now we hear that Anushka has turned down Virat’s marriage proposal. The cricketer wants to marry the actress this year

but she wants to focus on her career at the moment. This has led to some misunderstanding between them and they haven’t really been talking to each other much. They both are busy with their professional lives and we really hope they sort this out. We can’t see another breakup

onight, you’ll see Govinda’s nephew Krushna Abhishek in Comedy Nights Live at exactly the same time you had your appointment with Comedy Nights With Kapil (CNWK). His Comedy Nights Bachao (CNB) is going very strong on Saturdays. Continued on page 3

Sham-e-Geet O’ Gazal at Studio 7

Anushka Sharma

Kapil Sharma felt insecure and ran away from the battlefield

Rapper Hard Kaur turns cricketer !

urrey- At Studio 7, Pehchan promotions organised a Shame-Geet O’ Gazall night with Jamaal Raja, a ghazal singer from Pakistan. The audience relished the essence of Urdu, Punjabi and Hindi songs in the voice of Jamal Raja. At this occasion Sukhi Bath the owner of Studio 7 hon-

ored Jamaal Raja and Sadat Chaudhary the host of this program. At the end of the program all the guests and audience shared Tea and snacks provided by Sukhi Bath Motors. In The coming weekend days many other social events will be organised at studio 7 by the different associations and organisation.

ard Kaur is all set to start a new innings as a cricketer in the upcoming celebrity box cricket league. The rapper will be playing for telly actor Mrunal Jain’s team. The Move Your Body hitmaker will be picking up the bat after 25 years. While growing up in England, she used to play

rounders and baseball. Kaur thinks she is a good bowler.

Star & Style

2 i Saturday, February 6, 2016

Horoscope

Priyanka to present an award at Oscars

Libra

Aries

Sept. 24 - Oct 22

March 21 - April 20 Why do some people say what they say and do what they do? We may as well ask why

they feel what they feel. Psychologists dedicate their lives to understanding what motivates humanity. They’re still not sure. We may be predictable but we are unpredictably predictable! We may be logical but our logic follows mysterious lines. Don’t drive yourself to distraction this

week by trying to understand what may make no sense.

Taurus

There are times, it seems, when we begin to develop the most unlikely notions about what other individuals may be able to do to help increase our own level of satisfaction. ‘I’ll be happy,’ we think to ourselves, ‘as long as I can get this person to do that for me.’ Even if we are lucky and our dreams turn to reality, we may then have to face the awkward consequence of discovering that what we’ve got is not quite what we want!

Scorpio

April 21 - May 20 We waste precious time and energy when we allow ourselves to wish that others could behave in different ways. Why, when we fall in love with each other, do we so often seem to end up wishing that we could change one another? The great cosmic challenge in your emotional life this week, involves learning to accept and respect an aspect of someone else’s personality that you sometimes don’t find so easy.

Gemini

May 20 - June 21 We think to ourselves, ‘will this be the week?’ We consider our romantic aspirations, hopes, dreams, wishes and needs. We tire of putting these aside and fobbing ourselves off with lame excuses about why our reality never seems to match the fantasy. Yet deep within, we crave a development that turns normality inside out and upside down. Might such magic be attainable in your love life this week? Well, it won’t all happen dramatically overnight but you can take a big step towards a change long dreamed of. Now you should read your new Guide

Cancer

June 22 - July 23

Oct 23 - Nov 22 This forecast probably contains information that you are probably not expecting to read! A situation, in your personal or emotional life, is proving somewhat troublesome. There is conflict and controversy and it is all taking up energy. Of this, you are well aware. You know, too, that no matter how hard you try to resolve the situation, things apparently only get trickier. What you don’t know, though, is that you are closer than you think to a helpful, healing development that will eventually bring relief and reassurance.

Sagitarius Nov 23 - Dec 22

Does the secret of a successful love life involve mysterious, magical, interpersonal chemistry? Or is it all about communication? There are some who say that anyone can be talked into almost anything, just as long as they are willing to be persuaded in the first place. What governs that willingness? Chemistry! In your heart of hearts, you already know whether you’ve got that. If you haven’t, give up! If you have, keep trying. You may yet be amazed and delighted by the personal progress you make.

We get nearer each day to the New Moon that heralds the start of the Chinese Year Of The Fire Monkey. That says plenty about the power and energy that you currently have at your disposal. If your personal life is not currently as satisfactory as you wish it was, constructive steps to change that can now be taken. You don’t have to sit around waiting for others to do things, say things or start things. You can take an initiative. You can be brave, daring and determined.

Capricorn

Leo

Negotiation this week, will go more smoothly where edges are not fuzzy!

June 24 - August 23 What are we supposed to conclude when plans go awry? When arrangements get changed? When new developments distract us? Is this the universe trying to tell us that we should keep a tighter grip on our circumstances? Or does it represent a cosmic invitation to relax, let go, adapt and benefit from change? It can sometimes be especially hard to feel happy and positive about unexpected developments in our personal lives. But something wonderful can yet happen, this week.

Virgo

Dec 23 - Jan 20

All relationships, be they social or emotional, frivolous or serious, involve a degree of give and take. Those who seek successful communication and rewarding exchange know the importance of compromise. We can’t have it all our own way. We must let someone else gain at least an occasional sense of victory. Such balancing acts become much easier to achieve when both parties know, in their heart of hearts, what they want!

Aquarius

Jan 21 - Feb 19 We don’t always have control over the speed at which our life is moving. We can try to slow things down or hurry them up but we are never the only players in the game. Others have a say, too. Sometimes, their dramas become so urgent that they take precedence over all else. Someone who matters greatly is setting a slightly uncomfortable agenda. Go along with it as best you can and try not to complain. The process they are undergoing, is one that will benefit you, too.

Pisces

August 24 - Sept 24 Success, in your emotional life now, is all about saying the right things to the right people. That isn’t likely to prove too difficult. You should find soon that you naturally arrive at a beneficial level of true, mutual, understanding. You just need to be a little less defensive over issues that have proved contentious in the past, and more trusting that others are willing to let bygones be bygones. The potential for positive change is surely with us all at any time, but right now it is particularly strong and particularly hopeful.

Feb 20 - March 20 You are understandably keen to improve the quality of a personal relationship. Someone is proving a little difficult. This may be partly to do with their personality and partly, to do with yours! The real issue now, though, is not ‘what has caused a situation to come about’ but ‘how can it be peacefully, happily, comfortably resolved?’ The attribution of fault or blame won’t help. An expression of humility, sincerity and a true willingness to move on and start afresh is the only healing balm that needs to be applied.

f t e r turning presenter at the recently held Screen Actors Guild Awards (SAGA), Priyanka Chopra will now present an award at the Oscars. An update on the official Academy Awards website said: Oscars producers David Hill and Reginald Hudlin announced today the second slate of presenters for the 88th Oscars telecast. The Oscars, hosted by Chris Rock, will air live Oscar Sunday, February 28, on ABC. An official tweet also confirmed the news

Wow ! can you guess who this actor is?

any of you might have recognised him by now. This is actually Rishi Kapoor‘s first look fromKapoor And Sons. It is hard to recognise him so instantly. This isn’t the time Rishi has been unrecognisable this year since his look in Sanam Re is also pretty different. Looking cool, Rishiji!

Salman Khan throws surprise birthday bash for Preity Zinta’s 41st

an you ever imagine Salman Khan giggling? Well, apparently the star does it occasionally, when he’s in the bubbly company of best friend Preity Zinta!

Sussanne Khan and Preity Zinta were having a quiet meal. A few minutes later, Salman Khan joined them.

We don’t know if the three had planned this outing, but we are still rubbing our eyes in disbelief. The awesome threesome are having drinks and dinner together. We are well aware of Salman’s friendship with Zinta. A few of her close friends (not from the industry) have trooped in. Is she having a small celebration of her birthday (Jan 31) four days later? B u t

what’s the new connect between Salman and Sussanne? They look so comfortable with each other

Bollywood personalities’ birthdays this week Abhishek Bachchan 5 FEB

Jagjit Singh 8 February

Amrita Singh

9 February

Rahul Roy

9 February

Pran

9 February

Star & Style Bollywood Reacts to VHP’s demand to stop Shah Rukh’s Raees shoot

Saturday, February 6, 2016 i 3

New released Bollywood films February 5 - February 12 5 February

Sanam Teri Kasam Romance Radhika Rao, Vinay Sapru Mawra Hocane, Harshvardhan Rane

12 February

Fitoor

ishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) members had protested against the ongoing shooting of Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan’s film Raees in Bhuj, for his earlier remarks on ‘intolerance’ (which SRK later stated were misconstrued). On Tuesday, 20-30 VHP activists had handed over a memorandum to district officers and demanded withdrawal of the permission given for the shooting of the film.

Yesterday, they protested outside the district Collector’s office pressing for the same demand. They shouted slogans against the actor and also burnt and tore his posters. “He (Shah Rukh) should think, living in this country which gave him name, fame and riches; if he goes on speaking about non-existent intolerance, the VHP will never forgive,” Gujarat VHP general secretary Ranchod Bharwad had said.

Anupam Kher denied Pakistani visa for literary festival

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

12 February

Lucknowi Ishq

Aanand Raut Adhyayan Suman, Karishma Kotak

12 February

on-issuance of a visa by the Pakistani government has led to the cancellation of actor Anupam Kher’s participation in the Karachi literary festival starting February 5.

Sanam Re

Romance Divya Khosla Kumar

Anupam Kher was one of the 18 Indians invited to the four-day festival by the organisers but he is the only one whose visa has not been cleared. The other 17 Indian participants have been given visas. Anupam Kher, who has just been honoured with Padma Bhushan by the Indian government, was to participate in at least two sessions and his name figured prominently in the festival schedule. Confirming that he has not been issued a visa, Kher told PTI here today that he was very saddened by the development as he was looking forward to participate in the festival and use the platform to dispel misunderstandings in the minds of people there.

Pulkit Samrat, Yami Gautam, Urvashi Rautela, Rishi Kapoor

Kapil Sharma felt insecure and ran away From page 1 SpotboyE spoke to the man of the moment at length to get his views on his rival Kapil Sharma’s exit from Colors. Excerpts: How does it feel to have a show in Kapil’s slot? Colors was running CNWK very well. For some strange reason, Kapil had a problem when big stars started coming to my show CNB as well. He shouldn’t have left Colors, who made him into a big brand. He forgot that when Shah Rukh visited his show for the first time, it was due to Colors and not him. Aap apna show apne dum per chalao, hum apna show apne dum pe chalayenge. Why couldn’t he have had a healthy competition with me? Why did he run away? Why did he feel so insecure? He is such a talented artiste. I thought he’ll fight back. If you recall, he felt insecure even when Guthi’s popularity increased. Think of it, Guthi’s show too didn’t well when he branched out and quit Colors.

