The Asian Star May 11 2019 by The Asian Star Newspaper

www.theasianstar.com

Vol 19 - Issue 15

Saturday, May 11, 2019

Tel:604-591-5423

BC gov’t orders inquiry into gas price gouging

Body of Indian student recovered from Thompson river The body of a missing Indian student has been recovered from the North Thompson River, Kamloops RCMP said. Police first reported the 23-year-old man missing Friday, after they say three friends went swimming in the river near Chestnut Avenue around 6:30 a.m. At the time, police said the student was swept away and his friends were unable to reach him and bring him back to shore. Kamloops Fire Rescue then deployed a boat to search the river, while Kamloops Search and Rescue crews and a police drone were also sent out to try and find the student, but there was no sign of him.

Continued on page 6

BC government wants oil companies to publicly testify about the high premiums they charge for motor fuel sold in Metro Vancouver and some other parts of British Columbia. Premier Horgan directed the province’s independent energy regulator to launch an investigation into this spring’s record-breaking spike in gas prices. Mr. Horgan, who has pledged to make life more affordable for British Columbians, is struggling with the issue as both the opposition Liberals and Alberta Premier Jason Kenney blame him for high prices at the pumps.Mr. Horgan in turn is pointing

at Ottawa and at “gouging” oil companies. “British Columbians want to know why refining margins are so much higher than in other parts of the country,” he wrote in his request to the B.C. Utilities Commission (BCUC), noting that the gross revenue on fuel sold in Metro Vancouver was more than double the Canadian average. A spokesman for the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers declined to comment. The utilities commission will look at a range of issues, including those margins, the reasons for diminishing supply & pricefixing.

Christian woman acquitted of blasphemy in Pakistan arrives in Canada A lawyer representing a Christian woman acquitted of blasphemy after she spent eight years on death row in Pakistan says she has arrived in Canada. Pakistani officials and others involved in the case said Wednesday that Asia Bibi had left Pakistan to be reunited with her daughters in Canada, where they had been granted asylum. Her lawyer,

Saif-ul Malook, said she had already arrived in Canada. Asia Bibi was convicted of blasphemy in 2009 after a quarrel with a fellow farmworker. Pakistan’s Supreme Court overturned her conviction last year and she had been in protective custody since then. Islamic extremists have rioted over Continued on page7

Toddler left in hot car in Burnaby dies

Money laundering funded $5.3B in BC real estate purchases in 2018, report reveals

A baby boy died after being left in a hot car in Burnaby on Thursday, during a heat wave on B.C.’s South Coast. RCMP say at 5:45 p.m., Burnaby RCMP responded to a report of an unconscious 16-month-old child in a car at Kingsway Avenue and Inman Street. The toddler was transported to hospital where he died. Initial information provided to police is that the child had been left unaccompanied in the car for “a number of hours.” Media reports said the child was in the car for nine hours. The infant’s father was located and both parents are “cooperating in this investigation,” RCMP said. Continued on page 7

An estimated $5.3 billion worth of real estate transactions in B.C. last year were the result of money laundering, helping to fuel the province’s skyrocketing housing prices, according to a new report. An expert panel on dirty money in the overall realestate market estimates that five per cent of the value of 2018 purchases were for laundering purposes, contributing to about a five per cent rise in housing prices. The effect could be more

Continued on page 7

BC sisters startup on period products Two British Columbia entrepreneurs are building a fast-growing business on organic menstrual products and straight talk about biology – hoping to demystify puberty and help teen and tween girls “start a discussion about self-care and sex-ed.” Taran and Bunny Ghatrora, founders of Vancouver-based Blume period products, received $3.3-million in seed funding in February from

Bunny Ghatrora, left,

a group of American and Canadian investors including Felicis Ventures, Victress Capital, Panache Ventures and Eric Ries, author of The Lean Startup: How Today’s Entrepreneurs Use Continuous Innovation. The money will help the company to double its staff from four to eight, develop new products and create educational Continued on page 6

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‘Bags of money’ being used to buy luxury cars in BC, according to new money laundering report Money laundering is taking place in the luxury car market in B.C., sometimes with the use of bags of cash, a new B.C. government report on money laundering has found.In one instance, a luxury vehicle was purchased from a dealer with $240,000 in cash. Several staff took the money to the car dealer’s bank because of safety concerns.The bank accepted the money because it is not illegal to do so from a business such as a luxury car dealer, said former deputy RCMP commissioner Peter German, the author of the report. Presumably, the bank made a large money transaction report to Canada’s financial intelligence gathering agency, the

Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre (Fintrac), added German. Federal laws do not require that luxury car dealers make suspicious or large money transaction reports to Fintrac, something that needs to change, said B.C. Attorney-General David Eby. A federal parliamentary committee made a similar recommendation last year, but Ottawa has not acted on it yet. “The review found car dealers in B.C. freely reporting individuals bringing bags of money or orchestrating multiple, small international wire transfers to different accounts in order to buy luxury vehicles,” said Eby. “This report is disturbing confirmation

Canada missing 99.9 per cent of money laundering because of weak rules, expert estimates Canada is likely missing 99.9 per cent of money laundering because of loose requirements and lenient penalties, according to the author of a C.D. Howe policy paper released Monday. “Among Western liberal democracies, we’re down there with the weakest countries,” said Kevin Comeau, a retired lawyer and a member of Transparency International Canada’s working group on beneficial ownership transparency. Canada has become a safe haven for dirty money and risks becoming even more attractive to criminals if provincial and federal governments don’t move quickly to

introduce the same laws and regulations some European countries have adopted, says retired lawyer Kevin Comeau. Canada has become a safe haven for dirty money and risks becoming even more attractive to criminals if provincial and federal governments don’t move quickly to introduce the same laws and regulations some European countries have adopted, says retired lawyer Kevin Comeau. Canada has become a safe haven for dirty money and risks becoming even more attractive to criminals if provincial and federal governments don’t move quickly to introduce the same laws and regulations

that money laundering in B.C. certainly goes beyond our casinos.” The report noted that one new car dealer, where large cash sales took place monthly, stated: “I’m right in the thick of money laundering here.” The report found that individuals with high-level criminal records are principals of several used luxury dealerships in the province — and noted how money laundering could be taking place through leases and the use of returned deposits. Eby said the provincial government is preparing plans for regulation of the luxury car sector.Eby did not specify what those were, but the report suggested banning cash sales, deposits and

yearly lease payments of more than $10,000. Also suggested was giving the Vehicle Sales Authority jurisdiction over luxury resellers and requiring criminal record and background checks of the resellers’ key players. The report noted that an official of the New Car Dealers Association in B.C. said the sale of a car for physical cash is extremely rare and said he had only heard of it occurring once. The association did not respond to a request Tuesday for comment by Postmedia. The report did not find how much money is being laundered through luxury cars.

Ford government slammed for ‘secrecy’ around India trade mission Premier Doug Ford’s government is once again facing criticism around a taxpayerfunded trip as the province refuses to disclose cost and staffing details for a trade mission to India last week. Economic Development and Trade Minister Todd Smith travelled to the country for six days to meet with business leaders. The trip was not made public until days after Smith was on the ground. Canadian media were also not invited to attend. Smith’s office put out a statement Friday saying the mission

had wrapped up and that Smith “brought Ontario’s open for business, open for jobs message to business leaders across sectors that demonstrate a high degree of trade and investment potential for Ontario.” The minister’s office refused to answer questions from Global News about how much the trip cost taxpayers, how many government staff went on the mission, what their roles were and why the trip was kept secret until Smith was on the ground.

OPINION

By Fred McMahon Analys, The Fraser Institute As we watch the chaos on the streets of Venezuela, it’s apt to revisit the latest Human Freedom Index, published in part by the Fraser Institute. The index highlights an old danger re-emerging: authoritarian seducers, regimes that promote their model of despotism internationally through charm, money, power, bribery, threats and violence. Since the rise of free peoples, the menace of authoritarian imperialism has never disappeared. But it has risen now on a scale not seen since the fall of the Soviet Union. Aspiring authoritarians in countries such as Poland, Hungary and the Philippines show little interest in imposing their despotic vision outside their borders. The evangelists of authoritarianism are elsewhere. Venezuela’s Hugo Chavez was the first postSoviet Lothario out of the gate. He strove to impose repressive “Bolivarian socialism” on neighbours, supporting left-wing parties and arming guerrilla groups. The attraction of

Saturday, May 11, 2019

China represents free world’s greatest threat Chavez’s model collapsed with the tragedies Venezuelans suffer. Other hawkers of repression remain dangerous. A new version of Russia’s “great-game” imperialism slithered forth in recent years. President Vladimir Putin threatens his neighbours militarily. He used force against Ukraine and Georgia, and to support Bashar al-Assad’s brutal regime in Syria. Through dirty tech-tricks, Putin attempts to destabilize democracy in dozens of countries. But Putin’s model lacks appeal, undermined by a tiny economy for an aspiring world power (about the size of Canada’s), declining population and horrid demographics. Its influence is largely limited to communities in Russia’s neighbourhood. A more dangerous authoritarian imperialist has emerged in China. It employs its great military, economic, and seductive power to advance repression. Its military, with a budget three-and-a-half times the size of Russia’s, aggressively enforces

China’s claim to virtually all of the South China Sea, threatening economic freedom globally. The world’s most important trade routes pass through the sea. This could foreshadow horrors to come. President Xi Jinping and top officials have ordered the military to “prepare for war” in the South China Sea. The most dangerous flashpoint is Taiwan, which China claims as a renegade province. China openly threatens invasion. Official boasts of military strength and ability to overwhelm Taiwan’s defences quickly and brutally, initiated with missile barrages to kill thousands of civilians, according to China’s military doctrine. China’s ambitions go beyond its neighbourhood. It subverts press freedom internationally by attacking Chinese language media globally, through economic means and by threats against family still in China. For example, China arrested the wife of ChineseAmerican reporter Xiaoping Chen when she passed through an airport in southern China. “But, honestly, I never thought they would kidnap my wife,” Chen lamented. Senior Canadian diplomatic officials tell me security forces frequently investigate threats to Chinese in Canada who question party rule. China’s “road and belt” project is used to extend its economic power, charm dictators, promote the China model, and create debt traps that give China unprecedented influence, including building forward military installations in places like Sri Lanka that threaten the sovereignty of free countries. Chinese companies control 76 ports in 35 countries. The regime employs such ‘companies’ to advance its goals. Even foreign firms, along with all Chinese companies, must establish powerful communist committees that exercise authority in all aspects of activity and report back to authorities. Chinese law requires companies “to support, co-operate with and collaborate in national intelligence work.”

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Saturday, May 11, 2019 From page 1

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BC sisters startup on period products

video content to help entrench the brandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s vision of a safe space for girls to talk about periods. The sisters started selling their organic-cotton tampons and pads in farmersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; markets in Vancouver in 2016, which helped them get to know their customers face-to-face and become familiar with their needs. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Girls feel so alone going through puberty â&#x20AC;Ś but by sharing stories and speaking with different women, our audience is able to find community in that,â&#x20AC;? says Taran Ghatrora, the companyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 27-year-old chief executive, noting that Blumeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s blog has become a focal point for clients to share anecdotes and ask questions.The company evolved into a subscription service called Ellebox, which delivered a box of products to customers in the mail. Last June, the sisters launched Blume with new products and a new business model, and have made more than $1-million in sales under that moniker. Blume still offers tampons and pads by mail-order subscription, but it is focusing more now on expanding one-off sales online and through retail distribution, Taran says. The company has launched several new products, including natural deodorant, blemish

treatment and PMS oil â&#x20AC;&#x201C; an essential-oil blend they say eases bloating, cramps and headaches. The products are available through Blumeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s website, at some Nordstrom and Urban Outfitters locations in the United States, as well as through Anthropologieâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s website. Taran says that before Blume, there wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t much in the menstrualsupplies world aimed at young people. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Personal

care and especially period care is quite stale and outdated, especially in branding and ingredients,â&#x20AC;? she says, adding that Blumeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s demographic wants to know what they are putting into their bodies and into landfills. Chief operating officer Bunny, 24, says the company is focused on sustainability from numerous angles. â&#x20AC;?The pads and tampons are biodegradable, including the wrappers and bio-plastic applicator â&#x20AC;Ś We also believe in full ingredient transparency and donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t include any parabens, sulphates or phthalates in our products.â&#x20AC;? The pads and tampons are made in Italy; the rest of the products are manufactured in Canada and USA.

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Body of Indian student recovered from Thompson river

On Saturday, the RCMP Underwater Recovery Team recovered the studentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s body around 11 a.m. The B.C. Coroners Service has taken over the investigation, although drowning is believed to be the cause of death, police said. No criminal activity is suspected. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s now believed the student was taking pictures near the river when he fell off a steep embankment into the water. â&#x20AC;&#x153;This appears to be nothing less than a truly tragic accident,â&#x20AC;? Kamloops RCMP Staff Sgt. Mat Van Laer said in a statement. b â&#x20AC;&#x153;The public should always be extremely careful around moving water,â&#x20AC;? he added. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The shore line can shift from year to year and the river floor can drop rapidly in some places.â&#x20AC;? Police say they are in contact

with the victimâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s family in India. The studentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s identity has not been disclosed. Darshan Lindsay with Thompson Rivers University said the man was a student was enrolled in the school of business and economics. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s been a very difficult day, day-and-ahalf for our staff and students who would have known this individual,â&#x20AC;? Lindsay said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Our focus now is making sure everyone has the support we need. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not something you expect will ever happen, but when it does we rely on each other to pull through.â&#x20AC;? Lindsay wouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t say how long the student had been enrolled at the university, citing privacy concerns.

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Saturday, May 11, 2019 Money laundering funded $5.3B in real estate purchases From page 1 significant in certain markets, including Metro Vancouver, according to the panel, which was commissioned by the provincial government. Altogether, dirty money in the real estate market accounted for an estimated 72 per cent of the $7.4 billion that the experts believe was laundered in total in B.C. last year. “Our economy should work for regular people, not criminals,” said B.C. Finance Minister Carole James. “Housing should provide shelter, not a vehicle for proceeds of crime.” James said the province will be looking closely at all 29 recommendations put forward by the report, called Combating Money Laundering in B.C. Real Estate. The report estimates that five per cent of B.C. home purchases in 2018 were made for laundering purposes, contributing to about a five per cent rise in home prices. The effect was likely higher in Metro Vancouver. “For me, the most important piece of action is transparency — shining that light, taking away that opportunity to hide,” she said. The panel was chaired by criminal law expert Maureen Maloney. Its report was one of two released Thursday that examine the influence of money laundering in B.C.’s real estate market. Both paint an alarming picture of how criminals are using homes to clean their cash.

Toddler left in hot car in Burnaby dies From page 1 “We understand that there are going to be many questions around this incident, however we would ask that the public understand we are still in the early stages of our investigation, said Burnaby RCMP Chief Superintendent Deanne Burleigh. “We are still interviewing witnesses and are not at a point where any further information can be released.”

Police are warning people not to leave their children or pets in vehicles, especially in the hot weather. Police are also asking that parents are vigilant when transporting their children, double checking the backseat of the vehicle to ensure it is clear before parking and leaving the vehicle. No arrests have been made. Temperatures inland in Metro Vancouver were in the high 20s on Thursday.

From page 1

Christian woman acquitted of blasphemy in Pakistan arrives in Canada

rioted over the case and threatened to kill her. The same radical Islamists, many of whom have been jailed for their threats, also urged the overthrow of the government following Bibi’s acquittal. Wilson Chawdhry of the British Pakistani Christian Association said that he received a message from a British diplomat saying “Asia is out.” A close friend of Asia Bibi also confirmed that she had left the country, speaking on condition of anonymity for fear of reprisal. A statement from the association says it received confirmation around 8 p.m. ET Tuesday that Bibi “had safely exited Pakistan.” “Asia Bibi bravely held on to her faith through the most brutal of incarcerations that involved her having access to sunlight for two hours per month,” the statement says. “Now she finally travels to Canada to be reunited with her children.”

Chowdhry said in the statement released by the association that Bibi is “unwell” after suffering a decade of isolation both in and out of captivity. “She must be treated with utmost care and receive appropriate medical care now she is free,” he said. ‘Canada is a welcoming country,’ says Trudeau on case of Pakistani woman acquitted of blasphemy Officials at Pakistan’s interior and foreign ministries also confirmed her departure, speaking on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to brief media. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau would not discuss the case Wednesday. “I have no comment,” Trudeau said. “Obviously, there are sensitive privacy issues and security issues on this and unfortunately I can’t comment at this time.” Global Affairs Canada said Wednesday it “has no comment on this matter.” Trudeau

said last November that Canada was then in talks with the Pakistani government about Bibi. The friend, who last spoke to her on Tuesday, said Bibi and her husband Ashiq Masih had spent the last several weeks getting their documents in order. He said she was longing to see her daughters, with whom she talked almost daily from her secure location, protected by Pakistani security forces. Chawdhry said he had been in regular contact with Bibi’s husband throughout the ordeal as well as with several diplomats involved in international efforts to get her to safety. The case has brought international attention to Pakistan’s controversial blasphemy law, which carries an automatic death penalty. The mere suspicion of blasphemy against Islam is enough to ignite mob lynchings in the country.

