www.theasianstar.com Vol 15 Issue 12 Friday, April 22, 2016
Tel: 604-591-5423
Celebrate the festivities with our Vaisakhi special. Happy Vaisakhi
Personal TV South Asian 4-Channel Pack Internet 15 Free HDPVR rental
69
$
90
*
ve Sa 670 $
Vaisakhi Special
/mo.
for the first 12 months. On a two-year service agreement.^ (Regular rate $126 per month)
Add Personal Home Phone for only $15 per month. Customize your South Asian 4-Channel Pack with any four channels below. ◊
◊
◊
To sign up, call 1-866-442-6075 for English or 1-866-308-3970 for Punjabi. Visit shaw.ca/vaisakhi or the Shaw Store in Guildford Town Centre.
*Offer available until May 7, 2016 and subject to change without notice. Price shown does not include tax. Promotional offers, or Limited Time offers apply to new customers only. New Customers must not have subscribed to the selected Shaw service (Internet, Video or Phone) or bundle in the past 90 days. Regular rates apply after promotional period and are subject to change without notice. $60 installation fee may be applied for all TV, Internet and Phone services and hardware. Not all Shaw services are available in all regions. Channel and Theme Pack availability vary by market. HD hardware is required for HD programming. The digital box you rent or purchase may be new or refurbished. Equipment not purchased by you must be returned to Shaw if any of your services are cancelled. A maximum of six (6) TVs [requiring one Gateway HDPVR and five (5) portals] can be connected. You may not resell any Shaw services. ^The 24-month Service Agreement is available to subscribers with a minimum service level of Personal TV combined with Internet 15 and higher. Shaw Phone services may be added or removed at any time outside of the 24-month Service Agreement. Free installation when you add new services as part of a 24-month Service Agreement. Early cancellation fees apply and will be calculated based on the number of months remaining in the 24-month Service Agreement multiplied by the early cancellation fee ($15, $20, or $25 depending on hardware chosen). Upon opting into the 24-month Service Agreement detailed terms and conditions will be provided within the Service Agreement documents. Service Agreement is not available in Ontario. ◊Subscription to ATN is required for adding Aapka Colors, Life OK, and Sony TV. All Shaw services are subject to our Joint Terms of Use and Privacy Policy located at shaw.ca
2 i Saturday, April 23, 2016
Happy Vaisakhi
www.theasianstar.com Vol 15 Issue 12 Friday, April 22, 2016
Tel: 604-591-5423
4 i Saturday, April 23, 2016 From page 1
HAPPY VAISAKHI to all of you
Wish you all a very Happy Vaisakhi
HAPPY VAISAKHI
Canada refuses
over the “gag order” that has left a bad taste. He sought to know the grounds on which the permission had been denied to him. Following a complaint by an Americabased group, under the provisions of Global Affairs of Canada (GAC), the Canadian Government had asked Capt Amarinder not to attend the programmes hosted by the Canadian citizens of Indian origin. The GAC policy, which has been invoked to deny him permission, mentions that the Canadian Government “will not allow foreign governments to conduct election campaigns in Canada or establish foreign political parties and movements in Canada”. Capt Amarinder clarified that he neither represented any government at the moment, nor was he organising any election campaign since there are no elections scheduled in Punjab right now or in immediate future. Besides, he added, he had no intention or purpose to establish any political party or movement in Canada. The programme had been organised by the local Canadian citizens, who were entitled to various “fundamental freedoms” in accordance with the Canadian constitution. He pointed out that he was there to be as their guest only. He said that he had “planned to visit Canada to interact with my fellow Punjabis at personal level to learn about their experiences and seek their opinions”. “They, being the citizens of Canada, do not have any voting rights in India,” he said. Asserting that his government’s order undermined the “fundamental freedoms” guaranteed in the Canadian constitution, he said, it was not only he who had been denied these freedoms. ‘“The order has denied the freedom of “expression”, “peaceful assembly” and “association”, to the Canadian citizens, who are the same people who have immensely contributed towards building up this beautiful country and you have yourself acknowledged that,” read the Capt’s letter.
www.theasianstar.com # 202 - 7028, 120th Street, Surrey, BC V3W 3M8 Ph: 604-591-5423 Fax: 604-591-8615 E-mail: editor@theasianstar.com Editor: Umendra Singh Associate Editor: Shruti Prakash Joshi Marketing and Sales: Ravinder S. Cheema..604-715-3847 Shamir Doshi..............604-649-7827 Harminder Kaur..........778-708-0481 Parminder Dhillon.......778-859-9234 Pre-Press: Iftikhar Ahmed Contributing writers: Akash Sablok, Kamila Singh, Jay Bains Photographer: Chandra Bodalia Publication Mail Agreement No 428336012 Return undeliverable Canadian addresses to Circulation Dept.