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vestors also factored into the mix in 2015,” said Cohen. “Buyers from Mainland China, in particular, should play an even greater role in the top end of the GTA’s luxury market in the next six to 12 months, based on the upward trajectory of the US dollar.”

Forget the $1 million Toronto home, it’s the $5 million market that’s on fire

Toronto realtor says in a new study out Monday that $5 million home sales are taking off across

the city, aided by international buyers. Hey Vancouver homeowners, the good news is you’re all millionaires. The bad news? You’re all millionaires

Soaring housing prices have made Vancouver a city of paper millionaires and multimillionaires, a change Peter McMartin fears does not bode well for the city’s future. Read on Real estate prices in the city made headlines in 2015 when the average sale price of a detached home crossed $1 million, but Barry Cohen, a luxury realtor in Toronto, says keep an eye on those $5 million homes. He said 77 units sold for $5 million or more last year — a 108 per cent increase from 2014 when there were only 37 sales in that price range. The dollar value of all those luxury sales crossed $500 million in 2015. “Tight market conditions prevailed throughout much of the year, with fewer ultra high-end listings coming to market overall, particularly in prestigious enclaves south of the 401,” said the Re/Max broker, referring to the major highway that cuts east-west across the city. “Pentup demand is expected to carry over into 2016, with affluent purchasers waiting patiently in the wings for the right product.” ‘It’s the new Waterloo’: How the rise of Silicon Valley North is fuelling another Canadian condo boom How to use your RRSP to invest in real estate Vancouver ranks third most unaffordable housing market in study, worse than New York and London Most of the sales over $5 million were in the 416 area code, with Bridle Path and Sunnybrook area reporting 43 per cent of the high-end sales. Sixteen per cent of sales came from Forest Hill South. Listings were scarce in other upscale neighbourhoods closer to the city’s

core such as Rosedale, Moore Park, Forest Hill, Annex, and South Hill. Cohen said the luxury end of the market usually softens first in volatile economic times but gyrations in 4 i stock Saturday, July might 25, 2015 the market be sending a message to the ultra wealthy to look at

real estate again. The strong U.S. dollar and weak loonie is expected to bolster demand as international buyers take advantage of the exchange rate. “While purchasers, for the most part, were local entrepreneurs, business executives, and professionals, foreign in-

6 i Saturday, February 6, 2016

Bulldozer bait’: $6-million mansion just another Vancouver tear down

y all appearances, the house at 6088 Adera St. is a well-appointed, relatively new, $6 million luxury home with an indoor pool, media room and new hardwood floors. It would seem to be a desirable residence as is, but instead it is slated for demolition. The prospect of a luxury mansion becoming just another Vancouver tear down is sparking a new level of debate over the rapid re-construction of Vancouver’s residential neighbourhoods as word of the development circulates among neighbourhood and housing advocates. “It’s mind boggling,” said Caroline Adderson, a Vancouver author and heritage advocate. “They’re not putting up condo complexes, it’s going to be another single-family house.” She said the home’s demolition and the presumably even-more-luxurious

replacement “runs contrary to every single goal the city stands for,” because redeveloping the property won’t help increase affordability or density” and “there is nothing green about demolishing a perfectly livable house.” The city has confirmed that the home’s owner has made an application for a demolition permit, which is pending until approval of the combination development and building permit for its replacement.

molition of pre-1940 houses and co-authoring the book Vancouver Vanishes, which explores the issue. However, she said increasingly people are calling her attention to houses built in the 1990s or later being replaced by new homes. “Everything is bulldozer bait,” she said. “Now it’s all about the building lot.” In early 2015, The Sun reported that almost 8,700 buildings were demolished in Vancouver since 2005 and that houses were still being torn down almost daily.

The building permit application is for a new, single-family dwelling, said city spokesman Jag Sandhu in an email, which complies with the neighbourhood’s RS-3 zoning. Property records show that the 7,300-square-foot house was last sold in 2013 for just over $6 million — the assessment today is $7.44 million. According to the 2013 listing for the property, it boasted $350,000 in recent renovations including new hardwood floors, a water purification system and windows. The listing sheet shows the two-storey house on a corner lot has 19 rooms including seven bedrooms, a media room, office and 12-foot by Seven-foot walk-in closet off the master suite. Adderson has become a heritage advocate for Vancouver’s character homes, administering a Facebook page dedicated to chronicling the rapid de-

“It’s very disheartening,” said Vancouver Coun. Adriane Carr of the rapid demolition of homes. She said she plans to raise the Adera Street demolition at council to find out more about the circumstances and whether there are ways to “prevent the destruction of perfectly good homes.” “It’s such an incredible waste of resources at a time in our planet’s history when conservation of resources is on everyone’s mind.” At present, Carr said it doesn’t appear that there is a way to do so, but she mused whether council can use zoning changes to prevent such demolitions. Carr is one of two council liaison members to the city’s heritage plan committee which is looking for ways to encourage the retention of more pre-1940 heritage homes and zoning is one of the options being considered, which she hopes could be applied to “the problem of any home that’s decent being torn down on a whim.”

Saturday, February 6, 2016 i 7

Tight Metro Vancouver markets push average house price to new record $1.83 million

ome sales in January eased off December’s torrid pace around Metro Vancouver, but remain in high gear with buyers piling into markets marked by a shrinking inventory. That has kept pressure on prices to reach sharply higher, the latest report from the Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver shows. The average price for detached homes across the region hit a new record high of $1.83 million in January, a full 40 per cent higher than January 2015. The board recorded 2,519 sales through the multiple listing service in January, down 11 per cent from December’s 2,827 sales, but still 32 per cent higher than the level of sales in January a year ago. However, inventory, also shrank, with new listings down 6.2 per cent at 4,442 in January compared with a year ago and a total inventory of 6,635 homes for sale, down 38 per cent, which really kept pressure on pricing.

“Home buyer demand is at near record heights and home seller supply is as low as we’ve seen it in many years,” said Darcy McLeod, president of the Real Estate Board of Vancouver in a news release. The board’s benchmark measures strip out luxury sales to track prices of homes more typically sold and in January, the benchmark for detached homes was up 28 per cent to $1.29 million in January on sales of 1,047 homes. Condo sales were slightly hotter at 1,096 units, a 35-per-cent increase from a year ago, but the benchmark price was up less so, 19 per cent, to hit $466,600. Townhome sales were up 16 per cent in January compared with a year ago, but that only represented 376 units. The results did push the benchmark price on townhomes up, also by 16 per cent, to $563,700.

Spring mortgage war start early with first mortgage rate

ntario’s largest credit union is trying to kick off the spring home buying season as temperatures outside make it look like April has already arrived in some parts of the country. The move by Meridian to offer a cut-rate deal of 1.69 per cent on a one-year mortgage — which the credit union says is the lowest for any fixed-rate product — comes just as consumers in some markets rush to buy homes before a Feb. 15 deadline that will make it harder to borrow money.

Last year, the Liberals introduced new rules that require a down payment of 10 per cent on all mortgage amounts on homes sold for between $500,000 and $1 million, and with less than two weeks until that rule kicks in some home buyers are scurrying to purchase now. “I just listed something that sold for considerably above what I consider fair market value,” said Michael Elmenhoff, a Toronto realtor who says a row house he thought would sell for $600,000 recently sold for an additional $50,000, and attracted more than 100 interested parties. “It’s unheard of to have that many people looking through a house in the second week of January.” A $650,000 home will soon require a $40,000 down payment, but under the old rules that same home requires buyers put just $32,500 down. That $7,500 is something many consumers will struggle with.

Forget the $1 million Toronto home, it’s the $5 million market that’s on fire Hey Vancouver homeowners, the good news is you’re all millionaires. The bad news? You’re all millionaires How to use your RRSP to invest in real estate Gregory Klump, the chief economist with the Canadian Real Estate Association, which represents about 100 boards across the country, said it’s too early to tell if the warmer weather has had an impact on the market. But, he says, historically people wait until the spring to list their homes. “You know you can extract maximum money in spring because that’s when demand goes bananas,” said Klump, adding that the changes to the mortgage rules were expected to push activity forward, but a lack of supply has crimped sales. “The supply and demand imbalance has resulted in large price increases,” he said. The Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver reported Tuesday that January sales were up 31.7 per cent from a year earlier and 46 per cent above the 10-year average for the month. The benchmark price for a detached home in the region was up 27.9 per cent from a year ago, to $1,293,700. Toronto’s numbers are expected to be released Wednesday, and there is no indication January sales figures will show any type of slowdown. Meridian said it jumped the gun on lowering rates — last year it offered a 1.49 per cent rate on an 18-month contract — after witnessing a robust market for housing in January. “We’re building our awareness and growing aggressively in Ontario and this is another way of getting our name out there,” said

‘Knockdown’ Point Grey home listed for $2.4 million

A house built in 1930 that was recently listed for sale for $2.398-million is seen in the Point Grey neighbourhood of Vancouver, B.C., on Friday January 29, 2016. It’s missing a few shingles, the bathroom walls show some rot and it needs a paint job, but the tiny home in a tony Vancouver neighbourhood has been listed for nearly $2.4 million and could sell for more

t’s missing a few shingles, the bathroom walls show some rot and it needs a paint job, but the tiny home in a tony Vancouver neighbourhood has been listed for nearly $2.4 million and could sell for more. Ken Wyder, a real estate agent not connected with the home, says the listing price isn’t unusual for a lot in the Point Grey neighbourhood and the home itself is likely a “knockdown.” Wyder has operated in the Westside neighbourhood for 15 years and says about 90 per cent of such older homes

on similar lots -- about 10 metres wide -- are selling for the property alone. An open house is planned for the three-bedroom, two-bathroom home built in 1930 on Tuesday and Wyder predicts the listing will garner multiple offers of more than $2.5 million. Agents for the firm selling the home said they were hired to market and sell the property, and would not be giving interviews. Vancouver’s hot housing market has become infamous for its bidding wars on listings and lack of affordability.