Saturday, May 11, 2019

ounting pressure over record high gas prices has prompted the premier to put forward a solution: asking others to look into it — namely Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and the B.C. Utilities Commission. It comes alongside growing calls from critics and the public for John Horgan to follow through on promises to consider providing relief at the pumps. On Tuesday, he asked the BCUC to investigate B.C.’s “high and wildly fluctuating” gas prices and suggested calling on oil companies to explain their prices. He’s tasked the regulatory body with finding out why refining margins are so much higher in B.C. than anywhere else in Canada, pointing to data that shows the wholesale price of gasoline in Vancouver has shot up in the past two months.

BC govt’s gas price inquiry may not achieve anything ‘Blame John Horgan’ billboard drives political blame game over gas prices The Utilities Commission has responded, agreeing to work on setting out the terms of reference. What’s not yet clear is how long this inquiry might take or what possible actions might come from it, other than finding what Horgan calls a common set of facts. Premier John Horgan has commissioned an independent investigation into B.C.’s record high gas prices. He wants the BCUC to look into refining margins and is suggesting oil companies explain their prices to the public. “We need an independent arbiter to lay out how we got here,” he told reporters Tuesday.

“I’m hopeful that they’ll take action in the short term and that we’ll have more to talk about in the future.” But the premier has essentially taken two options off the table. In his letter to the BCUC, he rules out capping provincial gas taxes. It’s a suggestion Liberal Leader Andrew Wilkinson made last week, prompting criticism. “Provincial taxes are not to blame,” Horgan writes. “Cutting taxes would amount to the public subsidizing oil companies as there is nothing to stop companies from raising prices in response.” He also previously suggested that regulating gas prices isn’t the answer, referencing an internal government report from last year.

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Horgan has also blamed a shortage of oil refineries in B.C. and Alberta for the high price of gasoline. That report looked at provinces that currently regulate gas prices: Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Quebec. Its conclusion: “While the regulation of gasoline prices provides some price stability, research does not show it leads to lower prices for consumers.” The same briefing note also doesn’t align entirely with Horgan’s past suggestions that oil companies may be price fixing. “There is no sign that there are non-competitive or unfair business practices leading to the higher margins,” reads the summary from the Energy Ministry. So what is this independent investigation going to find aside from what the government already knows? ‘Provincial options are limited’ CBC asked to speak with the energy minister to provide further clarification. Instead, the government made Minister of Jobs, Trades and Technology Bruce Ralston available. Ralston said Wednesday he couldn’t anticipate what the independent review would find, only that it may come forward with “a suite of options.” “I’m not going to anticipate what an expert body is going to do, but certainly [the BCUC] is looking into regulatory options and may come forward with a suite of options.” B.C.’s request for injunction against Alberta turn-off-the-taps law delayed 1 month Ralston wouldn’t elaborate on what those options might be. “I think the reality is that provincial options are limited,” he said. “But to the degree that we can within provincial jurisdiction, we’re going to investigate and try to come up with solutions if we can.” But what about the previous Energy Ministry’s memo that found no sign of shady business practices leading to higher margins? That was a year ago, Ralston noted. “The situation is very different this year so we’ll see whether the outcome [of this investigation] will be different — I expect it may very well be different.” Is it simply trying deflect blame, as critics say? Ralston called that a cynical approach. “We’re using the premiere regulatory authority in the province, which has subpoena powers... I presume they’ll use their powers to talk to industry, have industry come forward, make submissions and come up with solutions.” Horgan also spoke by phone with Trudeau this week, imploring the federal government — as owners of the TransMountain Pipeline — to consider pumping more refined fuel to B.C. to help ease supply issues.

Saturday, May 11, 2019

Heat wave sets 15 temperature records; more set to fall Fifteen temperature records were broken in British Columbia on Thursday and several more could fall Friday as a heat wave settles across the province. Environment Canada says a strong ridge of high pressure is responsible for the unseasonable heat. The mercury hit 29.5 C in Squamish, breaking the old record of 26.1 C set 51 years ago, while a 141-year-old record toppled

in Pitt Meadows as the Vancouver suburb reached 28 C, edging the old mark of 27.8 C set in 1878. The weather office predicts the Fraser Canyon community of Lytton will reach 32 C Friday, while a high of 28 C is forecast in the North Coast city of Terrace, and the southeastern B.C. town of Creston is forecast to reach 30 C by Sunday.

New Westminster votes to remove statue of Judge Begbie from courthouse grounds The City of New Westminster has voted to remove a statue of B.C.’s first chief justice, Matthew Begbie, which stands outside the provincial courthouse. Council made the decision Monday evening in a 4-2 vote following a debate centring around the proper way to give context to Begbie’s role overseeing a 1864 trial that resulted in the hanging of five Tsilhqot’in chiefs, and a sixth chief a year later. As a result, the city will “engage in a conversation with the Tsilhqot’in Nation about the history and legacy of Judge Begbie,” and work with the Tsilhqot’in and New Westminster community to “find an appropriate place for the statue.” “Having public statues are not only a reflection of our past, but also a vision of future for our community,” said Coun. Nadine Nakagawa, who put forward the motion. New Westminster to consider removing statue of judge

involved in First Nations hangings “What messages are we sending to Indigenous members of our community?”The statue is currently in Begbie Square, outside the provincial courthouse on Carnarvon Street. The motion was opposed by Coun. Patrick Johnstone, who said that while he supports removing the statue, it should take place after the public has an opportunity to give more feedback. “There’s a lot of things that people in this city see through different lenses … and I hope we can address them in a way that heals,” he said. But the majority of council believed it was important to act immediately, particularly given that the Tsilhqot’in had already made their request known. “I’m not sure what kind of other engagement we would need. We’ve been told what they want,” said Coun.

Court rejects class action against Loto-Quebec by ticket buyer who said odds of winning were too slim Quebec’s Court of Appeal has ruled that a woman who claimed Loto-Quebec misled her on her chances of winning a jackpot cannot launch a class action against the provincial Crown corporation. The decision announced today upholds a previous Quebec Superior Court judgment that also rejected the request. Quebec’s Court of Appeal has ruled that Martha Karras, who claimed Loto-Quebec misled her on her chances of winning a jackpot, cannot launch a class action against the provincial Crown corporation. The lead plaintiff, Martha Karras, said she had been buying 6/49 lottery tickets for 20 years, and Lotto Max tickets since 2012. She claimed Loto-Quebec never informed her of the real chances of winning, either on

its tickets, promotional materials or website. She said wouldn’t have bought the tickets had she known the odds were so slim. Karras sought to file a class action on behalf of anyone who has bought a lottery ticket in Quebec since July 2013, asking that Loto-Quebec be forced to pay back the profits it generated, as well as $150 million in punitive damages. Superior Court Justice Pierre Nollet originally rejected the request on the grounds that it had no chance of success because the allegations were too vague or were contradicted by evidence — including the fact the odds were printed on the back of tickets and in promotional material produced for the court.

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BC drivers facing sky-high gas prices are not only filling their tanks stateside, but also filling containers to bring back with them, although one expert said the practice is potentially dangerous because gas is so flammable. Motorists tired of paying almost $1.70 a litre are flocking to the US border to pay as little as $1.13 Cdn a litre at Costco. That works out to more than $25 in savings on a 50-litre fill. One gas station employee said on Wednesday about half the Canadians who come for a top-up also fill extra containers to take home. There is nothing illegal about the practice because individuals are allowed to transport up to six jerrycans under an exemption in Transport Canada’s transportation of dangerous goods regulations. “It is important that drivers are aware that gasoline is dangerous and needs to be transported safely,” Frederica Dupuis, a spokeswoman for Transport Canada, said

Saturday, May 11, 2019

BC drivers filling up jerry cans in the US, despite safety risks in an email. Individuals transporting up to 150 kg (about six jerrycans) of gasoline are exempted “as long as these containers

are designed, constructed, filled, closed, secured and maintained so that under normal conditions of transport, including handling, there will be no accidental release of the dangerous good that could endanger public safety,” she said. But a fuel

expert who wrote the B.C. Fuel Guidelines said the high flammability of gas makes it dangerous to transport, no matter how it’s done. “Let’s put it this way: I would never do it. Never. No way. Not gasoline,” said Ray Hollenberg, owner of Northwest Response in Smithers. He wrote the guidelines for the ministry of forests, lands and natural resource operations. They provide guidance for workers at remote construction and industrial operations, according to the online guidelines. Hollenberg says because of the high flashpoint of gas — the minimum temperature (minus-40 degrees Celsius) at which vapours can ignite when exposed to an ignition source — he considers it dangerous to transport gas in a vehicle. Included in those guidelines is the legal requirement for industrial and commercial sites that small containers

“must be secured to prevent damage to containers and accidental release of product.” “These jerrycans are designed to be transported,” said Hollenberg. But he said it is important they be tied down properly, using ratchet straps and not bungee cords. The U.S. Portable Fuel Containers Manufacturers Association says on its website that such containers are used 20 billion times a year in the U.S. and are “entirely safe.” And those odds are good for Canadians who would rather travel to another country than pay North America’s highest pump prices in the Vancouver area. During a trip this week to gas stations in Blaine, Wash., Postmedia witnessed several motorists with B.C. licence plates filling up 20-litre orange jerrycans. Maninder Padda, a student from Surrey, had filled up the tank of his mother’s car and one 20-litre jerrycan in his trunk for his father.

Housing starts beat expectations, jumping 20%; condos, apartments up 30% The pace of housing starts in Canada picked up in April as they rose more than 20 per cent compared with March, fuelled by the start of work on new multi-unit projects such as condominiums, apartments and townhouses. Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp. said Wednesday the seasonally adjusted annual rate of housing starts increased to 235,460 units in April, up 22.6 per cent from 191,981 in March. Economists had expected an annual pace of 196,400, according to Thomson Reuters Eikon. Priscilla Thiagamoorthy, economic analyst at BMO Capital Markets, said builders

won’t be packing away the hammers any time soon. “Although the Canadian housing market slowed at the start of the year, the latest data suggest the downward momentum has stabilized and could even be picking up again,” Thiagamoorthy wrote in a report. “Underlying demand remains healthy amid solid demographic trends and a strong labour market.” The overall increase in the pace of housing starts comes as the annual pace of urban multiple-unit projects such as condominiums, apartments and townhouses increased 29.6 per cent to 175,732 in April.

Saturday, May 11, 2019

Khalsa Business Centre

128th Street, 84th Ave., Surrey, BC

LOCAL / NATIONAL

Saturday, May 11, 2019

No threat found after all five Kwantlen campuses evacuated Police found no threat to safety following extensive searches of all five Kwantlen Poytechnic University campuses on Wednesday. The five campuses in Metro Vancouver were shut down early Wednesday after RCMP received an “unsubstantiated” threat, which came in shortly after 9 a.m. RCMP spokeswoman Cpl. Elenore Sturko said no individual was singled out in the threat, nor was a specific campus. All five campuses were evacuated out of an abundance of caution, said Sturko. At 11:25 a.m. the school sent an email to all students and staff to alert them to the evacuation. “Surrey RCMP have alerted us to an unsubstantiated threat against KPU, specific to today,” the school said, in the email. “The threat is not specific to any one campus. Therefore, out of an abundance of caution and with the highest regard for the safety and security of our students and

employees, KPU is evacuating all buildings immediately and closing all five of its campuses for the remainder of the day.” Kwantlen Polytechnic University has evacuated all campuses in Metro Vancouver after a threat Postmedia There are three campuses in Surrey, and one each in Richmond and Langley. Around 4 p.m., Surrey RCMP issued a statement to confirm extensive searches had been conducted at all five campuses and that police were “confident” there was no threat to safety. The threat comes a month after Langara College was evacuated. In that case, a 23-year-old man was arrested after police determined that a person had entered the college with incendiary devices, lighting “one or more fires” before leaving. Nasradin Abdusamad Ali is charged with arson, robbery and assault.

BC says tax loophole fix for luxury car exporters needed ‘urgently’ BC government expects to take action quickly to fix a loophole that allows greymarket exporters of luxury cars in BC to claim provincial sales tax exemptions. A new money-laundering report from former deputy RCMP commissioner Peter German, released Tuesday, revealed the grey market of export of vehicles in B.C. is a significant and rapidly growing problem. The number of grey-market vehicles exported to China since 2013 has grown from less than 100 before 2013 to more than 4,400 in 2018. The provincial sales tax refund program is governed by regulations that don’t require a change of law through the legislature, so can be fixed relatively easily, says B.C. Attorney-General David Eby. “The Ministry of Finance is having a look at the program right now. There are legal

questions about our obligation in relation to exports and PST we need to resolve,” said Eby. The refund of PST on luxury cars exports since 2013 has totalled $85 million. In 2016-17, PST refunds totalling $55 million were made on 7,980 vehicles, with a total purchase value of $555 million, noted the German report. Eby said changes are needed to ensure that organized crime is not benefiting from a tax refund system. “That is something we need to fix quite urgently,” he said. The latest B.C. government-commissioned report on money laundering — German produced a report on casinos last summer — found that money laundering was taking place in the luxury car sector, sometimes with bags of cash. The report explained that grey-market transactions take place when luxury cars are purchased and then resold for export.

Dirty cash probe finds booming Vancouver-China luxury car trade Grocery bags full of cash hauled into car dealerships. Gangsters paying for auto leases with proceeds of crime. A thriving grey market in which Chinese buyers pay people to purchase cars in Vancouver and claim millions of dollars in sales tax refunds. Those are some of the scenes uncovered by the provincial government’s latest probe into dirty money in the Vancouver area, a city already under scrutiny for the role its casinos played over years as “laundromats”

and the torrent of foreign cash that fueled Canada’s most expensive real estate market. “This report is disturbing confirmation that money laundering in British Columbia is a problem that goes beyond our casinos,” British Columbia Attorney General David Eby said Tuesday of the latest findings from a report by independent investigator Peter German. Vancouver’s preponderance of supercars has long raised eyebrows. Its University of British Columbia has been called the

University of Beautiful Cars for its studentowned fleet of Lamborghinis, Aston Martins and Porsches. At one point, the city of 2.4 million had one of the world’s top-performing Rolls-Royce dealerships. As one dealer quoted by the report puts it, “we are selling way too many luxury and premium cars for this economy, for what people earn here.” The probe’s biggest surprise finding was a booming trade in luxury vehicle exports driven by an arbitrage between the price of high-end cars in Canada versus China. The government

described that grey market as “ideal” for facilitating trade-based money laundering. In the scheme, buyers overseas use a local nominee to purchase a vehicle for immediate export -- a lucrative trade because a luxury car can cost double in China what it does in North America after a markup by manufacturers and taxes. To sweeten the deal, the so-called straw buyer can then claim a sales tax refund because the vehicle was exported. This can amount to as much as 20 percent of the purchase price on the most expensive car.

LOCAL

Saturday, May 11, 2019

Industrial land squeeze pushes Metro Vancouver to North America’s lowest vacancy rate For Metro Vancouver, winning the race to the lowest industrial-land vacancy rate in North America isn’t an enviable accolade, instead it’s pushing the region closer to crisis mode. Metro has surpassed Toronto, with an industrial vacancy rate of 1.2 per cent versus 1.5 per cent, according to a new report from Avison Young, which pushes up land values and lease rates in addition to making it incredibly difficult for businesses that want to land here or expand. “It’s not good for local business, that’s for sure,” said Russ Bougie, an Avison Young principal in its industrial department. “It does not help support growth.” Inside Vancouver itself, the soaring industrial property values that come with shrinking vacancies are creating an affordability crisis for businesses, said Pietra

Basilij, manager of industrial initiatives for the Vancouver Economic Commission (VEC). “It’s the last two or three years that we’ve really seen that big shift,” Basilij said, where industrial property values have shot up 50 per cent per year on average, particularly in central districts such as Mount Pleasant and the False Creek Flats. And with many businesses there in the middle of three- or five-year leases, Basilij said the VEC is still bracing for the full impact of soaring land values, lease rates and corresponding taxes. Commercial realtor CBRE Group Inc. reported last August that Vancouver lease rates were up 29 per cent, year-over-year, compared with a three-per-cent increase globally. Tight industrial vacancy has been the story in Metro for more than a decade.

Toddler attacked by coyote in White Rock The victim, a three-year-old girl, sustained only superficial injuries after being bitten in the back of the leg by the canine in the parking lot area of Centennial Park, near the recently opened Generations Playground. Conservation officers have located and destroyed a coyote, such as this one, that attacked a toddler in White Rock on Monday night. The child was examined by health-care professionals and released to her family the same day.

The park is connected to Duprez Ravine, a forested area that is home to several coyotes, though they generally shy away from people. This coyote didn’t, however. After the attack, it was found and killed by the B.C. Conservation Service later that evening. Conservation officers say the area remains safe to enjoy, but caution that children should be kept close, dogs should be leashed and hikers should travel in groups.