# 202 - 7028, 120th Street, Surrey, BC V3W 3M8 All advertising in The Asian Star is subject to the publishers’ approval and the advertiser agrees to indemnify the publishers against claims arising from publication of any advertisement submitted by the advertiser.
to all our Clients, Friends & Family
www.theasianstar.com
Vol 15
Issue 12 Saturday, April 23, 2016
Tel: 604-591-5423
Happy Vaisakhi Huge crowd of over 100,000 attended the Vaisakhi parade in Vancouver last week (above) this week it is Surrey’s turn as over 300,000 people are expected to attend the parade in Surrey today. Photo: Chandra Bodalia
Liberals are inflating deficits by billions of dollars - PBO
T
he Trudeau government inherited a surplus before plunging federal finances deep into red ink, says a new report from the parliamentary budget watchdog that also concludes the Liberals are inflating by billions of dollars the projected size of their deficits in the coming years. The Parliamentary Budget Officer’s economic and fiscal outlook, released Tuesday, also estimates the government’s decision to return the eligibility age for Old Age Security to 65 from planned increase to 67 will cost the treasury more than $11 billion a year in 2029-30.
Continued on page 6
P
Canada refuses Capt. Amrinder’s request to meet Punjabis here
unjab Pradesh Congress Committee president Capt Amarinder Singh has lodged a strong protest with the Canadian Government over the denial of permission to hold interactive meetings with the Punjabis in Toronto and Vancouver. “It feels like a gag order that has left a very bad taste, more so, when issued by a democratic government like the Canadian”, he said. In a strongly worded letter to the Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, quoting Canadian constitution to argue his point, Capt Amarind-
Continued on page 4
Canadian ‘transplant tourists’ putting their lives at serious risk: study
T
he steady stream of Canadians who continue to buy organs overseas are not only propping up a morally dubious trade, but putting their own lives at serious, long-term risk, suggests a new study. One of the lead authors says the findings offer more reason why the federal government should make participating in transplant tourism a criminal offence. People who obtained a kidney transplant outside Canada, then returned for after-care at a Toronto hospital, were three to four times as likely to die or lose the organ as those transplanted here, the researchers found.
Continued on page 6
HAPPY VAISAKHI
Dr. Ramesh Prasad
to all our Clients, Friends & Family
6 i Saturday, April 23, 2016
Wish you all a very Happy Vaisakhi
Local Canadian ‘transplant tourists’ putting their lives at serious risk: study From page 1 tients never express any kind of regret for And they brought home some nasty souvehaving done what they did, even when nirs, including potentially deadly cases of they’re very sick.‌ They’re so convinced hepatitis and tuberculosis, says the study. they did the right thing for themselves.â€? It’s believed Canadians seek out transStill, St. Michael’s will always provide plants overseas because of long wait lists treatment without question to returnhere and the fear of dying before a doing transplant tourists, he said, though nor becomes available. Kidneys are by far they sometimes need more aggressive the most commonly transplanted organ. care and infection-control procedures. Previous research has highlighted the poor St. Paul’s Hospital, one of two in Vancouver that short-term results of commercial kidney conducts kidney transplants, also sees three grafts abroad. But the study by doctors at St. to five returning organ tourists annually, says Michael’s Hospital in Toronto appears to be Dr. Jag Gill, a transplant nephrologist there. the first to show that patients who survive If the St. Paul’s team has seen such a rethe initial months continue to fare badly, as cipient previously and advised against golong as eight years after buying their organ. ing overseas, they sometimes transfer the The blame likely goes to poor surgiperson to another transplant centre, he said. cal techniques, infection and inadequate “We have in the past said, ‘Our relationmatching with the donor at the time ship with that patient is tarnished,’ â€? said of the original operation, experts say. Gill. “That creates a bit of an awkward situSuch information should be used to deation, and the last thing you want to do is ter Canadians from participating in the compromise patient care because of hard commercial organ business, says the pafeelings between the doctor and patient.â€? per in the journal Kidney International. The trade in organ transplants has been widely Despite some progress in curbing the condemned, evidence indicating that donors trade, three to five people a year still show are at best poorly compensated and treated, up just at St. Michael’s having obtained at worst kidnapped and their organs hara kidney in places like China, Pakistan vested involuntarily. In China, a destination or India, says Dr. Ramesh Prasad, a nefor some Canadian patients, it’s believed orphrologist who spearheaded the study. gans are often taken from executed prisoners. It would be a major step forward if the govA study by St. Michael’s 10 years ago — and ernment actually banned the practice, he said. research elsewhere — has indicated that the “If patients are told it’s a crime, that outcomes for patients who got their organs might curtail people going abroad,â€? said on the black market abroad were worse in Prasad. “It’s definitely frustrating. Pathe first couple of years after the transplant.
