www.theasianstar.com
Vol 19 - Issue 24
Saturday, July 13, 2019
Majority of Canadians against accepting more refugees - poll A pre-election survey conducted for CBC News suggests Canadians are divided on immigration, with clear limits on the kind of migration they find acceptable. The government groups immigrants into three categories: economic, which are skilled workers and businesspeople, along with their partners and dependants; family reunification; and refugees or those admitted under humanitarian or compassionate grounds. More than threequarters (76 per cent) of respondents to a survey by Public Square Research and Maru/Blue agreed that Canada should do more to encourage skilled labourers to immigrate to the country, while 57 per cent said Canada should not be accepting more refugees. The results come as no surprise to immigration experts and advocates, who point to a negative shift in tone on migration around the world, especially when it comes to refugees. They say that trend is stoked by media coverage in Canada of asylum seekers crossing the country’s border with the U.S.
Continued on page 3 The government today banned Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), a US-based group that supports the cause of Khalistan, for its other anti-national activities. A senior official in the Ministry of Home Affairs said the decision to ban the outfit under Section 3(1) of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act,1967, was taken at a Cabinet meeting chaired by PM Narendra Modi. Noting that SFJ’s primary objective was to establish an “independent and sovereign country” in Punjab, the official said, a strong warning had been sent to “fringe groups operating
51% jump in desis getting Canadian ‘green card’ Interest among the Indian diaspora (including those based in the US) in acquiring permanent residency in Canada continues unabated. During 2018, over 39,500 Indian citizens obtained permanent residency in Canada under the express entry system (this figure constitutes 43% of the total number. According to recently released statistics, in 2018 Canada admitted more than 92,000 new permanent entry residents through its express entry system, which is a rise of 41% over the previous year.
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Former PM Harper condemns Sikh separatists, predicts close Modi-Scheer ties Former prime minister Stephen Harper condemned Canadians who promote Sikh separatism and predicted close ties with a controversial Indian government if the Conservatives win back power, underscoring in a recent speech the role south-Asian politics could play in the run-up to October’s election. Harper criticized those who “bring the battles of the past to Canada” and try to divide India, a rare attack by a Canadian politician on the movement for a separate Sikh homeland. His comments, earning a standing ovation from a pro-India audience, raised questions about whether his party is moving closer to New Delhi on an issue that has long roiled the Indo-Canadian community. Or if — as some Sikh leaders argue — the Hindunationalist Indian administration is itself Continued on page 3
India bans US-based SFJ from foreign soils that India will not tolerate secessionist activities, whether carried out in India or abroad” and would take strong action against such entities. He also said the ban decision was taken after wide consultations with “all major representative bodies of the Sikh community” and was “largely driven” by the report the Centre had received from the Punjab Government”. The National Investigation Agency (NIA), Punjab Police and Uttarakhand Police have registered 12 cases against SFJ actvists in India and made
39 arrests. “Their presence is minor in India. However, there is potential of mischief and, hence, the decision,” the official said. “Once the organisation is banned, the NIA can take up the issue with its counterparts across the world for further action,” he said, adding: “SFJ from time to time has been making numerous attempts to instigate Sikh soldiers and Sikh security personnel against the Union of India.” Continued on page 7
Canadian aid worker jailed for 9 years for sex assaults in Nepal A prominent Canadian aid worker convicted of sexually assaulting children in Nepal will have to serve nine years in prison, one of his lawyers said. The Nepalese judge who sentenced Peter Dalglish to nine years and seven years on each of two counts ordered the terms be served concurrently, Nader Hasan said. In addition to the prison term, the court ordered Dalglish to pay his victims the equivalent of US$5,000 each. “We continue to be dismayed by the trial judge’s refusal to consider the overwhelming
evidence of Peter’s innocence and the inconsistencies in the prosecution’s case,” Hasan told The Canadian Press. “Peter’s family stands by him unflinchingly.” Dalglish, an Order of Canada recipient, was convicted last month after a police investigation and trial his lawyers described as a travesty of justice. His defence said it planned to challenge the decision and sentence, although the judge has yet to release reasons.
Continued on page 7
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Vol 18 - Issue 24
Saturday, July 13, 2019
MPs not running again will get paid around $1.6 million in severance
M
embers of Parliament who have decided not to run for reelection this fall will cash in a cumulative $1.6 million in severance payments, and millions more will likely be paid out after the election. Thirty-nine sitting MPs have declared they won’t run again in the next election, of whom 18 are eligible for severance payments totalling an estimated $1,618,850. According to an analysis. Sitting MPs who have served for less than six years are not eligible for pensions, and instead receive a lump severance payment worth half their annual salary. They also get
back any pension contributions they’ve already made, plus interest. Members who have served for more than six years but are under 55 years of age, and thus not immediately eligible for pensions, will have that pension deferred and can take severance pay at a rate similar to their rookie colleagues. The standard salary for MPs currently sits at $178,900 for 2019, meaning most sitting MPs receiving severance will walk away with just under $90,000 — money that gets paid even when they choose not to run. Some MPs who hold higher offices
are eligible for more money: the retiring Liberal MP Pamela Goldsmith-Jones, for example, is a parliamentary secretary and should receive about $9,000 in additional severance.The total doesn’t include three Independent MPs — former Liberals Hunter Tootoo, Darshan Kang and Raj Grewal — who have not announced whether they will run again. Each would receive $89,450 if they do not re-offer, boosting the total to almost $2 million ahead of the election. The amount of money set to be paid out to retiring MPs is just a first wave.
Former PM Harper condemns Sikh separatists, predicts close Modi-Scheer ties
Majority of Canadians against accepting more refugees - poll
From page 1
‘Drastic decline’ in welcoming of refugees One organization in Manitoba says it is seeing that shift first-hand. “There’s been a drastic decline in the acceptance and the welcoming, specifically of refugees,” said Dorota Blumczynska, executive director of the Immigrant and Refugee Community Organization of Manitoba. Her family came as privately sponsored refugees to Canada nearly three decades ago. Dorota Blumczynska says she believes the discourse around refugees has become increasingly negative. She says that decline has made some newcomers anxious. “There is an internal struggle that I have really witnessed around whether or not people want to identify as refugees,” she added.
trying to create a narrative of communal divide here. It really does fly in the face of the same values he defended as prime minister The speech in Toronto last Friday came several months after current Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer enjoyed a markedly warm reception by Modi, and as the Liberal government has faced repeated attacks from India for allegedly being soft on Sikh extremists. Just a few days following the talk, the Canadian-based group Sikhs for Justice, which advocates for Sikh independence in India, was banned by Modi’s government. The organization has also launched a $2.5-million libel suit against Indian authorities, alleging they’re behind news stories that accuse the group of advocating terrorism.
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OPINION
By Jake Fuss and Finn Poschmann The Fraser Institute
A recent CBC News poll reported that the cost of living is one of the biggest issues worrying Canadians today. And yes, while trend inflation has been very low for a decade, it’s ticking up sharply. So although it’s easy to understand why Canadians are anxious about the rising cost of basic necessities, the growing tax bill for families might be even more concerning. According to the poll, the cost of living was the number one concern for 32 per cent of all Canadians surveyed. Most respondents claimed the price of basic needs such as food, electricity and housing were the main sources of apprehension. In 2017, for example, the average Canadian family spent $17,856 on housing, $9,121 on food and $3,620 on clothing. Basic necessities cost the
Saturday, July 13, 2019
Tax bill an increasing burden for Canadian families average family $30,597 or 35.6 per cent of their annual income. Since 1961, average expenditures on food, shelter and clothing have grown in nominal terms by about 1,000 per cent! So the anxiety felt by many families is understandable. What’s as bad or worse for us, though, is that the growth in the tax bill for families has also come at an astonishing pace, and apparently flown under the radar in recent years. Taxes have increased much faster than basic necessities. In 2017 the average family paid $37,058 or 43.1 per cent of their income in taxes. For context, the average Canadian family paid 33.5 per cent of its income on taxes in 1961. Since then, total taxes have increased for the average family by 2,112 per cent, including inflation, which is double the increase in basic necessities over that time. This means the average Canadian family now pays more
of its income on taxes than it spends on basic necessities, including food, housing and clothing. The tax bill for Canadian families is nearly $6,500 higher than the average expenditure on basic necessities. Things get more troubling. Despite promising to reduce taxes for middle-class Canadian families, since coming into office the government of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has increased the tax burden for 81 per cent of middle-income families (with household incomes between $77,089 and $107,624). On average, and allowing for the middle-class rate-cut centrepiece of the government’s plan, the targeted families now pay $840 more in taxes than four years ago. This increase in taxes is primarily due to the removal of several tax credits families previously claimed for income splitting, public transit and children’s fitness, among others. The bottom line? The total tax bill for Canadian families has increased much more rapidly than any other single expenditure. After adding up all the taxes paid and expenditures on basic necessities for the average Canadian family, that doesn’t leave much for saving, registering children for sports, buying a vehicle, paying for gas and every other family expense. It’s no surprise, then, that the rising cost of living is a source of anxiety for Canadians. And the tax bill for families is increasing at an even faster pace. Worried, anxious people aren’t happy people and that might be the root finding of the CBC poll.
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Saturday, July 13, 2019 From page 1
Canadian aid worker jailed for 9 years for sex assaults in Nepal
India bans US-based SFJ UK-based SFJ activist Paramjit Singh Pamma was seen during the Cricket World Cup match at Edgbaston advocating the cause of Khalistan before he was evicted. Pamma, say agencies, is member of a Khalistan terror group. “The banned outfit has openly been espousing the cause of Khalistan and has started an online secessionist campaign, the so-called ‘Sikh Referendum 2020’ on the social media,” the MHA official said. Move comes weeks after DGP threatened Weeks after SFJ threatened Punjab DGP Dinkar Gupta, India on Wednesday banned the outfit. Besides Punjab, cases of sedition and terror activities have been filed against it in UP and MP. Earlier, the UK had suspended/blocked SFJ’s Twitter handle and other social media accounts on India’s insistence. Punjab CM Capt Amarinder Singh had at a meeting with Home Minister Amit Shah apprised him of the SFJ designs which had issued video threats to Punjab Police officials, asking them to “stop harassing” SFJ activists or else their relatives living abroad would be targeted. The Punjab CM said the outfit deserved to be banned as a terror organisation. AAP too supported the ban. SFJ had shared a poster on the social media last week, urging pro-Khalistan Sikhs to boo Indian Team during the World Cup semifinal. — Jupinder Singh Step in right direction First step towards protecting the nation from anti-India and secessionist designs of ISI-backed organisation. — Capt Amarinder Singh, CM
SFJ files suit against India in Ontario court Holding the Indian government responsible for running a “campaign in labelling Referendum 2020 as terrorism saying that the referendum project was sponsored by Pakistan’s spy agency ISI, Toronto-based Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) has filed a defamation law suit against the Indian Government. The statement of claim has been filed in Ontario’s Superior Court of Justice. It states that “the “Referendum 2020” had attracted the ire of India. “India has worked together with a particular media house as well other media outlets to engage in a campaign against the SFJ. The campaign consists of governmental actors acting as “sources” to these media outlets and anonymously defaming SFJ,” the SFJ said.
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From page 1 “We turn our attention to the appeal process in Nepal’s appellate courts,” Hasan said. “We remain confident that Peter will be exonerated.” Originally from London, Ont., Dalglish, 62, has denied any wrongdoing. Nepalese police arrested him in the early hours of April 8 last year in a raid on the mountain home he had built in the village of Kartike, east of the capital of Kathmandu. Police alleged he had raped two Nepalese boys aged 11 and 14, who were with him at the time. Pushkar Karki, chief of the Central Investigation Bureau, accused Dalglish of luring children from poor families with promises of education, jobs and trips, then sexually abusing them. Karki said other foreign men in Nepal had also been arrested on suspicion of pedophilia. “There have been some instances where they were found
working with charities,” Karki told the New York Times. “Our laws aren’t as strict as in foreign countries, and there is no social scrutiny like in developed countries.” Dalglish’s lawyers see it differently. They have raised a host of objections, saying the police investigation and trial was “like watching a wrongful conviction unfold in real time.” At the very least, they said, there was reasonable doubt as to their client’s guilt. According to his lawyers, the case appears to have originated with rumours at a school in Thailand where Dalglish had been a board member. They insist a probe found no evidence of misconduct but a complaint to the RCMP appears to have led to an Interpol “red flag,” prompting Nepalese police to open their own investigation. The defence accuses
Nepalese investigators of intimidation tactics and bribing the boys to testify against him. Both complainants gave damning testimony in court but Dalglish’s lawyers say the alleged victims gave several versions of their stories at different times. Hasan has said the Nepalese legal system operates largely in secrecy, and the courts do not record proceedings or produce transcripts, leading to confusion about what witnesses actually said. Dalglish, who co-founded a Canadian charity called Street Kids International in the late 1980s, had spent years doing humanitarian work in Nepal. He has also worked for several humanitarian agencies, including UN Habitat in Afghanistan and the UN Mission for Ebola Emergency Response in Liberia. He was named a member of the Order of Canada in late 2016.
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PERSON OF THE WEEK
Saturday, July 13, 2019
India: Cleaning up the Ganga with private sector support The Ganga river is much more than a moving body of water—the 2,500-kilometer river has been an important part of India’s history and identity for thousands of years. It is sacred in the Hindu tradition. Every year, millions of pilgrims bathe in the river to purify themselves. It is also important economically. It accounts for a quarter of India’s fresh water and supports livelihoods in agriculture, fisheries, transportation, tourism, and manufacturing. Over 400 million people—more than a third of the country’s population—live in the river’s basin. But it is also heavily polluted. Sewage and industrial waste—often dumped in the river untreated—contaminated water used by millions for drinking and bathing.
In an assessment carried out by the Central Pollution Control Board, more than half of the wastewater treatment plants in the basin were either not complying the discharge norms, or not working at all. In some areas, cholera has posed a serious health threat to local populations. Consequently, cleaning up the Ganga through water treatment facilities, inter alia, has been a top priority for government. About 12 years ago, the World Bank provided a $1 billion loan to clean up
the Ganga in northern India. At the time, the government was not keen on private sector solutions, and progress was limited. Later, in 2015, the government launched the Clean Ganga program, and requested support from the World Bank Group to address the pollution problem with private sector involvement. This was the largest river cleanup program in Indian history. It included several components, including
Chennai ‘hospital’ built with World Bank aid goes missing
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cleaning up polluted areas and setting up a series of waste water treatment plants—both newly constructed and refurbished ones. However, the government had concerns about whether these renewed investments could achieve the desired outcome. The concern was valid, as billions of dollars had been invested since 1970s towards the same goal, but without significant results. These issues were addressed by experts across the World Bank Group, particularly IFC’s Transaction Advisory and the World Bank’s Water and Urban Development Global Practices. The World Bank Group team developed a PPP under a “hybrid annuity” model to build and operate sewage treatment infrastructure. Under this model, the government would pay 40 percent of project costs to private developers on completion of construction (in part through World Bank
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A hospital building is missing. Sounds weird? It’s true, going by the official response to an RTI petition. In Mathur MMDA area, a hospital was constructed for the 50,000odd residents under a World Bank assisted project. Now, the hospital building has been demolished and the ‘public purpose’ land on which it stood has changed hands to a private realtor. Permission to demolish the building was given by the Corporation last year, reveal RTI replies. The permission was given based on a sale deed for the public purpose land, which makes no mention of the building. While Corporation maintains that the land would be used for a hospital, residents say no such assurance has been given as the property now belongs to a private party.“If the plan was to have a hospital, why did they demolish the existing building, which was constructed especially for that purpose?” asks CM Ramesh, a member of the Mathur MMDA welfare association. Apart from the World Bank funds, residents say they had paid ‘development charges’ for the facility when they purchased plots in the scheme area. Though the building was constructed in 1992, it remained nonfunctional during its entire existence. As residents kept rallying for the hospital to be set up, the Rotary Club offered to invest Rs 19 lakh towards development of hospital infrastructure in the building. “Even before the plan was finalised, the hospital building was sold off by the Housing Board,” says RS Babu, another member of the association. Sale deeds & bad deeds A copy of the sale deed given to residents as part of the RTI response makes no mention of the hospital building which stood on the plot measuring almost three grounds. However, sale deeds of other residents who own plot in the same area mentions the nature of building attached to the land. The permission for demolition states that approval had been granted for the demolition of existing building at ‘clinic site’. Residents in the area have poor access to healthcare facilities. The nearest ones are the urban hospital in Manali and the health centre at Madhavaram Milk Colony. “The Manali hospital is already overcrowded,” says Lalitha Raghavan, a resident. “The Madhavaram health centre, we have heard, has no doctors at night... Even child births are taken care of by attenders.” When contacted, the Corporation officials concerned said they would look into the issue. On the sale of the public purpose building and the land, a TNHB official said, “The individual purchased two sites.
Saturday, July 13, 2019
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Gas prices rose with land costs but full differentials unexplained: report Gasoline prices in British Columbia have risen in line with land costs and credit card processing fees but that doesn’t fully explain why they’re so much higher than in other parts of Western Canada, a new report says. The report by Deetkten Group was posted online late Wednesday by the B.C. Utilities Commission, which is overseeing a public inquiry into sky-high gas prices in the province. The consultant’s report says Vancouver’s gasoline retail margins, which are the difference between the wholesale price for fuel and the retail price less tax, “highly” correlates with local land values. It also says credit card processing fees are applied as a percentage of a total transaction, meaning the fees will be higher in jurisdictions like Vancouver where prices at the pump are already high. “Rising land costs and credit card processing fees may account for nearly the entire differential observed between
Vancouver and comparable areas, at least up to the end of 2018,” the report says. But even after those factors are taken into account for this year, 1.4 cents per litre in the retail margins remains unexplained. The report also can’t fully explain why wholesale gas prices are much higher in B.C. cities compared with other jurisdictions. The consultants compared wholesale prices in Vancouver and Kamloops with Edmonton and Seattle, which are also sources of supply for B.C. Transportation and regulatory costs may account for higher wholesale gas prices in B.C., but even estimating those costs at their highest potential doesn’t explain the difference, it says. “Even the highest estimates of transport and regulatory costs combined do not sufficiently account for the differential in wholesale prices between the Vancouver market and the Edmonton and Seattle markets, particularly in 2019,” the report says.