Naked South Asianman detained after climbing on car in North Delta Delta’s police chief is applauding his officers’ composure as they responded to calls of a naked man on Scott Road on Tuesday. According to press release, the Delta Police Department received numerous calls just before 7 p.m. on May 7 about a naked man “walking and spinning” down the middle of Scott Road near 90th Avenue. Bystanders told police the man then proceeded to climb onto a vehicle occupied by a family with two children and jump on it. The man also entered the vehicle but was removed by a member of the public. When police arrived the man was again walking down the middle of Scott Road. Recognizing that the man appeared to be scared and worried, police spoke with him in a calm voice and asked him to sit on the centre

median. Officers were able to place the man in handcuffs with no use of force, and apprehend him under the Mental Health Act. The man was then taken to hospital. “Our officers receive extensive critical incident and mental health intervention training to de-escalate people who may be experiencing a crisis in their lives, whether that is related to mental health or other factors,” DPD Chief Neil Dubord said in press release. “This situation was a bit different as it occurred in a very public manner, but this peaceful resolution is reflective of the type of work our officers do regularly.” No members of the public were injured during the incident. Police checked in with the family who were sitting in the car when the man jumped on it and they were doing well, though their vehicle sustained some minor damage.

Two arrested, gun seized in Surrey after suspects flee from police, get stuck Surrey RCMP say they arrested two men who fled from police and crashed into a gate earlier this week. Police say officers saw two suspicious vehicles at a complex near 138 Street and 100 Avenue around 1:00 a.m. PT on May 6. When officers approached, both drivers took off in their vehicles. The driver of a Honda Accord tried to get through the gate of the complex and got stuck, while a Chevy Colorado pickup collided with a police car and then sped away. Police later found it abandoned. RCMP officers can transfer pensions if they join Surrey police force, mayor says

Data analysis aids drug and weapon seizures in Surrey and Abbotsford, police say Two men in the Honda were arrested at the scene but a third person hasn’t been found yet. Police seized a semi-automatic pistol, a hunting knife and latex gloves from the Honda. Mounties say 30-yearold Ryan Molner of Surrey is facing 10 charges, including dangerous driving and unlawful possession of a firearm. A second man is being held on unrelated warrants. Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call police or Crimestoppers.

Svend Robinson hammers NDP on climate change after Green byelection win Svend Robinson is making good on a promise to push his own party to make climate change a key election issue, despite running the risk of causing friction with his colleagues. Robinson, the federal NDP candidate for Burnaby NorthSeymour, slammed his party in a tweet Wednesday after its loss Monday to the Green party in the Nanaimo-Ladysmith byelection. “Nanaimo byelection is wake-up call to federal NDP,” Robinson wrote. “Apology owed to @paulmanly for shameful treatment in 2015. And we must as party take clear stand opposing fracking and all new oil-and-gas infrastructure including LNG, and Site C, champion UNDRIP + Pact for Green New Deal.”

The Green party’s Paul Manly won with 37.3 per cent of the vote, followed by the Conservatives with 24.8 per cent and the NDP with 23.1 per cent. The Liberals trailed with 11 per cent. Robinson said Wednesday that the main message he wanted to drive home with his tweet was that his party needs to make climate change a priority in its election platform. “Specifically, on the LNG issue,” Robinson said. “That was a flashpoint when I was on the doorsteps in NanaimoLadysmith with Bob (Chamberlin, the NDP candidate). We did a town-hall meeting on Gabriola Island, it was obviously a concern.”

LOCAL

Saturday, May 11, 2019

Red light cameras to begin ticketing speeders in BC Red light cameras are no longer only watching for impatient drivers looking to shave a few seconds off their commute. Starting this summer, the B.C. government plans to activate automated speed enforcement on the cameras at certain intersections around the province. The B.C. NDP studied the speed and crash data from 140 intersections currently equipped with red light cameras. Over a four year period, the data showed an average of 10,500 vehicles per year driving at least 30 km/h over the speed limit. Despite unpopularity, bringing photo radar back to B.C. a good idea, expert says Out of all the equipped intersections, officials identified the top 35 most likely to benefit from the automated system. In a written statement, Solicitor General

Mike Farnworth said the measures are meant to change “the behaviours of those who cause carnage on B.C. roads.” “We have a record number of crashes happening — more than 900 a day in our province — and about 60 per cent of the crashes on our roads are at intersections,” Farnworth said. How average speed cameras could make B.C.’s roads safer Farnworth said the government and the police both plan to keep the speed threshold that triggers the cameras a secret to discourage high speeds. So is it photo radar? When the B.C. NDP first came to power, CBC asked Attorney General David Eby whether his government would ever bring back photo radar — it was scrapped by the B.C. Liberals in 2001.

Surrey mayor again denies councillor’s attempt to shed public light on police transition plan Councillor Steven Pettigrew’s campaign to invite public scrutiny of the city’s plan to transition from the Surrey RCMP to its own police force has once again been stymied by the mayor. Pettigrew has tried it before, with Mayor Doug McCallum ruling his motion out of order, saying it should instead be dealt with at a public safety committee meeting. Pettigrew took him up on that Monday, when it was again shot down. “I’m trying to have public consultation in the transition process. It’s not going too far. My motion was denied again,” a frustrated Pettigrew told the Now-Leader, following Monday’s public safety committee. “Everything has gone to closed now, so now I can’t talk about it and it’s very frustrating because too much

happening behind closed doors. “I totally don’t agree with it,” Pettigrew said. “Some things, yes, have to be there, but many things don’t. I don’t believe this one needed to be – this is something that should be out in the open and councillors should be putting themselves on the line for this, where they stand and what they think, not hiding in the shadows.” “That’s the problem with this whole transitional process – I know pretty much nothing. Many of the times I find out my information by reading the newspaper.” Pettigrew has been fighting for public consultation before the report is released to the province, not after. His motion called on the public safety committee to direct city staff to develop and implement a city wide public consultation process

Education, enforcement aimed at BC landlord, tenant infractions A new compliance unit for B.C.’s Residential Tenancy Branch puts teeth into enforcement for landlords or tenants who repeatedly violate B.C.’s laws, Housing Minister Selina Robinson says. Education about things like scheduling landlord visits and allowing for renovations can solve many of the issues, Robinson said Wednesday. The enforcement unit adds a second stage to ensure compliance that includes fines of up to $5,000 per day for landlords who won’t comply with repair orders or other major changes. Scott McGregor heads the new landlord-tenant enforcement office “We have all heard too many stories about broken relationships – renters living in substandard housing because they were too scared to complain in a highly competitive rental market, landlords being left with thousands of dollars worth of damage when renters move out,” Robinson said. “These broken relationships are symptoms of the same problem, a rental housing market that

isn’t working for landlords or for renters.” Robinson introduced the head of the Residential Tenancy Branch compliance and enforcement unit, Scott McGregor, who explained that his office is a second line of defence if branch hearings and orders do not make someone comply. He gave the example of a Surrey landlord who had been subject to five hearings determining he had to make repairs to a tenant’s suite. “Orders as a result of those hearings had actually resulted in a rent reduction down to zero, so the renter was no longer paying rent, but the repairs were still not being made,” McGregor said. “The landlord did not do that. Therefore we levied the fine against the landlord.” Robinson said additional staff at the branch have reduced the wait time for callers getting through with their concerns about a landlord or tenants. A public information program is coming out to help people

Mexicans arrested at Peace Arch border after hiding under garbage bags on train The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) in Blaine arrested three Mexican citizens who were found hiding under garbage bags in a southbound commercial freight train on Sunday. CBP issued a news release Tuesday saying that a routine inspection revealed the trio “hiding under garbage bags at the end of a grain hopper railcar.” “CBP officers, with assistance from Border Patrol agents apprehended the three individuals who had

illegally entered the United States without inspection,” the release notes. The release states that all three men, who range in age from 24 to 33, were processed by CBP officers “for removal from the United States and transported to the Northwest Detention Center in Tacoma.” “This arrest is an excellent example of our officers’ vigilance and an outstanding example of teamwork with the Border Patrol to secure our border,” CBP area port director Kenneth Williams said in a news release.

Information from former Conservative cabinet ministers helped put an end to Norman case The Crown’s case against Vice-Admiral Mark Norman unexpectedly began to collapse in March partly under the weight of information from several former Conservative cabinet ministers and staffers, CBC News has learned. They were key players in the previous government’s $668 million deal to have the Davie Shipyard, in Levis, Que., convert and lease a supply ship to the navy, say multiple sources, some of whom were interviewed by a lawyer representing the former vice-chief of the defence staff. These individuals were never questioned by the RCMP or the Crown in the run-up to a breach of trust charge being laid against Norman a year ago. The former commander of the navy was accused of leaking cabinet secrets on 12 separate occasions, almost all of them involving the period of time prior to the last election. What became clear — throughout the process — was that Norman was working in close cooperation with staff in former prime minister Stephen Harper’s office in order to make the deal happen. “There was a political will to get this done,” said one former Conservative staffer, speaking on condition of anonymity, who was intimately familiar with the project at the outset. Andrew Leslie set to testify for the defence in Mark Norman’s breach of trust trial As the case against Norman developed, many members of the former government expected the Mounties to come knocking. But they never did, said the staffer.

LOCAL

Saturday, May 11, 2019

Public will get a say after all in creation of new Surrey police force â&#x20AC;&#x201C; after plan is sent to province The mayor of Surrey, B.C., who has general manager of the policing transition been accused of secrecy in planning to team, Terry Waterhouse, a former replace the RCMP with a new municipal Vancouver Police Department constable and force, now says he is open to public member of the criminology faculty at the input to tweak the transition plan. University of the Fraser Valley. He was also Doug McCallum says he is sticking to his policy to not release details of the plan before it goes to the province for consideration, but on Tuesday he announced a public consultation process during his first annual speech on the state of the city, British Columbiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Mayor Doug McCallum stands in front of new Surrey police car second largest. And he said that process could lead to changes. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We always will general public safety manager for Surrey. listen to the public if they have got some ideas The provincial government will have to as far as what they want to see our police do.â&#x20AC;? approve the plan to replace the Mounties â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Critics, including some councillors on one of Mr. McCallumâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s key commitments the mayorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Safe Surrey Coalition slate, have in last fallâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s municipal election campaign. expressed concerns about Mr. McCallumâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s The RCMP have policed Surrey since position that the report on replacing the 1950s, but the mayor has argued that a the RCMP not be released to the public municipal force would be more accountable before it goes to the Solicitor-General. to residents and lead to better policing. The report is being prepared by the In his speech, Mr. McCallum said the plan

will soon be submitted to the province and that he will then be eager to hear from the public. â&#x20AC;&#x153;In the coming weeks, we will be asking our residents to tell us which priorities they want to see for their new city police and help guide it into the future,â&#x20AC;? he told an audience of about 130 people. The mayor, who said he has yet

to see the document, said itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s up to the province to release the report. In a statement, B.C. Public Safety Minister Mike Farnworth declined comment on that issue. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Surrey is following a process, and weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll let that process take place. I look forward to seeing Surreyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s plan when we receive it.

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Surrey wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t reveal highrise that fails to meet building code standards Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a residential tower in Surrey designed by an engineer who has since resigned his licence after an investigation by Engineers and Geoscientists British Columbia revealed his structural design of the building failed to meet building code standards. But the City of Surrey wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t reveal which tower it is, citing privacy concerns. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Due to confidentiality reasons, the City

is not in a position to release the address,â&#x20AC;? RĂŠmi DubĂŠ, manager of the building division in Surreyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s planning and development department, said in a city-issued statement. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The City relies on letters of assurance provided by the professionals who designed the building, such as architects and engineers, which confirm the building had been designed and constructed according to the BC Building Code,â&#x20AC;? DubĂŠ states.

Canadaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;rigidâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; asylum system unable to respond to spikes in refugee claims, auditor general finds Canadaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s asylum system is unable to cope with surges in the number of claimants, resulting in a backlog of more than 71,000 refugee claims, Canadaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s auditor general concluded in a new report released Tuesday. Asylum seekers are currently waiting an average of two years for a decision on their refugee claims, interim auditor general Sylvain Ricard found in the report, and that could increase to five years by 2024 if the number of new claimants remains steady at about 50,000 per year. The report points to inadequate funding and poor sharing of information between the three agencies that oversee the asylum system as reasons for the backlog. â&#x20AC;&#x153;People seeking asylum in Canada wait about two years for decisions from a rigid system that canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t adjust to volume spikes,â&#x20AC;? the report claims. Speaking to reporters in Ottawa, Immigration Minister Ahmed Hussen said the audit, which covered the period from January 2015 to June 2018, is a â&#x20AC;&#x153;snapshot in time,â&#x20AC;? and that the government has made improvements to the asylum system since then. He also blamed the former Conservative government for underfunding the refugee system and leaving the Liberals to play catch-up. â&#x20AC;&#x153;If you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have a system that is funded for the volume it receives, youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re setting it up for failure,â&#x20AC;? he said. The audit comes in response to a surge in the number of asylum claimants arriving in Canada in the last two years, in large part due to an influx of would-be refugees

crossing the border illegally from the United States since the 2016 election of U.S. President Donald Trump. In 2017 and 2018, about 40,000 asylum seekers arrived in Canada

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Saturday, May 11, 2019

Students & teachers from Lynden High School, Washington visit Gurdwara Nanak Niwas, Richmond India Cultural Centre of Canada Gurdwara Nanak Niwas, 8600 #5 Road Richmond is a favourite place of worship for students and adults alike to visit and learn about intercultural harmony, Sikhism and the South Asian community. Every week at least two or three groups visit the Gurdwara for this purpose. On Tuesday, April 30, about 20 students and their teachers from Lynden Christian High School, in Washington State visited the Gurdwara. This visit was part of their studies on World religions. These learners were keen to learn about various religions. Richmond’s Highway to Heaven is an excellent place to do this. As part of their visit they had planned to visit various other places of worship in addition to the Gurdwara. The group enjoyed a talk on Sikhism and the South Asian community. hy It goes without saying that developing an awareness of various ways of understanding our world is a critical part

of a healthy education. Before departing, the students and their teachers enjoyed a delicious langar. The students and their teachers were very thankful to the Gurdwara Management Committee for a very warm welcome. They also thanked President Balbir Singh Jawanda and Secretary Balwant Singh Sanghera for their hospitality. Then, on Thursday, May 3, a group of 75 grade 7 students and their teachers from West Vancouver’s Mulgrave School, an independent

Federal carbon tax is constitutional Saskatchewan Court of Appeal A split Saskatchewan Court of Appeal ruled the federal government does have the constitutional power to implement a carbon tax in provinces that don’t meet Ottawa’s minimum price. Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe said the province will appeal a decision to the Supreme Court of Canada. In a 3-2 decision, the court said the carbon tax falls within the legislative authority of Parliament. Chief Justice Robert Richards wrote in the 155-page decision that establishing minimum national standards for a price on greenhouse gas emissions falls under federal jurisdiction. He wrote Ottawa has the power to impose its carbon tax under a section of the Constitution that states Parliament can pass laws in the name of peace, order and good government. Two of the five Appeal Court justices differed in their opinion and ruled the federal government’s actions are not a

valid use of that section of the Constitution. “Though I am disappointed by today’s ruling, our fight will continue on behalf of Saskatchewan people – who oppose the ineffective, job-killing Trudeau carbon tax,” he said on Twitter. “It was a 3-2 split decision and we look to appeal to the Supreme Court of Canada.” F e d e r a l Environment Minister Catherine McKenna called the decision a win for Canadians. “It confirms that putting a price on carbon pollution and returning the revenues to Canadians through the Climate Action Incentive rebate is not only constitutional, it is an effective and essential part of any serious response to the global challenge of climate change,” McKenna said in a statement. “The court also recognized, as do most Canadians, that climate change is man-made and one of the great existential issues of our time.”

IB World School, decided to visit a few places of worship along Richmond’s Highway to Heaven. Their visit included Fujian Evangelical Free Church, Thrangue Tibetan Monastery, Subramaniya Swamy Temple, Ling Yen Mountain Buddhist Temple, Trinity Pacific Church and India Cultural Centre of Canada Gurdwara Nanak Niwas.In his request to visit these various places of worship, MYP Individuals and Societies Curriculum Coordinator and Teacher Drew Vodrey wrote:

“ .. I am interested in getting our students out of the classroom, off campus, and into visiting places of worship for many faiths. As such, Richmond’s Highway to Heaven seems like the obvious choice.” From the student and teacher comments after the visit it was obvious that this visit was extremely beneficial for them. Visits like these go a long way in promoting inter-cultural and inter-religious harmony in our communities. Balwant Sanghera

Group birthday celebrations at Vedic Seniors Parivar center in Surrey

Vedic Seniors Parivar Center in Surrey had a wonderful group birthday celebrations of 19 senior members on May 4th, 2019, entertained by well known musician Tejaswita Mohan, Raj Toora, Swaran Dhaliwal with melodious old Hindi songs.