Liberals are inflating deficits by billions of From page 1 dollars - PBO The PBO also questions the government’s projection that budget measures will create
or maintain 100,000 jobs by 2017-18, instead forecasting the creation of 60,000 jobs.
This is a PROOF of your ad in the forthcoming edition of the Indo-Canadian Business Pages ‘2014
Contract#
HAPPY VAISAKHI TO ALL OF YOU
READY FOR PRESS
DESIGNER
CLASSIFICATION
DATE
ANY QUESTION, CALL: 604.502.6100 SALES REP. SIGN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
M. Sandhu Law Office BARRISTERS, BARRISTERS, SOLICITORS SOLICITORS & & NOTARY NOTERY PUBLIC PUBLIC
Legal services in English, Punjabi & Hindi in the following areas:
REAL ESTATE TRANSACTIONS
 � � �
Professional & Friendly Services
RESIDENTIAL / COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE CORPORATE / COMMERCIAL LAW TRUST & SHAREHOLDER'S AGREEMENTS BUYING / SELLING BUSINESSES PROPERTY SUBDIVISIONS WILLS & ESTATES BUILDER'S LIENS CONTRACT DISPUTES
Great Results
NOTARY SERVICES
Reasonable Rates
POWER OF ATTORNEY AFFIDAVITS ATTESTATION
Mandeep Singh Sandhu
Unit # 212-12830 80th Ave. Surrey Fax: 604.628.3786 Email: sandhulaw13@gmail.com
778.893.1780 IMPORTANT FOR CLIENT’S USE ONLY
Please check carefully the followings •
TICK ( ) IN BOXES AFTER CHECKING
Signature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Local
New Surrey park opens to public
Saturday, April 23, 2016
RCMP still looking for three burglars after man was stabbed in his home
A
57-year-old Surrey man is recovering after being stabbed in the chest while confronting burglars inside his Clayton home early Wednesday morning. Two days later, police are still looking for the burglars. They took off in the victim’s 2005 white Mini Cooper, which was later found abandoned in the 13800-block of 104th Avenue in Whalley. The break-in happened at about 4:30 a.m., in the 19100-block of 62A Avenue. Police ask anyone with information to call the Surrey RCMP at 604-599-0502. Meanwhile, the alleged killer of Surrey realtor Colin Hill, who was shot dead in his Cloverdale home last year while try-
A
huge new Metro Vancouver park is finally opening to the public, offering a major new area of green space and trails along the shore of the Fraser River in north Surrey. Surrey Bend Regional Park has been 20 years in the making, after land acquisitions by the regional district and City of Surrey ensured the entire 348-hectare park would be preserved, rather than developed for industry. It is in the largest publicly owned natural area within Surrey and features diverse wildlife species and wetland habitats, including the Fraser Valley’s third-largest and relatively undisturbed bog. The grand opening will feature drumming and a blessing from the Katzie First Nation, VIP speakers and ribbon cutting and live performances. It will include interactive exhibits from organizations including: the Surrey Nature Centre, Experience the Fraser, Catching the Spirit, Pacific Parklands Foundation, Burns Bog Conservation Society, Friends of Semiahmoo Bay, Green Timbers Heritage Society, Surrey Search and Rescue, HUB, Surrey Trekkers, Vancouver Aquarium, White Rock & Surrey Naturalists, Parks Canada, and the BC Wildlife Federation. Nature programs will be offered to connect park visitors with the new multi-use trails, and face painters and stilt walkers will add to the fun. There will be live performances by popular children’s performers Bobs & Lolo, ventriloquist Norma McKnight with Norbert the frog, and family musician Tony Prophet. The park will be Metro Vancouver’s 23 regional park, forming part of a network of parks and protected areas along the Fraser River. How to get there: Park at Pacific Academy, located at 10238 - 10300 168 St., Surrey, and take a free shuttle bus to Surrey Bend Regional Park. First shuttle bus will leave Pacific Academy at 11:30 AM. Last shuttle bus will leave Surrey Bend Regional Park at 4:30 PM. Shuttle departs every 20 minutes from Pacific Academy.