Neil Bantleman, Canadian teacher imprisoned in Indonesia, returns to Canada Teacher Neil Bantleman has returned to Canada as a free man after being granted clemency in Indonesia. The Canadian teacher who was convicted of crimes against three children at an international school in the Indonesian capital of Jakarta was brought back to Canada thanks to the work of consular officials in Indonesia, CTV News Channel’s Michel Boyer reported. “Tracy and I are very happy to be home and reunited with our family,” Bantleman said in a statement. “I would like to express our deep appreciation to the Government of Canada for their steadfast commitment to seeing us home.” Bantleman’s brother, Guy Bantleman, told
CTV News that he returned to Canada in mid-June after intense negotiations over the last 14 months. He said part of the conditions of his release was that it remain as quiet as possible. Bantleman specifically thanked Guy for the “tremendous amount of time, effort and love that he poured into campaigning for my return.” Bantleman also took the time to thank his wife Tracy. “I have no doubt that without her love and commitment this day would not have been possible,” he said. Her tireless efforts with the coordination and communication between our legal team, school, Embassy and family in Canada was the key to securing my freedom.”
NOTICE OF CERTIFICATION AND SETTLEMENT APPROVAL HEARING
Did you experience gender or sexual orientation-based harassment or discrimination while working with the RCMP? On July 5, 2019 the Federal Court (Canada) certified a class action concerning allegations of gender and sexual orientation-based harassment and discrimination of women working or volunteering with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (“RCMP”). The settlement provides for six levels of compensation ranging from $10,000 to $220,000. Who is Eligible for the Proposed Settlement? Women who experienced gender or sexual orientation-based harassment or discrimination while working or volunteering with the RCMP during the Class Period (September 16, 1974 to July 5, 2019).* *“Primary Class Members” means current and former living Municipal Employees, Regional District Employees, employees of non-profit organizations, volunteers, Commissionaires, Supernumerary Special Constables, consultants, contractors, public service employees, students, members of integrated policing units and persons from outside agencies and police forces who are female or publicly identify as female and who were supervised or managed by the RCMP or who worked in an RCMP controlled workplace during the Class Period, excluding individuals who are primary class members in Merlo and Davidson v. Her Majesty the Queen, Federal Court Action Number T-1685-16 and class members in Ross, Roy, and Satalic v. Her Majesty the Queen, Federal Court Action Number T-370-17 or Association des membres de la police montée du Québec inc., Gaétan Delisle, Dupuis, Paul, Lachance, Marc v. HMTQ, Quebec Superior Court Number 500-06-000820-163.
The Approval Hearing and Your Rights A motion to approve the settlement is scheduled to be heard on October 17, 2019 at 9:30 am at the Federal Court, Vancouver, BC at 701 West Georgia Street. You may object to the proposed settlement on or before October 1, 2019. You may opt-out of the proposed settlement on or before September 13, 2019. For detailed information on how you can participate in the hearing, object to the settlement or opt out of the settlement, visit rcmpsettlement.ca or contact Class Counsel at the below email addresses. More Information? For complete details on the proposed settlement, the fees being sought by counsel, opting out and objecting to the settlement, visit rcmpsettlement.ca or contact Class Counsel: Klein Lawyers LLP www.callkleinlawyers.com wsantos@callkleinlawyers.com Higgerty Law www.higgertylaw.ca info@higgertylaw.ca
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LOCAL / NATIONAL
Saturday, July 13, 2019
Interest rate cuts are no cure-all in a trade war, Bank of Canada’s Poloz warns Investors may think central banks can prevent a trade war-induced recession by cutting interest rates, but it’s never that simple, says Bank of Canada Governor Stephen Poloz. Responding to a reporter’s question about the limits of monetary policy when dealing with trade tensions, Poloz replied it’s not as easy as lowering borrowing costs. “My sense is that the markets are not really on to the complexity of it,” Poloz said. “It seems a little too easy that interest rates could decline and that makes everything OK.” Poloz spoke as U.S. stocks hit a fresh alltime high after Fed Chair Jerome Powell solidified bets for an interest rate reduction at the end of the month, and with global and Canadian shares not far off records.
That’s precisely the kind of perverse reaction Poloz finds disconcerting. An escalation in trade tensions looks to be on the minds of bond investors, but stocks are shrugging off this possibility, according to Canada’s central bank chief. “To put a fine point on it, the bond market pushes yields down and the stock market goes back as if nothing bad’s going to happen,” he said. “And yet the underlying shock would be clearly very bad for economic growth, would be bad
trade
uncertainty
for the level of productivity, would be quite harmful to profitability.” The Bank of Canada left its policy rate unchanged at 1.75 per cent, citing ongoing hindering growth,
despite a rebound in recent economic data. The Monetary Policy Report released by the central bank shed further light on these mixed signals sent by financial markets. The inversion of the Canadian and U.S. yield curves may be benign, but “nonetheless reflect a concern about the prospects for growth,” according to policy makers. On the other hand, “robust equity prices and tight credit spreads suggest that economic growth will continue in the near term.”
Big money drug bust nabs more than a dozen suspects in BC & Alberta More than a dozen people are facing drug charges after police say they recovered more than a $1 million in cash and drugs during a nine-month investigation in BC & Alberta. Project Embrace resulted in the seizure of more than six kilograms of cocaine and two kilograms of meth that police say would have been sold on the streets of several Alberta communities including Bonnyville, Lloydminster, St. Paul and Cold Lake. Edmonton’s Matthew Castle, 29, is
a m o n g six people charged w i t h conspiracy to traffic d r u g s . Police say he worked with a pair of Vancouver men to bring the coke and meth from B.C. to Alberta. Five others are facing conspiracy to traffic charges, and eight individuals from Bonnyville are charged with multiple counts of drug trafficking. Police say the most recent arrests took place in June of 2019. The investigation involved multiple police organizations in Vancouver and Alberta.
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LOCAL / NATIONAL
Saturday, July 13, 2019
New numbers raise questions about the power of the taxi lobby in Metro Vancouver The B.C. government says it has no plans to buy out taxi licences from owners in the province. This comes amid industry fears that licences will drop in value when ridesharing hits the road. When asked about whether the province has plans to buy up licences, Transportation Minister Claire Trevena responded with a strong “no,” adding that the province is still concerned about the effects ridesharing will have on the existing taxi industry. “We are working very closely with the taxi industry to make sure they are ready for the changes in the industry that app-based ridehailing will bring in,” Trevena said. “We have lots of people who are working hard, who have a lot of money invested in taxi licences. This is their income. We have lots of drivers of taxis who are working as taxi drivers. We want to make sure they continue working. But we also want to know people have the choice that they have so clearly said that they want.” Other jurisdictions, including New York City, have grappled with how to deal with decreasing values of licences following the introduction of ridesharing. Global News looked at the 2,081 taxi licences in Metro Vancouver. Those licences are controlled by 28 taxi companies, which are operated by a total of 106 directors. What is unclear is how many people actually own the taxi licences or have a stake in the taxi companies. “It is the way industry has evolved. It has evolved here, it has evolved in other jurisdictions like this,” Trevena said. “We have worked to open up the taxi industry. To bring in new licences.” WATCH (June 14, 2019): Focus BC: Next steps for ridesharing in the province The B.C. Green Party has criticized the
current government and the former B.C. Liberal government for making decisions based on the strength of the taxi industry. “One of the issues that we continue to run up against is a very powerful, consolidated lobby,” Green Party MLA Adam Olsen said. “I think that influence is changing because of the campaign finance reforms we have brought in. But in the current first-past-thepost system there are rewards for making decisions about jurisdictions. What we have seen here is a concerted effort to make sure the people of Surrey are OK.” Taxi licence owners predominantly come from South Asian backgrounds and live in areas of Vancouver, Burnaby and Surrey. The provincial government did pass legislation, with the support of the Greens, that has reduced the amount people can donate to political parties and banned union and corporate political donations. The B.C. Taxi Association says it is concerned that ridesharing will hurt licence values, but don’t know how large the impact will be. “You can’t say a blanket [price] on how much we are going to lose, but probably the fear or the uncertainty has brought down the share price quite a bit,” B.C. Taxi Association president Mohan Kang said. Starting this week, the Passenger Transportation Board kicked off consultations with the taxi and transportation network service industry on “sound economic conditions.” The board is required to ensure economic conditions are not crippled when setting operating areas, fleet sizes and rates for ridesharing. The province is set to start accepting applications for ridesharing companies in September, with vehicles legally allowed to operate on September 16. The realistic expectation is that ridesharing vehicles will be on the road by the end of the year.
First of its kind urgent care centre to open in Surrey The province’s first ever urgent mental health and addictions care centre will open in Surrey, B.C., at the end of the month and become fully operational by Aug. 7. Mental Health and Addictions Minister Judy Darcy says people in need of urgent care can be referred to the centre and connected with specialty services that will provide patients with a therapeutic environment while easing pressure on hospital emergency departments. “When you or a loved one needs urgent support for a mental health or substance use challenge, the last thing you want to hear is take a number,” said Darcy. “This centre will provide easy-to-access services where people ask for help once and get help fast, all in one welcoming place.” MLA Judy Darcy spoke with media during the opening of the Surrey Mental Health and Substance Use Urgent Care Response Centre in Surrey on Wednesday. The centre,
located in the Charles Barham Pavilion in Memorial Hospital campus, part of the province’s Pathway to Hope plan to make mental health and addictions care “better and more accessible” for British Columbians. Patients can be referred by care providers or emergency departments looking to connect them with specialty services. According to the province, the centre will be staffed by more than 80 people, including physicians, counsellors and social workers. Medication-assisted treatment During the news conference, Darcy confirmed the centre would also be using medication-assisted treatments to help patients. She says Opioid Agonist Therapy (OAT) allows doctors and nurse practitioners to prescribe patients medical-grade opioids such as methadone as a form of treatment for their addictions.
Canada-wide warrant issued for mom who vanished with 4-year-old in international custody battle A Canada-wide warrant has been issued by RCMP for a woman who was ordered to safely return her child to his father in Spain but instead allegedly fled for an unknown destination in Europe. Elizabeth Cornelia Maria De Swart, 37, and her four-yearold son (whom CBC News has chosen not to name, as he is a minor) flew from Calgary to Frankfurt on Saturday, but their whereabouts are currently unknown. The warrant is only enforceable in Canada. Spanish authorities are actively searching for the child and have been in contact with Interpol and local police in Europe, according
to
court documents. CBC News has reached out to De Swart’s lawyers for comment, but they are no longer representing her — and it’s unclear who her current legal representation is. CBC has also reached out to a member of De Swart’s family for assistance in reaching her, but the family member declined comment until they can retain counsel who can speak on behalf of De Swart. The father has reached out to Global Affairs, and his lawyer says they are looking into the case. Mom was ordered to return child to Spain A June 25 ruling from the Court of Queen’s Bench of Alberta orders De Swart to provide for the safe return of her child to Spain.
Saturday, July 13, 2019
Surrey breaks ground on accessible playground The City of Surrey and CanadianTireJumpstart Charities has broken ground on what will be the city’s largest playground once completed. The new 12,000 -sq.-ft. accessible playground is expected to be completed in late 2019 and will offer “an imaginative and accessible space for children of all abilities to play together,” according to a release from the City of Surrey on Wednesday (July 10). The playground’s artist’s rendering shows red surfacing that from a bird’s eye view is the Canadian Tire logo. Some of the features include double-wide ramps, a roller slide, a bucket seat with harness swing and a “quiet zone” designed for children on the autism spectrum. In April, it was announced that the playground would be a gift to the City of Surrey from Jumpstart. It is valued at $1 million. The city will be responsible for the cost of site preparation, site security and finishing
work, which is estimated at $130,000. Marco Di Buono, associate vicepresident of programs and operations at Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities, said the July 10 groundbreaking marked an “important milestone for inclusivity.” “We are thrilled to be working with the City of Surrey to make Unwin Park a place where kids of all abilities can experience the joy of play,” Di Buono said. Surrey Mayor Doug McCallum said this new playground is another example of the city “taking a leadership role in advancing accessibility and inclusion.” “This new, inclusive playground will remove the barriers that many children face when it comes to playing alongside their peers who may have different levels of ability. When barriers are removed, the impact on our community and our children, are profound,” McCallum said.
New report finds 1.4 cents per litre in BC gasoline retail margins remains unexplained Consultant’s report posted by utilities commission says 1.4 cents per litre in margins remains unexplained Gasoline prices in B.C. have risen in line with land costs and credit card processing fees, but that doesn’t fully explain why they’re so much higher than in other parts of Western Canada, a new report says.
The report by Deetken Group was posted online late Wednesday by the B.C. Utilities Commission, which
is overseeing a public inquiry into sky-high gas prices in the province. The consultant’s report says Vancouver’s gasoline retail margins — the difference between the wholesale price for fuel and the retail price, less tax — “highly’’ correlates with local land values. It also says credit card processing fees are applied as a percentage of a total transaction, meaning the fees will be higher in jurisdictions like Vancouver where prices at the pump are already high. “Rising land costs and credit card processing fees may account for nearly the entire differential observed between Vancouver and comparable areas, at least up to the end of 2018,’’ the report says.
Options Community Services sues school district over daycare program for teen parents A local charity is suing the Surrey School District after being dropped as sole operator of a daycare program for teen parents. The Surrey School District has served Options Community Services with notice it must vacate the facility at Guildford Park Secondary by Aug. 31, 2019, but the Surrey charity claims it has a right to stay for an additional year. In a Notice of Civil Claim filed against the Surrey School District on Tuesday (July 9), Options disputes the validity of the termination notice. “The School District failed to provide Options with reasonable notice that it was terminating
Options’ licence of occupation,” the claim states. Further, Options states the district “failed to act in good faith in its purported termination of Options’ licence of occupation.” Scroll
down to read the complete court filing. In its claim, Options seeks an injunction restraining the school district from acting on its Notice of Termination, and an injunction requiring the school district to “cease use of the name ‘Growing Together’ in connection with child care services and support services for expectant and young parents.”
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Saturday, July 13, 2019
BC liquor branch contracts didn’t meet government standards, audit reveals An audit of BC’s liquor distribution branch office operations revealed many direct contracts it awarded to service providers did not comply with government policies of fair and open competition, the auditor general said Wednesday. In a report, Auditor General Carol Bellringer said she reviewed 74 direct contracts — that is, contracts that are awarded to a specific supplier instead of opening a competition — and found 55 per cent of the files did not meet the bar of exceptional circumstances required to directly award a contract. Furthermore, 54 contracts indicated the liquor branch did not have enough
documentation to show fairness. The total value of the contracts was almost $25 million. The files had to do with the running of business operations, for example, buying office supplies, contracting IT services, or making office repairs, and were not associated with liquor or cannabis supplies. Competitive process preferred Competitive processes allow for best value for the public dollar, she said, and there are only a few exceptions to award a non-competitive, direct contract. These include if the contract is with another
Crab fishermen cashing in during windfall harvest in Northern BC Crab fishermen in Northern British Columbia are pinching themselves to make sure they aren’t dreaming this season. Dungeness crab in the Hecate Strait, a shallow body of water between Haida Gwaii and the mainland, are bountiful this year and ship crews are crabbing around the clock to cash in. For many working on the water, it is the most rewarding harvest in recent
memoryPaul Edwards, captain of the Sea Harvest, has been fishing for Dungeness since the 1990s and says it is the best haul he has seen in 25 years. He estimates he is clearing six figures a trip and has made six trips so far. “A season like this could set a young guy up for life if they are smart about it,” said Edwards, who hired two extra crew members so he could keep constant shifts rotating on the boat.
Can government incentives to private companies help solve BC’s wildfire crisis? Fire ecologist Robert Gray makes the same argument every year — wildfires are at a crisis level and removing their fuel by thinning British Columbia’s forests is the best way to mitigate them. Gray also gets frustrated annually at what he believes is a lack of investment in wildfire prevention in B.C., especially after devastating seasons in 2017 and 2018. That’s why he is taking an entirely different approach this time, knowing full well it won’t be popular with many people in the construction industry and free market capitalists. The idea, in a nutshell, is for the provincial government to provide financial incentives for private companies to remove
the biomass that jeopardizes B.C.’s forests. The future looks grim after 2 years of devastating B.C. wildfires “We understand the fire science pretty well, but maybe this is an economics issue,” said Gray, a private consultant. “Maybe we’re approaching it the wrong way.” Fire ecologist Robert Gray says more fuel needs to be cleared from B.C.’s forests to prevent wildfires. Gray said a government subsidy would make it profitable for forestry companies to harvest wood that either goes untouched or ends up in slash piles. He would like to see those materials used for bioenergy projects, such as wood chips, or ground up into manufactured wood
Bacteria discovery left island hospital relying on bottled water since March Patients and staff at Salt Spring Island’s sole hospital are still relying on bottled water, months after legionella bacteria was detected in the facility’s water system. Island Health advised against using the water at Lady Minto Hospital for drinking or bathing in March, when routine testing showed low levels of the bacteria were present. Most healthy people don’t get sick from the bacteria, but there is a risk of developing legionnaires’ disease if someone breathes in droplets of contaminated water. The illness can lead to pneumonia
in people at higher risk of getting sick, such as the elderly and people with compromised immune systems. The bacteria levels found were very low, but given the clientele in a health care facility, “safer is better than sorry,” said Kelly Yerema, Island Health technical service manager for Lady Minto. The bacteria likely developed in old water trapped in “dead legs” of the hospital’s water system, Yerema said, referring to old pipes that are still connected to the system but are no longer used after renovations and upgrades.