8 i Saturday, February 6, 2016

AUTO

Toyota to buy out rest of Daihatsu for $3-billion amid push into compact cars

oyota Motor Corp (7203.T), the world’s largest automaker, said it would buy out the rest of minivehicle unit Daihatsu Motor Co (7262.T) - an all-stock deal worth about $3 billion and part of its strategy to strengthen its push into compact cars for emerging markets. The companies intend to develop Daihatsu into a global brand as they focus on growing markets for compact cars, noting that entry-level car markets were expanding due to economic development and that vehicles were becoming smaller due to environmental and traffic concerns. Acquiring full control of Daihatsu, of which Toyota currently owns 51.2 percent, will allow it to better leverage the lower-cost brand and enable Daihatsu to more easily adopt next-generation technologies developed by Toyota. “We see this as the perfect opportunity to cement our relationship with Toyota, and, by doing so, to embark on a new period of growth, and to elevate the Daihatsu brand to a global standard,” Daihatsu said in a statement. Toyota will acquire the remaining Daihatsu shares by swapping 0.26 of its own shares for each Daihatsu share. Daihatsu shares will be delisted after July 26. Daihatsu specialises in 660 cc vehicles and produces models including the Mira and the Cast, while also sup-

plying car bodies and engines to Toyota and Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd (7270.T). It competes fiercely with Suzuki Motor Corp (7269.T) in Japan, where both automakers each hold about 30 percent of the minivehicle market. But as minivehicles sales slump at home due to a rapidly ageing society and a lack of interest in car ownership among young people, the automakers have been looking to expand further into overseas markets. Daihatsu has a 16.2 percent market share of the passenger car market in Indonesia, where it manufactures the Ayla and other vehicles in a joint venture with Astra International. In Malaysia, it operates a joint venture which has a market share of around 32.5 percent. It also exports to Europe and North America, where some of its models have been sold under Toyota’s Scion brand targeted at the youth market. Global sales for Daihatsu slid 13.3 percent in 2015, the weakest sales performance in the Toyota group last year, which also includes the Toyota and Lexus brands and truck maker Hino Motors Ltd (7205.T). The announcement comes days after Toyota denied a media report that it is discussing possible tie-ups with Suzuki from a variety of angles, including cross-share holdings.

Saturday, February 6, 2016

Pope’s Philadelphia Fiat sold at auction for $82K

he popemobile is staying in Philadelphia. The black Fiat 500L, one of two used by Pope Francis during his trip to the city in September for the World Meeting of Families, sold at auction on Friday night. Michael and Kate Chapman, owners of Chapman Auto Group, secured the winning bid of $82,000 at a black-tie event kicking off the weekend’s Philadelphia Auto Show. The Chapmans own seven Philadelphia area showrooms. The auction started at 9 p.m. and lasted for only 11 minutes. Kenneth Gavin, spokesman for the

Archdiocese of Philadelphia, said more than 19 bidders from around the country participated. “We are so heartened by the fact that this extraordinary gift will go on to enrich the lives of so many individuals,” said Donna Crilley Farrell, executive director of the World Meeting of Families. Chapman will put the car on display at his dealership in Horsham, he told Philly.com. The second Fiat that Francis used in Philadelphia will remain on display at the auto show running until Feb. 7. The Archdiocese said all auction proceeds will benefit charities and the archdiocese’s special edu

Ford quarterly profit beats Street expectations

ord Motor Co (F.N) said on Thursday fourth-quarter results beat Wall Street expectations, and it reiterated a forecast that 2016 pretax profit would be equal to or higher than last year. Excluding one-time items, Ford earned 58 cents a share in the fourth quarter, versus Wall Street expec-

tations of 51 cents, according to Thomson The automaker earned most of its money in the quarter and for the full year in North America, where falling gasoline prices have spurred demand for profitable large pickups, including the Ford F-150 and Super Duty models.

Iconic Mustang unveiled in India, to be launched in 2nd quarter of 2016

nyone who thinks only lions can roar has never heard a Mustang. This four-wheeled beast has thundered its way on roads the world over and Ford has now unleashed it on Indian shores. Launching the car in Delhi on Thursday, Ford officials were tight-lipped about pricing. They did promise though that the Mustang would be available to Indians from the second quarter of 2016. Equipped with SYNC connectivity which

allows drivers to control their in-car entertainment using voice commands, the Mustang brings with it a plethora of features like climate-control seats, eight-inch screen, power folding mirrors, navigation, et al. “We are not really targeting any age group particularly with the Mustang. Traditional definitions of customer segments are blurring,” Anurag Mehrotra, Ford’s executive director of marketing and sales, said. “It

is not about age but about passion.

NATIONAL

20 i Saturday, February 6, 2016

German refugees told to integrate or lose benefits

ermany’s labour minister is threatening to cut benefits for migrants who don’t want to integrate into German society. Germany registered nearly 1.1 million people as asylum-seekers last year. Integrating those who are allowed to stay in society and the labour market will pose a major challenge in the years ahead. Labour Minister Andrea Nahles wrote in Monday’s edition of the daily Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung that “all people who live in Germany, no matter what their ethnic origin, must make an effort, seek work and support themselves and their families as well as they can.” Nahles added: “We will cut benefits to those who signal that they do not want to integrate.” She said that could be measured by willingness to abide by German society’s rules and to take language classes. The amount of benefits paid out to asylum seekers has become a major concern

for citizens in most European countries. Germans are growing increasingly skeptical of Angela Merkel’s open-door policy and critics, many of whom populate the ranks of Merkel’s own party, are growing more and more vociferous. Although the increasingly isolated chancellor has so far resisted calls to close borders and cap the number of

refugees coming into the country, she did announce on Saturday that asylum seekers would go back to their countries once the conflicts had ended. “We need ... to say to people that this is a temporary residential status and we expect that once there is peace in Syria again, once IS has been defeated in Iraq, that you go back to your

home country with the knowledge that you have gained,” Merkel said at a meeting of Christian Democratic Union of Germany (CDU) members. Concerns about the country’s ability to intergrate the huge numbers of asylum seekers coming into the country have become a major issue since the mass assaults on women in Cologne on New Year’s Eve, mostly perpetrated by men from the Middle East and Africa.

Brison warns public service bargaining must be ‘realistic’

reasury Board President Scott Brison, whose federal negotiators meet with public service unions Monday, is warning that bargaining must be “realistic” in the face of Canada’s deteriorating economic situation. The Liberal government resumes collective bargaining this week, beginning with the Public Service Alliance of Canada, the biggest of the 18 federal unions. It’s the Liberals’ first session at the table since negotiations with the previous Conservative government dissolved in

acrimony before the Oct. 19 election. The two sides have already locked horns because the unions want the Liberal government to repeal Tory-era legislation that rewrote the rules for collective bargaining and, they maintain, greatly diminished their bargaining clout. So far, Brison has agreed to review the law but not to repeal it. The big question, however, is the Liberal government’s position on sick leave. Will it table a new proposal or pick up where the Conservatives left off? The last government offer came from Tony Clement, Brison’s predecessor. His

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take-it-or-leave deal hit two hot buttons that galvanized unions into signing an unprecedented solidarity pact. Clement wanted to eliminate public servants’ sick-leave banks — a total of 15 million days socked away — and reduce their 15 days of annual sick leave to six. While the Liberals promised a “new mandate” for bargaining, Brison, who says he is “hell-bent on not prejudicing” the talks, declined to discuss details. “We are going respect the negotiation process and bargain in good faith,” he told the Citizen.

Monsef says Canada can do better than the current system

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emocratic Institutions Minister Maryam Monsef concedes Canada’s first-past-thepost electoral system has its advantages. And, whatever its flaws, she acknowledges it would be welcomed in fledgling democracies like Afghanistan, from whence she fled as a youngster. But a mature democracy like Canada can do better, she says. Monsef has been put in charge of delivering on Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s pledge to make last fall’s federal election the last conducted under FPTP. The objective, she says, is to engage voters, improve turn out during elections and make all Canadians feel like their votes count. That means “a stronger democratic system that allows for a higher voter turnout, that engages the voices of those who at the moment feel like they’re ignored, those who feel like their issues don’t matter and that their hopes and aspirations don’t count,” Monsef said in an interview. “We have an opportunity, with this government as we approach the 150th anniversary, to strengthen and modernize our democratic institutions and bring them into the 21st century and that is the mandate that we got from Canadians.” Won’t rule out referendum Monsef has used the mandate argument to deflect Conservative demands for a Canada-wide referendum on whatever electoral reform is eventually recommended by a soon-to-be-constituted, special all-party committee.

POLITICS

Saturday, February 6, 2016 i 21

Settled Syrian refugees can now identify family for sponsorship - Immigration Minister

he Canadian government is launching a new program to help Syrians in Canada bring in family who have also fled the war-torn country. The Syrian Family Links initiative lets Syrians in Canada identify family who are refugees in Lebanon, Jordan or Turkey. Those family members can then be connected with groups in Canada who are looking for someone to sponsor. Canadian officials say refugees tend to integrate more quickly when they are privately sponsored rather government sponsored.

Immigration, Refugee and Citizenship Canada said Wednesday that 15,685 Syrian refugees have landed in Canada to date. Of those, 5,468 are privately sponsored, 9,088

Liberals drop two byelections, but Green results should make victorious NDP worried

he New Democrats won two ridings from the B.C. Liberals in Tuesday’s provincial by-elections, as the governing party put up its worst results in the two seats since before 1991. But the two victories by the NDP Melanie Mark does not mean they are on track for another victory in next year’s provincial election. As expected, the New Democrats held on to their seat of Vancouver-Mount Pleasant, which was vacated by Jenny Kwan when the former MLA made a successful bid for federal office. Melanie Mark of the NDP captured 60.8 per cent of the vote, down five points from the 2013 provincial election. The Greens’ Pete Fry finished second with 26.4 per cent of the vote, up 14.5 points, while the Lib-

erals were down 7.4 points to just 11.3 per cent. The result in Coquitlam-Burke Mountain might be more revealing. That riding, vacated by Douglas Horne in an unsuccessful bid for federal office with the ConJodie Wickens servatives, has been a swing riding in the past. While Horne did win it twice, the New Democrats won its predecessor riding in 2005 and held it throughout the 1990s. The New Democrats’ Jodie Wickens increased her party’s share of the vote by 8.8 points, capturing 46.2 per cent of ballots cast to wrest the riding away from the Liberals. Joan Isaacs saw her party’s support drop 11.8 points to 38.1 per cent, while the Greens were up eight points to 13.8 per cent.