i 7
ing to protect his family from a late-night burglar in the 16500-block of 64th Avenue, will next appear in court on June 24. Khouri Lamar Green, 22, is charged with second-degree murder. At the time, Hill’s grieving wife, Becky Zhou, posted a message on Facebook indicating he tried to stop the gunman from breaking in but “lost (the) battle holding the door.” She wrote that her husband “yelled out to the family to hide” and then led the gunman outside “to give time to the family to hide. Surrey Mayor Linda Hepner said shortly after Hill’s death that “there are no words to express my outrage for this senseless loss of life.
8 i Saturday, April 23, 2016
P
Chhavi Disawar
PERSON OF THE WEEK
Gobind Sarvar School: Setting Trends in Education
assion for anything can lead one to the epitomes that are beyond success. People with such mindset, not only bring a positive change in their lives but also create ideas that further benefit the society as a whole. Such is the personality of Mr. Jasbir Singh Bhatia, whose vision and focus has always been revolv-
ing around promoting education and its benefits in the society. Ever since his childhood, Mr. Bhatia dreamt of contributing in the field of education. At the age of 20 and a half, he completed his bachelors of education, and started working as a teacher with a Government School in New Delhi and that was the start point for Mr. Bhatia’s Journey. “My father also retired as a head teacher from one of the extremely renowned schools in New Delhi, I think it was some instinctive urge that derived me towards education”, smiled Mr. Bhatia. In 1988, He moved to Hamilton, Ontario with his family and after getting his teaching certifications, he worked as supply teacher with five different school boards in the area that gave him a wide arena to explore the field in Canada. After serving in Hamilton for around four years, he planned to move to the west end and the destiny followed his plans. “It was around June when we planned to shift from Ontario to BC because of the harsh conditions and during that time someone told me about one of the leading educational insti-
tutes here. Out of curiosity, I faxed them my resume and within days they selected me”, told Mr. Bhatia. Mr. Bhatia has served Khalsa Schools in Surrey for 23 years where he started as a teacher and with his potential, he grew within the organisation. Apart from being a teacher he served the school as a head teacher, Vice Princi-
pal, Principal and Superintendent for all four campuses. He is also the one to design curriculum and plan for the new high school initiative of the institute. After taking retirement, Mr. Bhatia initially thought that he would not get engrossed in work anymore but they say ‘Man proposes and God disposes’, and that’s what happened with him. One day was called in by the Gurudwara committee members to discuss their plan for a school with him. “I knew about the area they wanted me to come. However, I had never been there before. When I stepped inside, I was mesmerized to see around 600 children sitting and chanting religious hymns in the class and youngsters vol-
unteering in there. The aura of that place was so vibrant that within no time I decided to work with them”, said Mr. Bhatia.” I then thought of putting in the crux of my experience and knowledge into the initiative and get it going.” Gobind Sarvar School is a sorted out multicultural education facility that is a combination of traditional learnings and modern education that is the moditional approach. “Like other Sikh institutes, we will have classes for Gatka, Kirtan, Gurmat and Punjabi. Also, in this facility we will introduce advanced level of technology so that students don’t get deprived of it”, told Mr. Bhatia. The school will also focus on preparing students for FSA exam that is a mandatory assessment for grade 4 and 7 pupils. Also, the school is open for special needs children as Mr. Bhatia believes that every person has equal rights on education regardless of any obligation. Inclusion and Integration is the motive of Gobind Sarvar School.