BC legislation to phase out gas vehicles by 2040 When Travis McKeown considered getting rid of his 2007 Honda Civic recently, the high price of gas and the abundance of government rebates made the idea of switching to an electric vehicle too good to pass up. The 32-year-old IT worker did the math on his daily commute from Surrey to Richmond,

the travel range needed for his wife and two young children, the cost of premium gas for his Civic SI, the fact he’d get an HOV sticker for the George Massey Tunnel, the lower maintenance fees and the almost $16,000 in rebates currently available from the provincial, federal and SCRAP-IT programs. In the end, McKeown bought a fully loaded $60,000 Chevrolet Bolt electric, and cut the price down to $44,000 with incentives. He took possession of his high-tech new ride Sunday, and is pleased at how it all worked out. “If the rebates weren’t there, it wouldn’t make sense,” he said of his purchase. Even then, McKeown is now facing hassles and more than $4,000 to get a charger installed in his strata townhome due to electrical upgrades. Travis McKeown with his new, Blue Chevy Bolt in Richmond on May 6 as range-anxiety, a lack of charging stations, the high cost of battery replacements, rural preference for heavy vehicles and more are concerns during debate of a government bill to ban gas vehicles by 2040 and mandate electric-only vehicles. The B.C. government is counting on motorists like McKeown to sort out the details and make the switch from gas to electric vehicles as part of its aggressive target to require all new car, SUV and lightduty trucks sales be zero-emission by 2040. The idea to phase out gas vehicles as part of the NDP’s Clean B.C. climate-changepollution reduction goal is attracting both criticism and praise as the legislation winds its way through debate at the legislature.

Priyanka goes mushy at MET Gala The MET gala has been special to Priyanka Chopra Jonas and Nick Jonas. The couple walked the event’s 2017 red carpet together for the first time, and this year, they appeared there as a married couple

speculation that perhaps a romance was brewing between the two. Almost a year later, the pair was engaged in July 2018 after two months of dating. They tied the

and kissed away on the red carpet. In 2017, Priyanka and Nick weren’t an official couple when they posed together on the red carpet, but the photographs sparked

knot in December last year with an extravagant wedding celebration that spanned three days in India. Nick, 26, and Priyanka, 36, attended their first Met Gala here as a married couple on Monday night. When a host at the event wished them ‘happy anniversary,’

the couple took note of the occasion and kissed. For the event with the theme ‘Camp: Notes on Fashion,’ Priyanka brought whimsy and animation to the pink carpet with a vibrant, yet unique custommade Dior gown. She went bold and played up the theme with a zany look in a silver gown with colorful ruffled feathers, a very high leg split, a matching cape along with her big hairstyle that included a crown on top. Her outfit comprised a sheer top which came with silver criss-cross detailing. Thanks to her high slit, Priyanka flaunted her sheer crystal tights. She glammed up her dramatic look with silverfrosted brows and lashes and opting for dark burgundy lip color, and styling her hair in voluminous back-combed waves. But it was her spiked silver crown which caught everyone’s attention in the accessory department.

Saturday, May 11, 2019

Kangana Ranaut to play Jayalalithaa in ‘Thalavi’

604-566-3111

7233 - Fraser St., Vancouver, BC

angana Ranaut, last seen on screen in “Manikarnika,” will be playing late Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa in the upcoming multilingual biopic “Thalaivi,” its makers have announced. On the occasion of Kangana Ranaut’s birthday on March 23, it was announced through an official statement that she has been roped in to play Jayalalithaa. The film, announced on the occasion of 71st birthday anniversary of Jayalalithaa in February, will be directed by Vijay. To be produced by Vishnu Induri, “Thalaivi” will start rolling from April. “When producer Vishnu Induri approached me with an offer to direct this biopic, I felt a sense of responsibility more than excitement. This was a story of an achiever; a story of one woman who fought for her place in a maledominated world. It was meant to be told with honesty. The stature of this tall leader and her courage inspired me to say yes as soon as I was offered this opportunity,” Vijay told IANS. The film has music by GV Prakash Kumar while Nirav Shah will crank the camera. “Bahubali” and “Bajrangi

Bhaijaan” writer has been brought on board to supervise the writing process. “It took us around nine months of research and over 20 drafts to finally lock the script. We are delighted to have Vijayendra Prasad sir helping us through the process of writing. His contribution will be of great value. This will be a very honest biopic of our beloved

leader,” he said. Interestingly, another Jayalalithaa biopic titled “The Iron Lady” is currently in the offing. This project is gearing up for a 2020 release. Nithya Menen plays Jayalalithaa in “The Iron Lady,” being directed by A. Priyadarshini. The film will be released in Tamil, Telugu and Hindi. Vijay said “Thalaivi” will be the official biopic on the life of Jayalalithaa. He revealed that they have also taken permission from the late leader’s nephew, Deepak. “I thank Deepak sir for granting us the official status. We are in the process of finalizing the rest of cast and crew. We start shooting from April,” he added.

Saturday, May 11, 2019

â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Chaiyya Chaiyyaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; The video was filmed on top of train (the Nilgiri Mountain Railway) in Tamil Nadu, southern India, while Shahrukh Khan dances with Malaika Arora and others. The film was directed by Mani Ratnam and recorded by Santosh Sivan. Choreography was completed in four and half days by Farah Khan. No major back projections or postproduction special effects were used in the music video. Malaika Arora, one of the performers, recalls: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Would you believe it? Well, the â&#x20AC;&#x153;Chaiya Chaiyaâ&#x20AC;? song was shot exactly as you see it on the screen: No camera tricks, no back projection, no postproduction special effects!â&#x20AC;?[6] She also said that â&#x20AC;&#x153;...One of the unit members tripped and hurt himself. Other than that, things were safe.â&#x20AC;? The song was featured in the opening of the second act of the musical Bombay

Dreams, in which the train sequence from Dil Se.. is recreated on stage. Remixes of the song were used in the opening and closing credits of the 2006 film Inside Man. The opening

HOROSCOPE Aries

March 21 - April 20 Your thinking could become more practical and down to earth as expressive Mercury moves into Taurus on Monday. Because it will be in your

to come up with innovative ideas to increase your income and get your accounts organized.

authority could pose one or two problems if you canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t see eye to eye with them.

Taurus

April 21 - May 20

credits, set over shots of the robbery crew driving into Manhattan, feature an abridged version of the original with additional trumpet accompaniment, and the closing credits feature a hip-hop-inflected remix.

Bollywood

You might be ready to implement changes now that innovative Uranus is moving farther into your sign. And with lively Mercury entering Taurus on Monday and later linking

further and begin to make those plans a reality one step at a time.

particularly if they involve a relationship or promising opportunity.

Gemini

May 20 - June 21 With empowering Mars continuing to

! "

course of action. This isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t the time to make # $ ! !

because events over the coming days could change your outlook. Congenial Mercury moves into Taurus and your spiritual sector on Monday

Cancer

June 22 - July 23

With sobering Saturn opposing your !

how a certain relationship is draining you. Taskmaster Saturn can bring many tests in whatever area itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s moving through. In your

relationships and is currently retrograde. You might have an epiphany this week and gain some insight into why you feel edgy around a certain person and what you can do about it.

Leo

June 24 - August 23

begin to question activities youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve taken for granted. Are they really worth continuing? If something youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re doing is bringing you no !

# &

your attention on those things that feed your energy and make you feel upbeat could pay big dividends.

Virgo As feisty Mars continues its journey through

might be focused on getting ahead with your goals and plans. This is the time to make the most of ! # & '

( !

) ' ! ! !

travel plans on the spur of the moment. The planet of talk and thought aligns with spontaneous ! !

not think twice about grabbing it.

Libra

Sept. 24 - Oct 22 If a family situation has been rumbling on !

bit of a drain on your energy and resources. With both prudent Saturn and potent Pluto rewinding in your domestic sector and !

you to get such matters sorted out sooner rather than later. '

into a more emotional zone thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s linked with change.

Scorpio

Oct 23 - Nov 22 Relationships are emphasized as logical Mercury moves into Taurus on Monday. The coming days could coincide with an electric encounter that youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll want to pursue further. You might be attracted by this personâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s unusual life ! # $

friendship could turn into something you cherish. ! !

! "

you see every day when an edgy blend of aspects puts such relationships to the test.

Sagitarius Nov 23 - Dec 22

Lifestyle and wellness matters can '

into this zone on Monday. You might be drawn to read about ideas that can help you make the most of your time or that encourage you to streamline your life in ways that make everything much easier for you. As chatty Mercury merges with energizing ! !

help you resolve a niggling issue or that provide creative answers that add sparkle to a work project.

Capricorn Dec 23 - Jan 20

your vitality increases the more you focus on # $ ! !

+ # However as thoughtful Mercury moves ' !

beautiful places

Aquarius

Jan 21 - Feb 19 The sun in your home zone could ! *

when appropriate and make sure to eat the right foods and get enough sleep. , - '

into your domestic sector on Monday and !

prepared for a few surprises. People could call - ! !

as youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d like.

Pisces

Feb 20 - March 20 ' /0 01/2 * 3 !

busy decluttering your space and making room ' %

move into your sector of talk and thought could encourage you to tackle those piles of paper. If you havenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t yet gotten around to clearing out ! ! ) !

so can free you up mentally as well as physically.

Bollywood

Hrithik Roshan Shifts ‘Super 30’ Release Kangana Ranaut said she is glad that her film “Mental Hai Kya” will get a solo release on July 26 after Hrithik Roshan decided to shift the release of his “Super 30” to avert a “media circus.” Hrithik Roshan on May 9 issued a statement, saying he took the decision “so as to not allow my film to be desecrated by yet another media circus.” “I have decided to shift the release date of my film ‘Super 30’ in order to save myself from the personal trauma and toxic mental violence this would cause,” he said in the statement posted on Twitter. “Despite the film being ready, I have requested m y producers to shift and announce the next suitable date as soon as possible,” added the actor, who has had a personal clash with Kangana Ranaut in the past. Soon after, Ranaut issued a statement commenting on “Hrithik’s sympathy playing games.” “Hrithik Roshan, Madhu Mentena and Ekta Kapoor had collectively decided that Hrithik would push the release date of ‘Super 30’ and Ekta will bring her film ‘Mental Hai Kya’ on July 26. They had taken this call last week itself. “I don’t know why he wrote this sob story, but I am glad ‘Mental Hai Kya’ is getting a solo release. I salute my producer Ekta Kapoor for making her way in this male-dominated industry. It’s not easy to do what she does.... I applaud her courage and power,” Kangana Ranaut wrote. The hullabaloo is over rumors that Ranaut had recommended that the release date of “Mental Hai Kya” be changed so that a box office face-off with Hrithik Roshan is possible. However, a statement on behalf of Balaji Motion Pictures said the decision was merely taken for “better box office prospects” for “Mental Hai Kya.”

Saturday, May 11, 2019

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Saturday, May 11, 2019

Bollywood

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Saturday, May 11, 2019

With over 120 branches across the globe, Saravanaa Bhavan world’s No1 choice for vegetarian lovers

t has been a name that first comes to the mind of people craving to have the best South Indian taste, irrespective of wherever they are. Mr.P.R. Shiva Kumaar, Managing Director, has built in a network, which is an embodiment of rich taste without c omprom i s i ng on quality. The World’s No:1 Vegetarian restaurant chain is the most sought-after brand in Singapore, Hong Kong, Oman, Malaysia, Thailand, U.A.E, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, France, United Kingdom, Belgium, Sweden, Germany, Netherlands, United States of America and Canada. Ever since its humble beginning at Chennai (India) in 1981, the restaurant chain has been a gateway to the flavours of Southern India. In Canada, Saravanaa Bhavan has been the favourite joint to a diverse South Asian Community in the province of Ontario and British Columbia. Whoever comes in for dine-in to locations at Scarborough, Mississauga in the province of Ontario and Delta-Surrey in British

Columbia go with a relished taste bud. This is also the only chain, which has re-defined the dining experience with consistent quality and taste. “I have been a customer to Saravanaa Bhavan since I landed in Canada. I have never felt that I am missing my home country. The taste I get here is par excellence and the staff are professional,” says a customer who just walks out after dinner at Delta-Surrey location. For another customer it was a long-awaited dream to see the restaurant in Delta-Surrey. What makes the restaurant so unique? The answer to it is the chefs. The chefs have been well trained to maintain the taste standard. They have all come here after serving for well over 30 years in different locations across the globe and driven by lot of passion to offer unrivalled quality and taste. They know to simplify and adapt the native dishes to appeal to western taste. The untiring effort of the present management to maintain the reputation of the brand cannot

Consul General of India in Vancouver visits PICS Senior Housing Facility in Surrey Consul General of India, Vancouver Her Excellency Smt. Abhilasha Joshi visited the PICS Senior Housing Facility today, May 8, 2019 at 11:30 AM. Consul General was pleased to see the quality of services being provided to seniors and congratulated PICS staff for their work at the facility. Greeting the seniors, she said “if you have any problems or concerns, our staff will always listen to you and please feel free to let us know if there is anything we could do for you” Abhilasha Joshi, Consul General. She also agreed to consider providing special access at the PICS senior facility, if needed, so that residents can be better served when they need help with their passport renewals, issuance of visa, life certificate submissions and attestation of power of attorney. PICS C.E.O., Satbir Cheema was grateful that Smt. Abhilasha Joshi Ji visited PICS Senior Housing Facility, he said “Thank you Abhilasha Ji for taking the time to visit PICS. Your presence and willingness to listen to the concerns of seniors means a lot to us and the residents.”

be ignored. It is the only restaurant chain in Canada, where the management believes to get closely knitted with the community. Saravanaa Bhavan in Canada has been proud to improve the health care system in area where the business operates. It has been an enduring effort to motivate the staff to inspire the customers to voluntarily contribute for it. The management together with the staff and customers has so far collectively donated CAD$250,000 to Scarborough Hospital Foundation in Ontario. Still the effort continues. The initiative to involve autistic children in the restaurant day-to-day operation is another reason for customers being wonder stuck. The person who brought in such a valuable and novel idea is none other than the Managing Director/CEO of Canada Branch Mr. Ganesan Sugumar. He believes that no child is a burden to their parents or to the society. Their success depends on how they are being tamed.

A customer dining at Delta-Surrey location says, he came to know about the restaurant’s partnership with South Asian Autism Awareness Centre (SAAC) from one of his friends in Toronto. He adds, as the restaurant has prospered, it has repeatedly given back to the community. T h e y have given a great opportunity for youth with autism. It is an adorable initiative and an example for other entrepreneurs. For Ganesan Sugumar this is not an end. He wants to take the authentic taste of South India to lot more provinces in Canada. He says, the restaurant will continue to give the best dining experience to all its walk-in customers. Never will we compromise on our taste and quality. Whoever walks-in to this location in DeltaSurrey will never return back unsatisfied. We have a strong foothold in this country for over 15 years and this trend to give the best vegetarian food will continue in all our locations. Apart from being in business we will never fail to fulfill our social responsibility to the community we serve.

BC Liberals oppose John Horgan’s forestry bill that divides Press release communities and puts jobs at risk John Horgan and the NDP’s ill-advised Bill 22 puts ideology ahead of what’s best for the hard-working B.C. families who depend heavily on the forestry sector by creating division within forestry-dependent communities. These measures mean B.C. will risk losing high-paying forestry jobs to the United States. “John Horgan and the NDP aren’t concerned about the forestry sector because none of their MLAs live in forestry-dependent communities,” said BC

Liberal Forestry Critic John Rustad. “Horgan’s ideological thinking will lead to expropriation of tenure without compensation, destroy confidence in the forest industry and ultimately devastate forestry-dependent communities.” Horgan and the NDP have already lost more than 3,000 jobs on their watch. Rather than working with the sector, communities and First Nations, Horgan is trying to convince these stakeholders that they will benefit from this bill even though he knows that’s not the

Saturday, May 11, 2019

Navigating Canada’s health-care System while you wait for your health card

he typical public health card takes a few months to process. If you’re new to Canada, what can you do if a health issue arises in the meantime? Most provinces require three months residency before health-care coverage becomes active. While most individuals will still be covered in the case of extreme medical emergencies, a visit to the emergency room or walk-in clinic could cost you hundreds or even thousands of dollars. Here’s how to handle the gap period between applying

for a public health card and seeing your coverage actually take effect. Consider Gap Insurance “The ministry encourages the purchase of private health insurance for new immigrants who must serve a waiting period,” says David Jensen, spokesperson for the Ontario Ministry of Health. “This insurance will cover you for any urgent health issues that may arise before your provincial coverage takes effect.” If you’re moving with a company, the first step is to find out if they provide coverage for you. When Heidi NymannJensen moved to Canada from Denmark a few years ago, her husband’s company provided insurance that covered any potential health situations from the moment her family landed in Canada. “We were fortunate,” says Nymann-Jensen. The added coverage from Martin’s company removed any fiscally related health-care worries. “We simply had to fill out the forms at a Service Ontario office, and wait for our cards, knowing we were covered in the interim,” says Nymann-Jensen. For those who aren’t fortunate enough to have company insurance when coming to Canada, personal insurance is an option. “It can be very costly not to have coverage during those first few months,” says Brigitte Kent, Acting Executive Director of OmbudService for Life and Health Insurance (OLHI), an independent insurance complaint service provider. Ideally you should apply for insurance prior to moving, she says, but if you wait until after arriving in Canada, make finding private insurance a priority in your first few days. If you don’t apply within the first five days of arrival, private insurance may be more difficult to obtain. Some insurance companies may suspect that you have a medical issue and are seeking insurance only to avoid the imminent fees. If you’re uncertain of where to look for insurance, OLHI works with 99 per cent of Canada’s health insurance

companies. They have an insurance finder that lists all member companies. Simply scroll to “expatriates” for a list of companies that provide interim insurance. Get Free Health Advice by Phone Every province and territory offers free, confidential services anyone can call and receive free health advice or information. Registered nurses operate the phone lines 24 hours a day, seven days a week. For most provinces and territories, you dial 811 to be connected with a health-care professional;

Manitoba has Health Links, and in Ontario, this system is known as TeleHealth. The purpose of these health lines is not to diagnose illness, and the answering attendant cannot give out prescriptions. What they can do is help you decide if you can handle the problem yourself. For almost half of all calls, nurses are able to provide advice that allows the callers to handle the medical situation at home. However, in the other half of cases, the persons calling will still be required to seek medical advice from a doctor or to visit an emergency room. Visit a Free Clinic If you find yourself in need of care, without insurance, and a health line suggest seeing a doctor, you can seek out community health centres (CHC) located across the country. “Ontario has some Community Care Health Centres that provide a variety of health services, often for clients who do not have private insurance or OHIP coverage,” says Jensen. The names may vary from province to province, but every CHC strives to offer free health services most needed by their community members via a team of qualified health professionals. While most CHCs accept provincial insurance, they are also an option for those who need it and are waiting for provincial coverage. Canada’s universal health-care is a matter of pride for Canadians. For those new to Canada, while there may be a three-month wait for residency before coverage becomes active; there are still health-care options available during this period. If the need arises, seek out programs that are already in place, like free clinics, free health information lines, or plan ahead with gap insurance. And when you see your coverage take effect, you can cross “get health card” off of your settlement to-do list. Managing your expenses while settling in can be challenging. But there are ways you can save and make your money work harder. For more advice on how to save more and settle in faster, visit rbc.com/starttoday.