CPP disability claims delayed by massive backlog, auditor finds

uditor General Michael Ferguson’s latest report lays bare massive delays processing Canada Pension Plan disability payments that have left some of the most vulnerable Canadians waiting years for benefits In his annual fall report released Tuesday, the auditor general uncovered an average processing delay of 884 days that has left Canadians with severe and prolonged disabilities — such as nervous and circulatory diseases, cancers and mental illness, among others — waiting for a crucial source of income. “These are Canadian workers. These are people who have worked in the Canadian workforce and they made their contributions to the CPP, and this is one of the benefits that they expect to be there when they need it,” Ferguson said Tuesday. “The department needs to treat it as a service

for people and make the whole system better.” The auditor general also found Shared Services Canada is also unable to demonstrate any cost savings from its much-delayed streamlining of government information technology services. The Social Security Tribunal of Canada, created by the former Conservative government following the 2012 federal budget, was tasked with processing disability claims under the CPP, a program the vast majority of working Canadians contribute to through their paycheques. But the backlog of cases waiting for an appeal has nearly doubled since the tribunal’s creation, from 6,585 cases at its creation to 10,871 by December 2014. Similarly, the average wait time for an appeal decision has grown to 884 days, more than doubling the wait time prior to the change.

are government sponsored and 1,129 came through a program where they are referred by a visa officer. Officials emphasize they are not “matching” sponsors to Syrian families abroad. They will simply provide a list of refugees to potential sponsors. Those refugees would still have to be approved for entry into Canada by the federal government. The family members and potential sponsors would then be responsible for discussing the terms of the sponsorship. Hundreds of Syrian Canadian families have expressed interest, government officials say. McCallum said Syrian Family Links was launched about a week or so ago, and so far 157 refugee families have

been identified. Five Canadian sponsors have signed up and McCallum hopes many more will join. Housing still an issue McCallum says finding affordable housing for new arrivals continues to be an issue. Some communities have even asked for a temporary halt in the flow of refugees. “It’s significant but it’s manageable,” McCallum told reporters Wednesday. He said he’s meeting with representatives from the real estate industry soon to get suggestions and seek assistance. McCallum added that military bases in Kingston, Ont. and Valcartier, Que. remain available to house refugees if needed, something he said could happen before the end of the month.

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CLASSIFIEDS

Saturday, February 6, 2016

C JOBS 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 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 ---------------- Jan 23 2016

JOBS

JOBS tioninc@gmail.com”

“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 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 mobilezonecommunica-

------------------------------Jan 02_16

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 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 consid-

JOBS ered as an asset. If interested send resumes by email at westerndoormanufacturing@gmail. com ------------- September 5, 2015 Jun13_155 Long Haul Truck Drivers Reqd. Sal:$23.00/hr, 40hr/wk, +1yr exp. & Class A 0r 1 license reqd., FT/PT Duties: Operate, drive straight or articulated trucks to transport goods & materials on local routes or over long distances.Plan trip logistics & obtain required documentation to transport goods. Perform pre-trip & post-trip inspection of vehicle systems. Record cargo information, hours of service, distance travelled & fuel consumption.May perform emergency roadside repairs. Lang: English. Work at various location in Canada & USA. Contact: Balwinder from Metro Transport ltd.12772 82nd Ave, Surrey, V3W 3G1 E-mail your resume at metro_transport@yahoo.ca. ------------------------------Jun13_15

1 Optical Frame Fitter Reqd. Sal: $22.00/hr, 40hr/wk, +1yrs exp. or certification reqd., FT/ PT Duties: Obtain specifications for eyeglasses or contact lenses from a prescription. Assist clients in selecting eyeglasses. Grinding & polishing of lenses. Cut & edge lenses & fit lenses into frames. May supervise or manage activities of other opticians. Lang: English. Location: 12841 96 Avenue, Surrey, BC, V3V 6V9 Contact: Imran from Eye See 2020 Optical at opt_eyesee@yahoo.ca. ------------------------------Jun 06_15 Dosa Corner Restaurant Ltd in Vancouver Looking to hire an authentic south indian chef . 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 sel-

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 vamm164@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 Fax: 604-572-3281 ------------------------------------English Classes for Adults Register for classes September 2-8 For more information,Visit: www. victoryesl.com Call: 604.755.7976 E-mail: victoryesl1@gmail.com ----------------------------

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

Saturday, February 6, 2016 i 23

Minister Harjit S. Sajjan to be keynote speaker at PICS Black Tie affair

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

said PICS CEO Dr. Charan Gill. “I’m honoured to be able to support PICS Diversity Village and their commitment to ensure seniors receive the social, cultural and medical care they need. Please join me at this event, as we celebrate the diversity of our community while raising funds to help PICS fulfill their important mandate,” said Minister Harjit Singh Sajjan. The Black Tie Affair will be an elegant evening featuring fine dining, a cocktail reception, live entertainment as well as a unique silent and live auction, and will be held at Aria Banquet and Convention Centre, 12350 Pattullo Place, Surrey, BC, on February 27, 2016. “I strongly urge the community to be a part of this evening to support this seniors home, so that we can truly make a difference in the lives of those we love,” said Dr. Gill. To buy tickets or to donate, please call Dr. Charan Gill 604.834.4088 or Nina Rihal 778.870.3170

Starting January 22, Fridays, 10:30am–12pm

at VHP Temple, 3885 Albert Street, Burnaby. Priti Bhojan 5.30pm Bhajan\Satang program 7.00pm 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

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. English Conversation Circle (Lower Beginners): Starting January 14, Thursdays, 10am– 12pm English Conversation Circle (Beginners): Starting January 14, Thursdays, 12–2pm 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

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Saturday, February 6, 2016

Business / Finance

Lowe’s to buy Rona in friendly deal

S home-improvement chain Lowe’s has proposed to buy Rona in a $3.2-billion friendly deal that would shake up Canada’s home improvement industry. For Lowe’s, Rona is a way to quickly become Canada’s leading home improvement retailer. The acquisition would mark the company’s foray into Quebec, where Rona was founded in 1939. Rona said the agreement would allow it to tap into the strength of a multinational company while preserving its brand, business relationships and most of its current operations. “This transaction is a win-win combination for Rona and Lowe’s as well as all stakeholders involved,” Rona CEO Robert Sawyer said in a conference call Wednesday. “It is the intention to capitalize on this strong leadership position to transform the Canadian industry and offer more value to Canadian consumers.” Lowe’s chair-

man and CEO Robert Niblock said the Canadian home improvement market is worth more than $45 billion and growing. The North Carolina-based company estimates a compounded average growth rate of 3.9% between 2014 and 2018. “We also like the market because of its long-term fundamentals, with its high level of home ownership and well-developed distribution infrastructure,” he said in a separate conference call. Niblock and other Lowe’s executives also said that Rona has made a number of improvements since the two companies came close to a similar takeover agreement four years ago. That attempt failed in the face of opposition from the Quebec government and a number of Rona’s independent dealers. Rona chairman Robert Chevrier said Lowe’s has made commitments to the Canadian company’s employees, suppliers

B.C.-based siblings accused of $60M US securities fraud

he B.C. Securities Commission is alleging that a brother and sister who operated two companies committed $60 million US in fraud and distributed securities illegally. The commission says Winter Huang (also known as Dong Huang) was a director and the controlling mind of Pegasus Pharmaceuticals Group Inc. and Careseng Cancer Institute Inc., while his sister Vicky Dancho (also known as Ju Huang) was a director, CEO and president of Careseng Cancer. The commission alleges that between April 2008 and August 2012, Pegasus Pharmaceuticals raised around 65 million US from a bond issue in Taiwan, of which 56

million US breached securities laws. It also alleges Huang committed fraud by issuing 36.4 million US in bonds to Taiwanese investors that included guarantees by Careseng Cancer. It says Huang and Dancho knew, or ought to have known, that these guarantees were false as Careseng Cancer had no operations, no employees, no revenue and less than $50,000 US in assets. The commission says Pegasus also fraudulently raised about $15.4 million between January 2011 and August 2012 for projects in the Republic of Georgia, and $11.1 million US for a project in China, of which only about $2 million US went toward the projects. Pegasus Pharmaceuticals declined to comment through its lawyer.

Alberta could get federal bailout cash

lberta could be in line for up to $250 million from the feds to help with the province’s tanking economy. The Alberta government could be eligible for payments under the 50-yearold fiscal stabilization program, designed to compensate provinces that suffer steep drops in revenues from one year to the next, federal Finance Minister Bill Morneau said Friday. “I spoke yesterday with the Alberta minister of finance to see how we could work together and I’m pleased to say that he understands that there’s a s t a b i l i z at i o n fund that Alberta can apply for,” Morneau said. “The potential is up to $250 million. Should they apply, we would work expeditiously to move forward on that request.” In Calgary, Alberta Finance Minister Joe Ceci said he has been speaking with his federal counterpart about possible assistance Ottawa could offer the province as it goes through a steep economic downturn, one that has seen the province lose thousands of jobs and billions of dollars in government revenues. “We’ve had some discussions about the difficulties Alberta is in right now and what federal assistance might mean for this province,” Ceci told reporters Friday. “Anything would be helpful.” The province is expected to report a record deficit for

the 2015-16 financial year, with red ink topping $6 billion. Natural resource revenues are projected to plunge from $9 billion last year to an estimated $2.8 billion for the fiscal year ending March 31. Provinces can make claims under the federal stabilization program when economic shifts cause their revenues to tumble by more than 5% from one year to the next. Declines in resource revenues of more than 50% are also accounted for. Under the program, provinces can receive up to a maximum payment of $60 for every provincial resident, an amount set in the late 1980s. Asked what’s the best way to deliver federal assistance to Alberta, Ceci quipped: “Hopefully in armoured cars. Progressive Conservative Leader Ric McIver said it’s a positive step for Alberta’s NDP government to be talking to Ottawa about assistance. “I’m happy to hear them fighting for Alberta. I haven’t heard much of that since they’ve been elected,” he said. A senior federal government source, speaking on condition of anonymity, said a fiscal-stabilization payment was just one of several possibilities Ottawa is exploring as it looks to help the province. In preparation for the spring budget, the federal government has also instructed bureaucrats across many departments to generate “innovative ideas” that could help provide specific relief for the Alberta economy, said the source,

Business / Finance

Auto sales in Canada surge 9.6% in January

ew vehicle sales in Canada got off to a strong start in 2016, with car and light truck sales in January up 9.6 per cent from the same month a year earlier. Canadian sales last month totalled 108,553 vehicles, just shy of the January record of 110,266 vehicles sold in 2002, according to figures compiled by DesRosiers and Associates. The overall increase in sales last month was due entirely to higher sales of light trucks (a category that includes pickups, minivans, crossovers and SUVs). Passenger car sales actually fell slightly. “As much as sales were extremely positive we also do not like to read too much into the early months of any particular year,” said automotive analyst Dennis DesRosiers. “A lot more water has to flow under this bridge before we can be assured these sales levels will be maintained. We remain optimistic for 2016 that sales will reach the levels achieved in 2015 but our conviction is the lowest in a number of years,” he wrote in a research note. Canada set a record for auto sales in 2015 with Toyota Canada reported its best January sales figures ever. It moved 12,045 cars and light trucks, up 4.5 per cent from January 2015. Honda Canada said its January sales were more than a third larger than last year with 1.89 million vehicles sold. Ford of Canada said its sales last month were up 14 per cent from a year earlier, led by Lincoln’s best January in more than 25 years.