To promote multiculturalism trend amongst children, Gobind Sarvar is planning for interschool cultural exchange, field trips and also international exchange programs in future. The school is also planning for creative classes after hours within the facility in order to cater to the interests of students. These clubs will include Reading, Cre-
Jasbir Singh Bhatia
ative Writing, fine arts and much more. “Our everyday classes will include visual arts for students so that they have a hands –on approach o everything”, told Mr. Bhatia. The school also plans to introduce the IB and AP programs. As of Surrey and around areas, there are only around three schools that provide these plans for students. These programs will help students to have an extra edge in this competitive world. The uniqueness of the school is its open-door policy. “We want children to be creative and original. We don’t believe in imposing things on the original mindsets of people”, told Mr. Bhatia. The school already has its own Field Hockey team inclusive of National players. Gobind Sarvar School is a unique facility that comprises of every aspect that is important for a child to become an INDIVIDUAL element that contributes to the society as a whole. The school has a closed campus policy in order to provide extra security for the students. For details, enquiries and admissions: Ph: 604-930-2122 Email: info@gobindsarvar.com
32 i Saturday, April 23, 2016
April 23, 2016 i 9 WWW.APPLEWOODSURREY.CA - BC'S #1 KIASaturday, SUPERSTORE
0 INTEREST 0 PAYMENT FOR 90 DAYS 5,000 CASH BACK AT 0% INTEREST O.A.C.
$
0 DOWN 0AT DELIVERY DUE 2016 KIA RIO SALE PRICE $13,675
39
JUST $
$
2015 KIA SOUL SALE PRICE $19,120
37
JUST $
$
2016 KIA SORENTO SALE PRICE $24,535
69
WEEKLY PAYMENT
SALE PRICE $19,625
56
JUST $
SALE PRICE $12,389
35
JUST $
6,145
$
4,985
SALE PRICE $19,985
57
JUST $
STK#SR6365 MSRP $29,520
WEEKLY PAYMENT
2015 KIA RIO 5 LX+
2015 KIA SORENTO SX
WAS $16,995
WAS $16,995
WAS $35,995
CLEAROUT PRICE $13,500
$39 WK
STK# 35159
CLEAROUT PRICE $14,500
PAY JUST
$42 WK
STK # 34927
CLEAROUT PRICE $32,500
$93 WK
2015 DODGE CHARGER SXT
2015 MITSUBISHI MIRAGE ES
WAS $21,995
WAS $27,995
WAS $15,995
CLEAROUT PRICE $17,500
$50 WK
STK # 35441
CLEAROUT PRICE $25,500
PAY JUST
$73 WK
2015 KIA FORTE LX+
2015 FORD ESCAPE SE
AUTO, HEATED SEATS, WELL EQUIPPED
AWD, LOADED, FUEL ECONOMY
WAS $16,995
WAS $25,995
CLEAROUT PRICE $14,500
PAY JUST
$42 WK
STK # 34917
CLEAROUT PRICE $23,500
$
SAVE OVER
5,035 STK#SP6X27 MSRP $25,020
STK # SR5908
AUTO, NICELY EQUIPPED, LOW KMS
LOADED, SPORTY + FUN TO DRIVE
PAY JUST
5,185
PAY JUST
2015 KIA OPTIMA LX AUTO, HEATED SEATS, WELL EQUIPPED
SAVE OVER
LOADED, AWD, NAVI, LEATHER, ROOF
AUTO, HEAT SEATS, WELL EQUIPPED
PAY JUST
7,015
STK#6730 MSRP $17,555
2016 KIA SPORTAGE
2013 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT TRENDLINE EDITION, AUTO, BLUETOOTH, WELL EQUIPPED
$
WEEKLY PAYMENT One Last tock in S
SAVE OVER
STK#OP5864 MSRP $26,640
2016 KIA FORTE
SAVE OVER
SAVE OVER
$
WEEKLY PAYMENT
STK#SO5949 MSRP $19,120
WEEKLY PAYMENT
JUST $
3,880
2015 KIA OPTIMA
One Last tock in S
STK#RO6957 MSRP $17,555
WEEKLY PAYMENT One Last tock in S
SAVE OVER
STK # 35120
CLEAROUT PRICE $13,500
PAY JUST
$36 WK
STK # 35422
2014 KIA SEDONA LX CONV GREAT FOR FAMILY ADVENTURES
WAS $21,995
PAY JUST
$67 WK
STK # 35121
CLEAROUT PRICE $18,500
PAY JUST
$52 WK
STK # 34850
HURRY...OFFER ENDS ENDS APRIL 29TH, HURRY... OFFER APRIL2016 21ST, 2016!