Teen driver caught speeding 100 km/h over limit in Abbotsford An 18-year-old has been charged and will have his novice licence reviewed after he was caught driving more than 100 km/h over the speed limit in Abbotsford, B.C. Police say they stopped the teen, who
was driving an Audi A3, on Highway 11 at Clayburn Road on July 4 around 7:30 p.m. PT. The car was clocked travelling at 187 km/h. That stretch of Highway
11 has a speed limit of 80 km/h. A 17-year-old passenger was also in the car. New McLaren impounded minutes after driver leaves dealership The driver currently faces a charge of excessive speeding, and the vehicle was towed and will be impounded for a week. The owner of the vehicle will be required to pay for the towing and storage fees to get the vehicle back. He also faces significant fines: Any driver caught driving more than 40 km/h over the speed limit faces a fine between $368 and $483. He could also gain three demerit points on his licence. What it’s like to patrol the roads for high-risk drivers In a release, Sgt. Desi Sansalone with the Abbotsford Traffic Enforcement Unit reiterated the importance of driving at the speed limit. “You may think you’re in control at these high speeds, but should you need to take evasive action, or react to another driver, you may find yourself unable to respond effectively. The results can be deadly,” Sansalone said.
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Saturday, July 13, 2019
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Vancouver’s on-street parking revenue up 400% in 20 years What’s one topic that virtually everyone on Vancouver’s minority city council can agree on? That the city’s increasing reliance on parking as a source of revenue is a good thing. “Policing and fire costs are all run out of our operating budgets, and the revenue we get from parking help offsets that cost,� said Mayor Kennedy Stewart. It’s offsetting that cost more and more. Vancouver is forecast to collect $62.9
million in “on-street parking revenue� this year, up from $13.8 million in 1999. That’s an increase of over 400 per cent, and doesn’t even factor in money from parking fines, which have gone from $9 million to $21 million during the same span. Stewart believe it hasn’t had an adverse effect for most Vancouverites. We looked at every parking ticket issued
in Vancouver last year — here’s what we found “In the city, we prioritize parking for residents and small business. That’s really the approach here,� he said, emphasizing the city continually reviews its policies. “But also the revenue we collect for parking is important for our operating budget.� Small proportion of revenue The increase in parking revenues has
come from a number of areas: expanding the number of places where metered parking is in effect, changing the end point for meters being operational from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. and the increasing use of electronic payments. NPA Coun. Rebecca Bligh says the decade-long trend is understandable because the city is limited in the ways it can raise money outside of property taxes.
Gift card scam dupes elderly BC couple out of thousands Elderly BC couple loses over $8,000 in gift card scam While gift cards can make a great present, they are also a scammer’s favourite way to steal money. Better Business Bureau (BBB) is urging the public to be wary of phone calls instructing them to purchase gift cards, following a report from an elderly couple in Richmond who lost over $8,000.
The couple fell victim to the Bank Investigator Scam, which is Number 10 on the BBB National List of Top 10 Scams. They received a phone call around 7am one morning from someone named George Atkinson, who claimed to be an investigator with their bank. The couple was informed that fraudulent activity was detected on their visa credit card,
‘Dangerous’ act of vandalism damages transformers in North Vancouver, BC Hydro says A vandalism spree in North Vancouver has damaged transformers and resulted in power outages, oil spills, and in one case, a fire, BC Hydro says. At least four pad-mounted transformers have been vandalized since April in the Mount Seymour and Parkgate areas, the utility company said Wednesday. The green, ground-level transformers provide electricity to houses. They all had “deliberate� cuts made to them and one had holes drilled in it. Due to the proximity and similarity in each incident, one person is believed to be responsible for all of the damage
which is estimated at $150,000. It’s not known why someone would cut into the transformers, but BC Hydro says nothing was stolen from the boxes during the vandalism. If somebody is cutting into the side of these pieces of equipment, you’re opening up Pandora’s box,� said Jonathan Knowles, public safety lead at BC Hydro. “There are so many things that can go wrong. It’s so dangerous. You could create a grass fire. It’s just not a good situation.� All of the vandalized transformers are along the edge of the Northlands Golf Course. The damage happened on April 2 and 24, May 1 and July 2.
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2 escaped inmates on Vancouver Island caught after commenting on off-duty cop’s dog Two prisoners who escaped the William Head Institution on southern Vancouver Island have been found and arrested, according to a written statement from West Shore RCMP. James Lee Busch, 42, and Zachary Armitage, 30, fled the minimumsecurity facility in the community of Metchosin on Sunday evening, police said. Following the escape, West Shore RCMP conducted an “extensive search� with the help of a K-9 unit and air surveillance. The men were arrested around 8 p.m. on Tuesday after being spotted by offduty RCMP officer John Ferguson in Esquimalt, who alerted duty officers. Ferguson was walking by Westbay Marina withhis5-year-oldGreatDane,Lewis,whenthe two men commented on how big his dog was. “I immediately recognized them as they walked by me, stopped until they went around the corner and called 9-1-1,� said Ferguson. “Then Lewis and I went on an extra long walk to follow them.� James Lee Busch, 42, and Zachary Armitage, 30, fled the minimum-security facility in the community of Metchosin on Sunday evening. Ferguson tailed the men for a while, until Victoria police arrested the men and turned them over to West Shore RCMP. He said he wasn’t sure he’d have noticed the two men if they hadn’t addressed him directly. “They definitely drew attention to themselves when they talked about my dog ... definitely their comments and they were so close,itwaseasyformetoseetheirfaces,�hesaid.
Lewis has since been recognized as an honorary member of the West Shore Police department.
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Saturday, July 13, 2019
Surrey soccer team wins the gold medal
A book of Gulshan Dayal was released at Punajb Bhawan last week. Pictured above from left to right are, Jarnail Singh artist, Sukhi Bath, Mohan Gill , Inderjit Kaur Sidhu, Jarnail Singh Sekha, Krishan Bhanot and relatives of Gulshan Dyal releasing her book.
The winners of Surrey soccer team, (standing) Head Coach Parmjit S. Sadhra, Paris Gill, Jason Sadhra, Mohit Rai, Bilal Azhar, Sukhman Brar, Parm Sangha, Coach Tanny Sadhra, Karam Gill, Burnaby should pay 90% of RCMP bill for policing pipeline protests: feds Manny Atwal, Mohit Jhali, Manager Judy K. Mann, Sitting: Taran Dhatt, Daiya Mann, Tegi Basra, Shaan Dhaliwal, Kabir Kandola, Burnaby taxpayers should pay 90 per cent of relations spokesperson, said in the email. Gurbaj Sidhu, Harman Singh Postmedia asked to interview Public the costs of policing the Trans Mountain pipeline Huge win for CCB Lions Boys U-18 province competed in the Les Sinnott protests, according to the federal government. Safety Minister Ralph Goodale. He Public Safety Canada says in an email that was not made available for comment. soccer team as they take first place at the Memorial Boys Provincial B Cup. Sav Dhaliwal, a Burnaby councillor, Les Sinnott Memorial Boys Provincial “costs associated with maintaining law and “I would like to thank the Prince George order in the City of Burnaby resulting from said he believes the contract governing the B Cup Soccer Championships held in Youth Soccer Association for hosting the incidents, including demonstrations, are to be relationship between the RCMP and the Prince George this weekend. In the games and for their hospitality, said Head cost shared 90% (Burnaby) and 10% (federal).” city means that Ottawa is responsible for final match CCB Lions won 2-1 against Coach Parmjit S. Sadra. “The teams win “The RCMP assesses each call for service 100 per cent of the $1.8 million in policing Victoria’s Prospect Lake/Peninsula team. would not have been possible without the and deploys the necessary resources costs of pipeline protests since 2014. “I am very proud of our team’s performance, support of our parents, CCB Club and B.C. accordingly,” Karine Martel, a media said Coach Tanny Sadra. “There were a lot of Soccer Association who put in so much time excellent teams in the competition however and effort in keeping our kids active in sports”. our boys stepped up to the plate and all Media Contact: their training and hard work paid off. “ Judy K. Mann - CCB Lions Manager A total of eight U-18 boys teams qualified 778-846-0397 for the provincial B cup championships. judykmann@gmail.com A total of 48 teams from around the
Ex-Raptors star Danny Green says bags stolen in Vancouver A star shooting guard who helped fuel the Toronto Raptors’ historic championship run this season says he and his friends had their car broken into during a recent trip to Vancouver after leaving their bags on the seat of a car parked on the city’s Downtown Eastside. Danny Green told the story during an episode of his podcast, Inside The Green Room, after visiting the west coast city earlier this month.The athlete was touring Canada to lead sold-out skills camps for young players after the Raptors won the NBA championship in June. “Everything was great on the camp tour, but there was one thing that didn’t go great. We started off rocky in Vancouver,” said Green, 32, who signed with the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday. The player said he stayed in a hotel during his trip but his friends booked an Airbnb on East Hastings Street. His friends didn’t like the look of it, with one saying it was “old, raggedy, it feels haunted.” The Downtown Eastside is often associated with drug use and poverty and, in recent years, the lethal overdose crisis devastating British Columbia. East Hastings Street is the neighbourhood’s central thoroughfare. At one point, Green drove his friends to the Airbnb and they all left the car to look at the suite. Danny Green, right, helped the Toronto Raptors win the NBA championship in June. He has since left the team, signing with the Los Angeles Lakers. “We go upstairs for 10 minutes, check out a map … go back outside and we pretty much got ... not robbed of everything, but two bags gone. One of the bags had a lot of stuff in them.”
Ram Kapoor amazes everyone with his transformation night just before I sleep, I do cardio. I eat limited food during a period of eight hours. For the rest of the 16 hours, I don’t eat anything at all.” After a sabbatical from glamour world, which might have fizzled out his stardom he
probably going to be hard, but that’s what has gotten me really excited about this transformation.” Kapoor is married to his Ghar Ek Mandir costar and actress Gautami Kapoor (nee Gadgil). They met on the sets of the TV show Ghar Ek Mandir and dated for a while before tying the knot on Valentines Day in 2003. They have two children, daughter Sia and son Aks.
Traditional Massage for Your Health Health
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We have heard and read too many flab to fab stories of our tinsel town stars which got many of us hitting the gym or taking some form of physical exercise. One such story currently grabbing the headline is of actor Ram Kapoor. Despite his chubby persona, the actor was adored by the audience, but his latest Instagram post will give you a sweet shock. The actor has undergone tremendous weight loss; the actor who weighed 130kg has reduced 30 kg and is aiming furthermore to reduce 25kgs-30kgs. Though getting on this journey was not easy for the actor, he did not give up and continued to shed those extra kilos to live a healthier life. “I knew this journey is going to be tough. It is a hard decision to stop work completely for such a long period. I have been an unhealthy man for the last 10 years of my career. I am grateful that my fans accepted me the way I was, and that I had a career. At some point, I had to decide to get healthier. Once I made that decision, my health became the priority and my career took a back seat, at least for the time being,” the actor said. He said, “I was 130 kgs when I started and I want to lose another 25–30 kgs. I decided that if I wanted to do achieve my weight goals, I will have to take time off from work. It would need to be a substantial length of time-six months to a year.” He further adds, “I’m pretty happy with my physique for my career. But it’s not healthy to be like this. I wish to be healthier, maybe lose some weight. But careerwise, I’m very satisfied with my weight as I’m getting good roles in TV shows and films.” Undergoing rigorous training and cutting down on normal food and meat from his diet, he has achieved this fitter and healthier self. He said, “As soon as I wake up in the morning, I do an hour of weightlifting on an empty stomach. And, at
fearlessly went ahead with his decision. The actor is also geared up to look for roles slightly different complimenting his new physique. “Both the audience and the industry accepted and embraced how I used to look. Once I start looking fitter, I will have to reinvent myself as an actor and build a different image for myself. I will not be able to get the same kind of roles I was getting in the last decade. It’s
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Saturday, July 13, 2019
“Ginny weds Sunny” Small high-concept “Ginny and Sunny films have always been invite you to be a part of on a high in Hindi the funniest and craziest cinema in the last wedding. Aaiyega few years. Stars, if the zaroor!” This is the subject is interesting media release issued by as well as executed the makers of the justefficiently, are no more launched “Ginny Weds a compulsion for a Sunny.” film. The film stars Yami Vinod Bachchan Gautam and Vikrant presents, Ginny Weds Massey in the lead roles. Sunny, a Soundrya Directed by debutant Production. Produced Puneet R. Khanna and by Vinod Bachchan, produced by Vinod directed by Puneet Bachchan, the “baaraat” arrives in 2020, say the confident filmmakers. Khanna, the film is all set to go on floors by Sept. 1, 2019.
Priyanka thanks in-laws
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Priyanka Chopra Jonas has thanked her in-laws Kevin and Denise Jonas for loving her like their own daughter. On the occasion of Father’s Day on June 16, Priyanka tweeted a photograph of herself along with her father-in-law and captioned it: “Happy Father’s Day Papa Kevin Jonas I feel blessed to have you and Mama Denise Jonas in my life! Thank you for taking me in as your daughter with so much love and warmth. Love you loads. Happy Father’s Day.”
Priyanka married her pop singer husband Nick in December 2018. The couple married at Umaid Bhawan Palace, Jodhpur in traditional Hindu and Christian ceremonies. The 36-year-old actress on June 17 also shared a photograph of her mother Madhu Chopra on to wish her happy birthday. “Best birthday girl ever. Madhu Chopra I love you. Thank you for being my rock,” she captioned. On the Bollywood front, Priyanka has wrapped up shooting for Shonali Bose’s “The Sky Is Pink.” It also stars Farhan Akhtar and Zaira Wasim.
Saturday, July 13, 2019
Akshay Kumar only Bollywood star on Forbes list of world’s highest-paid celebs Akshay Kumar is among the world’s 100 highest-paid celebrities, according to the annual Forbes Celebrity 100 list topped by American singer Taylor Swift. However, actors Salman Khan and Shah Rukh Khan (again) failed to find a spot on the list. In 2018, Salman ranked 82nd on the list, with earnings of USD 37.7 million. While Shah Rukh, who had shared the list with Akshay and Salman and featured at #65 in 2017, was dropped out of the list in 2018. Akshay has secured the 33rd spot in the 2019 top 100 list with earnings of Rs 444 crore (USD 65 million). According to Forbes, Bollywood’s top-earning star,
Akshay “pulls in at least $5 million and up to $10 million per film.� The actor also mints “millions for endorsement deals with over 20 brands.� The actor, who is currently gearing up for the release of Mission Mangal, is even ahead of Hollywood A-listers like Rihanna, Scarlett Johansson, Chris Evans, Katy Perry, Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga. Akshay was ranked 76th on the Forbes 2018 list. He had earnings of Rs 270 crore (USD 40.5 million). For the second time ever, Taylor Swift is at the top of the Forbes highest-paid celebrity list, making USD 185
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Bollywood HOROSCOPE Aries
March 21 - April 20 The focus on your home zone continues, and this could see you stepping back from life and taking time out for some self-care. If you’ve been working hard recently, this chance to recharge your batteries might be very necessary. However, with energetic Mars continuing in your leisure sector, an encounter at the start of the week could lead to exciting developments. This might be someone you knew in the past.
Taurus
April 21 - May 20 A sensitive approach to a developing no time at all. The emphasis on the sign of Cancer and your sector of communication can be a call to approach another with a view toward seeing things from their perspective as well as your own. If you can maintain this attitude over the week ahead, any decisions can work out in the best way for all concerned. At the same time, with dynamic Mars powering through your home and family sector, you might be eager to get your place
Gemini
May 20 - June 21 this week, money matters may continue to be on your mind. However, an intuitive nudge on Monday could net you an idea that’s quite lucrative. At the same time, an encounter with someone from the past suggests you may have a lot of catching up to do. This can be a very exciting time when you realize just how much you have in common. Because of this, you might want to see a lot more of each other.
Libra
Sept. 24 - Oct 22 A lovely tie between convivial Venus and electric Uranus on Monday could coincide with an encounter with someone who has timely advice to share. What they have to say could help you with an important project or goal. And with the sun in a prominent sector, this is certainly your time to shine. The only home, you may not be able to do as much as you’d like to promote yourself or reach your targets. You might need to compromise
Scorpio
Oct 23 - Nov 22 A side of you may want to explore and enjoy new experiences, while at the same time another part of you may be content to stay with the safe and familiar. And yet, this could be challenged over this week and next as key aspects encourage you to let go of a mindset that could be holding you back. You may have grown so accustomed to certain beliefs, ideas, and ways of doing things that you’re a tad complacent. The thought of exploring
Sagitarius Nov 23 - Dec 22
With the sun in your sector of shared an opportunity to look beneath the surface. If ! " relationships, or business, there could be a deeper reason. This week and next week could
# can get any valuable insights, then speaking to a therapist or counselor could be the way ahead. Doing this work might seem to take you away from your business or money issues.
Capricorn Cancer
June 22 - July 23
The focus on your sign could prove empowering. And after last week’s solar eclipse, you might feel a renewed determination to be more truly and authentically yourself. This could mean standing your ground in situations where others are pressuring you or you’re going through a battle for control. You might need to strengthen your boundaries over the days ahead because this could go on through this week and next.
Leo
June 24 - August 23 How does your everyday life sync with your overall purpose and destiny? This question may be very much in the fore over this week and next. With the sun in your spiritual sector angling toward both cautious Saturn and powerful Pluto over the course of this week, lifestyle. This is the time to be honest with yourself, especially if you’ve felt resentful about your job or responsibilities keep you chained to times and places.