Fiat Chrysler reported its best January since 2002, thanks to record sales of its Jeep and Ram truck brands. It retained the title of the best-selling automaker in Canada, with more than 18,000 vehicles moved. U.S. sales stronger than expected South of the border, vehicle sales fell slightly in January. Sales in big markets like New York City and Washington, D.C. were slightly hurt by the big storm that buried much of the East Coast in up to 100 centimetres of snow. J.D. Power and Associates estimates that the Jan. 22-23 snowstorm cost dealers about 15,000 sales. But analysts say they expect those lost sales to be made up this month. Nationally, sales dipped by only 0.3 per cent to 1.15 million, according to Autodata Corp. That was better than what analysts had been forecasting, given the storm and that there were two fewer selling days this January compared to a year earlier. Ford, Toyota, Honda and Volkswagen saw sales drop in January, while GM’s sales were relatively flat. Fiat Chrysler, Hyundai and Nissan posted sales increases. U.S. buyers bought a record 17.5 million cars and light trucks in 2015. Auto analysts expect U.S. sales will grow again this year, though at a more modest pace than last year. Consulting firm LMC Automotive predicts sales will hit a record 17.8 million in 2016. Continued low gasoline prices, low interest rates and moderate economic growth get much of the credit for the expected sales boost.

Chinese online lender Ezubao accused of fleecing investors of US $7.6 billion in mass Ponzi scheme

hinese police arrested 21 employees at China’s largest online finance business on suspicion of fleecing 900,000 investors of US$7.6 billion, in what could be the biggest financial fraud in Chinese history. State media outlets reported the arrests late Sunday. State broadcaster CCTV aired purported confessions from two former employees at Ezubao, an Anhui Province outfit that rose from obscurity to become China’s largest online financing platform in the span of about 18 months. Ezubao was the most spectacular player in a booming online investment industry that Chinese authorities have been struggling to regulate. Firms ranging from established Internet companies such as Alibaba to virtually unknown upstarts have flooded into the business, promising higher returns than those at state-run banks, which often offer interest rates below inflation. Ezubao promised investors that borrowers would pay back loans at interest rates between 9 per cent and 14.6 per cent, but 95 per cent of those borrowers were fictional entities created by Ezubao, a former company executive told investigators. Behind the firm’s rise was 34-year old Ding Ning, an Anhui native who dropped out of school at 17 to work at his mother’s hardware factory, where he first gained experience running online sales, according to media reports. With no technical or financial training, Ding launched Ezubao in July 2014 and opened multiple marketing offices across China. The venture bought expensive ad spots that aired just before the widely viewed nightly CCTV newscast, the state broadcaster’s

flagship program. Ezubao appeared to gain Beijing’s imprimatur when the gov. cn government website published an interview with Ding in July discussing his life as an entrepreneur. The interview has since been removed from the site. State media took a far different tone on Sunday as CCTV aired Ding’s confession and footage of officials hauling away bags of cash from his home. The Xinhua news agency detailed Ding’s extravagant lifestyle and the gifts he lavished on a business partner Zhang Min, including a US$20 million villa in Singapore and a US$1.8 million pink diamond ring. “The truth is that it’s a fraud … it’s a typical Ponzi scheme,” Zhang, the associate, said in her aired confession. Despite the vast sums cited in the case, Ezubao, which also went by Ezubo on its website, represented just a sliver of China’s shadow banking industry estimated to be worth US$1.5 trillion as of the end of June, according to Chinese banking regulators. Independent economists and party officials alike have warned about the danger of unchecked private lending and the political spillover of a large-scale collapse. After police shut down Ezubao in December, scores of protesters gathered outside a Beijing government building to demand their money back. Simmering anger on social media also spurred public security officials to phone Internet users to warn them against criticizing the Communist Party online.

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Saturday, February 6, 2016

Punjab gov’t begins staff pay hike exercise despite empty coffers

ts coffers may be empty, but Punjab today notified the Sixth Pay Commission for its over four lakh employees and pensioners and 1.25 lakh staff of boards and corporations. Former chief secretary RS Mann has been appointed commission chairman. Setting up a pay panel seems to be a ploy of the SAD-BJP government to woo the staff and pensioners ahead of the Assembly elections in early 2017. It generally takes up to two years for the Pay Commission to come up with the recommendations. These are then submitted to the government for implementation. Thus, in all likelihood, the new scales will be implemented by the next government. With the state’s revenue growth much lower than targeted for this fiscal, and almost 65 per cent of the revenue going into salaries and pensions, a new wage board at this juncture would deal yet another blow to Punjab’s fiscal health. This year, salaries of government employ-

ees will take away Rs 18,354.24 crore from the state’s near-empty coffers. Another Rs 7,182.11 crore is to go towards the payment of pensions and retirement benefits. Each year, the salary bill of the government rises by almost Rs 2,000 crore. Recommendations of the new wage board, if made on the lines of the central wage board which has recommended a hike of over 20 per cent in salaries, would not be sustainable in a state like Punjab, which is reeling under a financial crisis. This year, the revenue deficit is already 75 per cent over the revenue deficit of last year. Though the terms of reference are yet to be finalised, sources say these will be decided by the Finance Department and given to the Personnel Department for a final notification. Sources said the terms of reference would be such that these make the Punjab employees’ salaries on a par with the revised salaries of the Central government staff, rather than giving them a similar hike (of over 20 per cent).

PUNJAB

Economy that runs primarily on ‘jugaad’

he announcement of a new pay commission in Punjab is targeted at wooing the government employees and pensioners in the election year. The move comes in spite of both Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal and Finance Minister Parminder Singh Dhindsa ruing, on several occasions, how almost 65 per cent of the state’s total revenue receipts go into just paying salaries and pensions, leaving little room for undertaking development projects. They have both gone on record on how the salary structure of Punjab employees is the highest in the county. In fact, “jugaad” best describes how the cashstrapped Punjab government, with a burgeoning debt burden and a sharp slowdown in revenue growth, is managing its finances — taking money flowing in one head for use in the other, often only to meet the committed liabilities. With day-to-day fiscal management becoming difficult, the state trea-

sury has stopped clearing bills of employees; withdrawals from Provident Fund is a near impossible task; and government departments that have exhausted sanctioned budgets are not getting any refurbishment, thus failing to even pay salaries. The failure of the tax collection system too comes out clearly since any additional tax is being tagged along with power tariff bills. From cow cess to duty on agriculture, from octroi on power to recovering the water and sewerage charges (to be levied from March 1 along with power bills) — recovery with power bills seems to be the only recourse. Interestingly, each power consumer in Punjab pays Rs 1.05-1.30 per unit (based on the category of consumer) as tax over and above the power tariff. This year, after availing the state’s Ways and Means Advance limit of Rs 560 crore on several occasions, the state has remained in overdraft on four occasions — though each time the juggling of funds helped it clear the overdraft within the 14-day stipulated period. With three quarters of this fiscal already over, the state’s fiscal indicators present a rather dismal picture with the growth coming down from over 6 per cent last year to 5. Against the targeted revenue growth rate of 18.46 per cent

Charges against bank manager, builder Three years after the CBI filed a chargesheet in a Rs 48.66 crore bank fraud involving a senior manager of Punjab and Sind Bank and the owner of a construction company as the accused, the CBI court today framed charges of cheating, corruption and criminal conspiracy against five persons in the case. The trial is set to begin on the next date of hearing, which is April 18. The CBI court today framed charges against Inderjit Singh, senior manager, Punjab and Sind Bank, Tarsem Singla, director and authorised signatory of Aakriti Constructions, his wife Suman Singla, his son Sumit Singla and proprietor M/S Gupta and Company, Sham Lal Jindal. As per the CBI, the total loss incurred by the bank amounted to Rs 48,66,00179 and the fraud was committed from 2009 to 2013.

Takht may act against 2 UAE gurdwaras

hree years after the CBI filed a chargesheet in a Rs 48.66 crore bank fraud involving a senior manager of Punjab and Sind Bank and the owner of a construction company as the accused, the CBI court today framed charges of cheating, corruption and criminal conspiracy against five persons in the case. The trial is set to begin on the next date of hearing, which is April 18. The CBI court today framed charges against Inderjit Singh, senior manager, Punjab and Sind Bank, Tarsem Singla, director and authorised signatory of Aakriti Constructions, his wife Suman Singla, his son Sumit Singla and proprietor M/S Gupta and Company, Sham Lal Jindal. As per the CBI, the total loss incurred by the bank amounted to Rs 48,66,00179 and the fraud was committed from 2009 to 2013. As per the prosecution case, Inderjeet Singh, while working as a senior manager in Punjab and Sind Bank, Sector 47-D and the Sector 22 branch

Saturday - December 12, 2015

Saturday, February 6, 2016 i 27

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Saturday, February 628 ii Saturday - April 4, 2015 6, 2016

INDIA fOOD

India gets final batch of Mi-17V-5 copters

ussia has handed over to India the final batch of three Mi-17V-5 military transport helicopters under a previously signed contract even as it gets ready to ink yet another deal for another 48 such helicopters. The contract with Rosoboronexport, a company of Rostec State Corporation, entailed a total of 151 units of the Mi-17V-5 helicopter, produced by the Kazan Helicopter Plant, part of Russian Helicopters company. “India is one of the key mar-

kets for Russian helicopters and the largest operator of Russian helicopters in southeast Asia. Today, more than 400 vehicles are operating in the country,” said General Director of the holding company Russian Helicopters Alexander Mikheyev. bMi-17V-5, supplied to India, are among the most technically advanced helicopters of the Mi-8/17 type. Each Indian Mi-17V-5 has a complex navigation and electronic display KNEI-8.