More choice, lower prices - Why it can be a good time to buy property in Metro Vancouver

new quarterly report on the Metro Vancouver housing market says there’s a high degree of vulnerability in the market, but prices are down, and inventory is up, which means buyers will find some advantage. According to the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), the region’s soaring real estate prices have cooled since last June’s highs — down about seven or eight per cent — while the rest of the economy has remained strong. “This housing market assessment is an early warning system for vulnerabilities in the housing market,” said Eric Bond, market analyst with CMHC. “The degree of imbalance between home prices and the local economy is narrower than it has been at any point in the last several years.” According to Bond, over the last two years, the inventory of homes for sale in Metro Vancouver has been about 400 units, but now, for multi-family units, there’s closer to 1,100 active listings. He said that’s still very low, relative to the population, but it means there’s more choice for buyers. March home sales slump to 33year low in Metro Vancouver: report “In many ways this is an opportunity for them to explore more options, and also to take their time making a purchase and

putting reasonable conditions on that offer,” said Bond. Still plenty of risk But according to Josh Gordon, assistant professor at Simon Fraser University’s school of public policy,

buyers may want be careful. Gordon said a lot of the risk in the market relates to how much money people have borrowed to afford the homes they already own — and lower prices now won’t change that.“You have a period of high prices that are not really closely aligned to people’s purchasing power, and where people have borrowed a lot of money to get into the housing market,” he said.

Saturday, May 11, 2019

Vol. 10 No. 15

Saturday - May 11, 2019

Tel: 604-591-5423

E-mail: ads@theasianstar.com

House prices fall by $7,000 a month ss sales hit record lows If you own residential real estate in Greater Vancouver, it’s likely your property’s value is back to where it was in 2016 or 2017. The latest data from the Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver, released Tuesday, shows no letup in the region’s housing correction, with sales down 29.1 per cent in April, compared to the same month a year ago. Sales were little more than half their average over the past 10 years, REBGV noted. According to blogger and realtor Steve Saretsky, sales of all housing types hit their lowest level since 2000, while detached home sales were the lowest on record. Detached home sales were the lowest on record this April and down 70% after peaking in 2016. Probably safe to assume prices need to move lower to get sales volumes back up. The benchmark price for all housing types in the area is down 8.5 per cent from

a year ago, to $1.008 million. This works out to a decline of about $7,000 a month over the past year, and it puts the benchmark price back to where it was in June, 2017. The benchmark prices for single-family homes, condos and all housing types for Greater Vancouver. Prices... Canadian Real Estate Association The benchmark prices for single-family homes, condos and all housing types for Greater Vancouver.

A North Shore realtor is Real estate company sued after alleged suing the company she worked romantic feelings for her that she rebuffed. for over allegations she was assaulted by a She says that following this rejection, Hall’s male colleague and eventually forced to attitude toward her changed and he began leave her job. Lisa Eileen Billett claims that behaving in a controlling and erratic manner. Colin Hall, who formed a partnership with Billet claims that on April 19, 2017, she and her at Sutton West Coast Realty, developed Hall attended an awards dinner put on by

Prices have peaked and are now declining. The correction has been more severe in detached homes, with the benchmark price falling 11.1 per cent over the past year, to $1.425 million. That amounts to a decline of about $15,000 per month, and it brings prices back to levels last seen in April, 2016. If there’s any good news here it’s that, on a seasonally adjusted basis, home sales rose 5.9 per cent in April from the month before. But prices didn’t follow the trend, and

either fell or stayed flat from March to April. Vancouver developer offers a year of free avocado toast if you buy a condo. Story continues below. In a now-familiar refrain, REBGV President Ashley Smith pointed the finger of blame directly at government policies, particularly the mortgage “stress test” now in force for all mortgages at federally-regulated lenders. “The federal government’s mortgage stress test has reduced buyers’ purchasing power by about 20 per cent, which is causing people at the entry-level side of the market to struggle to secure financing,” Smith said in a statement. “Suppressing housing activity through government policy not only reduces home sales, it harms the job market, economic growth and creates pent-up demand.”

North Vancouver assault involving co-worker Sutton West Coast and that as he was driving her home, he demanded that Billett return a letter he had given her stating he was committed to the partnership and addressing some of his previous conduct. In the lawsuit filed in B.C. Supreme Court, she says when she refused to

return the letter, Hall began to wrestle her purse away from her while driving his car in excess of the speed limit and then swerved off the bridge onto the Dollarton off-ramp in North Vancouver and pulled into an empty parking lot.

Saturday, May 11, 2019

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

#106 - 7565 132 St. Surrey, BC 604.572.3005

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

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

Classifieds / Jobs Looking for work? Cleaning company wanted workers for clean up job in Coquitlam For more details please call 604-902-2858

Saturday, May 11, 2019

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

Saturday, May 11, 2019

Classifieds Child care provider required at a private home Job details 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 Childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;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 Employerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s home How to apply By email: umendrasingh@hotmail.com By phone: 604-537-3551

Saturday, May 11, 2019

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Saturday, May 11, 2019

DREAM CARPET

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LOCAL / NATIONAL

Saturday, May 11, 2019

BC Ombudsperson demands independent oversight of RCMP jail guards BC Ombudsperson is calling for independent oversight of municipal detention centres in communities policed by the RCMP after several complaints against jail guards. In a statement on Monday, B.C. Ombudsperson Jay Chalke outlined two recent complaints from women who said they suffered abuse at the hands of municipal jail guards. One said she was menstruating when she was detained and was denied hygiene products and access to a shower. Another woman, who identified herself in her complaint as a victim of domestic assault, said she was subjected to an attempted strip search and assault by a male guard. According to Mr. Chalke’s statement,

no independent agency has the legal authority to investigate public complaints in municipalities policed by the RCMP. The RCMP’s Civilian Review and Complaints Commission (CRCC) doesn’t have oversight for jail guards in these municipalities because they aren’t RCMP employees. The guards are either civilian employees or contractors hired by the municipality. Mr. Chalke said he raised the issue with the Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor-General last May. Mike Farnworth, the Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor-General, said in a statement on Monday that he agrees there is a gap in independent oversight.

Former Burns Lake mayor pleads guilty to 4 sex crimes against youths Former Burns Lake mayor Luke Strimbold, 28 pleaded guilty to four sex offences against youths. Luke Strimbold had been charged with 29 offences over a two-year period against seven victims who were all under 16 years old. The numerous charges included sexual assault, sexual touching and sexual interference. Some of the sex crimes occurred while Strimbold was mayor of the village of Burns Lake — 230 kilometres west of Prince George, B.C. — and in a position of trust. Today, he pleaded guilty to two counts of sexual assault and one count each of sexual

interference and invitation to sexual touching. Strimbold was the youngest mayor in B.C. when he was elected in 2011 at age 21, the second youngest ever elected in Canada, and he was a member of the B.C. Liberal party’s executive board until the day he was arrested in 2018. Since then, Strimbold has been out on bail and was scheduled to go on trial in B.C. Supreme Court this summer. But at a court appearance in April, Strimbold’s lawyer indicated his client intended to plead guilty. “I can tell you he’s very remorseful and wants to start the healing process as soon as possible,” his lawyer, Stan Tessmer, told CBC News. B.C. Business Magazine named him to its “top 30 under 30” list in 2014, adding the young mayor to “an exceptional inaugural list of young men and women … over-achievers.” Strimbold also headed the local chamber of commerce, worked at a rediscovery camp for Indigenous youth and was awarded a Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal, an honour for “significant contributions and achievements by Canadians.” At the ceremony, he posed for a smiling photo with then-premier Christy Clark. And he was no stranger in the corridors of power. Strimbold served on a number of committees with the B.C. Liberal party’s executive board.. Strimbold stands with then-B.C. premier Christy Clark at a 2013 ceremony where he was awarded a Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal, which honours ‘significant contributions and achievements by Canadians.’ (Province of B.C./Flickr) Until news of the charges were made public, Strimbold was listed on the B.C. Liberal website as the membership chair and a member of the rules leadership committee during the party’s race to replace Clark.

BC’s request for injunction against Alberta turn-off-thetaps law delayed 1 month B.C.’s request for an injunction against Alberta’s Bill 12, which would allow the province to restrict shipments of oil and gas to B.C., has been delayed one month. B.C. Attorney General David Eby’s office confirmed the hearing has been tentatively rescheduled for June 6. The hearing was originally scheduled to be held at the Calgary Courts Centre Tuesday morning. Alberta Premier Jason Kenney enacted the bill into law on April 30, shortly after he and his new cabinet were sworn in. Alberta premier says he’s proclaimed turnoff-the-taps law but won’t use it on B.C. yet Contentious ‘turn-off-the-taps’ bill puts Alberta, B.C. at legal loggerheads legal filed B.C. response, In paperwork at Alberta’s Court of Queen’s Bench for an injunction and constitutional challenge on May 1. Kenney has said the new law will only be used as a last resort if B.C. continues to block the Trans Mountain Pipeline expansion. Bill 12, commonly referred to as the turn-off-the-taps legislation, requires exporters to obtain licences and gives Alberta’s energy minister the power to decide how much fuel is exported, how it’s transported — by pipeline, rail or tanker truck — and whether direct shipments should be stopped altogether. It was introduced by the NDP and was given royal assent last year.

Saturday, May 11, 2019

Toronto neurosurgeon gets life in prison for killing his physician wife Toronto neurosurgeon who murdered his physician wife has been sentenced to life in prison with no chance of parole for 14 years, the punishment the victim’s family says is not enough. Neurosurgeon Mohammed Shamji, 43, pleaded guilty last month to seconddegree murder in the death of his wife 40-yearold Elana Fric Shamji, a family physician whose body was found stuffed in a suitcase in fall of 2016. The couple’s three children are now being raised by Fric Shamji’s parents, who delivered an emotional plea outside the courtroom on Thursday. “Please help to keep Elana’s memory alive in the hope that other women can be saved from such a horrible fate,” her mother, Ana Fric, told reporters. Fric said her daughter endured 12 years of domestic abuse, including a “vicious sexual assault,” before she was killed on Nov. 30, 2016. She said she begged her to leave Shamji many times, but her daughter held out hope that her marriage would improve, despite “constant arguments” and acts of violence. “She felt worthless in his eye… She was berated and belittled.” Fric also said that Shamji had a “lengthy affair” with another woman which devastated her daughter and helped her reach the decision to leave him. Court heard that Fric Shamji served her husband with divorce papers two days before he attacked her, broke her neck and ribs and choked her to death, as their children slept in the house. Shamji then stuffed his wife’s body in a suitcase and dumped it in a river, according to evidence presented in court. In a lengthy statement to the media after the sentencing, Fric described her escalating terror when

she realized that “something terrible” must have happened to her daughter. She said the two of them spoke on the phone the night before, and when she couldn’t reach Fric Shamji the following morning, she began to panic and call Shamji and his parents. When she finally reached Shamji, she said he “calmly” told her that his wife had packed up her things and left with her “boyfriend.” But Fric said she knew her daughter would never leave without her children, so she and her husband Joe drove all night from Windsor, Ont. to Toronto to find out what happened. After the Frics called police to report their daughter missing, the case quickly unravelled and Fric Shamji’s body was found in the suitcase that her mother had given her. Fric said the suitcase still had her own name tag on it. Fric said her daughter was so badly beaten that she didn’t even recognize her when police first showed her a photo. Fric and her husband told reporters that no punishment will justify what Shamji “has done to Elana and especially to children.” Fric said she believes her daughter’s murder was premediated, but since there was no evidence of that, the family has to accept Shamji’s second-degree murder plea. She said she wishes Canada had the death penalty because Shamji “deserves” it. Fric said she believes her daughter’s murder was premediated, but since there was no evidence of that, the family has to accept Shamji’s second-degree murder plea. She said she wishes Canada had the death penalty because Shamji “deserves” it. Fric Shamji’s oldest daughter, 14-year-old Yasmin, said.

Alberta police say ‘gifting circles’ were a pyramid scheme, illegal investments A southern Alberta man is facing charges in an alleged pyramid-type scheme that extends into Saskatchewan and British Columbia and has generated huge losses. Lethbridge police say so-called gifting circles were introduced in Lethbridge, Calgary and Edmonton between September 2018 this May. The circles promise a return of $40,000 in exchange for a gift of $5,000 and the donor must then recruit two more people to kick in funds, but investigators say money is

lost when new recruits cannot be found. Witnesses say there are currently more than 500 members and 80 gifting circles -- numbers investigators say would involve losses totalling $2,000,000. Steele Cameron Tolman, a 57-yearold Coaldale resident, is charged with fraud over $5,000 and possession of the proceeds of crime over $5,000. Tolman has been released from custody and is scheduled to appear in court May 17.

LOCAL / NATIONAL

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Ontario man sentenced to life in prison for murdering pregnant wife An Ontario man has been sentenced to life in prison for the murder of his wife, who was nine months pregnant. In January, Nicholas Baig pleaded guilty to the second degree murder of Arianna Goberdhan, whose body was found at a home in Pickering the night of April 17, 2017. In a sentencing hearing Thursday in Ajax, Justice Jocelyn Speyer called the murder a “senseless act of cruelty.” Nicholas Baig has no chance of parole for 17 years. Ontario man sentenced to life in prison for murdering pregnant wife ‘It was so violent:’ Parents on daughter’s death The parents of Arianna Goberdhan say they are a little disappointed by the sentence of their daughter’s killer. Man sentenced to life for murder of pregnant wife Nicholas Baig has been sentenced to life in prison without the chance of parole for 17 years.An Ontario man has been sentenced to life in prison for the murder of his wife, who was nine months pregnant. In January, Nicholas Baig pleaded guilty to the second degree murder of Arianna Goberdhan, whose body was found at a home in Pickering the night of April 17, 2017. In a sentencing hearing Thursday in Ajax, Justice Jocelyn Speyer called the murder a “senseless act of cruelty.” Arianna Goberdhan is seen in this

undated photograph provided by family. The victim’s parents expressed disappointment in the sentence during interviews with media outside the courthouse Thursday, saying they had hoped the judge would set parole eligibility to at least 20 years. “It was so violent,” said Goberdhan’s mother Sherry. Her daughter was stabbed 17 times. “Is this how we are going to deter and stop domestic violence?” In an earlier interview with media in Toronto this week, Sherry said the family continues to grieve for their daughter and the unborn child. “There will be no justice for her,” she said. Under the Criminal Code, an unborn child cannot be the victim of a homicide. Goberdhan’s parents want to see that law changed and have started a petition to push for legislative changes.

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LOCAL / NATIONAL Information from former Conservative cabinet ministers helped put an end to Norman case

The Crown’s case against ViceAdmiral Mark Norman unexpectedly began to collapse in March partly under the weight of information from several former Conservative cabinet ministers and staffers. They were key players in the previous government’s $668 million deal to have the Davie Shipyard, in Levis, Que., convert and lease a supply ship to the navy, say multiple sources, some of whom were interviewed by a lawyer representing the former vice-chief of the defence staff. These individuals were never questioned by the RCMP or the Crown in the run-up to a breach of trust charge

being laid against Norman a year ago. The former commander of the navy was accused of leaking cabinet secrets on 12 separate occasions, almost all of them involving the period of time prior to the last election. What became clear — throughout the process — was that Norman was working in close cooperation with staff in former prime minister Stephen Harper’s office in order to make the deal happen. “There was a political will to get this done,” said one former Conservative staffer, speaking on condition of anonymity, who was intimately familiar with the project at the outset.