Harry Oberoi Sales Manager
Nav Singh
Shahid Shafiq
Senior Product Advisor Senior Product Advisor
KIA SURREY The Power to Surprise r 16299 FRASERVIEW HWY. u o y k a e We aspnguage! 604-596-3250 l www.applewoodsurrey.ca
All prices & payments are plus applicable fees and taxes. Finance payments are shown as weekly equivalent of the monthly amount and are only available on approved credit (OAC). Interest rate used is 4.24% x 96 months. The cost of borrowing (COB) is shown for these featured. NEW VEHICLES: 2016 Rio #R06957 - $13675 @ $39/wk, COB $2,473; 2015 Optima LX #OP5864 – 19,625 @ 56/wk, COB 3,546; 2015 Soul #SO5949 – $12,975 @ $37/wk, COB $2,350; 2016 Sportage #SP6X27 - $19,985 @ $57/wk, COB $3,610; 2016 Sorento #SR6365 - $24,535 @ $69/wk, COB $4,427; 2016 Forte #FO6730 - $12,389 @ $35/wk, COB $2,245; USED VEHICLES: 2015 Kia Sorento #, $32,500 $93 wk – COB $5855 2015 Kia Optima #35441 $17,500 ,$50 wk – COB $3224 2015 Kia Forte #34917, $14,500, $42 wk – COB $2688 2015 Kia Rio5 #34927 - $14,500, $42 wk– COB $2688 2015 Dodge Charger #35120 - $25,500 - $73 wk – COB $4663 2015 Ford Escape #35121 - $23500 – $67 wk – COB $4304 2013 VW Passat #35159 $13500 - $39 wk – COB $2445 2015 Mitsubishi Mirage #35422 - $13,500 – 36 wk - COB $2329 2014 Sedona #34850$18,500 – 52 wk – COB $3406 2012 Honda CRV #35446 $19,500 – 56 wk– COB $3,521 Information in this advertisement is believed to be accurate at the time of printing. See dealer for further details, In-store promotions end Sunday, April 21, 2016
LOCAL
10 i Saturday, April 23, 2016
HAPPY VAISAKHI TO ALL OF YOU
S
Surrey Food Bank struggles to serve Syrian refugees
taff at the Surrey Food Bank are holding their breath as they struggle to feed more than 600 Syrian refugees already requiring help. “We’re anticipating even more,” said bank director Marilyn Herrmann. “I feel like I’ve kind of got my finger in the dam.” The Surrey Food Bank is currently serving 671 Syrian refugees from 115 families. As of April 12, 1,815 Syrian government-assisted refugees have arrived in B.C. and of those, 1,379 have moved into permanent accommodations including 670 people (155 families) in Surrey. Another 50 or more have come through private or blended sponsorships. Translation has been an issue, Her-
rmann said. The food bank has hired a translator and is reserving 11:15 a.m. to noon for Syrian families. It has even created an Arabic pamphlet explaining what’s required to register. “They didn’t understand what we were offering and we didn’t understand what they needed,” Herrmann said. “The impact has been mainly that much of the food we give them, they don’t know what it is. Or the labelling on the food they can’t read. So the language barrier has been a huge issue.” The food bank is also buying more fruits and vegetables, and has just put in a big order for rice, noted Herrmann.