Indian President Pranab Mukherjee 12th most popular leader on Facebook

recent study has found that Indian President Pranab Mukherjee is not too far behind. Not only has the President ranked 12th among world leaders in popularity on Facebook but ‘President of India’ page was also the second most visited institutions in 2015. The study ‘World Leaders on Facebook’ by Burson Marsteller identified a total of 512 Facebook pages and researched how world leaders, governments and international organisations coommunicate via social media. The most “liked” world leaders in 2015 included Barack Obama (with 46.41 million likes) followed by Narendra Modi

(31.74 million likes). President Mukherjee ranked 12th with 3.13 million likes as on January 4 when the study was conducted. The President of India was the second most visited institution in 2015 after the foriegn ministry of Thailand. The President has made significant efforts olice in the southern city of Banga- attacked as they were passing by the accident ever since he took charge of Rashtrapati Bha lore say they have arrested five peo- site. The crowd chased the young woman van to engage with the public. Rashtrapati ple in connection with an attack on a and “removed her top”, police said. India’s Bhavan has recently started live-streaming of Tanzanian student. A mob assaulted and par- Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj tweeted on Ingredients events. One of the first events that could be tially stripped the 21-year-old woman after a Wednesday that she was deeply pained over • 250g boneless chicken viewed live was the lunch hosted by MukherSudanese student’s car ran over and killed a the “shameful incident”, and asked the chief • 2tbsp rapeseed oil jee for 100 women achievers. local woman on Sunday night. The woman minister of Karnataka state - of which Banga• 1 medium red onion and her three friends - all Tanzanians - were lore is the capital • 3 large tomatoes • ½ cup cashew nuts • 100g tomato puree • 1 tbsp dried fenugreek leaves • 100ml low fat cream • 1tsp garam masala 44-year-old man from Dehradun sovereignty. en Indian soldiers are missing the region’s • 1tsp red chilli powder who is being interrogated by the Four Indian soldiers after an avalanche struck the • 1tbsp gingergarlicwere pastekilled Anti-terrorist Squad (ATS) of the avalanche inlow thefat same area last Siachen glacier in Kashmir. by an • 2tbsp thick yoghurt Goa Police for the past three days on suspiArmy spokesman Colonel SD Goswa- month. • salt to taste cion of being linked with jihadi groups is a More soldiers have died from harsh mi said army and air force rescue teams Doon School alumnus and son of a decorated helped by dogs were looking for the weather on the glacier than in combat former Major-General of the Indian Army. Procedure: troops. The avalanche hit the high-alti- since India seized control of it in 1984, Sameer Sardana, police have is agarlic paste and the yoghurt for 20 min. soak the cashew in warm water for 15 minutes.chop the onions and tomatoes. Heat 1 tbsp Marinate thewho chicken with the said ginger tude military post on the northern side narrowly pipping Pakistan. Soldiers “Hindu who practises was arrested bythe hot oil for 1 minute on each side to a golden colour. remove the chicken pieces. in the same pan, add 1tbsp oil and the chopped oil to a pan. sear Islam”, the chicken pieces in of the glacier early on Wednesday morn- have been deployed at heights of up to the ATS in Vasco and has been onions. sauteon tillMonday a translucent pink. Add the tomatoes, red chili powder, garam masala powder tender (approx. 4-5 22,000are ft (6,700m) above sea level. ing.and cook on medium flame till the tomatoes in remand since. A chartered accountant was found “wandering suspiciously” at the a smoothSiachen, minutes). remove from flame and run in he a blender with the soaked cashews to make paste. return and add the tomato Bring to a boil andto add Thepuree. neighbours have failed deknowntoasthe thepan world’s highest by profession who has been associated Vasco railway station. The police seized the chicken pieces. simmer for 4-5with minutes till the chicken is cooked. Addhave the low fat cream battlefield, and simmerisfor 2 minutes. Broil the fenugreek leavesthe on Siachen a pan. crush patrolled by troops from militarise glacierthedespite leading MNCs leaves like Accenture and worked hisfrom laptop andserve confiscated fenugreek over the curry and remove fire. hot. the five passports both India and Pakistan, who dispute several rounds of peace talks. in Hong Kong, Malaysia and Saudi Arabia, and four mobile phones that he was carrying Sardana was held by the police in Goa after with him.

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INDIA

Prez confers Gen rank on Nepalese army chief

n a minor diplomatic coup, India, despite its existing strained relations with Nepal, today conferred Nepalese army chief General Rajendra Chhetri with the honorary rank of General of the Indian Army. Notably, despite the prevailing irksome issues, New Delhi was keen that General Chhetri visits India first instead of opting to visit China. As India maintains a large hold over Nepal, China has been trying to woo the Himalayan country with sops. This is General Chhetri’s first ‘port of call’ after taking over as chief of Nepalese army in September 2015. General Chhetri was accorded the rank by President Pranab Mukherjee at an investiture ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhavan today.

It is a custom and tradition between the Indian and Nepalese army to confer this honour on each other’s chief to signify close and special military to military ties. Indian Army Chief General Dalbir Singh was conferred the rank of General of the Nepalese army in November 2014 when he visited the Himalayan nation. General Chhetri is on a six-day visit to India. He shall be visiting the Infantry School and Army War College at Mhow and the Artillery School at Deolali wherein he shall be witnessing the training and facilities at Indian Army premier training institutes. During his visit to Lucknow, the General shall be interacting with top military hierarchy of Headquarters Central Command and shall also visit the Gorkha Rifles Regimental Centre.

Congress veteran Balram Jakhar dead

ormer Union Minister and veteran Congress leader Balram Jakhar died in New Delhi on Wednesday morning. He was 92. Dr Jakhar passed away around 7 am at his residence in Delhi. The body would be taken to Abohar in Punjab for cremation on Thursday, his son and former Congress Legislature Party leader of Punjab Sunil Jakhar said. Balram Jakhar is survived by two sons and two daughters. The former Lok Sabha Speaker and Governor of Madhya Pradesh was ailing for over a year following a brain stroke. He suffered

respiratory arrest last month, according to Sunil Jakhar. He served as the Speaker of Lok Sabha from 1980 to 1989. As Speaker of Lok Sabha he was instrumental in automation and computerisation of Parliamentary works. He also contributed to the establishment of Parliament Museum. He was also the Governor of Madhya Pradesh from June 30, 2004 to May 30, 2009. He also served as the Union Agriculture Minister during former Prime Minister PV Narasimha Rao-led Congress government.

Saturday, February 6, 2016 i 29

Hafiz Saeed praises Pathankot attack, warns of escalation

Pakistani firebrand cleric has praised the Pathankot air base attack in India last month that threatened to scupper peace efforts between the nuclear rivals. Hafiz Saeed, alleged mastermind of the 2008 Mumbai attacks and leader of the banned Jamaat-ud-Dawa (JuD) group, encouraged further violence following the air base assault in Protesters carry placards in protest of Hafiz Mohammad Pathankot that left seven IndiSaeed in Mumbai an soldiers dead. Addressing a Crowds at the rally shouted slogans includrally of around 1,000 people in the disputed ing “The war will continue until the liberation Pakistan-occupied Kashmir region yesterof Kashmir” and “We are ready for jihad”. day, Saeed said: “800,000 Indian troops are Indian officials believe another group -- the committing genocide on Kashmiris. Don’t Pakistan based Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) -they have a right to carry out Pathankot style was behind the siege. Saeed’s freedom and his attacks for their defence?” Saeed, who refrequent calls for jihad against India irk New mains a free man, also lauded Kashmiri miliDelhi, which considers JuD -a UN desigtant leader Sayed Salahuddin, who heads the United Jihad Council (UJC) that has claimed nated “terror organisation” -- to be no more responsibility for the attack. “You have only than a front for Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), the seen one attack on Pathankot. Matters could militant group blamed for the 2008 Mumbai attacks that left 166 people dead. easily escalate.”

Delhi woman breaches PM’s security ring

n a security lapse, a 20-year-old woman today broke through police barricades and threw a flower pot at Rajpath in the heavily guarded Raisina Hills area less than a minute before Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s convoy was to pass through. The incident took place around 2.10 pm when Modi’s convoy was leaving from South Block, sending the security personnel in the area into tizzy. The woman, Neena Rawal, a resident of Sa-

hibabad in Uttar Pradesh, was detained and questioned at the Parliament Street police station before she was taken for a medical check-up. On being questioned, she told the police that some hooligans had tore her marksheet and harassed her at her native place, for which she had lodged a complaint there but the police allegedly took no action. She claimed that she had come here for justice, the police official said

30 i

Saturday, February 6, 2016

37 dead, 27 injured as bus plunges into Purna river in Gujarat

7 passengers including many students were dead and more than 27 were injured as the Gujarat State road Transport Corporation (GSRTC) bus in which they were travelling plunged in to Purna river from Khad Supa bridge on Navsari-Bardoli road some 10 km from Navsari town and about 40km from Surat in Navsari district. The bus was on its way from Navsari to Songadh via Bardoli. Since it was an evening bus, many students were returning home after their schools and colleges from Navsari.

Officials said that the incident took place between 5.30pm and 6.00pm and the bus was carrying about 50-60 passengers on board. Several passengers were grievously injured and are being rushed to different hospitals of Navsari town. Navsari district collector Remya Mohan who rushed to the spot on hearing the news said, “According to locals incident took place as bus driver driving at full speed tried saving a rider. May be he took a wrong turn and the bus plunged into Purna river breaking the RCC railing.”

INDIA

Outrage over Maneka Gandhi’s ‘ compulsory gender test’ remark

ndia’s minister for women and children has been criticised for proposing compulsory gender testing of foetuses to tackle the skewed sex ratio. Maneka Gandhi said the strategy would help monitor pregnancies and reduce abortions of female foetuses. But activists and opposition parties say it will increase pressure on women to undergo sex-selective abortions. Tests to determine a foetus’s sex are banned in India, but many parents still have them done illegally. A traditional preference for boys and an easy availability of antenatal sex screening has led to India having one of the most unbalanced gender ratios in the world. In 1961, there were 976 girls for every 1,000 boys under the age of seven. According to the latest census figures released in 2011, that figure had dropped to a dismal 914. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has criticised female foeticide, warning that the gender imbalance will have serious consequences for India’s development. His predecessor Manmohan Singh described it as a “national shame” and called for a “crusade” to save India’s girls. Over the years, campaigners have said the decline was largely due to the increased availability of antenatal sex screening. In 1994, In-

dia outlawed sex-selective abortion. That’s why Mrs Gandhi’s controversial statement that “every pregnant woman should be compulsorily told whether it is a boy or girl” has generated such a storm. Amid the furore, Mrs Gandhi’s ministry clarified on Tuesday that it was just “a point of view” to start a debate and that there was no formal proposal before the cabinet. But opposition parties and women’s rights activists said her suggestion could prove counter-productive. The Congress party said the minister’s statement was “shocking and outlandish” and that the “government appears determined to convert ‘save the girl child’ campaign into ‘banish the girl child’ campaign”. “Lifting the ban will undo years of hard work, institutional mechanisms and legal framework that has been put in place for the last two decades to discourage female foeticide,” the party said in a statement. The head of the local Delhi government’s women’s commission, Swati Maliwal, also criticised the minister. “It will increase female foeticide phenomenally. It is very dangerous and should not be done,” she said. Critics say that Mrs Gandhi’s idea to “monitor right until the end” every pregnancy is impractical - especially in rural India where health services are far from adequate, and even non-existent in some areas.