Saturday, May 11, 2019

Liberal & NDP in trouble after Green Party wins Nanaimo-Ladysmith byelection The victory of Paul Manly of the Green Party in the Nanaimo-Ladysmith riding federal byelection in the Vancouver Island has set the alarm bells ringing for New Democratic Party (NDP) chief Jagmeet Singh and his arch-rival Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. Manly has created a history by securing 37.3 per cent votes, while John Hirst of the Conservative Party finished second by cornering 24. 8 per cent votes. Bob Chamberlin of the NDP could manage just 23. 1 per cent votes followed by Michelle Corfield of the Liberal Party at 11 per cent and Jennifer Clarke of the People’s Party at 3.1 per cent. The voter turnout was 41 per cent, way above average 31 per cent polling. Manly is the second Green Party nominee elected for any federal seat after leader Elizabeth May, who was the sole party MP in the House of Commons since 2011. What has triggered ‘fear psychosis’ among the NDP top brass and the Liberals’ leadership was that the Green Party secured victory at a crucial time when Canada was set to go for the federal polls within a short period of about six months on October 21. While the Nanaimo-Ladysmith has never been a ‘cup of tea’ for the Liberals because the party had not won the seat even once since 1940, the victory of the Green Party in the Island has hit Jagmeet hard. The reason was that the area has been an NDP core strong hold, where the party had won 18 of the 22 previous elections since 1953. With the loss

of Nanaimo-Ladysmith, the NDP has lost its vote share in 11 of the 12 bypolls held under Jagmeet’s baton as the NDP president. It was a different matter that Jagmeet had gained some of the lost ground by ensuring his personal victory in the Burnaby South of British Columbia in February. If the trend set by the Nanaimo-Ladysmith voters continued, the NDP could lose five seats still by it in the Vancouver Island. And Singh would not want it at any cost at a time when his leadership was under ‘duress’ and was challenged quite often from within. The victory of Manly has also indicated that Canadian voters were increasingly getting conscious about climate change and the ‘political courage’ required to tackle the emerging situation. The Green Party win shows climate issues and the Nanaimo-Ladysmith trends reflected could even impact the October General Canadian polls in more than one way. Meanwhile, the Green Party has hailed its victory as ‘heralding of a new era in Canadian Federal Politics’ and has thanked the voters for their ‘bravery’ and ‘political courage’ for initiating the ‘real change’. Manly, who had cornered a 20 per cent vote share in 2015 in Nanaimo-Ladysmith, said his victory indicated that the Canadians were ready for a ‘different’ genre of politics. He attributed his victory to his party’s poll plank based on issues such as climate change, camps for the homeless and affordable housing for people.

Bank of Canada Governor says mortgage market should offer more product choices Bank of Canada governor Stephen Poloz says it’s time for fresh ideas when it comes to Canadians’ mortgage options. In a speech Monday in Winnipeg, Poloz said changes could include encouraging loan terms longer than five years, the creation of a market for private mortgage-based securities and the launch of shared-equity mortgages for first-time home buyers. More innovation would help boost flexibility for borrowers, lenders and investors, while also lowering risks in the financial system, Poloz said. “To be clear, the system is not broken — it has served Canadians and financial institutions well,” he said in prepared remarks during his speech to the Canadian Credit Union Association and Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce. “But we should not stop looking for improvements and I invite all of you to join this effort.” Poloz is making the recommendations as he monitors three key housing-market stories — the oil-slump-driven slowdown in Alberta and Saskatchewan, the steep drop in resale activity in Toronto and Vancouver, and steady growth in many other parts of Canada. Looking ahead, he predicted the overall Canadian housing sector to start growing again later this year as the Vancouver and Toronto markets stabilize. In a news conference following the speech, Poloz offered more details about

his take on the two big housing markets. Poloz said the fundamentals — like population growth and job creation — in those cities have been “really strong” and he expects they’ve “put a floor” under the adjustment process. The still-low interest rates remain quite attractive, he added. He credited the tougher mortgage guidelines, which brought in interest-rate stress tests, for working as they were designed. They helped improve the quality of loans and stop the speculative increase in house prices in Vancouver and Toronto, he said. Poloz predicts buyers affected by the stress tests will return to the market in search of less expensive homes, while some will wait until they’ve saved more for a down payment. “All those conditions give you confidence that it’s a matter of adjustment and, after that, a return to normal growth,” he said. On his request Monday for more brainstorming on the mortgage marketplace, Poloz said he’s wondered why so few changes have been introduced in his lifetime. In its spring budget, the federal government announced it would create shared-equity mortgages as a way to provide interest-free loans from Canada Mortgage and Housing to help first-time home buyers. The plan, if implemented, would also encourage a lift in housing supply as new homes would qualify for more CMHC aid, Poloz said.

Saturday, May 11, 2019

Majority of Chinese Canadians in BC agree with gov’t on Meng Wanzhou case, poll suggests A new poll suggests that a majority of Chinese Canadians in BC support the federal government’s decision not to intervene in the Meng Wanzhou case. The poll, commissioned by the Canada Committee 100 Society and conducted by Innovative Research Group, found 54 per cent of respondents agree with the government’s action, while 15 per cent oppose it. Meng is the chief financial officer for Chinese telecom giant Huawei who was detained at Vancouver International Airport on Dec. 1, 2018 at the behest of U.S. officials, enraging Chinese leaders and catapulting both countries into an ongoing diplomatic dispute. Meng is out on bail but remains in Vancouver pending an extradition hearing, which will determine if she is to be deported to the United States to face charges of conspiracy and violating U.S. sanctions in Iran. Vanessa Kong, centre, and Kenny Zhang, left, release their survey regarding Chinese-Canadian views on the Meng Wanzhou case in Richmond on Monday. The Canadian government has cited rule of law as the reason it has not intervened. The poll shows that support for the

government’s decision holds across a number of subgroups, including respondents’ period of immigration, mother tongue, and language of media consumption. “As such, providing education to Chinese Canadians about the Canadian justice system is critical to building a society that promotes the core values of Canada such as equality and justice,” said Zhang. The survey found there was stronger support among those over 35. “The relatively low support among the younger generation and the Canadian-born Chinese [is] largely because they are more likely to be uncertain, not because they are more opposed to the government’s position,” said Vanessa Kong, research manager of Innovative Research Group. The online study heard from 413 Chinese Canadians age 18 or older. The results were weighted by key categories to reflect the actual demographic composition of the Chinese-Canadian population in B.C. ‘Poor Canada’: Will Meng Wanzhou extradition hearing threaten national interest?

Half of the 16 million Canadians calling government call centres can’t get through Half of the 16 million Canadians who tried to reach an actual agent when contacting a government call centre in 2017-18 could not get through, says a report released Tuesday by the Office of the Auditor General of Canada. The report found millions of callers to three call centres — Employment Insurance, Canada Pension Plan and Old Age Security, and Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada — could not reach an agent during the 2017-18 analysis period. Callers were either redirected to an automated system or website, or told to call back later, the report said. Some simply hung up. The auditor general found that 6.9 million

callers weren’t able to talk to a live person and over 1.3 million terminated their calls early. Callers who did get through to a person had to wait 30 minutes or longer, exceeding some call centre wait times. Veterans Affairs call centres were also scrutinized, and the auditor found callers typically were able to reach an agent. But the auditor still slammed the department for its wait times and for cancelling teletypewriter services for the hearing impaired “without first consulting with or telling veterans.” Many of the government’s call centres did not have customer service-focused delivery models, the auditor general found.

Scheer says he will move Canada’s Embassy in Israel to Jerusalem from Tel Aviv if elected A Conservative government would move Canada’s embassy in Israel to Jerusalem from Tel Aviv, party Leader Andrew Scheer said in a sometimes fiery foreign-policy speech on Tuesday that took personal aim at Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. Mr. Scheer’s speech in Montreal was a table-setter for the coming federal election, the first of several major policy statements the Conservatives say he will make in advance of the fall campaign.“I will re-open the Office of Religious Freedoms and stand up for religious minorities all around the world. And I will recognize the fact that Jerusalem is the capital of Israel,” Mr. Scheer said, in a portion of the speech not included in the prepared text his office distributed. Afterward, as he exited the Marriott Chateau Champlain’s ballroom followed by a phalanx of journalists, the Conservative Leader said what such recognition would mean for the Canadian Embassy: “That obviously would include making sure that Canada’s representation there is in Jerusalem and we’d work with the government of Israel to accomplish those types of things.” The promise to recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital reaffirmed a

pledge Mr. Scheer first made more than a year ago – but he didn’t include a promise to move the embassy then. Jerusalem is disputed territory between Israel and the Palestinians and its status is a pivotal question in any peace talks. Israel says Jerusalem is its capital and maintains nearly all of its own national government institutions there, but nearly all the embassies in Israel are in Tel Aviv, 70 kilometres away. Moving Canada’s embassy to Jerusalem would echo U.S. President Donald Trump, who has already angered Palestinians by moving his own country’s mission, and would align Canada more closely with Israel than the last Conservative government of Stephen Harper did.Canada’s official position on Jerusalem now is that its status can be resolved “only as part of a general settlement of the Palestinian-Israeli dispute. Canada does not recognize Israel’s unilateral annexation of East Jerusalem.” Then Progressive Conservative prime minister Joe Clark promised to move the Canadian Embassy to Jerusalem in 1979, sparking recriminations against Canada at the time. Mr. Clark gave up on the idea after a special report he commissioned advised that the move could harm prospects for peace.

NATIONAL

Saturday, May 11, 2019

Modi only harps on past, time to say goodbye to him: Rahul MP Modi has nothing to say on his government’s performance in the last five years and hence keeps talking about what happened in the past, Congress chief Rahul said on Thursday. Addressing election rally in Bina, Madhya Pradesh, Rahul said it is now time to bid goodbye to Modi and the ruling BJP. The Congress chief ’s comments follow Modi’s constant criticism of the Gandhis during the ongoing Lok Sabha poll campaign. “He (Modi) cannot talk about (the promises made about) employment, farmers, Rs

15 lakh (to be deposited in bank account of each Indian) and `achche din’ (good days). He can only talk about the past,” Rahul said. “Modi ji, India chose you as prime minister five years ago. India does not want to understand from you what others did but it wants to know what you did and will do,” Gandhi said. “Congress workers have closed all doors for Narendra Modi. Time has come to bid him goodbye,” he said. Rahul said Modi should understand that running the country in not one man show, but it’s people who are involved in the process.

Alliance to stay until Modi, Yogi ousted: Mayawati BSP president Mayawati today accused the BJP of disregarding civil and gracious values by casting aspersions on her relationship with her mahagathbandhan partner, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav. Addressing a joint rally at Rani ki Sarai, Azamgarh, in Akhilesh’s support, Mayawati said their relationship was of the marginalised for social change. Turning the tables on PM Modi’s recent attempts to drive a wedge between her and her alliance partners, Mayawati said the mahagathbandhan would not break until it ousted Modi and Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath. Urging the people of Azamgarh to ensure a historic victory for Akhilesh, Mayawati emotionally appealed to the crowds that they should consider that their ‘Behenji is the Azamgarh candidate’. She also hit out at the BJP’s divide-and-rule policy of fielding another

Yadav, Bhojpuri star Nirahua, against Akhilesh. Describing PM Modi as a fake OBC, she said the people of Purvanchal, inhabited by the most marginalised, should not fall into his trap by such claims and ensure that his “acche din lad gaye hain” (his good days are over). Mayawati also slammed the Congress and said both national parties were two sides of the same coin and were against reservation for the Dalits and the OBC as enshrined in the Constitution. Akhilesh Yadav claimed that the mahagathbandhan had received tremendous support in the five phases. Besides asking the voters to take away the “chowki” of the chowkidar, he appealed to people to rid the country of the ‘Baba CM’ describing him as “thokedar” who openly asks the police to ‘thoko’ (knock down) people.

AAP brought ‘nakampanthi’ model of governance to Delhi: Modi In an apparent attack on the AAP, Prime Minister Narendra Modi Wednesday said they supported the ‘tukde-tukde’ gang and brought the “nakampanthi” model of governance to the national capital. He was addressing his first 2019 poll rally in Delhi at the Ramlila Maidan and was accompanied by the BJP’s seven Lok Sabha candidates for the national capital. “Delhi has seen ‘nakampanthi’ model of governance. People had come to change the country, but they themselves. They supported ’tukde tukde’ gang and strengthened India’s enemies,” he said, without naming the AAP. Explaining the term ‘Nakampanthi’, which

he used in reference to the AAP government, Modi said it means “not allowing Centre’s Ayushmaan Bharat in Delhi hospitals”. He said the BJP has reduced pollution and traffic jam in Delhi by building eastern and western peripherals. “Inflation was always an important poll issue, but now opposition is not able to corner government on this,” he added. The BJP began using “tukde tukde” gang to refer to students accused of raising anti-India slogans in Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) in 2016 and has generalised the phrase to attack those it accuses of sympathising with Maoists and separatists.

Power thieves drain India’s electric-car hopes Dirty air has finally become an issue in Indian election manifestos, along with perennial subjects such as temple-building and farmers’ incomes. That shouldn’t be a surprise: Even politicians can’t escape air pollution, which has reduced life expectancy in areas near the capital New Delhi by more than 12 years. To address the issue, the government earlier this year laid out a three-year subsidy program for electric vehicles valued at about $1.4 billion — about 10 times larger than a previous plan. There’s just one flaw in this impressivelooking commitment to putting more clean-energy vehicles on the roads: It’s likely to exacerbate rampant theft of electricity. India is home to over 2 million electric two-wheelers and rickshaws — more than the number of electric cars in China. Sales of such smaller electric vehicles continue to rise. But in the absence of charging infrastructure, many of their drivers have been illegally siphoning

power. Only 10 percent of the latest subsidy program is allocated for charging stations. More than a quarter of all the power India generates is either pilfered for various purposes or lost in transmission, according to figures cited in local media as of mid-2018. The power sector loses more than $16 billion a year to theft — more than any other country in the world. Power stolen to charge threewheeler rickshaws costs more than $20 million a year in Delhi alone. There are 100,000 such vehicles on the capital’s roads, and only a quarter are registered. Losses for state electricity retailers rose more than 60 percent in the first nine months of the fiscal year through December. The lack of charging infrastructure has also contributed to puny demand for green passenger cars. Mahindra Electric, a unit of automaker Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd., discontinued production of its first electric car this month.

IPL finals tickets sold out in 2 minutes Nicolas Cage and Angelina Jolie’s edgeof-the-seat mystery ‘Gone in 60 seconds’, released at the turn of the millennium, had enthralled movie goers. On Tuesday, BCCI produced its own spectacular mystery, which could be termed ‘Gone in 120 seconds’. Tickets for the final of IPL 2019 have been sold off in just over two minutes, which has no longer handiest left the cricket enthusiasts top and dry but in addition raised questions about transparency and accountability. On Tuesday, BCCI publish tickets on the

market without any prior understand. It stuck the enthusiasts through wonder but what adopted was once worse. The sale of tickets was once announced in the morning via a flyer and the enthusiasts who logged in to shop for have been in for a shock because the tickets have been ‘sold’ inside no time. “How can all the tickets be sold within minutes? It is quite baffling and the BCCI has to give an answer for depriving the fans of a chance to watch the final,” a former HCA executive committee member said.

Rebel BJP leader quotes J&K Guv, says Rajiv wasn’t corrupt Disgruntled BJP leader and Supreme Court lawyer Ajay Agarwal has released an audio clip to the media in which Jammu and Kashmir Governor Satya Pal Malik is reportedly saying in a conversation that the late Rajiv Gandhi was not corrupt. The clip comes days after Prime Minister Narendra Modi told an election rally in Pratapgarh in UP that the former PM started out as ‘Mr Clean’ but when he died he was ‘Bhrashtachari No 1’. The Governor is heard saying in a conversation with Ajay Agarwal that “Rajiv basically bhrasta nahi the aur yeh mujhe Arun Nehru ne bhi kaha keh AICC se jo kharcha milta tha un dinon jab yeh ghumtey phirte the toh yeh ghair-zaruri kharcha bhi nahi leta tha. Arun Nehru ka yeh kehna tha,” (I was told by Arun Nehru that Rajiv was not basically corrupt. In those days when they received

money from AICC for their travel, he never took anything non-essential.) In the 1.16 minute telephonic conversation shared by Agarwal, Malik is heard saying that he had been misquoted and would tell him (Agarwal) what he had actually said. Agarwal: You are saying that Rajiv Gandhi did not take money from AICC? Malik: Nahi nahi wakil sahib isko aise samjh lo. Woh kehte the jitna zarurat hota tha utna hi lete the. Agarwal: Achha extra nahi lete the. Malik: Greed nahi thi usme. Ajay Agarwal, as the BJP candidate, had unsuccessfully contested from Rae Bareli in 2014 against UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi. He was denied ticket this time and has now announced his support to Varanasi Congress candidate Ajay Rai, who is pitted against PM Modi.