Virgo Everyone needs friends, and with a focus on your social sector, this can be an opportunity to spend time in their company. The only issue over this week is that you may expose one or With both sobering Saturn and passionate Pluto rewinding in your leisure zone, you may be content to spend your spare time indulging in hobbies that are enjoyable if not productive. However, your friends might be eager to see you and wonder why you’re being a little aloof. Taking the time to explain to them can keep things on an even keel.
Dec 23 - Jan 20
Regarding your relationships, it might seem like it’s them versus you. With a focus on your sector of relating, you may want to get along, but a desire to have your own way the sun in Cancer opposing cautious Saturn and passionate Pluto in your sign, you might have to make some serious concessions in order to keep the peace. Are you prepared to do this?
Aquarius
Jan 21 - Feb 19 Your focus may be on becoming generally
life. To reach this stage, you might need to make some changes to your routines, which may not be so easy. You could struggle if certain comforting habits leave you feeling soothed and nurtured. Even so, these might be the very ones that, if continued, won’t be good for you. Changing your diet or exercise routine might be a start, but you’ll also need to drop those habits that drain your energy.
Pisces
Feb 20 - March 20 Over this week and next, you may enjoy your leisure time but not relish the company of certain sun opposing karmic Saturn and passionate Pluto over the course of this week, you could experience issues with people in your social circle who want to dominate your agenda. If they see you as someone who’s easily persuaded, they could increase the pressure on you. Over the coming weeks, it’s possible that you’ll decide you’ve had enough of this and determine to push back.
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Press release
Saturday, July 13, 2019
Cataracts remain a mystery, study shows
TORONTO, July 4, 2019 – A new survey commissioned by Alcon Canada, revealed that over half of Canadians do not know much about cataracts and cataract surgery; and 59 per cent are unaware that there are options to treat cataracts and other vision conditions at once1. This is particularly concerning as cataracts affect 2.5 million Canadians every year2 and are one of the leading causes of blindness and low vision in age-related eye diseases3. “Our eyes are our windows to the world and no two are the same,” says Dr. Kathy Cao, a Toronto-based ophthalmologist with the Kensington Eye Institute. “It’s so important that everyone is proactive about their eye health, visiting an eye care professional every year to protect their sight, especially if there are changes in their vision.” As people age, their eyes change and different natural eye conditions may develop. Two of the most common aging eye conditions are presbyopia and cataracts. Presbyopia is a gradual loss in the eye’s
ability to pull the lens into shape affecting our ability to focus on close objects. A cataract is the clouding of the lens in your eye, caused from protein build up over time. For people who have cataracts, vision becomes increasingly blurry, making it difficult to see4. Vision loss can affect a patient’s ability to perform simple daily tasks and it diminishes the beauty that life has to offer through one’s vision. Colours become muted, expressions on loved one’s faces become difficult to see and activities like reading and driving become nearly impossible. It’s as if you are seeing everything through a cloud or fog. The survey, conducted by Leger, The Research Intelligence Group, was designed to examine the perceptions of and awareness of cataracts and vision health among Canadians between the ages of 55-79. It revealed that seeing clearly is incredibly important to Canadians -- 75 per cent prioritize clearly seeing the faces of loved ones, 69 per cent want to have the ability to see details and colours more clearly, and 66 per cent want to feel more
confident when travelling the world as the top reasons for wanting clear vision1. Yet, the majority of people surveyed spend very little time thinking about their vision and for those who have cataracts, 50 per cent say that fear is a barrier to seeking treatment1. “We often hear from patients that they are worried or nervous about cataract surgery,” says Dr. Cao. “While every surgery should be carefully considered, cataract surgery is generally safe and done on an outpatient basis, which means patients go home the same day after surgery, and often start to notice vision improvements within a couple of days and may return to regular life activities shortly after.” Before having cataract surgery, it’s important that patients have informed discussions with your surgeon about your vision goals. There are a variety of different lens replacement options used during cataract surgery that can treat multiple eye conditions at once. Choosing the lens for your goals could mean seeing
the world in vivid colour or not having to wear reading glasses. For years, cataract replacement lens options were limited. Now patients have the option of trifocal lenses that provide superior vison at multiple distances allowing patients to see everything near, far and in-between. For many patients frustrated with constantly searching for reading glasses to read the paper or their phone, the opportunity to become glasses free is a huge advantage. “I’ve always loved shape and colour and texture and I hadn’t realized how much I was missing,” says Tracey Dorey, patient and retired teacher. “Over the last few years, my vision had deteriorated to the point where I was living in a narrow world of muted colour. Since my surgery, my whole outlook about who I am and what I can do has changed. I feel like a whole new person – it’s been such a big turning point in my life.” To learn more about cataracts, cataract surgery and lens options, visit your eye care professional to receive a comprehensive eye exam and visit SeeTheFullPicture.ca. To help guide the discussion with your eye care professional, download a discussion guide here.
Only the NDP would brag about a tax mess that leaves the province with less money to address affordability After the latest numbers show 60 per cent fewer B.C. homeowners are paying the speculation tax than the NDP anticipated, BC Liberal Finance Co-Critics Tracy Redies and Shirley Bond are once again calling on John Horgan to scrap the ineffective and cumbersome tax. “John Horgan has led British Columbians on a wild goose chase, claiming rampant speculation in our housing market when in fact the numbers show the NDP greatly
exaggerated the scale of this problem,” says Redies, MLA for Surrey-White Rock. “Rather than bringing in comprehensive measures that will actually improve
affordability for middlei n c o m e workers in our province, John Horgan and the NDP have hyped speculation in order to slap another tax on hard-working British Columbians.” While the speculation tax brought in $115 million for the 2018/19 fiscal year, this doesn’t do much when considering the government lost $325 million in property transfer tax revenue in that very same year – hardly an effective approach to finding more money for affordable housing. “We know that many people being punished by this tax are not speculators and
in fact today’s numbers show us that there are fewer potential speculators in B.C. than the NDP claimed,” says Bond, MLA for Prince George-Valemount. “While Horgan said this new tax was necessary to help everyday British Columbians afford a home, given today’s numbers, it’s clear this tax will hardly help that situation at all. It’s time for the NDP to do the right thing and get rid of this poorly thoughtout tax.” In the end, while the NDP forced 1.6 million British Columbians to fill out invasive declarations to avoid being unfairly charged for the speculation tax under negative-option billing, less than 0.3 per cent of the population will actually pay the tax. As too many British Columbians still can’t afford a home – especially with out-of-control rental costs which John Horgan and the NDP refuse to take any real action to address – the failed tax policies of the NDP government continue to hurt everyday, hardworking British Columbians.
Saturday, July 13, 2019
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Bollywood
Local girl wins Miss Fiji pageant The 5th Annual Miss Fiji Canada Gala Night was held on July 4 at the Khanna Banquet Hall. Keisha Bock, 12 (pictured), was crowned 2019 / 20 Preteen Miss Fiji Canada in her first ever pageant. Her sister Alisha competed in last year’s pageant, so Keisha thought she’d give it a try this year. Keisha enjoys painting, collecting rocks, martial arts, baking and dancing . She has won many “Gold� medals in her martial arts Tournment. She has danced at many venues such as the BC Lions halftime show, anti-bulling Flash Mob, Surrey Fusion Festival, at local senior’s home and the Ronald McDonald house. Helping others is what brings her the most joy. She accumulated 130 volunteer hours over the last year through activities sponsored by Miss Fiji Canada, such as helping to fundraise for an orphanage in Fiji and collect toys at Christmas for children. She and her best friend also choreographed many
dances for the younger kids at their Northridge elementary school where they recently graduated. As part of the Miss Fiji dance company for the last year, Keisha brought her enthusiasm to the pageant, which consisted of an interview and competition featuring Fiji wear and evening gown components, topped off by an optional talent contest. Keisha is thankful to everyone who helped her to prepare, her 2 dogs for being a captive audience as she rehearsed at home, the judges, the organization and of course the skilled competitors who pushed her to be her best. She wants to represent her crown over the next year by continuing to help others. Her Parents, Monica & Andre are very proud of her.
Jacqueline Fernandez hits 30 million mark on Instagram 30 million mark following on Instagram Jacqueline Fernandez is grateful to her fans for sending all the love. She is receiving wishes from all across. Not just that, grateful for the wishes, Fernandez is personally replying to the fans on her profile. Fans are showering her with love, and the actress is so generous that she is replying to all her fans and thanking them for the immense love they have for her. This is the kind of rapport Jacqueline has with the fans. Apart from this, celebs like Shilpa Shetty,
Preity Zinta, Farah Khan and Diana Penty have congratulated her on this massive success. From her sartorial picks to keeping us updated with her fitness routine, books to travel, the actress is very active on her social media and keeps it real with all the BTS images and videos from the set where she is shooting or a place she is traveling. Touted to be a positive growth leader and hailed as the most influential celebrity, Fernandez always succeeds in impressing the fans with her dazzling looks.
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Press release
Saturday, July 13, 2019
Chalo! FreshCo welcomes customers with two new locations in Surrey Discount grocer FreshCo brings fresh produce, expansive South Asian product assortment and a large range of North American products at low discount prices to Strawberry Hill and Newton Each store is welcoming customers with halo! FreshCo opened its doors in exciting grand opening deals as well as opening Surrey today with two new locations day celebrations including special traditional in Strawberry Hill and Newton. Bhangra dance performances put on by two Chalo! FreshCo is an extension of the FreshCo local Canadian Bhangra dance groups Apna discount grocery chain that has opened five new Virsa Alliance and Raunak Punjab Di. The locations in B.C. and Winnipeg so far in 2019. stores are owned and operated by two new Chalo means “let’s go� in Hindi and Punjabi and local business owners with teams of more is our unique way to welcome customers to our UIBO FNQMPZFFT BU FBDI TUPSF t3ZBO stores. Chalo! FreshCo lives up to the FreshCo Krause owns and operates the Strawberry Hill promise offering quality North American Chalo! FreshCo, located at 7450 - 120 Street. products, food and fresh produce at industry“We’re so proud to open our doors and join leading low prices, as well as an expansive South the Surrey community today. Customers Asian product assortment. Customers will have been lining up all morning to come in be thrilled with the large assortment of dhal, and check-out the new store and our product rice and flour. The stores will also feature two offering. I’m excited to build meaningful beloved local businesses, TaQwa Halal Foods relationships in the community that will and Fraserview Meats and Seafood at the halal TVQQPSU 4VSSFZ GPS ZFBST UP DPNF w t$ISJT and meat and seafood counters in each store. Phillipson owns and operates the Newton Chalo! FreshCo. “We’ve built our in-store offer to meet the needs of the local community. Our expansive fresh produce assortment features discount pricing that does not compromise on quality. We’ve also partnered with two local businesses for our halal, meat and seafood offering: TaQwa Halal Foods and Fraserview Meats and Seafood. As a local store owner, I’m proud to work alongside these two successful businesses to bring Chalo! FreshCo to Surrey.� To commemorate the openings, each Chalo! FreshCo store donated $5,000 to the Surrey Food Bank. The donations will support the Tiny Bundles Program and the Surrey Food Bank Seniors Distribution Program. “We at the Surrey Food Bank are very happy to welcome Chalo FreshCo in to our community and we look forward to partnering with the stores to bring more healthy and nutritious food to our over 14,000 neighbours in Surrey and North Delta,� said Feezah Jaffer, Executive Director, Surrey Food Bank. “We are especially grateful for Chalo FreshCo’s donations to our Seniors and Tiny Bundles programs and thank them for their wonderful support.� There are currently four Chalo! FreshCo locations operating in Ontario. Chalo means “let’s go� in Punjabi and Hindi, welcoming customers to visit our stores to check-out Chalo’s expansive international product offering. Chalo! FreshCo stores work hard to tailor their in-store assortment to meet the needs of their local communities and offer an easy-toshop in-store experience helping customers find incredible deals that make every dollar count. Chalo! FreshCo offers the best products at the lowest cost and offers three money-saving guarantees: In-stock (if you can’t find a product that is advertised in flyer, you’ll receive a rain check, plus 10 per cent off), Double Fresh (if you’re not fully satisfied with the product quality, we’ll reimburse you and replace the product) and Lowest Price (we price match). Additionally, Chalo! FreshCo includes an instore pharmacy where customers can fill their prescriptions while they shop. The store layout has been designed to help customers complete their grocery shop quickly and easily find deals and savings throughout the store. About Sobeys Inc. Proudly Canadian, with headquarters in Stellarton, Nova Scotia, Sobeys has been serving the food shopping needs of Canadians since 1907. A wholly-owned subsidiary of Empire Company Limited (TSX: EMP.A), Sobeys owns or franchises more than 1,500 stores in all 10 provinces under retail banners that include Sobeys, Safeway, IGA, Foodland, FreshCo, Thrifty Foods, Farm Boy and Lawton’s Drug Stores as well as more than 350 retail fuel locations. Sobeys, its franchisees and affiliates employ approximately 123,000 people. More information on Sobeys Inc. can be found at www.sobeyscorporate.com
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Saturday, July 13, 2019 Press release
Dave Hayer elected as Co-Presidents of Rotary Club of Surrey Dave Hayer elected as co-presidents of action on projects around the world. Rotary clubs Rotary Club, Surrey. Hayer said “Isabelle around the world work together to promote peace, and I are so proud to become Surrey Rotary’s fight disease, provide clean water, sanitation, and Co-Presidents for 2019-2020” the ceremony hygiene, help community needs, save mothers took place at Rotary Club of Surrey’s and children, support education, grow local economies. If you Officers’ and Directors’ wan to learn more Installation Banquet at about Surrey Rotary the Guildford Golf & and our service to our Country Club on July community follow this 4,2019. “I previously link: https://tinyurl. served as president com/y2oboqwa of the Surrey Rotary Dave Hayer from 1999 to 2000, and previously served Isabelle served from as Member of the 1997 to 1998. We want to give special thanks to In the picture Dave Hayer & Isabelle Martinez Legislative Assembly those fearless warriors Hayer taking the Rotary Club of Surrey President’s of British Columbia who are members of oath from Brad Whittaker, Governor of the Rotary for Surrey from May 2001 to May 2013 and our club, who work International District 5050. as the Parliamentary tirelessly to help projects succeed, and help our club to have a Secretary for Multiculturalism and Immigration meaningful impact in our community”. Hayer from 2005 to 2011. On July 7, 2012, Dave Hayer went on to thank Past President John Edwards, announced that he would not seek re-election Board members: Sam Sangha, Dick Wareham, in the May 2013 Province election. Hayer was Art Claxton, Deane Gurney, Dianna Sears, a recipient of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s Garry Sass, Ely Golvin and Bryce McElroy; Golden Jubilee medal to commemorate the along with all exceptional Rotary members Fiftieth Anniversary of Her Majesty’s Reign as who dedicated their time and energy to the Queen of Canada in 2002 and in 2013 Hayer was success of the club. “We look forward to presented with Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal by working with all you. We are a Rotary family the Canadian Coalition Against Terror (C-CAT) and we shine together!” said Hayer. Rotary for contribution to the advancement of sound Club of Surrey was started in 1971 and is public policy on terrorism issues in Canada. In part of Rotary International. Rotary is a 2007, Hayer received a Pravasi Bharatia Samman global network of 1.2 million members in Award from the Government of India, which over 35,000 Rotary Clubs spread around the is annually given to people of Indian heritage world made of neighbours, friends, leaders, that no longer live in India, who have achieved and problem solvers who see a world where excellence in their chosen fields of endeavour. people unite and take action to create lasting The award was presented by Late A. P. J. Abdul change across the globe, in our communities, Kalam, the President of India, at a ceremony in and in ourselves. For more than 110 years, New Delhi, India for Hayer’s “active leadership in Rotary International members have used the community, his contributions to public service their passion, energy, and intelligence to take and for his achievements in government.”
Press release
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Saturday, July 13, 2019
Vol. 10 No. 24 Saturday - July 13, 2019
Tel: 604-591-5423
E-mail: ads@theasianstar.com
Greater Vancouver home sales update Home sales are down across the Lower Mainland and for the first time in two years the composite benchmark price of a home in Metro Vancouver is below $1 million. Both the Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver (REBGV) and the Fraser Valley Real Estate Board (FVREB) reported lower than average sales for the month of June. In Greater Vancouver, June sales were the lowest reported since 2000 and in the Fraser Valley they were the second lowest in the same time frame. While there are numerous factors like new taxes and the mortgage stress test playing a role, there’s also a human element. “What we’re seeing the most is buyers on this side and sellers on this side having a really tough time aligning expectations,” said Ashley Smith, president of the REGBV. “Sellers are seeing extraordinary sale prices from years past and they have a certain
The latest Canadian house price forecast from Moody’s Analytics really has no good news for anyone. If you’re a homeowner hoping to make big equity gains, forget it. And if you’re an aspiring homebuyer hoping for a reprieve from astronomical urban house prices, forget
price point in mind and buyers, they don’t want to pay it. They know the market has slowed down.” The REBGV includes listings in Burnaby, Coquitlam, Maple Ridge, New Westminster, North and West Vancouver, Pitt Meadows, Port Coquitlam, Port Moody, Richmond, South Delta, Squamish, Whistler, Vancouver and the Sunshine Coast. The FVREB reports on sales in North Delta, Surrey, White Rock, Langley, Abbotsford and Mission.
According to data from the REBGV, residential home sales in that region were down 14.4 per cent compared to June 2018. The data shows a total of 2,077 homes sold in Greater Vancouver in June 2019, down from the reported 2,425 home sales during the same month last year. Sales were also down 21.3 per cent between May and June, with REBGV reporting 561 more homes selling in May 2019 than just one month later. Both the Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver and the Fraser Valley Real Estate Board report a cooling off of home sales in the
month of June compared to previous years. In the Fraser Valley, sales dropped within one month, with approximately 14 per cent more homes sold in May than in June. Last month’s property sales in the Fraser Valley were 29.3 per cent below the 10-year sales average for June. Last year, the FVREB reported 1,452 property sales in June and this year the number dropped to 1,306. “The Fraser Valley market is still adjusting to the federal government’s new mortgage requirements and to the provincial government’s speculation and vacancy taxes,” said Darin Germyn, president of the FVREB in a statement. Prices in the Fraser Valley have also gone down since June 2018. Single detached home prices dropped 6.1 per cent, apartment prices decreased 9.6 per cent, and prices for townhomes went down 5.9 per cent.