Supreme Court reopens case on decriminalising same sex

ndia’s Supreme Court has agreed to revisit a previous judgement that upheld a law criminalising gay sex. Three senior judges said the 2013 ruling would be re-examined by a larger bench of judges, in a move that has been welcomed by activists. The judges said that the issue was a “matter of constitutional importance”. According to Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), a 155-year-old colonial-era law, a same-sex relationship is an “unnatural offence”. In deeply conservative India, homosexuality is a taboo and many people still regard samesex relationships as illegitimate. There has been a very vocal campaign to decriminalise homosexuality in India. On Tuesday, the court heard a “curative petition” meant to “cure” an

earlier court order perceived as a “miscarriage of justice”. The court said the five-judge bench would be headed by the chief justice of India. No date has been announced for the next hearing into the matter. Members of the LGBT community, standing outside the court, broke into cheers and impromptu celebrations when the decision was announced, the BBC’s Soutik Biswas said. Activists say police and authorities often misuse the law to harass homosexuals. Under this law, a same-sex relationship is punishable by a 10-year jail term. In its 2009 ruling, the Delhi High Court had described Section 377 as discriminatory and said gay sex between consenting adults should not be treated as a crime. The ruling was widely and visibly welcomed by India’s gay community, which said the judgement would help protect them from harassment and persecution. However, several political, social and religious groups petitioned the Supreme Court to have the law reinstated, and in 2013 the top court upheld the law, saying it was up to parliament to legislate on Section 377. However, an Indian MP’s bid to introduce a private member’s bill in the parliament to decriminalise gay sex failed. Shashi Tharoor who also started a petition on Change.org over the issue, which has more than 40,000 signatories, said “it is time to bring the Indian Penal Code into the 21st Century”.

FIJI

National Federation Party suspended for breaching decree

iji oldest party, the National Federation Party (NFP) has been suspended for 30 days with immediate effect for contravening Section 26 of the Political Parties Decree 2013. The Party’s 2013-14 Annual Audited Accounts to the Registrar of Political Parties which was published in a local newspaper on November 15, 2015 was not audited by a certified member of the Fiji Institute of Accountants (FIU) and this breached the Decree as it requires all financial information to be audited by member of FIU. Registrar for

Political Parties, Mohammed Saneem said the matter was brought to their attention in December, 2015 and upon investigation it was determined that the company hired by NFP was not a member of the FIU, thus resulting in the violation of the decree. NFP has 60 days to remedy the breach or face deregistration as a political party and during the suspension period the party cannot operate, function, represent or hold itself out to be a political party. NFP Party leader Professor Biman Prasad is yet to make a comment on the issue.

Woman, 47, dies during spiritual healing

he Fiji Police Force is investigating the unnatural death of 47-year- old woman who died during a spiritual healing process in Lautoka yesterday. It is alleged the woman was at her home and not feeling well and informed her husband about her situation. The husband conveyed her to a pastor for spiritual healing and it al-

leged that during this process of spiritual healing, the woman’s pulse could not be felt, as she had passed away. She was later rushed to Lautoka Hospital for medical attention however, this was too late. Investigations continue into the matter and a Post Mortem is expected to be conducted soon to ascertain the cause of death.

Govt reaches agreement with unions

he Fijian Government has reached an agreement with the Fiji Commerce and Employers Federation and the Fiji Trades Union Congress to sign off on a Joint Implementation Report to the International Labour Organisation (ILO). This agreement follows close meetings between

stakeholders with the ILO Tripartite Mission to Fiji. The list of agreements signed by the parties are as follows: a) Restoration of the Check-Off facilities; b) Reduction of the notice period for strike from 28 days to 14 days; c) Reinstatement of individual grievances which were discontinued by the ENI Decree as well as the ERP

Court resets trial date for Minister Bala

he trial date for Minister for Local Government, Urban Development, Housing and Environment Praveen Kumar Bala who is charged with Dangerous Driving Occasioning Death has been reset by the Magistrates Court in Lautoka. The matter was called before Magistrate Rangajeeva Wimalasena today where the counsel of both parties was informed that the trial date already set was unsuitable

to the court. A new trial date for 5th to 6th July 2016 has been set and Minister Bala’s bail has been extended. The court last week had set a trial date of June 28 and 29, 2016. Bala is alleged to have caused the death of 48-yearold Puna Chand in a road accident near Teidamu in Lautoka in November 2013. He pleaded not guilty to the charge.

Accused in Nadroga / Navosa sedition case dies

n accused in the sedition case involving 16 people from the Nadroga/Navosa province has died. The High Court in Lautoka was informed about Adi Vasemaca Veikunekibulu Gonewai’s death today by the defence counsel. The deceased was charged with one count of sedition under section 67 (1) (a) and one count, each, of inciting communal antagonism under 65(2) (a)

of the Crimes Decree 2009. She was charged alongside Ratu Inoke Tasere, Jimi Koroibere, Seru Kunalagi, Adi Cuvu Gavidi Atama, Ulaiasi Rabua Tuivono, Peniasi Naqau, Semi Tanikili, Ratu Osea Bolawaqatabu, Ratu Tevita Makutu, Mosese Navaci, Eroni Rikoriko, Alifereti Gonewai, Raicula Rokovou and Jorama Ratulevu.

Saturday, February 6, 2016

i 31

ISIL terrorist Neil Prakash killed

ustralia’s most notorious terrorist recruiters for the Islamic State, Neil Prakash, is reportedly dead. The 24-year-old former Melbourne resident who was born to Fijian and Cambodian parents fled to Syria in 2013 and frequently turned to Twitter to recruit people to Syria and Iraq as well as using it as a platform to preach his extremist views. The Herald Sun reports senior figures within the IS stronghold have claimed Prakash to be “shahada”, one of the Five Pillars of Islam, and what the terror organisation says when a fighter has been killed. Some other reports suggest that one IS militant learned of the death after it was posted on Telegram- a messaging app frequently used by the terror group to distribute propaganda material and

recruit foreigners, as well as on a separate messenger channel. Prakash who used the jihadist name of Abu Khaled al-Cambodi, had previously been linked to the foiled ANZAC Day terror plot where three men were arrested for allegedly conspiring to commit a terrorist act. Earlier last year, he issued a bomb threat on Twitter which grounded three planes from Etihad, Lufthansa and Turkish Airlines in the Middle East. Australian authorities at this stage are unable to confirm Prakash’s death however one Government source has admitted that P rakash had “gone quiet” recently on his usual communication platforms.

PAKISTAN

32 i Saturday, February 6, 2016

Nawaz Sharif admits Pathankot attack upset relations, pledges to uproot terror

he growing silence over the foreign secretary-level talks between India and Pakistan is directly related to lack of visible action by Pakistan against the Jaish-e-Muhammed terror group, which was responsible for the attack on the Pathankot airbase on January 2. . On Saturday, Pakistani PM Nawaz Sharif said talks with India were going in the “right direction” but had been adversely affected by the attack. Pakistan will not allow terrorists to use its soil against any other country, he told reporters in Islamabad.. Sharif promised that Pakistan would soon complete the investigations “to uncover if our soil was used in the attack”. He has formed a committee comprising top intelligence, military and government officers to probe Indian allegations but its findings have so far not been shared with the media. Sharif added that terrorists now carried out isolated acts to make their presence felt but “these will also be eliminated under an effective strategy”. Despite the promises, the suspense over the fate of the talks is growing. The ministry of external affairs

last week, when questioned, said there were no “mutually convenient” dates. This is very different from two weeks ago when the ministry of extrenal affairs spokesperson stressed that the foreign secretary talks would happen in the “very near” future. Foreign secretary, S Jaishankar will be travelling to Sri Lanka next week, and is hosting his Bangladesh counterpart early in the week, which might mean a further delay. Aglaring inconsistency is whether the two dialogues — between the NSAs (on terrorism) and the foreign secretaries’ — are linked, and how deeply. Earlier, any attempt to delink talks and terror, as with the Sharm-elSheikh statement, were shot down on popular demand. This time, Ajit Doval and his counterpart have continued their conversation, with India providing intelligence and leads on the Pathankot attack to Pakistan. This was acknowledged by Sharif last week, admitting that Pakistan was verifying the stuff India had handed over. “I have received fresh leads from India on the Pathankot attack and we

ir travel across Pakistan has been badly disrupted by a strike against plans to privatise the national carrier Pakistan International Airlines. PIA said none of its scheduled flights took off from anywhere in the country. Staff stepped up their industrial action after two employees were shot dead during clashes with security forces in Karachi on Tuesday. The strikers have been threatened with the sack if they hinder efforts to reform the loss-making airline. Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has said they may even be i m p r i s oned. On Wednesday dozens of PIA’s national and international flights were cancelled amid demonstrations by striking staff. “Everything is shut now and flight operations have come to a complete halt,” airline spokesman Danial

Hafiz Saeed calls for more attacks on India

Jamaat-ud-Dawa (JuD) chief Hafiz Saeed, the mastermind of the 2008 Mumbai attacks, on Wednesday praised last month’s terror attack at Indian Air Force’s base in Pathankot and encouraged similar attacks against India. Addressing a rally of around one thousand people in the Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, Saeed said: “800,000 Indian troops are committing genocide on Kashmiris. Don’t they have a right to carry out Pathankot-style attacks for their defence?” Saeed also lauded Kashmiri militant leader Sayed Salahuddin, who heads the United Jihad Council (UJC) that has claimed

Pakistan Internatioanl Airline strike causes flights chaos

responsibility for the attack. . “You have only seen one attack on Pathankot. Matters could easily escalate.” . Crowds at the rally shouted slogans including “The war will continue until the liberation of Kashmir” and “We are ready for jihad”. Strategic analyst Ayesha Siddiqa said Saeed’s praise of Salahuddin could be part of a “deflection strategy” to steer blame away from JeM, and by extension Pakistan, where it is based. The airbase attack occurred just a week after Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid a surprise visit to Lahore, raising hopes for peace between the two countries.

Gilani told the AFP news agency. The violence in at Karachi’s Jinnah International Airport prompted the airline’s chairman Nasir Jafar to tender his resignation, but Mr Gilani said the PM had yet to accept the offer. It is still not clear who fired the shots in Karachi, with both police and paramilitary forces denying that they did. On Wednesday, additional police and security personnel were deployed outside major airports. BBC correspondents say private airlines have been brought in to help clear the flight backlog - in some cases doubling their fares. Staff are angry at proposals to complete a partial sale of the airliner by July. PIA was once a source of pride for Pakistan but in recent years its reputation has been hit by losses, mismanagement and cancelled flights.