Happy Vaisakhi to all of you
HAPPY VAISAKHI
LOCAL
Saturday, April 23, 2016
i 11
Syrian refugees demand permanet housing, fed up after months in temporary housing
S
ome Syrian refugees living in limbo months after arriving in Canada say they feel frustrated, and ignored by settlement workers. “When we came at first, we have a hope ... but now we lost the hope,” said Hatem Alsidawe, through an interpreter. Alsidawe, 19, has been living with his family — four siblings aged 15 to 26 and his mother, a widow — in a motel unit in East Vancouver since early February. They’re amongst 121 Syrians still in temporary accommodations, all of whom arrived before March 1 during the federal government’s push to welcome refugees. Some of the families are staying in hotels and motels at a cost of $90 to $120 per night, plus $10 per person per day for food. Alsidawe says ISSofBC — the settlement agency tasked with settling government assisted refugees like his family — hasn’t shown his family a potential home in six weeks. He dubs it the “failure office”. “Everydaywetalktothemandnooneanswers, no one replied, no one cares,” said Hatem. “They don’t even look to us, they don’t give us the answers. They just kind of ignoring.” ISSofBC director of settlement services Chris Friesen says they’re working “flat out” on the “monumental task” of finding housing in Metro Vancouver for refugees on budgets tied to provincial welfare rates. And some of the families are proving
particularly difficult to house. The family has been shown several potential homes, but turned them down because they didn’t have a bathroom big enough for bathing the disabled young women. Their mother, Fayzeh Ramadan, says the motel bathroom is small too,
Friesen said three families that arrived in B.C. at the end of December 2015 are still in temporary housing. Yussef AlSulaiman, his wife, and five young children are among them. Over four months, they’ve been bounced from a hotel in downtown Vancouver, to one in Surrey, and have now been relocated again to the ISSofBC Welcome House. “He is really fed up, it’s just too much. He has children, he wants them to go to school, he wants to find a job, they want to find a life,” said an interpreter for AlSulaiman. AlSulaiman says they’ve been shown three houses. Two were basement suites, one with only one window, in the kitchen. He liked the third, a home in Langley, but says settlement workers told
him it was too small for his family. AlSulaiman emphasizes that he’s grateful to Canada, but says he’s getting inadequate help from settlement agencies. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada says it’s begun providing direct support to some families to address their concerns. “IRCC also informed families that they could not remain indefinitely in temporary housing, when suitable options were being provided to them,” wrote spokeswoman Jessica Seguin in an email. “In some cases more than six options were presented in efforts to please clients.” Friesen said he’s confident that all of the initial wave of Syrian refugee families will be in permanent housing in “the very near future.”
Happy Vaisakhi to all of you meaning her daughters have had only one bath in the past three months. Her 15-year-old son, Mohamed, hasn’t been able to enroll in school because they don’t have a permanent home. “We’re sitting here in the house, just like a jail for us,” she said through an interpreter. Friesen says the agency’s goal is to provide each family with up to two housing options, something that’s been done in most of the outstanding cases. “Most of the families that have been with us now for some time have received permanent housing options, but for a variety of reasons have chosen not to move. So it’s a complicated process, and we are equally frustrated.”
HAPPY VAISAKHI
12 i Saturday, April 23, 2016
LOCAL
Purse-snatcher faces deportation after losing appeal Tanzanian man faces
A
NDP MLA and supporters at Vancouver Vaisakhi parade last weekend. Photo: Chandra Bodalia
possible removal from Canada after losing his appeal of a guilty plea for robbing a Victoria woman of her purse, his second criminal conviction. In October 2013, Hemed Kassim Kitawine, who was granted permanent resident status in Canada in March 2001, entered the plea to the December 2011 robbery. In October 2010 he’d been convicted of a prior offence — 12 charges related to fraud and identity theft — and was sentenced to 15 months in jail and a year of probation. In July 2011, the Immigration and Refugee Board issued an order that he be removed from Canada after determining that he was inadmissible in the country due to serious criminality. The father of two appealed the order, seeking a stay on humanitarian grounds, and was granted a four-year stay. The stay order noted that he could be removed from Canada if he committed another offence and in January 2013 he was charged with
A
the robbery offence. In his reasons for judgment dismissing the appeal, B.C. Court of Appeal Justice Ian Donald noted that Kitawine pleaded guilty to the robbery because he hoped he would receive a six-month sentence and keep alive his chances of remaining in Canada. = “His counsel was unaware that as a matter of law a conviction for an offence, like robbery, carrying a maximum penalty of 10 years or more, would terminate the appellant’s appeal from an immigration removal order, regardless of the length of the sentence.” Kitawine argued that there was a miscarriage of justice and he should be permitted to withdraw the plea and get a new trial on the grounds that he was not informed of the consequences of the appeal, but Donald dismissed those arguments. “The criminal process was not unfair.