Canadian house price forecast: What the next 5 years will look like in 33 cities that too. The forecast calls for house prices nationwide to grow by an average of 2.2 per cent per year over the next five years. Given that the Bank of Canada is predicting inflation at 2 per cent in the coming years, this means that inflation-adjusted house prices will likely
see no net growth. With Canada’s economy bouncing back from a slowdown at the start of the year, Moody’s expects mortgage rates to rise by a full percentage point over the next two years. That increase in monthly housing costs, combined with high prices and high debt levels,
will keep prices in check, the research firm predicts. “House price appreciation will slow down in 2020, turn briefly negative in 2021, and only recover in the following years,” wrote Andres Carbacho-Burgos, a director and head housing economist at Moody’s Analytics.
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Saturday, July 13, 2019
Growth in Greater Vancouver house prices slowing: realtor survey
P
rices for homes in Greater Vancouver have stalled over the last two quarters, a new survey says, even as prices year over year still show big growth. The latest Royal LePage House Price Survey, released Tuesday, shows that when compared to the same time a year ago, the aggregate home price in the region is up 7.2 per cent to $1,269,816, with condominium sales driving much of that growth: the median condo price is up 18.4 per cent compared to a year ago, at $692,452. But when tracked with data from January, when the same survey showed the aggregate home price was up 8.5 per cent year over year — a number driven again by condos; they were up 20.2 per cent — there has been a slowing in growth over the last six months. The latest survey’s data show there has been little growth over the last two quarters, with the latest three-month period up just 0.5 per cent compared to the first three months of 2018. While the year-over-year growth in aggregate price in Vancouver (2.4 per cent), West Vancouver (3.8 per cent), North Vancouver (5.9 per cent) and Richmond (six per cent) are all below the regional average; Burnaby, Coquitlam, Surrey and Langley saw above average growth of 8.5, 14, 16.4 and 21.2 per cent respectively. The aggregate price in both Surrey and Langley remains below $1 million: Surrey is at $900,433, Langley at $975,360.
The median condo price in Surrey is now $381,626, up 25.6 per cent compared to last year. The long term picture is a staggering thing to contemplate, as laid out by a Royal LePage representative. “Condominium prices continue to grow at unprecedented levels across Greater Vancouver,” Adil Dinani, real estate adviser, Royal LePage West Real Estate Services said in a news release. “Purchasers look to condominiums for relative affordability, yet with competition continuing to intensify, property values within the segment now outstrip most detached markets across the country. “To put it into perspective, the budget now needed to purchase a condo could have netted someone a two-storey home here in Greater Vancouver four years ago.”
New rules introduced in January, aimed at curbing consumer debt, have made it harder to get a mortgage, for instance. “During the quarter inventory began to rise in the region’s detached segment as sales activity slowed and affordability constraints continued to price many purchasers out of the market. “As a result, large swaths of prospective homeowners continued to look to condominiums in the metropolitan area in search of value, pushing prices higher and intensifying competition within the segment,” they said in a news release. Meanwhile, the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation’s latest report on housing starts showed an upward trend in the number of multiunit dwellings being built. June 2018 saw 222,041 housing starts across the country, compared to May 2018’s 216,701.
At the beginning of the year, Royal LePage predicted there would be 5.2 per cent growth over the rest of the year, but they now expect growth to be relatively flat, just 1.5 per cent over the next quarter. Royal LePage points to erosion in affordability and new governmental policies that have put pressure on purchasing power as the reasons for this slowed growth.
“Notably, the national inventory of newly completed and unabsorbed multi-unit dwellings has remained below its 10-year historical average so far in 2018, indicating that demand for this type of unit has absorbed increased supply,” said Bob Dugan, CMHC’s chief economist. In Vancouver, however, housing starts trended lower in June 2018; the first half of 2018 matched housing starts in the same period during 2017.
Affordable housing unit projects starts in Toronto The city has commenced construction work on hundreds of affordable housing units, with the help of a $357 million cash injection from the federal government. Liberals detail $40B for 10-year national housing strategy, introduce Canada Housing Benefit. Adam Vaughan, MP for Spadina–Fort York, made the announcement on Thursday,
said the project would include three towers comprising some 761 units, of which 229 are affordable units; 532 market units; and 4,371 square feet of non-residential space. “We are in a housing crisis in this part of the country,” said Vaughan, who is also parliamentary secretary to the Minister of Families, Children and Social Development. “This investment is wonderful news for the Toronto middle-income families that will
move into these new rental housing units.” The project, located on Block 8 of the West Don Lands in downtown Toronto, will provide affordable housing options close to public transit, schools and services for middle-income families. Mayor John Tory described the announcement as “a big deal” for the city. “This investment will positively impact the
Over 11% of Vancouver condos have a non-resident owner, says new CMHC report
#106 - 7565 132 St. Surrey, BC 604.572.3005
Over 11 percent of Vancouver condos have at least one non-resident as an owner, a number that jumps to more than 19 per cent when it comes to newer built condos. The information is contained in a Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation housing market insight report which also found that non-residents — defined as someone who
doesn’t have their principal residence in Canada — tend to own more expensive properties than residents, especially in Vancouver. Some of the other findings: 7.2 per cent of all Vancouver properties have at least one non-resident owner. Non-resident ownership is highest in
lives of many residents in our city and ensure that more families have access to affordable and quality housing here in Toronto,” Tory said. Toronto Community Housing data paints ‘grim’ picture of future repair needs, mayor says The mayor said the project represents the kind of co-operation that can occur between three levels of government and the private sector.
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Classifieds / Jobs Looking for work? Cleaning company wanted workers for clean up job in Coquitlam For more details please call 604-902-2858
Matrimonial Punjabi Bansal family seeking a suitable mach for their 31 year old,” son, Height 5’.11, Handsome,Sober, soft spoken, vegetarian currently in Patiala Punjab India. He has done studies in BTech Computer Science and working in Judicial Department as IT Analyst in Patiala. Girl should be well educated and family oriented freferably Canadian citizen or Canadian Permanent resident. For more details please call 604-617-0615 or email Kushal.20776@gmail.com
Saturday, July 13, 2019
Matrimonial Parents are seeking suitable match for for their British born son of 31 year age, holding Master degree in Marketing and he is in Canada on work permit. Please contact by Email vazir@talk21.com Minnegill@gmail.com or Phone 604-763-6727
South Asian Adults & Seniors New Diet System for Good Health Without Medicines, By B.V. Chauhan from India on 13th July 2019 from 3.30 pm & 14th July from 2.00 pm.
Vedic Seniors Parivar Center of Vedic Hindu Cultural Society Surrey invites South Asian Adults/Senior members and nonmembers to attend a very important Health Seminar by Shree B .V . Chauhan from Nasik India on 13th July 2019 (Saturday) from 3.30 pm to 7.00 pm and also on 14th July 2019 (Sunday) from 2.00 pm to 5.30 pm at Shanti Niketan hall of Lakshmi Narayan Hindu Temple 8321 - 140th street Surrey BC V3W 5K9. The New Diet System encourages to avoid cooked food and no products cooked out of Wheat or Rice, just eat food made out of raw Vegetables and raw Fruits. The meal Plan is designed to ensure you get three balanced and healthy meals a day that address Fibre, Satiation and adequate Protein intake. Shree B. V. Chauhan runs Swadarshan Sadhana Kendra very successfully in Nasik Gujrat India. Please do attend to learn how to live healthy life without using any medicines, listen to experiences of participants those have cured themselves with New Diet System and without using any medicines. You will be getting some new recipes for making different Juices and also recipes of food prepared out of raw vegetables & raw fruits. All participants will be served with free food prepared with New Diet System after the seminar is over. Please contact Surendra Handa Coordinator Tel. 604-507-9945 for further information
Child care provider required at a private home Location Surrey, BC - Salary $14.50 to $14.75 / Hour (To be negotiated) Permanent, Full time 40 Hours / Week Start date As soon as possible Job requirements Languages English Education College, CEGEP or other non-university certificate or diploma from a program of 1 year to 2 years Experience 1 year to less than 2 years Additional Skills Assume full responsibility for household in absence of parents, Perform light housekeeping and cleaning duties, Shop for food and household supplies, Travel with family on trips and assist with child supervision and housekeeping duties, Wash, iron and press clothing and household linens Children’s Ages School age (6 - 12 years), and 2 - 3 years Specific Skills Bathe,
dress and feed infants and children, Discipline children according to the methods requested by the parents, Prepare infants and children for rest periods, Keep records of daily activities and health information regarding children, Sterilize bottles, prepare formulas and change diapers for infants, Maintain a safe and healthy environment in the home, Take children to and from school and to appointments, Tend to emotional well-being of children, Instruct children in personal hygiene and social development, Organize, activities such as games and outings for children, Prepare and serve nutritious meals, Supervise and care for children, Help children with homework Work Setting Employer’s home How to apply By email: umendrasingh@hotmail.com By phone: 604-537-3551
Saturday, July 13, 2019 This past weekend, the Sikh youth paid tribute to a Saint Scholar, Principal, Sant Teja Singh Ji, (MA LLB Am Harvard University). A three day program was organized, to remember the first Ambassador of Sikhism to the Western Hemisphere. Sant Teja Singh Ji established the Khalsa Diwan Society and had successfully proved to the Canadian government that all the Sikhs are highly capable people who constantly contribute to the economy, at the time when Government was planning to send all Sikhs to Honduras. Teja Singh Ji had a vision for the future of Sikhs in Canada, and had laid out the foundation for us to carry his legacy forward. The event spanned over three days, starting on Friday July 5th, with the Akhand path Arambh in the morning and in the evening there was a Katha Darbar and Kirtan. The main event was July 7th for Sant Teja Singh Day, with the Akhand path Bhog in the morning followed by Gurmat Samagam and then a conference on Teja Singh from 11am to 1 pm.
How to take advantage of a real estate buyers’ market To get a deal done, we first need to understand what motivates people to buy and sell real estate. It often boils down to two emotions — greed or fear. Province not prepared to ease policies as housing market sputters In our current market it’s all about fear. Buyers hope to find a seller who has had a house on the market for some time and who is reading all the negative headlines about the housing market. They want a seller to agree to their low offer out of fear. Buyers need a compelling narrative, backed by data, to convince sellers that the longer they wait, the worse it could get. By feeding into the seller’s fear of a price collapse, a buyer hopes they capitulate and take the “bird in the hand” low-ball offer. And buyers have a number of arguments at their disposal. Buyers hope sellers will take a low-ball offer out of fear that the market will get worse. (Jonathan Hayward/ Canadian Press) B.C. Finance Minister Carole James vowed to stop money laundering which, in her words, has hiked real estate prices by 20 per cent in certain parts of Vancouver. This, combined with
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Press release
The Conference at Gurdwara Sukh Sagar, New Westminster, was highlighted with special appearances by Prof. Gurvinder S Dhaliwal, and Avtar Singh Gill , Bhai Sulakhan Singh & Bhai Mandeep Singh. The speakers spoke about Sant Teja Singh Ji’s legacy and contributions to the South Asian Community in Canada. The event was attended by many people from all over lower mainland. The event was enjoyed by the sangat, with an opportunity to view a special exhibition on Sant Teja Singh Ji, hosted by the volunteers of Akal Academy Surrey.The exhibition on Sant Teja Singh Ji, shed light on the lasting contribution to the Sangat of the lower mainland during his mission to the west in the early 1900’s.
Sikh Youth of BC celebrate Sant Teja Singh Ji day
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Saturday, July 13, 2019
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Saturday, July 13, 2019
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LOCAL / NATIONAL
Saturday, July 13, 2019
Gas companies refuse to reveal profits to inquiry looking at BC’s high prices Hearings for an inquiry into soaring gas prices in B.C. don’t kick off for another week, but several major companies selling gas in the province are already refusing to share details about their profit margins. The B.C. Utilities Commission (BCUC) asked more than a dozen companies to disclose their retail margins, which show how much money they make per litre of gasoline pumped from their stations. Shell Canada, Husky Energy, Imperial Oil and Suncor Energy declined the commission’s request. In written responses posted online, the companies say those numbers are
“confidential” and “commercially sensitive.” “We responded to the BCUC questionnaire. However, some of the questions involve commercially sensitive information, which we must keep confidential,” read an emailed statement from Husky. Vancouver expected to headline long Canadian summer of high gasoline prices “Under its governing legislation and the inquiry mandate from the B.C. government, the BCUC was unable to provide an appropriate level of confidentiality for the information. We continue to discuss the issue with the BCUC.” 7-Eleven was the only international retailer to hand over its data, but asked the commission
to keep the numbers confidential. A version of the company’s response posted online had the data blacked out. Super Save Group also asked that its numbers be kept in confidence. Gas prices in the Lower Mainland hit alltime highs in April 2019. ‘Doesn’t make sense’: economist Robyn Allan, an independent economist and intervenor in the inquiry, told CBC’s The Early Edition host Stephen Quinn she finds it hard to understand why the companies would be reluctant to share confidential or sensitive information with the BCUC. “It doesn’t make sense given that the BCUC is a body that is charged with handling
commercially sensitive information all the time,” said Allan. She said not being transparent or accountable about the factors that drive gas prices in B.C. is a “continuation of a theme with these companies.” Allan said there is no cost-based or supplybased reason for these price swings and it’s reflective of a lack of competition in the marketplace. “They’ve been charging what the market will bear for years,” said Allan. “What happened is the public can’t bear it any longer.” B.C. Premier John Horgan ordered the independent inquiry in May, asking the BCUC to look at why prices in the province had skyrocketed in comparison with the rest of the country in recent months.
Man falls from balcony during RCMP raid in Burnaby One man is hospital and two are in custody following a dramatic police takedown at a Metrotown apartment complex Thursday night. The Burnaby RCMP and officers of RCMP’s Lower Mainland emergency response team went to the Horizon Towers at 4960 Sanders St. just before 10 p.m. Police believed a victim of a kidnapping was being held inside an apartment on the building’s 11th floor. Police say when officers entered the residence, three men tried to escape off the balcony. Two of the men were arrested without incident on lower floors, while another fell to the ground and suffered serious injuries. The Independent Investigations Office of B.C., which investigates all officer-related incidents that result in serious harm or death, have been called in to determine whether police actions or inactions led to the man’s injuries. Police say the kidnapping victim was found inside the suite and was physically unharmed. Eric Stubbs, the RCMP assistant commissioner for criminal investigation in B.C. and acting commander of the RCMP in B.C., said his officers will continue to investigate the alleged kidnapping concurrent with the IIO’s investigation. “This was a complex and time-sensitive investigation that required numerous resources and co-ordination. I am grateful that the victim was located and proud of the work done by our highly skilled and specialized members and employees,” said Stubbs. Tina Poole, who lives in a first-floor apartment, said she and other residents were alerted to the police action after hearing a small explosion come from inside one of the upper-floor apartments. “It was a loud bang … It woke my mother up. We were told by police that it was a flash bang,” she said. Flash bangs are explosive distraction devices, also called stun grenades, used by emergency response teams. Poole said she saw one man being arrested outside the apartment building and another injured man being treated by an ambulance crew. “Apparently he jumped from the balcony to try to get away from the police. He landed a few feet from my apartment … there are a lot of broken bushes outside the apartment now,” she said. “It just makes you wonder who your neighbours are and who they are letting rent here.” Charges have not been laid and no names have been released. The IIO is asking anyone who witnessed the incident to contact its witness line at 1-855-446-8477.
Saturday, July 13, 2019
Lawsuit filed against federal government’s re-approval of the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion It was only a matter of time. Lawyers from Ecojustice have launched a legal challenge against the federal government’s re-approval of the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion. Ecojustice filed the suit Monday morning on behalf of environmental groups Raincoast Conservation Foundation and Living Oceans Society. The groups were part of the legal challenge that won their first case in August 2018, when the Federal Court of Appeal struck down cabinet’s previous approval of the project. “Cabinet cannot justify approving a project that will lead to the extinction of a critically endangered population—
legally or morally,” Ecojustice nature program director Margot Vernon said. “The government itself says endangered southern resident killer whales face imminent threats under their current conditions. This iconic population simply cannot handle increased, unmitigated threats from the Trans Mountain expansion.” The federal government re-approved the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion last month after renewed consultation with First Nations and a new set of National Energy Board (NEB) hearings. After those new hearings, the NEB approved the project with additional conditions.
Toronto doctor surrenders licence amid investigation into improper billing, ending his 30-year medical career in Canada On a January day in 2017, a woman visited family physician Rajiv Kumra at a medical clinic in Etobicoke’s Six Points Plaza. We don’t know what the woman’s health concern was, but according to a recent disciplinary hearing, we know Kumra billed the Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) for her visit — as well as
for her five children, who were not even there. The previous summer, in August 2016, Kumra billed OHIP for a father and his six children at the same clinic, when just the father saw the doctor that day. Between November 2012 and November 2014, Kumra billed OHIP a dozen times for another man who typically visits the doctor just once a year.
Toronto hospital fires around 150 employees after uncovering multimillion-dollar fraud In what could be one of the largest and longest-lasting benefits fraud schemes ever discovered in Canada, a Toronto geriatric hospital has dismissed approximately 150 employees for falsely claiming as much as $5 million in benefits over an eight-year period.