182 ‘madrassas’ shut down since Peshawar school children attack

uthorities have sealed 182 ‘madrassas’ since the deadly Peshawar school attack in 2014, in a countrywide crackdown on religious seminaries allegedly involved in extremism, a media report said on Monday. The madrassas were closed in Punjab, Sindh and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa because of their involvement in promoting extremism and other suspicious activities, the Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) news agency reported. . The action was taken under the National Action Plan (NAP) that was put in place after militants stormed an army school in December, 2014 killing at least 150 people, mostly schoolchildren. . As part of the strategy to choke terror financing, the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has so far frozen Rs 1 billion in 126 accounts which have a link to banned

militant groups. Law-enforcement agencies have also recovered around Rs 251 million in cash. The government has put names of 8,195 people in the fourth schedule and 188 on the Exit Control List while movement of 2,052 hardcore militants has been restricted. Similarly, the government has registered 1,026 cases and arrested 230 terror suspects. There were 64 banned organizations in the country while 74 have been declared unlawful by the UN. Activities of some organizations are constantly being monitored and their activists are under surveillance. I don’t like pakistan govrnementKumar. With regard to hate speech, over 1,500 books and other hate material have been confiscated and 73 shops sealed. Law-enforcement agencies have registered 2,337 cases for hate speeches and material and

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SOUTH ASIA

Myanmar’s Aung San Suu Kyi readies for power as her party comes to parliament

fter sweeping a historic election in November, Myanmar’s democracy champion Aung San Suu Kyi on Friday bid farewell to outgoing lawmakers and prepared to form the country’s first democratically elected government since the 1960s. The parliament dominated by members of her National League for Democracy — which won about 80 per cent of elected seats last year — will convene for the first time on Monday, in another step of what has surprised experts as a remarkably stable — if drawn out — transfer of power. Suu Kyi’s camp will start the formation of a government after decades-long struggle against the junta that had ruled Myanmar for 49 years. In 2011, it gave way to the semi-civilian government of President Thein Sein. Celebrating the transition and the end of the first term of parliament, the outgoing and incoming lawmak-

ers from all parties, as well as a military bloc, performed traditional dances, shared food and took pictures in an emotional ceremony in the capital, Naypyidaw. “I am very excited to be here. I will work very hard to promote female rights and to create more opportunities for our women,” said Myint Myint Soe, a newly elected NLD member of parliament. Even though the politicians are generally optimistic, the months ahead are likely to be tense. A junta-drafted constitution bars Suu Kyi from becoming president, gives the military control over three security ministries and a quarter of seats in parliament, which will force the NLD into constant negotiations with the armed forces. NLD leaders have reassured the army, stressing their focus is on the future and the will to put the past behind them. They have also said they would not push for an immediate overhaul of the constitution.

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Death toll doubles to 20 in Kabul suicide bombing

he death toll from a suicide bombing at a police base in Kabul Monday has doubled to 20, the interior ministry said. “As a result of the terrorist attack this afternoon ... 20 people were martyred and 29 others were wounded,” the ministry said. The deputy interior minister earlier gave a death toll of 10. The attack comes just days before a fresh round of international talks aimed at reviving dialogue with the Islamist group. Scores of people were also wounded in the bombing at the entrance of the base, which left several bodies and charred debris strewn around the area. The attack comes amid the Taliban’s unprecedented winter offensive despite a renewed push to restart formal peace talks. The interior ministry initially reported the attack as a suicide car bomb, but later said the attacker appeared to be on foot and detonated himself in a queue of people waiting to get inside the base. Deputy interior minister Mohammad Ayoub Salangi said on Twitter that most of the victims

were civilians. The health ministry said some of those wounded were hit in the chest by flying shrapnel and are in critical condition. Ambulances rushed to the scene, which was cordoned off by authorities. The Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack, with insurgent spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid claiming on Twitter that up to 40 police were killed and wounded. The militants routinely exaggerate the toll in attacks on the Afghan government. Delegates from Afghanistan, Pakistan, China and the United States are set to convene in Islamabad on February 6 in a bid to seek a negotiated end to the Taliban insurgency, now in its fifteenth year. The Taliban have stepped up attacks on government and foreign targets in Afghanistan this winter, when fighting usually abates, underscoring a worsening security situation. In recent months the Taliban briefly captured the northern city of Kunduz, the first urban centre to fall to the insurgents, and have seized territory in the opium-growing southern province of Helmand.

Nepal PM could be toppled by constitutional crisis

n unwieldy coalition of lawmakers trying to implement Nepal’s first democratic constitution is finding common cause with protesting minority groups, isolating Prime Minister KP Oli and increasing the risk his government could fall this spring. Oli, of the leftist Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist-Leninist), promised to resolve simmering tensions in the southern plains and lift a blockade of the Indian border when he was voted in to power almost four months ago. Yet sporadic violence, in which more than 50 people have died since August, continues in the Himalayan nation with police shooting dead three demonstrators last month.

Taliban hunts down 10-yearold boy solider and shoots him to death on his way to school A ten-year-old Afghan boy hailed a hero after he fired rockets at Taliban fighters as he helped defend his village from attackers has been shot dead by an assassin from the terror group. Wasil Ahmad was shot twice in the head by insurgents in Tirin Kot, the capital of the Uruzgan province, local police have revealed. The child had fought the Taliban alongside his uncle on many occasions and pictures on social media show him holding an automatic weapon and wearing uniform and a helmet. Wasil Ahmad was killed by insurgents in Tirin Kot, the capital of the Uruzgan prov-

ince, local police have revealed Wasil Ahmad was killed by insurgents in Tirin Kot, the capital of the Uruzgan province, local police have revealed Deputy police chief of Uruzgan province, Rahimullah Khan, said that unknown gunmen he referred to only as insurgents had killed the boy near his home. Ahmad’s uncle was formerly a Taliban commander who changed allegiance to the government and was appointed local police commander in Khas Uruzgan district, Khan said. The Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission laid blame for the boy’s death with his family, the government and the Taliban, a militant group that has been fighting a 15-year insurgency.

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Jha joined Indian appointed to key tional, the World Bank as a Senior position at World Bank inI n2005 frastructure

n Indian, Saroj Kumar Jha, has been appointed to a key position in the World Bank with President Jim Young Kim assigning him a role to provide strategic leadership to address the challenge of fragility, conflict and violence. Saroj Kumar Jha is an alumnus of Indian Institute of Technology - Kanpur. Jha till last week was World Bank’s Regional Director for Central Asia based in Almaty since February 2012. Jha assumed the position of Senior Director for the Fragility, Conflict and Violence Group at the World Bank yesterday. Jha has been tasked by World Bank President Jim Young Kim to provide strategic leadership to address the challenge of fragility, conflict and violence, working across the Bank Group and in close collaboration with partners. An Indian na-

Specialist in the Sustainable Development Network, after significant experience with the Indian Government and the United Nation’s Development Program (UNDP) as a senior executive in the field of public sector management, infrastructure financing, natural resources management, natural disaster prevention and environmental sustainability. He supported transformative innovations in regional cooperation, water and energy security, social safety nets, inclusive governance and grievance redress mechanisms in various regions of the world.

NRI

Two Indian-origin men jailed for $4.3 lakh robbery in Singapore

wo Indian-origin men in Singapore were jailed up to nine years and ordered to be given 12 strokes of the cane for robbing a currency exchanger to the tune of $4.3 lakh here in 2014. Annadurai Raman, 43, a Singaporean permanent resident and Malaysian Tachana Moorthy Peromal, 29, admitted to abetment by conspiring with six others to rob a person named Ali Yousouf Saiboo of two luggage bags containing local and foreign currencies amounting to 624,036 Singapore dollar ($430,000) and two mobile phones on November 5, 2014. Annadu-

rai was sentenced to seven years in prison and 12 strokes while Tachana, who played a key role in the planning and execution of the robbery, was given nine years jail term and caning. They could have been jailed for up to 20 years and cane Their accomplice Ravi Sandhira Sagaran, a 28-year-old Malaysian-Indian, has already been sentenced to seven years’ jail and 12 strokes. The three, along with other Malaysian accomplices, had planned to rob Saiboo, 35, who worked as a manager in a moneychanging business. The other accomplices are still at large.

Indian-origin family invests in India-UK project

UK-based Indian-origin family with business interests across metals and renewable energy has invested in a multi-billion-pound tidal lagoon power project. The Gupta family’s SIMEC division has acquired a substantial stake in the UK’s Tidal Lagoon Plc, a holding company established by Tidal Lagoon Power Ltd, to finance the development of full-scale tidal lagoons in the UK and India. “We are very pleased to invest in this ambitious and innovative enterprise that promises to provide low-carbon, baseload energy and drive economic renewal through the development of a high-value supply chain that will create thousands of new jobs. As a group, we are expanding internationally on several fronts and renewable energy is right at the heart of that expansion,” said Sanjeev Gupta, chief executive of SIMEC’s sister group firm Liberty House. Liberty House had last year stepped in to acquire units of Caparo Group, Lord Swraj Paul’s steel company that went into administration. The latest investment, completed on Monday, leads to the creation of a joint venture between the Guptas’ global energy and commodities company, SIMEC, and Tidal Lagoon Power to develop large-scale tidal lagoons for power generation in India. During Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit in November last year, British Prime Minister David Cameron had signed a memorandum of understanding to strengthen cooperation between the two countries in the field of clean energy.

Indian-American couple donates $3.5M for Sanskrit studies

niversity of Chicago has established a professorship in Sanskrit studies from $3.5 million donated by an Indian-American couple to help the varsity advance its study of the Indian subcontinent. Guru and Anupama Ramakrishnan gifted the university the amount to establish the Anupama and Guru Ramakrishnan Professorship in Sanskrit studies which supports a faculty member whose work focuses on the ancient classical language, a university statement said. “The University of Chicago is world renowned for its excellence in the scholarship of South Asia,” said the Humanities dean Martha T Roth. “Guru and Anupama Ramakrishnan’s generosity allows us to sustain that tradition and makes possible continued rigorous study of the cultural heritage of South Asia through its literary, religious and philosophical texts,” Roth said. Gary Tubb, professor in South Asian Languages and Civilisations and faculty director of the University of Chicago Centre in Delhi, will be the first scholar to hold the new position, the statement said. “We are delighted to fund this chair in Sanskrit one of the oldest languages that has given the world the Vedas, Upanishads and other exceptional works of spirituality, poetry, music and dance,” the Ramakrishnans said.

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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 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 10:30 PM Join us for a night of elegance at PICSâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; annual fundraiser. Enjoy a cocktail reception, fine dining and dancing, live entertainment, unique silent and live auctions, and an opportunity to learn more about how you can support PICS Diversity Village. Additional speakers to be announced.

VIP Seating

($5000 per table)

: $500

Preferred Seating : $300 ($3000 per table)

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

604-596-7722

or for more information visit www.pics.bc.ca Corporate sponsorship packages are also available. Support PICS Diversity Village, Support our Seniors.

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

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

www.picsdiversityvillage.com We will be hosting 450+ elite and influential members of the community, including government representatives and a variety of business and industry professionals. Our goal is to raise $1 million to complete the purchase of the land for PICS Diversity Village.

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