PUNJAB

Saturday, May 11, 2019

Clash mars Sikh activists’ protest at Badal village during election Akali Dal president Sukhbir Singh Badal onWednesday alleged that Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh was “frustrated and desperate in the face of certain defeat and was now using Khalistani elements against the SAD and to set Punjab on fire again”. The SAD chief was referring to Sikh hardliners led by “Amarinder’s blue-eyed boy” Baljit Singh Daduwal reaching close to former Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal’s residence at Badal village on Wednesday before intervention by him forced the government to retreat.

“This government-sponsored incident is a clear proof that the Congress has already lost this election. The Chief Minister is resorting to petty tricks merely to divert attention from the humiliating defeat he faces even in Patiala because of the widespread anger against him and his government,” he said in a statement here. He alleged that these hardliners were brought to the former Chief Minister’s residence under police escort. Sukhbir said the responsibility for the consequences for any such misadventure by the Congress would rest squarely with the CM.

Dad earns less, wants me to dream big: PSEB topper With 99.54 per cent marks, Neha Verma of Ludhiana today topped in the Class X examination of the Punjab School Education Board. The daughter of a driver who works with a private company and earns Rs 13,000 a month for the family of six, Neha wants to share the financial burden of her father. “I always wanted to top the Board exams and make my parents proud. Though my father earns less, he always motivates me to dream big. I want to be an IPS officer now,” she said. Crediting her parents and teachers at Teja Singh Sutantar Memorial School for her performance, she said: “The school has been of great help as it partially waived my fee considering that I have been scoring well. They want me to continue studying.” When contacted over phone, her father Pawan Kumar almost broke down. “Please publish a big picture of my daughter. I want to show it to all tomorrow,” he requested. A Class IX dropout, Pawan Kumar was earlier a truck driver and used to stay away from home.

Will pay farmers if Centre fails to roll back MSP cut, says Capt Addressing a poll meeting in Patiala for his wife and Congress nominee Preneet Kaur, Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh today made a direct attack on Prime Minister Narender Modi for “creating obstacles in the procurement of wheat in Punjab”. The CM announced Rs 5 lakh health insurance policy for Punjab residents in all hospitals by June 15. He announced that the state would compensate the farmers if the Modi government did not concede to their demand for withdrawal of value cut on the MSP in procurement of wheat in the wake of the damage to crops resulting from unseasonal rains. In an informal chat after addressing the workers’ rally, the CM said he would ensure that the farmers were not penalised or burdened for no fault of theirs. “The state will subsidise the value cut on MSP,” he declared. He was accompanied by his wife Preneet Kaur and son Raninder Singh along with Fatehgarh Sahib candidate Amar Singh and Sangrur nominee Kewal Dhillon.“Stepmotherly treatment is being meted out to Punjab’s farmers by the BJP-led government at the Centre in a bid to undermine the Congress gov’t in the state,” alleged Amarinder, adding that the diversion of gunny bags to Haryana and the Centre’s decision regarding imposition of value cut on MSP for wheat.

“But my wife has taken good care of our kids. They all are toppers in their respective classes. Neha has never been demanding.

Clueless Sunny Deol says ‘not aware’ of Balakot strikes A video clip of BJP candidate and film star Sunny Deol, popularly known as “Balakot video”, has gone viral not only giving anxious moments to the actor’s election managers, but also sending across the message that he is “blissfully unaware” of what is happening at the national level. In the clip, a woman reporter asks him, “Aapko lagta hai Balakot strike se desh ko kuch fayada hua hai? (Do you think the Balakot strike has benefitted the country?).” To this, Deol retorts, “Kya strike? Kaunsee strike? Mujhe yeh sab kuch pata nahi hai. Mujhe to bas chunav jeetna hai (What strike? Which strike? I am not aware of all this. I am here just to win the election).”

His reply, termed “shocking and outrageous” by his Congress rival Sunil Jakhar, has come as a big surprise to residents of the border constituency where passions often run high whenever there is any anti-Pakistan rhetoric like the airstrikes. “The BJP has been working overtime to weave a vote-catching narrative around the airstrikes. However, the actor is busy killing his own party’s plot,” said Jakhar. “I am learning political nuances of the constituency and once I become skilled in that, I will debate each and every issue with my rivals. Give me some time,” claimed the actor.

INDIA

Saturday, May 11, 2019

J&K BJP president, MLC booked for ‘bribing’ scribes The Leh police on Wednesday registered an FIR against BJP leaders who allegedly tried to bribe journalists “to influence the outcome” of the Lok Sabha polls in Ladakh. The FIR was registered on the directions of the Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM), Leh, after the court took cognisance of the case and the complaint filed by journalists of Leh and leaders of the Congress, who were seeking strict action against the BJP leaders. “Since it is a non-cognisable offence, we received directions (for the registration of an FIR against the accused) from the court on Wednesday. Subsequent action will be taken,” Avny Lavasa, District Magistrate, Leh, told The Tribune.Sources said the journalists, after filing a complaint with the police, submitted the CCTV footage as evidence to the District Magistrate requesting her to forward it to the court. Under a non-cognisance offence,

the FIR is filed on the directions of the court only. “It is a serious issue and we will not let them go scot-free. The BJP should expel both leaders on moral grounds. We will hold a protest against the BJP leaders on Thursday for bribing journalists,” Congress candidate for Ladakh seat Rigzin Spalbar said. In the purported CCTV footage, BJP MLC Vikram Randhawa allegedly was seen handing out envelopes to journalists in the presence of the party’s state unit chief Ravinder Raina on May 2. The opposition has stepped up attack on the saffron party for indulging in ‘immoral’ activities to influence the voters as party leaders were caught on camera. “In light of the CCTV footage purported to show BJP leaders attempting to bribe journalists in Leh, I’m retweeting my original tweet with the letter of complaint by the Press Club Leh. Action must follow,”

Apple to open first India store in Mumbai Apple Inc has finalised a brief checklist of places for its first retail store in India, in keeping with other folks accustomed to the plans, as the corporate redoubles its efforts in the world’s fastest-growing smartphone marketplace. The iPhone massive has zeroed in on a number of upscale websites in Mumbai, and plans to make a final determination in the following few weeks, said the folk, asking to not be named because the discussions are private. The vetted spots are comparable to iconic Apple places on Fifth Avenue in New York, Regent Street in London or the Champs-Elysees in Paris, they said. Apple has been prohibited from opening its own retail outlets within the nation because it doesn’t meet local sourcing necessities, however it’s transferring production into India and is in talks with the federal government about its retail enlargement. The Cupertino, California-based company has struggled to determine itself in India where consumers have opted for less expensive Chinese brands such as Xiaomi and Vivo. But leader executive officer Tim Cook has vowed to reinforce within the fast-growing marketplace, particularly as Apple loses ground in China. Manufacturing in India may even allow the corporate to sidestep 20 in step with cent tariffs on imported telephones, making its devices more competitive. “India is a vital marketplace in the long term,” Cook said after the corporate’s income file ultimate week. “It’s a difficult marketplace within the short term, but we’re learning a lot. We plan on stepping into there with type of all of our would possibly.” Apple doesn’t get away its income from India because it’s this type of minor a part of the trade. In the most recent quarter, the corporate generated 44 in step

with cent of income from the Americas and 18 in step with cent from larger China. India is lumped in with the rest of Asia-Pacific, which altogether account for approximately 6 in step with cent.. Apple has tried in recent times to realize ground as India eclipsed China because the fastest-growing smartphone marketplace in the world. One Apple veteran took over as nation leader at the end of 2017, overhauling its technique and replacing most sensible sales executives. But with little signal of progress, a brand new nation leader used to be named in November. Still, Apple continues to flounder in India. Research firm Canalys estimates the corporate’s shipments fell by way of greater than 75 in step with cent within the first quarter of 2019, giving it only about 1 in step with cent of the country’s smartphone marketplace. Now Apple appears to be doing the tricky -- and expensive -- work of establishing a basis for its trade. Foxconn Technology Group, its most important production spouse, is operating high quality assessments for the iPhone Xr sequence in India and plans to start out mass production at a facility within the suburbs of Chennai. Older models are already assembled at a Wistron plant in Bangalore. The building up in local operations should expedite approval for a company-owned store when a brand new government takes over in India at the end of May or early June, said the folk. “Its own retail store may well be simply what Apple requires to give a boost to its top class symbol,” said Rushabh Doshi, an analyst with Canalys. “A shop simply before the next launch will be the easiest timing for Apple to restart its Indian enlargement story.”

Five workers killed as fire broke out at sari shop in Pune At least four people were killed on Thursday in a major fire that engulfed a well-known sari shop here, police said. According to an official of Pune Police (Rural), the fire was reported at around 5 a.m., when the workers were asleep in a room above the shop located in the Devachi Urli area on the outskirts of the city. The blaze quickly spread from the shop

to the room above and the workers were suffocated to death. The police said they are trying to verify whether there were more workers sleeping there amid fears the toll could go up. At least five fire tenders were deployed to battle the blaze, the cause of which remains unknown.

Woman alleges husband gave her ‘triple talaq’ on WhatsApp A 23-year-old woman in Thane district of Maharashtra has alleged that her husband divorced her by sending a ‘triple talaq’ message on her mobile phone, police said on Thursday. Bhoiwada police station’s senior inspector Kalyan Karpe said they received a complaint from the woman on Monday and were seeking a legal opinion on it. The victim, who is physically disabled, in her complaint said she got married to a man from Kalyan town here on May 18, 2014. She alleged that her in-laws constantly harassed her and sometime back her husband demanded Rs 10 lakh from her and threw her out of the house.

The woman, currently staying at her parent’s place in Bhiwandi town here, further alleged that she recently received the ‘triple talaq’ message on WhatsApp from her husband. When she tried to call him, he refused to speak to her, Karpe said, quoting the complaint. He said the victim approached the police with her complaint, saying she does not want to divorce her husband. “We are yet to register the complaint and are taking a legal opinion on it,” the official said. The Supreme Court in August 2017 ruled that the practice of divorce through triple talaq among Muslims was “void”, “illegal” and “unconstitutional”.

Saturday, May 11, 2019

SOUTH ASIA

Saturday, May 11, 2019

Ramadan-Ramzan debate, and no, it’s not about Wahhabism The debate over whether to write the current month of the Islamic calendar with a ‘d’ as in Ramadan or ‘z’ as in Ramzan continues to rage on Indian social media. The traditional spelling of the word in the Indian subcontinent has been Ramzan. However, Ramadan has lately become part of the linguistic repertoire of Muslims in the country. Many wonder about the reasons for the shift in the spelling from ‘z’ to ‘d.’ Some describe it as a reflection of the Muslim elite’s desire to shun the composite Indian culture and align with the Saudi brand of Islam. For them, in the innocuous change in the spelling from ‘z’ to ‘d’ lies a larger ideological shift towards Wahhabism, an extremist version of Islam. Others have linked the shift specifically to the radicalism of Muslim teleevangelists. As a sociolinguist who has studied social meanings of language in general and Urdu in particular, I am shocked at such superficial explanations. Not only are they empirically incorrect, but they are also equally politically motivated. People with vested interests use such explanations to propel their own agenda to corner Muslims. Letters and sounds First, consider the linguistic aspect of the issue. The name of the month contains the letter , which is pronounced similar to ‘d’ in Arabic. In both Persian and Urdu, into which the word was borrowed centuries ago, the original pronunciation didn’t survive. Instead, it was replaced with the sound ‘z’. Consequently, it was written as Ramzan. Such borrowings and the accompanying loss of pronunciation are common in many languages. In Hindi, for example, the letter is written but not pronounced like it was in Sanskrit. In Hindi, the sound of this letter has merged with that of

the letter . My own name contains the same letter . It has two different pronunciations, both of which I use depending on the context. While talking to Arabs in Arabic, I introduce myself as Ridwan, for Urdu / Hindi speakers I am Rizwan. Globalisation: Language on the move The shift from Ramzan to Ramadan is a by-product of globalisation accompanied by extraordinary advances in science and technology. Globalisation has brought languages and people in contact with each other in ways that were not possible earlier. Today, more Indians are travelling overseas for work and leisure than they did in the past. Of all places, the Gulf countries continue to be a major attraction for Indians. Having worked in the Gulf, Indians not only brought home foreign remittances but also some of its cultural and linguistic items. On special occasions, one can see some Muslims wearing a thawb, a long white robe worn by Arabs. As I have written before, the linguistic influence of the contact between Indian and Arabs is evident in the popular use of some Arabic words in Indian languages – for instance, khallas (finished). The word khallas has become a part of popular culture in India. Like the word khallas, the Indian expats brought with them the original Arabic d-version of the word believing that the correct form was Ramadan. Given that the word is Arabic, it is not surprising that they accepted the Arabic spelling norms. Globalisation and developments in communication also brought people from different parts of the world in conversation with each other. On Twitter, we notice this all the time. The name of the month outside of the Indian subcontinent, including

Bangladesh arrests suspected IS militant back from Syria Bangladesh’s counter-terrorism police have arrested a suspected Islamic State member who returned to the country after fighting for the militant group in Syria, police said on Wednesday (May 8). Dhaka launched a major crackdown against homegrown extremist outfits following an attack by a local outfit on a cafe in the capital in 2016 that killed 22 people, including 18 foreigners. Police said Motaj Abdul Majid Kafiluddin Bepari, 33, joined IS in Syria after he travelled to the war-torn country from Saudi Arabia, where he was born to a Bangladeshi parent.

He returned to Bangladesh in February and made contact with a new faction of local IS-inspired Islamist extremist outfit Jamayetul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB), blamed for a series of attacks, including the 2016 cafe attack, counter-terrorism official Wahiduzzaman Noor told AFP. Officers arrested Bepari near a mosque in Dhaka’s Uttara neighbourhood on May 5, and he has been charged under antiterrorism laws for alleged plans to establish a caliphate in the moderate Muslim-majority country, Noor added.

Up to 200 children in Sri Lanka lost family members in Easter bombings About 200 children in Sri Lanka have lost their family members, some of them sole breadwinners, in the massive Easter Sunday bombings, according to a leading charity organisation. Some of the families have lost their source of income and might not have sufficient savings to resume their normal life, Colombo-based Sri Lanka Red Cross Society (SLRCS) said. Nine suicide bombers carried out a series of devastating blasts that tore through three churches and

as many luxury hotels on the Easter Sunday, killing more than 250 people. The ISIS terror group claimed the attacks, but the government blamed local Islamist extremist group National Thawheed Jammath (NTJ) for the bombings. The victims included over 40 foreigners, 10 of whom were Indians. The livelihood of 75 families have been disrupted due to the injuries sustained to their family members. More than 500 people were injured in the incident, Colombo Gazette quoted the SLRCS as saying.

Pakistani Christian girls trafficked to China as brides Muqadas Ashraf was just 16 when her parents married her off to a Chinese man who had come to Pakistan looking for a bride. Less than five months later, Muqadas is back in her home country, pregnant and seeking a divorce from a husband she says was abusive. She is one of hundreds of poor Christian girls who have been trafficked to China in a market for brides that has swiftly grown in Pakistan since late last year, activists say. Brokers are aggressively seeking out girls for Chinese men, sometimes even cruising outside churches to ask for potential brides. They are being helped by Christian clerics paid to target impoverished parents in their congregation with promises of wealth in exchange for their daughters. Parents receive several thousand dollars and are told that their new sons-in-law are wealthy Christian converts. The grooms turn out to be neither, according to several brides, their parents, an activist, pastors and government officials, all of whom spoke to The Associated Press. Once in China, the girls — most often married against their will — can find themselves isolated in remote rural regions, vulnerable to abuse, unable to communicate and reliant on a translation app even for a glass of water. Lanterns hang over the front door of the former home of Chinese man, Li Tao, and his Pakistani bride. Mahek Liaqat in Li’s hometown of Chenlou, in Pei County in eastern China’s Jiangsu province. “This is human smuggling,” said Ijaz Alam Augustine, the human rights and minorities minister in Pakistan’s Punjab province, in an interview with the AP. “Greed is really responsible for these marriages ... I have met with some of these girls and they are very poor.” Augustine accused the Chinese government and its embassy in Pakistan of turning a blind eye to the practice by unquestioningly issuing visas and documents. The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs denied that, saying China has zero tolerance for illegal transnational

marriage agencies. Human Rights Watch called on China and Pakistan to take action to end bride trafficking, warning in an April 26 statement of “increasing evidence that Pakistani women and girls are at risk of sexual slavery in China.” On Monday, Pakistan’s Federal Investigation Agency arrested eight Chinese nationals and four Pakistanis in raids in Punjab province in connection with trafficking, Geo TV reported. It said the raids followed an undercover operation that included attending an arranged marriage. The Chinese embassy said last month that China is cooperating with Pakistan to crack down on unlawful matchmaking centers, saying “both Chinese and Pakistani youths are victims of these illegal agents.”Mahek Liaqat weeps as she recounts her ordeal in an arranged marriage to a Chinese national, in Gujranwala, Pakistan. The Associated Press interviewed more than a dozen Christian Pakistani brides and would-be brides who fled before exchanging vows. All had similar accounts of a process involving brokers and members of the clergy, including describing houses where they were taken to see potential husbands and spend their wedding nights in Islamabad, the country’s capital, and Lahore, the capital of Punjab province. “It is all fraud and cheating. All the promises they make are fake,” said Muqadas. Supply and demand - In China, demand for foreign brides has mounted, a legacy of the one-child policy that skewed the country’s gender balance toward males. Brides initially came largely from Vietnam, Laos and North Korea. Now men are looking further afield, said Mimi Vu, director of advocacy at Pacific Links, which helps trafficked Vietnamese women. “It’s purely supply and demand,” she said. “It used to be, ‘Is she light-skinned?’ Now it’s like, ‘Is she female?’” Graffiti advertising a marriage agent who procures Pakistani brides is spray-painted on the wall of a warehouse in Pei County in eastern China’s Jiangsu province.