“It appears to be organized,” said William Reichman, president and CEO of Baycrest Health Sciences. “It had to be done in such a way that it would escape at least detection by the benefits administrator… It’s a betrayal of trust.”
Canadian ads blasted Hong Kong ‘radicals’, invoking blood loyalty to China. Was Beijing’s United Front involved? There were 208 signatories to the newspaper ads placed in Vancouver, reflecting a recent explosion in mainlandlinked groups in Canada. A director of the long-time Chinatown group that placed the ads said all in Canada should be heard – even those accused of ties to Beijing’s influence campaign. They include dozens of Chinese fraternal organisations, business groups and even clubs devoted to stamp collecting, robotics and ice wine appreciation. But the 208 Canadian Chinese groups that were signatories to recent newspaper
advertisements in Vancouver denouncing “radical” Hong Kong protesters may also have included groups linked to the Chinese government’s “United Front” work – its overseas campaign of influence and outreach into the Chinese diaspora. That is according to Jun Ing, a director and vice-president of the Chinese Benevolent Association of Vancouver, the Chinatown umbrella organisation that placed the ads in local editions of the Chinese-language newspapers Ming Pao and Sing Tao.
LOCAL / NATIONAL
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Toronto boy feared dead after motorcycle hit-and-run could make full recovery A four-year-old Toronto boy struck by a motorcycle and originally feared dead could now make a full recovery, according to his father. Radiul Chowdhury was walking with his family in the city’s east end on May 26 when he was struck by a biker who fled the scene, according to police. Police initially said the boy had died. Radiul’s father, Ruhul Chowdhury, tells CTV Toronto that his son is not only alive but can now open his eyes and move his arms and legs. “That’s why I can smile a little bit right now,” Chowdhury said. “I
see the improvement every day.” Doctors have said the boy could fully recover, according to Chowdhury. “There should not be any problem with walking, running,” he added. “I was asking, ‘Is he going to be able to play soccer?’ and they were saying ‘Yeah, of course.’” Radiul’s sister, Suha, says she can’t wait until she can play with her brother again. “I want to play Ring Around the Rosie with him and play hide and seek with him and go outside if it’s a good day,” she said.
CBSA has increased deportations, though removals of illegal asylum seekers remain low The Canada Border Services Agency has ramped up deportations of failed refugee claimants and other foreign nationals and permanent residents who have lost the right to stay in Canada, amid concerns about the ability of Canada’s asylum system to respond quickly to spikes in refugee claims. Removals from Canada have dropped significantly in the last several years, from more than 19,000 people in 2012-13 to around 8,000 in recent years. But that number climbed to roughly 9,500 people in 2018-19, following an internal effort to speed up the pace of deportations. Despite the overall increase, the numbers remain low for removals of failed irregular asylum seekers — those who enter Canada from the U.S. between official border crossings, but who are unsuccessful in
claiming refugee status — even though Ottawa has said it is prioritizing their removal. A spokesperson for Border Security Minister Bill Blair told the National Post that anyone to be deported from Canada is given due process. “But once legal avenues have been exhausted, individuals are expected to respect our laws and leave Canada, or as per our commitments, be removed,” said Marie-Emmanuelle Cadieux in an email. “We are re-investing in the agency to ensure that processing continues to happen in a manner that is fair, fast and final.” Last fall, the CBSA confirmed it had set a target of 10,000 removals for the 2018-19 fiscal year, a notable increase over the previous three years, when removals ranged from 7,900 to 8,600.
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LOCAL / NATIONAL
Saturday, July 13, 2019
Toronto home sales up 10% for the month of June, TREB says The Toronto Real Estate Board says home sales were up 10.4 per cent in June compared with last year as the market continued a moderate spring rebound. It says the Greater Toronto Area saw 8,860 sales through the Multiple Listing Service system in the month, up from 8,024 in the same month last year. Toronto home sales up 18.9% in May from last year, TREB report says Canadian home sales rebound from 7-year low, but prices still flat New stats show fewer foreign residents buying GTA homes The rise in sales, combined with a very
slight dip in new listings, helped push the average selling price up three per cent to $832,703. Sales data for the month falls roughly in line with trends for the first half of the year, which saw sales up 8.5 per cent and the average selling price climb 2.4 per cent.
“Buyers started moving off the sidelines in the spring, as evidenced by strong yearover-year price growth,” said TREB chief market analyst Jason Mercer in a statement. “Because we saw virtually no change in the number of new
listings, market conditions tightened and price growth picked up, especially for more higher density home types.” Average condo selling prices have climbed five per cent so far this year, townhouse prices up 2.7 per cent, semi-detatched homes up 4.5 per cent, while detached home prices have dipped 0.8 per cent. For June, condo prices climbed 5.2 per cent as sales dropped 3.2 per cent, while detached home prices dipped 1.4 per cent as sales rose 18.6 per cent.
Canadian dollar nears 8-month high, boosted by prospects of Fed rate cut The Canadian dollar strengthened against its U.S. counterpart on Thursday, approaching last week’s eight-month high, as oil prices rose and as the greenback broadly declined following dovish comments by Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell. The U.S. dollar was stuck at a five-day low after Powell on Wednesday kept the door open for U.S. interest rate cuts. In contrast, the Bank of Canada made clear on Wednesday it had no intention of easing monetary policy even as it highlighted the risks trade wars posed to the global economy. The price of oil, one of Canada’s major exports, rose as oil rigs in the Gulf of Mexico were evacuated ahead of a storm, while an incident involving a British tanker in the Middle East highlighted tensions in the region. U.S. crude oil futures were up 0.2% at $60.52 a barrel. At 8:53 a.m. (1253 GMT), the Canadian dollar was trading 0.2% higher at 1.3052 to the greenback, or 76.62 U.S. cents. The currency, which last Thursday notched an eight-month
high at 1.3038, traded in a range of 1.3042 to 1.3080. New home prices in Canada fell 0.1% in May, after prices were flat for the previous three months, Statistics Canada said on Thursday. Canada’s yield curve steepened in sympathy with U.S. Treasuries after data showing U.S. underlying consumer prices increased
by the most in nearly 1-1/2 years in June. The two-year rose 1.5 Canadian cents to yield 1.577% and the 10-year was down 5 Canadian cents to yield 1.591%.
Bank of Canada expected to diverge from Fed’s policy path this year The Bank of Canada will diverge from the U.S. Federal Reserve’s expected policy-easing path and keep interest rates on hold at least through this year, according to economists in a Reuters poll who said that the risk of a recession has risen. The Fed, the European Central Bank and other major central banks are set to embark on an easing policy in coming months, or already have, to combat sluggish inflation and slowing economic growth exacerbated by global trade tensions. But the BoC will take a different route and keep its key interest rate on hold at 1.75 per cent through to the end of next year at least, according to the poll of nearly 40 economists taken on July 1-4, supported by recent upbeat domestic activity. That bias, though, is expected to change next year as growth takes a hit. Indeed, not only has the probability of a BoC easing for both this year and next risen, there are more economists now who predict at least one rate cut at some point before the end of next year compared with the previous poll in May. Back then, forecasters were split in three
directions about the BoC’s policy path. But now, about 40 per cent with a view to the end of 2020 expect the BoC to cut rates at least once, including two respondents predicting it to happen this quarter. Only a handful said the central bank will hike rates next year. For the Bank of Canada, there is no rush to cut interest rates. At the same time, with the Fed moving relatively aggressively to cut interest rates, the BoC by next year will have to cut at least once in order to prevent the Canadian dollar from appreciating too strongly,” said Benjamin Tal, deputy chief economist at CIBC. “So the question is how long can you divorce yourself from the Fed if you are the BoC, and I say not for too long.” That lines up with the view of currency strategists in a separate poll who predict the Canadian dollar will stay firm against the dollar in a year as a recovering domestic economy forestalls BoC interest-rate cuts.
Saturday, July 13, 2019
Scheer promises to scrap clean-fuel standard Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer says he would scrap new standards that will force cleanerburning fuels in addition to eliminating the federal price on carbon if his Conservatives win the fall federal election. In a letter to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau this morning, Scheer surmises the new standards, due to take effect on liquid fuels like gasoline in 2022, could increase the cost of gas by at least four cents a litre in addition to the national price on carbon. Scheer’s letter brands these new fuel
standards as a “secret fuel tax” and calls for Trudeau to scrap them. The clean-fuel standard is meant to reduce overall greenhouse-gas emissions by 30 million tonnes a year, a portion of the nearly 200 million tonnes Canada has to cut to meet its commitment under the Paris climate-change accord. Scheer says he would get rid of the fuel standard as well as the carbon tax if he is elected prime minister. The fuel standard was first promised three years ago but final a draft of the regulations isn’t expected until 2020.
Scheer accuses McCallum of inviting foreign interference in federal election Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer accused former Canadian ambassador to China John McCallum of inviting foreign interference in the upcoming federal election after McCallum said he warned Chinese officials to lay off future trade barriers because they could help the Conservatives win. McCallum said he advised his former contacts in China’s ministry of foreign affairs that any more “punishments” on Canadian exports could help the Tories win October’s election -- a win he said would not be in China’s best interests. “Anything that is more negative against Canada will help the Conservatives, [who] are much less friendly to China than the Liberals,” McCallum told the newspaper on Monday. Hours after the article was published, Scheer issued a statement slamming McCallum and calling his comments an “invitation of foreign interference in the Canadian election.” “I forcefully and unequivocally condemn recent comments by high-profile Liberals encouraging the Chinese government to
help re-elect the government this October,” Scheer said, describing the comments as “reprehensible.” The Prime Minister’s Office ordered McCallum to hand in his resignation in January after he chimed in on the sensitive, highstakes extradition case of Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou. McCallum told a Vancouver newspaper that it would be “great for Canada” if the U.S. dropped the extradition request. Since Meng’s arrest in Vancouver last December, China has slapped several trade barriers on Canadian products including canola seeds and meat. Canadians Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor were later detained in China, where they have been held for more than seven months on espionage charges that Canadian officials consider an illegitimate act of retaliation. Scheer said McCallum’s latest comments demonstrate Trudeau’s “poor judgement” in picking him for the high-profile international post. Before moving to Beijing, McCallum served as Trudeau’s minister of immigration, refugees and citizenship until 2017.
Liberals nominate well-known anti-pipeline activist to take Montreal NDP seat Within a few minutes of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s speech Wednesday night introducing his newest candidate for the fall election, a protester lifted up a sign and began screaming anti-pipeline slogans. The crowd of roughly 150 people went silent. The female protester demanded Trudeau respect Indigenous sovereignty and stop the expansion of the Trans Mountain oil pipeline, which the federal government bought for $4.5 billion. “There are Indigenous communities who want to see this move forward,” Trudeau replied. “Why are you de-legitimizing the Indigenous communities who support the energy industry?” The crowd roared in approval but Trudeau’s new recruit, wellknown and respected environmental activist, Steven Guilbeault, did not clap. He stared into the audience with a stern look on his face. Guilbeault in 1993 helped found a major environmental advocacy group in Quebec called Equiterre. The activist also worked for Greenpeace for ten years before returning to Equiterre as its director and spokesman in 2007. He is also against Trans Mountain. But he thinks he can do more to fight climate change inside the Liberal party than outside it. “I understand that in order to advance things, you need to compromise,” Guilbeault said in the east-end Montreal riding of Laurier-Sainte-Marie. “I find in the Liberal party everything I need to continue the fight against climate change.” Guilbeault will be a star candidate for the Liberals. The party hopes his name recognition and environmentalist
bona fides will allow it to take the Laurier seat away from the NDP and increase the Liberals’ presence in Quebec. The riding bordering the St. Lawrence River has been NDP since 2011. Before that, it was the stronghold of former Bloc Quebecois leader Gilles Duceppe. The Liberals haven’t held Laurier since 1988. Laurier is important for the Liberals, who are looking at the NDP’s 15 seats in the province as a way to help them win the October election. The riding is urban, bilingual and slightly poorer than the provincial average. Guilbeault has shown throughout his career that he isn’t the stereotypical anticapitalist, environmental activist. He’s worked as a strategic consultant for a major venture capitalist fund that invests in clean technology and other environmentally conscious industries. “I did it for 25 years,” he told reporters after his moment on stage with Trudeau. “Being outside. Proposing ideas and criticizing. I think it’s time for me to take the next step and try and change things from the inside. And that’s what I’m going to do.” His opponents have already attempted to paint him as a environmental turn coat and sellout. Gerard Deltell, Conservative MP from Quebec, told The Canadian Press earlier in the week that the Liberals represent the values Guilbeault once rejected. “This man used to spend his life giving advice to everyone as an environmental activist and he’s now ready to make all the compromises to become a politician in the Liberal party.”
NATIONAL
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INDIA
Saturday, July 13, 2019
BJP MLA says no threat from him to his daughter for marrying Dalit The Uttar Pradesh BJP legislator, whose daughter has alleged she faces threat to her life from him because she married a Dalit man, said on Thursday he posed “no threat” to anyone and he was “busy” with party work. Rajesh Misra, the MLA from Bithari Chainpur constituency in Bareilly district, said in a statement issued here his daughter is an adult and “has the right” to take her own decision. The statement has come a day after Sakshi Misra, 23, uploaded a video on a social media platform and made it public that she married Ajitesh Kumar, 29, last week.
In another video, she alleged there was a threat to her life from her father, brother and an associate. She has sought security from the Bareilly senior superintendent of police. “Whatever is going on against me in the media is wrong. My daughter is an adult and has the right to take her own decision. Neither me nor my men or any member of my family has given any life threat to anyone,” Rajesh Misra said. “My family and I are busy in our work. I am doing people’s work in my constituency and presently running BJP membership campaign. There is no threat to anyone from me,” he said.
No jobs, well-placed families make most of Dalit quota As the stage is set for a major political showdown starting Thursday in the wake of a spate of resignations threatening the existence of the coalition government in Karnataka, Bengaluru Police Commissioner Alok Kumar has issued prohibitory orders under Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code, restricting the gathering of more than five people and any form of protests within the 2-km area around the Vidhana Soudha. The police commissioner issued the orders
on Wednesday night, taking into account intelligence inputs. The prohibitory orders came into effect on Thursday when Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy is scheduled to chair a cabinet meeting in the backdrop of 16 MLAs, including Housing Minister MTB Nagaraj, resigning and two Independent legislators--R Shankar and H Nagesh-withdrawing support to the Congress-JD(S) coalition government on Wednesday.
Sec 144 imposed around Karnataka Assembly in view of cabinet meet Kuldeep Singh, Gursev Singh and Sandeep Singh, all graduates, and Jashandeep Singh, an MBA, work in the fields of Badhahpur village. Their academic qualifications have failed to get them a job, not even a temporary one. All belong to Scheduled Caste (SC) families of Sangrur. Jobs are scarce and the competition intense. Jashandeep graduated from Bhai Gurdas Institute of Management
and Technology, Sangrur. He managed a lowwage job with a private firm. Unable to meet his expenses, he quit. “In the fields, I am paid Rs 300 per day, more than what I was paid by my earlier employer. I wonder whether pursuing studies was a mistake,” he observes. Kuldeep Singh graduated from Govind National College, Narangwal, Ludhiana. A promising athlete, he won several medals
CBI raids lawyers Anand Grover, Indira Jaising in foreign funding case The Central Bureau of Investigation conducted searches at the offices and homes of two top human rights lawyers on Thursday in an investigation into foreign funding for their NGO, prompting criticism they were being targeted for political reasons. The CBI
conducted searches relating to a case filed against the non-profit Lawyers Collective and its president, Anand Grover, for allegedly violating laws on foreign funds, a police official said. In a statement issued in June, after the CBI registered a complaint against the group,
Modi slams VIP brats, says bad behaviour not on PM Narendra Modi sternly disapproved of the action of BJP MLA Akash Vijayvargiya in hitting a municipal official in Indore. Speaking at a meeting of the BJP parliamentary party, the PM said that such behaviour was totally unacceptable. Speaking at a meeting of the BJP
parliamentary party, Modi drew a thick red line for party cadres, referring to the “incident in Indore” nd saying such behaviour was totally unacceptable. This nivedan, avedan, danadan is not part of BJP culture,” the PM said, quoting the MLA’s description of his actions.
D-Company major terror group, need to finish it like IS: India Pakistan-based underworld don Dawood Ibrahim’s criminal syndicate has mutated into a terrorist network, India has said as it sought the US Security Council’s “focussed attention” to address the real threats posed by the D-Company, JeM and the LeT. Terrorist organisations are increasingly involved in lucrative criminal activities such as trading in natural resources and human trafficking to raise funds, India’s Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador Syed Akbaruddin said on Tuesday.
Similarly, criminal groups are joining hands with terrorists and are providing services such as counterfeiting, illicit financing, arms dealing, drug trafficking and smuggling terrorists across borders, he said at the UNSC debate on terror. “The D-Company’s illegitimate economic activities may be little known outside our region, but for us, such activities are a real and present danger,” Akbaruddin said, emphasising that the success of a collective action to “denude” the ISIS is a pointer that the council’s “attention yields results”.
BJP MLA says no threat from him to his daughter for marrying Dalit The Uttar Pradesh BJP legislator, whose daughter has alleged she faces threat to her life from him because she married a Dalit man, said on Thursday he posed “no threat” to anyone and he was “busy” with party work. Rajesh Misra, the MLA from Bithari Chainpur
constituency in Bareilly district, said in a statement issued here his daughter is an adult and “has the right” to take her own decision. The statement has come a day after Sakshi Misra, 23, uploaded a video on a social media platform and made it public that she married Ajitesh Kumar, 29, last week.
PUNJAB
Saturday, July 13, 2019 2 Jammu couples among five killed in Jalandhar road accident Five of a Jammu-based family was killed on Thursday when the car they were travelling in collided with an SUV near Pachranga village here. Dev Raj, Darshan Kumar and their wives Lajwanti and Rajkumaari as well as Sunil Kumar who was driving the Alto died on the spot. The accident took place when the car driver lost control over the vehicle, which jumped the median strip, crossed over to the other side and then rammed into another vehicle coming from the opposite direction. The accident occurred at around 8 am when two brothers and their wives, residents of village Chakrohi in Jammu, were coming to Jalandhar in Punjab. All the five, including
driver of the ill-fated car, died on the spot. They were residents of Chakrohi village in Suchetgarh in Jammu. The Innova was driven by Maninderdeep Singh, who was ferrying his relative Satpal Singh and his daughter Navkiran along with her one years old daughter and they had just come from Canada to Ghorabahi village. The deceased, all in the age group of 55-60, were identified as Dev Raj, his brother Darshan Lal and their wives Lajwanti and Raj Kumari. Three occupants of the Innova also suffered injuries in the accident. The impact of the collision was such that the bodies of the car occupants got stuck in the mangled vehicle and a lot of effort was made to extricate them.
Govt bars realtors from selling plots sans clear title In a bid to save property buyers from legal complications, Punjab’s Town and Country Planning (TCP) Department has restrained the private developers from selling plots on the land for which they do not have absolute ownership rights. Now, the developers would only be able to sell plots on the land of which they have the consent agreement from the actual land owners. The mechanism applies to housing colonies approved by the TCP under the Punjab Apartment and Property Regulation Act (PAPRA) and the mega projects. This is in contrast to the existing practice of the builders selling plots to gullible property buyers on the basis of the possession of papers. In such cases
Central team inspects works in Faridkot villages To probe the allegations of irregularities in the utilisation of MGNREGA funds, a four-member team, led by Director, MGNREGA, Dharmvir Jha, on Wednesday visited seven villages in the district and inspected various works executed under the scheme in the last one year. The team has initiated the probe following a complaint by SAD chief Sukhbir Singh Badal. The matter was raised by a former sarpanch of Sadhuwala village in the district. Alleging connivance of the district officers, material suppliers and selective gram panchayats owing allegiance to the Congress, Sukhbir had demanded a thorough probe into the irregularities. As per the complaint, norms were flouted in the use of MGNREGA funds in Faridkot.
Punjab officials pocket Central funds granted for rural poor Centre-sponsored Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) funds, meant for the poor farmers of Punjab, were siphoned off by some sarpanches and panchayat members in connivance with panchayat department officials, thereby adversely affecting the scheme’s success in the state. The scheme generated only 20.23 average days of employment a year in the state, against the mandated 100 days, claims a recent study. According to the study published in the Indian Journal of Economics and Development, only 1.64 per cent beneficiary households got the mandated 100-day employment; while 21.29 per cent got no work. In certain cases, sarpanches, in connivance with block development officials, pocketed Rs 20 to Rs 60 in respect of every job card issued under the scheme.
the developers were not able to hand over physical possession of the plots, resulting in harassment to the property buyers. The practice also violated the guidelines of the Real Estate Regulatory Authority (RERA), Punjab.
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Thieves flee with ATM, Rs17,000 gone Thieves ran away with an ATM from the Punjab and Sind Bank building located on the Sunam-Bhawanigarh road of Gharachon village last night. According to information, when a private security guard reached the bank, he found its shutter broken and the ATM missing. He informed bank officials, who informed the police. They said Rs 17,300 was in the ATM and from CCTV footage it has become clear that two thieves with covered faces after cutting the locked shutter of the
ATM with a gas cutter entered the ATM around 2.33 am. They broke the CCTV and fled with the ATM. Locals alleged that the theft happened due to the lack of security guard. They also demanded special police patrolling in the area during night. “There was no security guard at the ATM when the theft took place. We have registered a case against unidentified persons and conducting further investigations,” said Gurinder Singh Ball, SHO, Bhawanigarh police station.
Ex-RSS leader, BJP councillor join Congress Former RSS leader Rajesh Khurana, close aide of two-time former MLA Sukhpal Singh Nannu, today left the BJP and joined the Congress in the presence of Cabinet Minister Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa and MLA Parminder Singh Pinki. His wife Sakshi Khurana, municipal councillor from Ward No 22, and their supporters also
joined the Congress. Nannu had been booked in a kidnapping case two months ago, following which most of his BJP supporters had joined the Congress. Khurana alleged that senior BJP leaders instead of supporting had been harassing him due to which he left the saffron party. Khurana lauded the efforts of Pinki for spearheading development in the town.
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Saturday, July 13, 2019 CIRCKET / SPORTS
Cong caught off guard in Goa as 10 of 15 MLAs merge with BJP Winds of political instability in neighbouring Karnataka reached Goa Wednesday, with two-thirds (10 out of 15) of Congress MLAs breaking away to merge with the ruling BJP in the coastal state. The group, led by Leader of Opposition Chandrakant Kavlekar, met Assembly Speaker Rajesh Patnekar in the evening and gave him a letter, informing him about their breaking away from the party. The MLAs include Atanasio Monserratte, Jeniffer Monserratte, Francis Silveira, Philip Nery Rodrigues, Cleaofacio Dias, Wilfred DSa, Nilkant Halarnkar and Isidor Fernandes. Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, who was present when the group
arrived at the Assembly complex, said the 10 MLAs have merged with the BJP. With the 10 MLAs changing sides, the strength of Congress in the House would be reduced to five. BJP is the single largest party with 17,Goa Forward Party and Independents have three each, while one MLA each is from NCP and MGP. When asked, Kavlekar refused to give reason behind their move, but said that they will make a statement later in the evening. Sawant was sworn in as CM in March this year, after the death of then CM Manohar Parrikar.
India’s fight lauded but Tendulkar says team can’t always rely on Rohit, Kohli Sachin Tendulkar led the cricketing fraternity in lauding the fighting spirit of Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Ravindra Jadeja in the World Cup semifinal against New Zealand, but said the Indian batting could not always rely on its famed top-order to deliver the goods. A disappointed Tendulkar said Indian batsmen made a mountain out of a molehill during their 240-run chase, losing the match by 18 runs to crash out of the tournament. “I am disappointed because we should have chased 240 without any doubt. It wasn’t a big total. Yes, New Zealand got off to a dream start by picking those three wickets upfront,” Tendulkar said. “But I feel that we can’t be all the time relying on Rohit (Sharma) to give a good start or Virat (Kohli) to come and make sure that a solid foundation is built. Players around them also will have to take more responsibility,” the batting maestro told India Today. After restricting New Zealand to a modest 239 for eight, the famed Indian top-order failed for the first time in the tournament as Virat Kohli and his men were all out for 221 in 49.3 overs. In fact, at one point of time, India were completely down and out of the game after the Kiwi bowlers reduced them to 92 for six. But then, Dhoni (50) and Jadeja (77) joined hands and stitched 116 runs for the seventh wicket to keep India in the contest. “It’s not fair all the time to expect Dhoni to come and finish the game. He has done it time and again,” Tendulkar said.
He also lauded New Zealand’s incisive bowling display and skipper Kane Williamson’s tactical moves. “There came a stage where New Zealand kept things simple. If you saw their fast bowlers, they didn’t try too much upfront. They just bowled in the right areas, right channels and got those wickets,” he said. “I felt Kane Williamson’s captaincy was incredible.” He also tweeted that he was heartbroken just like every Indian supporter. Former India middle-order batsman VVS Laxman said Dhoni and Jadeja were brilliant even though they couldn’t finish the job. “Congratulations to Kane Williamson and the @ BLACKCAPS for making it to a second successive World Cup Finals. Ravindra Jadeja along with Dhoni fought brilliantly and got India so close but NZ were brilliant with the new ball and that was decisive,” Laxman tweeted. Harbhajan Singh wrote on Twitter: “Feeling heart broken for @BCCI. Congratulations to @BLACKCAPS. Well done @imjadeja.” Former India opener Gautam Gambhir wrote on Twitter: “I’m proud of the way @ BCCI played at the @cricketworldcup. It’s disappointing but that’s the nature of the game. Well played @BLACKCAPS on a fantastic game and all the best for the final.” Cricketer-turned-commentator Sanjay Manjrekar wrote: “India no less a champion side in my eyes. Won 7 and lost 2. Last one narrowly.
ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 schedule Cricket World Cup 2019 fixtures May 30th, Thursday - England vs South Africa, at The Oval (10:30 BST) England won by 104 runs. May 31 Friday - West Indies vs Pakistan, Trent Bridge (10:30 BST) West Indies won by 7 wickets. June 1st - Saturday - New Zealand vs Sri Lanka, Cardiff (10:30 BST) New Zealand won by 10 wickets. Saturday 1st - Afghanistan vs Australia, Bristol (DN) (13:30 BST) Australia won by 7 wickets. Sunday 2nd - South Africa vs Bangladesh, The Oval (10:30 BST) Bangladesh won by 21 runs. Monday 3rd - England vs Pakistan, Trent Bridge (10:30 BST) Pakistan won by 13 runs. Tuesday 4th - Afghanistan vs Sri Lanka, Cardiff (10:30 BST) Sri Lanka won by 34 runs. Wednesday 5th - South Africa vs India, Southampton (10:30 BST) India won by 6 wickets. Wednesday 5th - Bangladesh vs New Zealand, The Oval (DN) (13:30 BST) New Zealand won by 2 wickets Thursday 6th - Australia vs West Indies, Trent Bridge (10:30 BST) Australia won by 15 runs. Friday 7th - Pakistan vs Sri Lanka, Bristol (10:30 BST) Match abandoned in rain draw. Saturday 8th - England vs Bangladesh, Cardiff (10:30 BST) England beat Bangladesh by 106 runs. Saturday 8th - Afghanistan vs New Zealand, Taunton (DN) (13:30 BST) N.Z won by 7 wickets Sunday 9th - India vs Australia, The Oval (10:30 BST) India won by 36 runs Monday 10th - South Africa vs West Indies, Southampton (10:30 BST) Match abandoned in rain draw. Tuesday 11th - Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka, Bristol (10:30 BST) Match abandoned in rain draw. Wednesday 12th - Australia vs Pakistan, Taunton (10:30 BST) Australia won by 40 runs. Thursday 13th - India vs New Zealand, Trent Bridge (10:30 BST) Match abandoned in rain draw. Friday 14th - England vs West Indies, Southampton (10:30 BST) England won by 8 wickets Saturday 15th - Sri Lanka vs Australia, The Oval (10:30 BST) Australia won by 87 runs. Saturday 15th - South Africa vs Afghanistan, Cardiff (DN) (13:30 BST) S.A. won by 9 wickets Sunday 16th - India vs Pakistan, Old Trafford (10:30 BST) India won by 89 runs Monday 17th - West Indies vs Bangladesh, Taunton (10:30 BST) Bangladesh won by 7 wickets Tuesday 18th - England vs Afghanistan, Old
Trafford (10:30 BST) England won by 150 runs. Wednesday 19th - New Zealand vs South Africa, Edgbaston (10:30 BST) New Zealand won by 4 wickets Thursday 20th Australia vs Bangladesh, Trent Bridge (10:30 BST) Australia won by 48 runs Friday 21st England vs Sri Lanka, Headingley (10:30 BST) Sri Lanka won by 20 runs Saturday 22nd - India vs Afghanistan, Southampton (10:30 BST) India won by 11 runs Saturday 22nd - West Indies vs New Zealand, Old Trafford (DN) (13:30 BST) New Zealand won by 5 runs Sunday 23rd - Pakistan vs South Africa, Lord’s (10:30 BST) Pakistan won by 49 runs Monday 24th - Bangladesh vs Afghanistan, Southampton (10:30 BST) Bangladesh won by 62 runs Tuesday 25th - England vs Australia, Lord’s (10:30 BST) Australia won by 64 runs Wednesday 26th - New Zealand vs Pakistan, Edgbaston (10:30 BST) Pakistan won by 6 wickets Thursday 27th - West Indies vs India, Old Trafford (10:30 BST) India won by 125 runs Friday 28th - Sri Lanka vs South Africa, Chester-leStreet (10:30 BST) South Africa won by 9 wickets Saturday 29th - Pakistan vs Afghanistan, Headingley (10:30 BST) Pakistan won by 3 Wickets Saturday 29th - New Zealand vs Australia, Lord’s (DN) (13:30 BST) Australia won by 86 runs Sunday 30th - England vs India, Edgbaston (10:30 BST - England won by 31 runs July 1st, Monday - Sri Lanka vs West Indies, Chester-le-Street (10:30 BST) -Sri Lanka won by 23 runs Tuesday 2nd - Bangladesh vs India, Edgbaston (10:30 BST) - India won by 28 runs Wednesday 3rd - England vs New Zealand, Chester-le-Street (10:30 BST) England won by 119 runs Thursday 4th - Afghanistan vs West Indies, Headingley (10:30 BST) West Indies won by 23 runs Friday 5th - Pakistan vs Bangladesh, Lord’s (10:30 BST) Pakistan won by 94 runs Saturday 6th - Sri Lanka vs India, Headingley (10:30 BST) India won by 7 wickets Saturday 6th - Australia vs South Africa, Old Trafford (DN) (13:30 BST) South Africa won by 10 runs July 9th & 10 Wed - First semi-final: India vs N.Z. at Old Trafford (10:30 BST) New Zealand won Thursday 11th - Second semi-final: , Edgbaston (10:30 BST) England won by 8 wickets
Sunday, July 14th - Final at the Lord’s (10:30) BST)
Saturday, July 13, 2019
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SOUTH ASIA
Saturday, July 13, 2019
Bangladesh shocked by rise in sex crimes, child rape Multiple incidents of ghastly sexual violence in recent months have raised serious concerns over the safety of women and children in Bangladesh. Experts blame “a culture of impunity” for the spike in sex crimes. Bangladesh has seen a dramatic rise in the number of rape cases in recent months, say women’s rights organizations. A report published this month by the “Bangladesh Mahila Parishad” (BMP) — Bengali for Bangladesh women’s council — estimates that 731 women and children were raped in the first six months of 2019. In comparison, there were 942 similar cases recorded in all of 2018. BMP came up with these figures by counting incidents reported in 14 national newspapers during the first half of the year. But observers say the real number is likely to be far higher, pointing out that many victims do not report sex crimes due to the pervasive fear of being blamed for the rape or ostracized and disowned by their families. Compounding the problem is the Muslimmajority country’s ultra-conservative society, where a rape victim is often viewed as a person without honor and stigmatized by the community. Bangladeshi children are also increasingly becoming victims of sexual brutality. A report released by the Bangladesh Shishu Adhikar Forum (BSAF), a Dhaka-based child rights organization, revealed that at least 496 children were raped in Bangladesh during the first six months
of 2019. The figure included 23 cases where children, after being raped, were murdered by the perpetrators and 53 incidents where they were subjected to gang rape. In police custody, the man allegedly raped 7-year-old girl. v The Manusher Jonno Foundation, another local rights group, published a report early this year saying 433 children were raped in 2018. Most were aged between seven and 12, it said. Even schools appear not entirely safe for children. A religious school’s head teacher was arrested last week for allegedly raping two girls and sexually molesting another six children under his care. This came days after police arrested another madrassa head for reportedly raping a child in Fatulla, and two high school teachers in the central industrial town of Narayanganj for reportedly raping 20 students. “We have noticed an alarming rise in the sexual abuse of children, including the rapes of male children, in madrassas in recent years,” Abdus Shahid, head of BSAF, said. Professor Zia Rahman, head of the criminology department at the University of Dhaka, believes that there has been a lack of awareness among parents when it comes to sexual crimes, which leaves children vulnerable. “We have noticed that many parents, both fathers and mothers, have been entering the workforce without ensuring a safe place for their kids while they are away,” Rahman told DW.
Alerted by Indian agencies, Sri Lankan coast guard intercepts boats carrying drugs from Karachi Two boats carrying banned drugs from Pakistani coast city Karachi to Sri Lanka were intercepted by Sri Lankan Coast guards on Wednesday. The operation was successfully executed based on the inputs by Indian security agencies. The successful capture comes after the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) shared a specific input with information about two boats carrying banned drugs from Karachi to Sri Lanka. The input which was shared with Indian authorities by NCB was consecutively forwarded to concerned Sri Lankan agencies following which a timely intervention by coast guards prevented the illegal trade.
According to Indian intelligence agencies, this drug business is a major source of income for Pakistan ISI and they use this in terror funding. The funds through such trade are also used to fund extremist ideology in Sri Lanka. Indian security agencies maintain that the sea route is safest for drug business and boats and ships carry these drugs on a regular basis. Coast Guards of India and Sri Lanka work closely in areas of coastal security and prevention of illegal activities along their maritime boundary.
SriLankan Airlines in financial turbulence After terminating its contract with Emirates Airlines in 2008, national carrier SriLankan Airlines (SLA) encountered various issues over liabilities. By 2010, the airline lacked funds to proceed with refleeting plans and was facing mounting challenges and a precarious future. Against this backdrop, the Presidential Commission of Inquiry (PCoI) into alleged irregularities at SriLankan Airlines, SriLankan Catering and Mihin Lanka concluded sessions last week. The PCoI handed over its final 1800-page report on July 2 to President Maithripala Sirisena including a 900-page annexure with recommendations and observations based on testimonies made during proceedings. Statements were recorded from 560 persons
while 150 officials testified before the body on alleged irregularities under different SLA managements. The PCoI was chaired by retired Supreme Court (SC) Justices Anil Gooneratne and Gamini Amarasekara, retired High Court (HC) Judge Piyasena Ranasinghe, retired Deputy Auditor General (DAG) Don Anthony Harold and Sri Lanka Accounting and Auditing Standards Monitoring Board Director-General Wasantha Kapugama. Former Additional Solicitor Generol Neil Unamboowe PC along with Senior State Counsel Fazly Razik and State Counsel (SC) Chathura Gunathilake led the testimonies on these matters. During proceedings, the PCoI confronted diverse issues pertaining to the termination of the Emirates contract.