Saturday, May 11, 2019

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DPP refutes claims that ILO was involved in the release of a trade unionist from Police custody The Director of Public Prosecutions Christopher Pryde has categorically refuted claims made in a report by Radio New Zealand yesterday that the International Labour Organisation was involved in negotiations to have a trade unionist released from police custody last week. Fiji Trades Union Congress National Secretary, Felix Anthony and two other trade unionists, Salanieta Matiavi and Paula Manumanunitoga were arrested last week by police on suspicion of having breached the Public Order Act. Pryde stresses that at no time did the International Labour Organisation have anything to do with the release of Felix Anthony from police custody. Anthony was released along with Salanieta Matiavi and

Paula Manumanunitoga, within the 48- hour time frame without charge after the police were satisfied there was no need for further enquiry. n He says any suggestions that the ILO or any other organisation negotiated their release are false. Pryde also says that the files of the three trade unionists are with the DPP’s Office and a decision on what charges, if any, will be made in due course. He says the decision to charge is made independently by the Director of Public Prosecutions on the basis of sufficiency of evidence and the public interest. This process does not involve negotiations with the ILO or any other organisation or person.

Miami Air Boeing 737-800 will resume flights on behalf of Fiji Airways Fiji Airways has confirmed that after a series of safety assessments and after receiving clearance from the Civil Aviation regulatory Authority of Fiji, Miami Air will resume operating flights on behalf of Fiji Airways from today. Fiji Airways had earlier said that it had stopped the service of its Boeing 737-800 aircraft that was leased from Miami Air last month. This followed an incident in Florida where a Miami Air Boeing 737-800 aircraft skid off the runway with 136 passengers onboard ending up in a river after

landing during a thunderstorm last week. The chartered Miami Air aircraft was brought in to operate some flights on behalf of Fiji Airways between Nadi and Auckland, Apia, Christchurch and Brisbane, subject to regulatory approval. Miami Air is a charter company based out of Miami in the United States, and have leased aircraft to airlines like British Airways, Air France, and TUI, among others. Fiji Airways has stressed that the safety of their passengers is, and always will be their number one priority.

Fiji Dairy Limited confirms shortage of milk supply from local farmers

Fiji Dairy Limited confirms that there is a shortage of supply of milk from local farmers and has caused the recent shortage of Rewa Life Milk at a number of supermarkets. FijiVillage noticed a number of supermarkets that did not have Rewa Life Milk in stock since last Friday and when questioned, Fiji Dairy Limited says that the recent Tuberculosis outbreak in dairy cattle has impacted the supply of milk from local farmers. We have also sent questions to Fiji Dairy Limited CEO, Vishwa Sharma regarding this issue and when people can expect the supply of Rewa Life Milk to be

replenished and he has said that he will respond this afternoon. Meanwhile the Ministry of Agriculture had tested 33,839 cattle for Bovine Tuberculosis and more than 1,000 cattle tested positive. Minister for Agriculture, Dr Mahendra Reddy has highlighted that the Ministry has recruited five veterinarians who are working to actively pursue the eradication of TB and Brucellosis in beef and dairy cattle. 262 dairy farmers currently supply milk under the Fiji Cooperative Dairy Company Limited while there over 100 other dairy farmers who conduct their operations themselves.

National Union of Workers and WAF should hold an extensive review of the issues between them - Justice See Employment Tribunal Magistrate Andrew See has recommended that the representatives of the National Union of Workers and Water Authority of Fiji including its senior management officials hold an extensive review of issues between the two parties. This is after the matter of dispute between the Water Authority and it’s former employees was brought to the Employment Tribunal. He has also recommended that they solve

all compliance issues that may have arisen within the dispute. The National Union of Workers is represented by its General Secretary, Felix Anthony, Mark Anthony and Latelita Qaqa while the Water Authority of Fiji is represented by Devanesh Sharma and Gul Fatima. Devanesh Sharma revealed in court that in an earlier sitting of the Employment Tribunal, the National Union of Workers had agreed that the workers whose employment

Two people arrested after man died outside the hospital, Two men are in police custody for their alleged involvement in the death of a man who was found lying outside the CWM Hospital near the Accident and Emergency Ward yesterday afternoon. The victim who is yet to be identified was found with stab wounds and attempts to revive him by medical authorities proved futile. Police say the victim is believed to be

between 30 to 40 years old, is fair, has a beard and has a masi tattoo on his left arm from his shoulder up to his elbow. Investigators cannot positively confirm the victim’s ethnicity at this stage. The victim was seen being dropped off in a silver grey Prius which was later found abandoned in Tacirua. Police say the two suspects who are in their 30s later surrendered themselves at the Nabua Police Station.

PAKISTAN

Saturday, May 11, 2019

Federal Investigation Agency arrests 13 Chinese for human trafficking 17 people, including 13 Chinese nationals, have been arrested for their involvement in smuggling girls to China after luring them into fake marriages and then into forced prostitution. Federal Investigating Agency (FIA) arrested seven, including three Chinese, who were the part of human trafficking gang. FIA arrested the gang led by Chinese national Song Chuaoyang who was also arrested, media reported. Deputy Director FIA Kamran Ali said the Chinese nationals were involved in fake marriages with Pakistani girls and later used them for prostitution and organ removal. At least 10 Chinese nationals, including a woman,

were arrested in Pakistan for allegedly luring young Pakistani girls into fake marriages then forcing them into prostitution in China. The FIA arrested eight Chinese nationals, including a woman, on Monday, after two other Chinese nationals were arrested during a marriage ceremony in Fasialabad, about 150 kilometres from Lahore, last week. “We arrested seven Chinese men and a Chinese woman for their alleged involvement in trafficking of Pakistani girls to China for the purpose of prostitution,” FIA Punjab Director Tariq Rustam said. FIA came into action following reports of Chinese nationals’

Prime Minister Imran Khan saying right things, military leadership also needs to take right decisions: USA Prime Minister Imran Khan is saying right things and trying to make some changes in the country, but his military leadership too needs to take right decisions and right steps, the Trump Administration said Wednesday hours after the UN Security Council designated Masood Azhar as a global terrorist. Nearly a year and half after President Donald Trump ordered cutting off security aid

to Pakistan, a senior US administration official told reporters that the US is trying to change Pakistan’s policy of supporting terrorist groups. Noting the US’ recognition of the ISI’s links with its home-frown terrorist groups, the official said the US does not want to get involved in the country’s internal politics and expects the Pakistan military to correct the situation.

Science minister says Pakistan sent Hubble to space, gets trolled Pakistan’s Minister for Science and Technology Fawad Chaudhry was mercilessly trolled by Twitterati after he claimed that the Hubble Space Telescope was sent into space by the country’s aeronautics and aerospace research agency Suparco, instead of its US counterpart NASA. Chaudhry, speaking at Geo News’ programme “Naya Pakistan” on Sunday, mentioned that “the world’s biggest telescope … was sent by Suparco (Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission)”. The Minister told the talk show host that “… one of the ways to see is the Hubble Telescope, which is the world’s biggest telescope and was sent (into space) by Suparco, which is installed in a satellite”. “Then there are other satellites and there are other (types of) technologies,” he added. A torrent of memes and trolling

posts made its way to the Internet following Chaudhry’s slip-up. “May be NASA head will resign and also join the Ministry of @ fawadchaudhry as head of Suparco,” one user tweeted. “You have really surpassed all your predecessors. Just a few days under your patronage, we realized that Suparco has sent ‘hubal’ telescope into space.. Incredible. Mr PM @ImranKhanPTI should send such discoverer into space as a reward..!, tweeted another user. Ironically, Chaudhry, as Pakistan’s Information Minister, had said in November that “there are some politicians who are creating chaos on the ground and should be sent to space”. “I will ask Suparco to ensure that once these politicians go to space, they cannot return,” he had said.

Former PM Sharif returns to jail after medical treatment Lahore: Former disqualified Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif returned to prison on Wednesday to complete sentence for corruption after being released on bail for six weeks to receive medical treatment, officials said. Sharif, who is serving a sevenyear sentence imposed last year for failing to disclose the source of income that allowed him to acquire the Al-Azizia Steel Mills in Saudi Arabia, was released on bail in March. He returned to the District Jail in Lahore in

the early hours, accompanied by thousands of cheering supporters, several hours after he was due back. Shahbaz Gill, spokesman for the Punjab chief magistrate, said Nawaz arrived at the jail after its gates had closed for the night but was allowed in to avoid inflaming tensions. Thousands of supporters of Sharif ’s PML-N party joined their leader from his house and stopped his car at several points along the route, showering his car with flowers and chanting in support.

involvement in organ trade and forced prostitution of girls, mostly from the minority communities, after marrying them and taking them abroad. Their leader, indentified as ‘Candice’, was among those arrested, Rustam said, adding he has been living near the Lahore

airport for the last one year. “The girls were moved to the rented houses acquired by the Chinese in Lahore where they were taught the Chinese language before they left for China after completion of their marriage related documents,” he said, adding the girls were forced into prostitution in China.

Nine people killed in bomb blast outside Sufi shrine in Lahore Five police officers are reportedly among the dead. A police van was the prime target, authorities said. Police e described the blast as a suicide attack. It has been claimed by the Hizbul Ahrar, a splinter group of the Taliban. The explosion occurred at 0844am local time near the Data Darbar Sufi shrine, one of the oldest Sufi shrines in South Asia. The bloodshed comes as Pakistani Muslims mark

the Islamic holy month of Ramadan. Muslims mark first day of Ramadan. Will Pakistan ever stamp out extremism? A security operation is still under way in the area, with a heavy police presence at the blast site. A badly damaged police vehicle surrounded by debris near a security checkpoint was at the shrine. Prime Minister Imran Khan denounced the attack.

NRI

Saturday, May 11, 2019

Sundar Pichai to talk Google Assistant, Android Q amid scandals Google will host thousands of developers in its hometown of Mountain View, California, for I/O, its biggest event of the year. The annual conference, which kicks off later today, is Google’s opportunity to tout its newest creations for its Android operating system, Assistant software and other popular services. But this year there’s even more at stake. It’s a chance for CEO Sundar Pichai to address the world, on his home turf, amid what’s been the most tumultuous time in the search giant’s 20year history. Since last year’s gathering, Google’s biggest issues have spilled into public view. The company’s workers have protested against Google’s military contracts, its work in China and its treatment of temporary and contract workers. Pichai has also been dragged in front of Congress to defend Google against accusations of political bias. The event comes just days after thousands of employees staged a sit-in at several Google offices to express discontent over alleged company retaliation for a prior protest. Two longtime employees said management had been unfairly targeting them because of their roles in organizing last year’s historic Google walkout, which saw more than 20,000 of the company’s employees march out of their offices. That protest was aimed at Google’s handling of sexual harassment allegations directed at executives. Google has also faced criticism over YouTube’s inability to police the content on its sprawling platform. The

video service, a Google subsidiary, has been accused of prioritizing growth over the safety of its users. The blowback crescendoed after a shooter livestreamed himself gunning down worshippers at two New Zealand mosques last month. YouTube wasn’t able to contain the video’s spread on its platform, and it was uploaded tens of thousands of times. On Tuesday, Pichai will take the spotlight for his most high-profile address of the year.

It’s akin to Google’s State of the Union, and TV cameras and press will be on hand to hear what he has to say. Though he may nod toward some of Google’s current controversies, he’s likely to try to keep the focus on lighter fare: new features and products. In years past, Google has unveiled Glass, its ultimately doomed smart eyewear; Google Cardboard, a do-it-yourself headset that became the launching point for the company’s virtual reality efforts; and the Google Assistant, its digital-helper software akin to Amazon’s Alexa. Last year, Google simultaneously wowed and creeped out the world with the first demo of Duplex, artificial intelligence software that sounds jaw-droppingly human.

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‘Romance fraudster’ NRI jailed for over 6 years for conning women in UK Keyur Vyas, from east London, was sentenced at Kingston Crown court, marking the conclusion of a four-year-long investigation by Scotland Yard into his fraudulent activities. 32-year-old NRI, dubbed as a “romance fraudster” by UK police, has been jailed for six years and one month after he was found guilty of conning six women he met online and luring them to invest huge amounts in non-existent companies. The recruitment agent would befriend women online with the pretense of building a relationship with them by wining and dining them. The Metropolitan Police investigation found he had committed fraud against six different women, with his overall fraud estimated at over 800,000 pounds. “Vyas used a tried and tested technique to commit fraud. He used the trust he had gained to get them to invest in non-existent companies,” said Detective Constable

Andy Chapman, from the Met Police’s Central Specialist Command. “He went as far as having fake contracts drawn up with outlandish conditions, but essentially he used the relationship to get their money. Vyas was selfish and cruel in his actions by emotionally involving the victims and conning them,” he said. The Met Police began an investigation into Keyur Vyas’ activities in October 2014. They found that between 2014 and 2017, he was employed as a recruitment agent who would befriend women online under false pretenses. The court was told that he would romance them and trick them into believing he was an affluent man working in finance. He would use commonalities with the victims, such as religion and his wish to start a family, to build trust with them.

NRI jailed for corruption in Singapore An Indian national in Singapore has been jailed for six weeks for giving bribe to two officials of a pest control company and compromising the health security of employees at the construction site where he was working, according to a media report. Muthukaruppan Periyasamy, 52, who worked as a construction manager for Fenzhii Engineering Services and Ramo Industries, was jailed for giving 1,600 Singapore Dollars (USD 1,173) as bribe to two officials of a pest control company and receiving information about the impending mosquito breeding inspections at his site. Periyasamy faced five counts for bribing

Chandran Jeganathan (30), an Indian, and Tung Chee Keong (48), a Singaporean national, to alert him about mosquito breeding inspections at his site, The New Paper said on Friday. Keong and Jeganathan worked for pest control company Killem Pest, which was given a contract by the National Environment Agency to conduct vector control. The duo received bribes as reward for alerting Periyasamy about upcoming mosquito breeding inspections at his construction site. The Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB) said on Thursday that investigations showed Periyasamy had offered to pay the two officials 400 Singapore

University of Houston building to be named after NRI couple A US University has decided to honour an Indian-American couple who have made sizable donations to the college. The University of Houston will rename its Engineering Research Building after Durga D and Shushila Agrawal, said University president Renu Khator. Founded in 1927, the University of Houston is a public research college. The $51 million building, which opened in 2017, had earlier named a floor after the couple to recognise their support. Vice-president of University Advancement Eloise Brice said the donations will benefit a

number of key objectives. “Recruiting the best and brightest students and faculty is a key goal for the University of Houston, and this generous gift will allow the Cullen College of Engineering to make great strides in that arena,” Brice said Mr Durga came to Houston in 1968 with a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Delhi College of Engineering. He earned his master’s degree and PhD in industrial engineering from the UH Cullen College of Engineering.

Ron Paul calls Tulsi Gabbard ‘very best’ Democratic candidate Ron Paul says he supports the candidacy of Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, D-Hawaii, because she is the “very best” Democrat running for president and is “good on foreign policy.” “Tulsi Gabbard by far is the very, very best,” the former Texas congressman said in an interview last week on Russian, state-controlled television network RT. “She is very liberal when it comes to economics. We probably wouldn’t agree with too much on economics.” Gabbard, a combat veteran who served overseas in Iraq and Kuwait,

announced her 2020 campaign with a video that slammed “both parties who never tire of war.” Paul, who ran for president as a Libertarian candidate in 1988 and in the Republican primaries in 2008 and 2012, is known for backing noninterventionist foreign policy. “She is good on foreign policy,” Paul said. “She does not want these engagements, which is an economic issue. We’d save a lot of money by not being engaged like this.” “She’s the most intelligent and would be the best,” Paul added.

NRI drowns in Dubai Creek An Indian man drowned when he slipped into the Dubai Creek while fishing with his friends, according to a media report on Thursday. The incident happened when Sahad Abdul Salam was fishing with his friends in Jaddaf district and suddenly slipped into the creek through a water hole, the Khaleej Times reported. The dead person belongs to Kollam in Kerala and is survived by his wife and two

children. As soon as the police received the information about the incident, a team from the port police station rushed to the site. Coast guard divers searched for the man and recovered his lifeless body which was then taken to the General Department of Forensic Medicine. The body would be handed over to the family after the completion of legal and administrative procedures

Saturday, May 11, 2019

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Saturday, May 11, 2019