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Saturday, July 13, 2019
Nepal stops Tibetan refugees from celebrating Dalai Lama’s b’day The Tibetan community in Nepal called off plans to mark the birthday of their spiritual leader the Dalai Lama after their request for a public celebration was rejected over security concerns, a government official said on Sunday. The Dalai Lama turned 84 on Saturday and his followers in Nepal had hoped to celebrate the occasion in the capital, Kathmandu, but the communist government rejected their request. China, which regards the Dalai Lama as a dangerous separatist, has been increasing its influence in the Himalayan nation that is home to about 20,000 Tibetans. Nepal is a natural buffer between China and India and is considered by New Delhi as its natural ally, but China is also making inroads by pouring aid and infrastructure investment into what is one of the world’s 10 poorest countries. Beijing sent troops into remote, mountainous Tibet in 1950 in what it officially terms a peaceful liberation and has ruled there with an iron fist ever since. The Dalai Lama fled to India in early 1959
after a failed uprising against Chinese rule. Krishna Bahadur Katuwal, assistant district administrator of Kathmandu, said the government refused permission for Tibetans to mark the Dalai Lama’s birthday because “infiltrators” could create trouble. “There could be a law and order problem as infiltrators could organise demonstrations or try to self-immolate,” Katuwal told Reuters. Tibetan news portal Phayul.com said celebration plans were then withdrawn. Airport immigration authorities in Kathmandu refused to admit a U.S. citizen of Tibetan origin and deported him last month, reportedly at China’s request. Nepali authorities have also previously detained Tibetans trying to cross the border on their way to India after fleeing their disputed homeland. Human rights groups say Nepal faces intense Chinese pressure to control the flow of Tibetans crossing the border.
Man kills daughter to claim insurance money in Nepal A 39-year-old man has been arrested in Nepal for allegedly killing his minor daughter so that he could claim Rs 25 lakh insurance money, police said on Friday. According to police spokesperson Nabin Karki, Yadav allegedly killed his daughter by throttling her on Monday. The body of the minor was found floating on a pond the following morning. Ram Kishor Yadav of Maulapur Municipality of Siraha district, strangled his four-year-old daughter Laxmi Kumari Yadav to get Rs 25 lakh insurance money, the police said. Laxmi was the youngest daughter of Yadav and he got her insured at Prabhu Bank for her bright future.
The investigation shows that Yadav had already paid the first premium of Rs 175,000 to the bank. Police also said that after Yadav learned from someone that the insurance company would pay double the insurance amount in case of insured person’s death within a month of holding policy, he was motivated to take the advantage by killing his own daughter. Police further revealed that Yadav had frequently been serving jail sentences for different cases time and again from 2001 to 2004.
Sri Lankan court grants bail to ex-police chief and former defence secretary Sri Lanka’s police chief and former defense secretary were released on bail on Tuesday, a week after they were arrested over allegations that they failed to prevent the Easter Day bomb attacks that killed more than 250 people. Colombo magistrates’ court granted their release and will hear the case on July 22, Anuja Premaratne, who is representing both the accused, told Reuters. The Criminal Investigation Department last week arrested Inspector General of Police Pujith Jayasundara and former secretary to the Ministry of Defence Hemasiri Fernando while they were both receiving treatment in hospital. The two were remanded in custody a day later. Attorney General Dappula de Livera had ordered their arrest last week and urged the acting police chief to bring charges against the two, including for “crimes against humanity”. Jayasundara and Fernando denied the allegations when they appeared before a parliamentary committee investigating the attacks on churches and luxury hotels. They are the first two state officials to be arrested for failing to prevent the attacks, claimed by the militant group Islamic State. The bombings took place despite repeated warnings
from Indian intelligence that an attack was imminent. President Maithripala Sirisena has accused Fernando and Jayasundara of failing to act on an April 4 intelligence report about possible attacks. The suicide bombers struck on April 21. Jayasundara, the first serving police chief to be arrested, told a parliamentary committee last month that the president had asked him to take the blame for the bombings and resign, promising him a diplomatic posting in return. Jayasundara refused to quit and was later asked to go on compulsory leave, with his deputy standing in for him. Fernando, who resigned as defense secretary, told the committee that Sirisena had given instructions to keep political rival Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe out of all security council meetings where sources have said the warnings were discussed. The defense secretary reports to the president, who heads the Defence Ministry. Sirisena has not publicly addressed the accusations but said after the testimonies last month that he would not accept the committee’s conclusions.
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FIJI
Saturday, July 13, 2019
Over 11,400 water tanks distributed by Water Authority through Rainwater Harvesting Scheme Water Authority of Fiji through its Rainwater Harvesting Scheme has distributed more than 11,400 water tanks to non-metered areas in Fiji. This was revealed by Minister for Infrastructure Jone Usamate who added that 1,738 water tanks were distributed in the province of Nadroga/
Navosa. He says in the new financial year, a budget of $3 million has been allocated to continue the Rainwater Harvesting Scheme. Usamate highlighted that Government through Water Authority of Fiji has set aside a total of $11.3 million in the 2019/2020 Budget to implement 32 water schemes in
Students raising questions on what is happening about Bainivalu being told to stop barking like an Indian dog University of Fiji Law Students Association President, Filipe Bainivalu says the university students are now raising the question on what is happening to the case of Centre for iTaukei Studies Director, Doctor Litiana Kuridrani who told Bainivalu to
stop barking like an Indian dog. Bainivalu is calling for those responsible to step down as no action has been taken. He says how can Doctor Kuridrani be teaching at the university next week if she was suspended pending disciplinary proceedings.
General Practitioners Program to start after Ministry identifies all areas that need GP services The Ministry of Health says the General Practitioners Program will start after they identify all the areas that need GP services. Health Minister Doctor Ifereimi Waqainabete says they are currently going through the details to ensure that they have identified the right places where this program can start. Waqainabete says they are looking at areas where there is only one health facility and he has met with the general practitioners in the country.
He says that this was the delay and they are working to get this program up and running. It was scheduled to start on the 1st of January this year Waqainabete says that GPs also provide support in a number of public hospitals where there is lack of doctors and are paid $50 an hour and specialists are paid $80 an hour. Under the General Practitioners Program, doctors will expand their services into disadvantaged communities with the government footing the costs for the patients that will be seen by them.
Goundar Shipping Limited given greenlight by MSAF to operate Lomaiviti Princess 5 Goundar Shipping Limited has been given the green light to operate their vessel Lomaiviti Princess III and Lomaiviti V from today after documents submitted by them were approved by Maritime Safety Authority of Fiji. Goundar Shipping have been issued with Interim Document of Compliance and interim Safe Ship certifications for both ships that have now been released from detention to continue with its operation effective as of today. MSAF say it’s inspection team will review documents pertaining to Lomaiviti Princess VII and is expected to complete
inspection by tomorrow. They say this will be a new ship included into Goundar Shipping’s current fleet. Goundar Shipping Limited will have three ships remaining that the MSAF team will need to inspect and review it’s documents. MSAF says they are working with Goundar Shipping staff for the past 5 days and the remaining 4 vessels have not been inspected. The Authority says it’s staff have dedicated their time and effort to help Goundar Shipping Company comply with the safe ships management regulation
Fijian Government receives donations worth $5.8 million from the Japanese Government The Fijian Government today received donations from the Japanese Government worth $5.8 million to assist Fijians with the restoration of basic needs and livelihoods of communities affected by natural disasters. The items donated includes five 12 ton excavators, four 10 ton dump trucks, one motor grader, four 9 ton cargo crane, five twin cabs, four forklifts, four tractors with mold board plows and disc harrows and spare parts, four fiberglass boats and 60HP engines. Speaking at the event, the Minister for Agriculture, Rural and
Maritime Development, Doctor Mahendra Reddy says that the items would be utilized to provide immediate assistance to affected communities such as cleaning of roadblocks, landslides, fallen trees and evacuation of stranded people in the event of a natural disaster. He also says that to ensure these items are utilized efficiently, the Ministry also intends to deploy the vehicles and machines for projects that are aligned towards disaster resilience and risk reduction initiatives during non-disaster periods.
Rarawai Sugar Mill is back in operation The Rarawai Sugar Mill is back in operation after an extensive refurbishment during the off-season to the tune of $9.3 million. While speaking at the Rarawai Mill Crushing Season Opening, Fiji Sugar Corporation’s CEO, Graham Clark says Rarawai Mill had faced significant challenges with its main boiler. Clark says this is the first major upgrade work done to the twenty-two-year-old Rarawai Boiler since it was built in 1997. He says three main areas
of upgrade include the bagasse feeders, the air heater and the ash grate. He says Deteriorated parts and equipment are being replaced with new ones. Clark says in addition to the boiler, the Rarawai mill now has two turbo generators, a 5-megawatt and a second 4-megawatt machine. During the crushing season, the factory demand sits around 5-megawatts and the FSC expects to export a percentage of power back to the grid.
PAKISTAN
Saturday, July 13, 2019
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White House confirms Trump will meet Imran Khan on July 22
Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan’s first meeting with US President Donald Trump on July 22 will help “renew and reinvigorate” the bilateral ties and he would highlight the importance of resolving “disputes” through dialogue and promoting peace in South Asia, Pakistan’s foreign office has said. Ending the confusion, the White House and Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Wednesday announced Prime Minister Khan’s maiden visit to the US at the invitation of President Trump. The ministry said that Prime Minister Khan will visit the United States of America on July 21 to 23. “This would be the first summit-level engagement between Pakistan and the United States since both leaders assumed their respective offices,” it said. During the visit, Mr Khan and President Trump would have wide-ranging interaction at
the White House on July 22 covering bilateral and regional matters. Diplomatic sources, claimed the visit had been finalised after hectic behind-the-scene efforts by the two sides through the diplomatic channels. Trump’s willingness to host Imran suggests that the two sides might have made forward movement on certain thorny issues, particularly on Afghanistan, the report quoted observers as saying. President Trump has been critical of Pakistan’s role in the fight against terrorism, especially Islamabad’s role in war-ravaged Afghanistan. The Trump administration has suspended security and other assistance to Pakistan, saying Islamabad
Nawaz Sharif’s daughter Maryam summoned by anti-graft court in fake trust deed case Jailed former Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif ’s daughter Maryam Nawaz has been summoned by an anti-corruption court to appear before it on July 19 for allegedly submitting a fake trust deed in the high-profile Avenfield Apartments case. The Avenfield properties case was one of three filed by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) last year in light of the Supreme Court’s verdict against Sharif in the Panama Papers case. The case pertains to the ownership of the Sharif family’s apartments at Avenfield House, London.
Accountability court Judge Muhammad Bashir issued the notice to Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Vice-President Maryam, asking the 45-year-old political leader to appear in court on July 19. According to the NAB, Pakistan’s anti-corruption watchdog, the trust deed Maryam presented in the Avenefield case was fake and have requested a trial against the PML-N leader for fraudulent documents. In 2017, a Pakistani team investigating former prime minister Sharif alleged illegal offshore properties - flagged in the Panama Papers.
TV news anchor gunned down in Karachi Sindh police say TV news anchor Mureed Abbas has been shot dead in Karachi. Authorities say they are investigating reports that Abbas -- an anchor for the independent BOL News channel -- was gunned down during an argument connected with a personal dispute in Karachi’s Khayaba-e-Bukhari neighborhood late on July 9. Seemin Jamali, the executive director of the Jinnah PostGraduate Medical Center (JPMC) in Karachi, confirmed that Abbas was dead upon arrival at the hospital and that he sustained multiple
gunshot wounds to his chest and abdomen. Reports say Khizar Hayat, a friend of Abbas who was with him at the time of the shooting, was shot twice in the confrontation and died from his wounds later at a private hospital in Karachi. Police say a man suspected of carrying out the shootings attempted to kill himself when authorities stormed into his residence. They say the suspect shot himself in the chest and was in critical condition on July 10 at a Karachi hospital.
Sharp spike in Pakistan polio cases to 41 in 6 months More than a year after Pakistan suspended an anti-polio campaign following the murder of a health worker and two cops, 41 polio cases have been reported across the country in the last six months alone. This year’s figure is in sharp contrast to the 12 cases reported last year and only 8 in 2017. According to government authorities, two cases were found in KP’s Bannu district, while two were reported from
the restive southwestern Balochistan province. With the latest cases, the number of children detected with poliovirus in Bannu this year has risen to 16. Health officials in Chaman described refusal by parents to inoculate their children as the underlying reason behind the fresh case. Another case of polio was confirmed in a nine-month-old infant in Jaffarabad, prompting authorities in Balochistan to declare an emergency.
in return has given only “lies and deceit.” Officials said Mr Khan would share his perspective on the Afghan endgame as well as how to build trust between the Pakistan and the United States. During his various engagements
in Washington, the Prime Minister will outline his vision of ‘’Naya Pakistan’’ and underscore the importance Pakistan attaches to a broader and multi-faceted relationship with the United States, the foreign office statement said.
Pakistan facing ‘significant economic challenges’, economy at critical juncture: IMF Pakistan has so far received billions in financial aid packages from friendly countries like China, Saudi Arabia and the UAE during the current fiscal year. Pakistan is facing “significant economic challenges” due to a weak and unbalanced growth and that its economy is at a critical juncture where it needs an ambitious and bold set of reforms, the IMF has said. Cash-strapped Pakistan, which currently has a currency reserve of less than $8 billion
— enough to cover only 1.7 months of imports — approached the Washington-based International Monetary Fund (IMF) in August 2018 for a bailout package after the Imran Khan government took over. The global lender last week formally approved the $6 billion loan to Pakistan, which is facing “significant” economic challenges on the back of “large” fiscal and financial needs and “weak and unbalanced” growth.
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Saturday, July 13, 2019
UK counter-terror police arrest two British Sikhs Two persons, including a woman -- having links with a Sikh youth group, have been arrested by Britain’s counter-terrorism police in connection with an alleged fraud relating to the group’s charitable funds. West Midlands Police said a 38-yearold man and a 49-year-old woman were arrested in Birmingham on Wednesday in connection with an ongoing investigation by dating back to September last year. The UK’s Charity Commission is investigating the receipt and use of charitable funds by the Sikh Youth UK which has raised “a number of regulatory concerns”. The Sikh Youth UK is not a registered charity but the independent regulator has jurisdiction over it because the funds being scrutinised in the investigation are charitable. “Two people have been arrested by detectives from West Midlands Counter
Terrorism Unit (WMCTU), this resulted following the examination of evidence obtained during searches which took place in September 2018,” a West Midlands Police statement said. “A 38-year-old man and a 49-year-old woman were detained from an address in Birmingham for questioning in connection with alleged fraud offences of donated charitable funds. The pair are being held at a police station in the West Midlands,” the statement said. It said that the WMCTU officers had been working closely with the UK’s Charity Commission, which has opened a “statutory inquiry” into funds held by and raised in connection with Sikh Youth UK. The British Sikh outfit is described on its website as a national organisation raising awareness on social evils and supporting the victims of sexual grooming, substance abuse and domestic violence within the community.
US House passes Bill removing country-cap on issuing Green Cards Indian IT professionals are the worst sufferers of the current immigration system which imposes a seven per cent per country quota on allotment of the coveted Green Cards or permanent legal residency. Europe should brace for US tariffs on several fronts, says German official us, united states, donald trump, green cards, us green card, house of representatives, bill, it professionals, visa, H 1B visa, work visa, it companies, facebook, google, microsoft, india, china, work permit, us green card, immigrants, world news, indan express news A Green Card allows a non-US citizen to live and work permanently in America. The US House of Representatives has passed a legislation that removes the seven
45 passports of NRIs cancelled for abandoning their wives: Maneka The government has cancelled passports of 45 non-resident Indians, or NRIs, for abandoning their wives, Women and Child Development Minister Maneka Gandhi has said. The Integrated Nodal Agency made to look into the matter has been issuing Look-Out Circulars to absconding husbands in cases of NRI marriages and 45 passports have been impounded by the External Affairs Ministry, Gandhi said. The agency is chaired by secretary in the women and child development ministry, Rakesh Srivastava.
Gandhi said the government has also introduced in Rajya Sabha a bill to give justice to the women who have been abandoned by their NRI husbands, but expressed dismay that the bill has got stalled in the upper house. The bill envisages registration of marriages by nonresident Indians, amendment of the Passports Act, 1967 and Amendment to the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973. The bill is a joint initiative of the External Affairs Ministry, Ministry of Women and Child Development, Ministry of Home Affairs and Ministry of Law and Justice.
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per cent country-cap on Green Card applicants, a development which signed into law could end the agonizing wait of thousands of talented professionals from countries like India who have applied for permanent residency in America. A Green Card allows a non-US citizen to live and work permanently in America. Indian IT professionals, most of whom are highly skilled and come to the US mainly on the H-1B work visas, are the worst sufferers of the current immigration system which imposes a seven per cent per country quota on allotment of the coveted Green Cards or permanent legal residency.
34-yr-old NRI commits suicide the stadium, she heard her two-year-old child crying and felt as if the phone was dropped. When she called again, her husband did not pick up the call. Hence, she rushed towards her flat only to found Navjodh hanging from the ceiling fan. ASI Kuldeep Singh, Cantt police division, said on the statement of the victim’s wife, a case had been registered under Section 174, CrPC, and the body was sent to Civil Hospital for the post-mortem examination. The reason of suicide was not known and no suicide note was found from the spot.
Jalandhar: An NRI, husband of a policewoman, committed suicide at their residence in Punjab Armed Police (PAP) quarters. The deceased was identified as Navjodh Singh (34), a native of Amritsar. Reportedly, he committed suicide in the wee hours when his wife, ASI Rajwant Kaur, had left the house for work. She is posted in the PAP under sports quota and is a weightlifter. While informing the police about the incident, she said when she was talking to him over the phone after reaching
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