B.C. exceeds adoption target with 644 kids finding forever homes
total of 644 young British Columbians, who were in government care, found the love and security of a forever home over the past two years, with 2015-16 marking the highest annual adoption count since the Adoptions Act came into effect in 1997. The Ministry of Children and Family Development (MCFD) set an ambitious goal to place 600 children and youth in adoptive
homes over the two-year period, ending March 31, 2016. With the help of partners, such as the Adoptive Families Association of B.C., licensed adoption agencies, Indigenous Perspectives Society, the Representative of Children and Youth and contractors, and through the efforts of adoptions social workers throughout B.C., that goal has not only been met, but it was surpassed.
Wish you all a very HAPPY VAISAKHI
LOCAL
Vancouver Mayor rips pipeline over emissions
V
ancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson, only weeks after embracing Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s infrastructure and social housing plan for big cities, is slamming the new government’s climate policy. The city sent a letter to the federal government Monday critical of Ottawa’s new method of assessing the climate impact of Kinder Morgan’s $6.8-billion Alberta-to-Burnaby pipeline expansion. The letter from a city official calls on the federal government to consider the “downstream” impact on global emissions of the expansion as diluted bitumen crude is transported from the West Coast to other countries, where it would be refined and then shipped to consumers. The federal government said in January it would assess the climate impact of major projects like Kinder Morgan’s Trans Mountain expansion, though it said only that it would consider the “upstream” impact by digging
up the bitumen in Alberta and shipping it to the West Coast. The National Energy Board has completed hearings and is scheduled to make its recommendation by May 20 to the federal cabinet, which in turn will have until December to make its final decision. “We appreciate modest improvements made to the NEB process by the federal government,” Robertson said in an interview. “But not including the impacts of downstream climate pollution is a huge oversight and glaring omission.” The letter, citing data from a 2014 report to the city from Simon Fraser University climate economist Mark Jaccard, argued that the combined upstream and downstream emissions from the Kinder Morgan project would be 79 million tonnes a year — or almost 10 times higher than the emissions just from upstream use.
Saturday, April 23, 2016
HAPPY VAISAKHI
Wish you all HAPPY VAISAKHI
Inflation cools to 1.3% in March on cheaper gasoline prices
C
anada’s inflation rate slowed to an annual increase of 1.3 per cent in March, thanks in large part to gasoline prices that were much cheaper during the month than they were in the same time period a year earlier. Statistics Canada reported Friday that six of the eight economic sectors the data agency monitors to come up with its cost of living figure were higher. The two that declined were the transportation index — which includes gasoline — and clothing and footwear, which got 0.4 per cent cheaper during the month. Prices dropped 13.6 per cent at the pumps in March. That partly offset higher prices for shelter and food — particularly fresh fruit and vegetables. Due in part to the lower Canadian dollar, vegetables prices were up 14.9 per cent and fruit rose 11.3 per cent. Bank of Montreal economist Doug Porter says the loonie, which was weak for much of March before later rebounding, is having an impact on the numbers. “Just to cite a few examples, toys, sporting goods, shoes and autos all showed a bit of pop in the latest monthly, likely reflecting
the pronounced Canadian dollar weakness at the start of the year,” Porter said. The 1.3-per-cent inflation rate was slightly higher than the 1.2 per cent that economists were expecting, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. The inflation rate cooled in eight provinces during the month but increased in Alberta and British Columbia, the data agency said. Prices for things like food and energy are notoriously volatile, which is why the Bank of Canada largely ignores them in setting its monetary policy. If those things are stripped out, the socalled “core” inflation rate actually increased during the month to 2.1 per cent, up from 1.9 per cent in February. “Time will tell whether this was a onemonth blip, or the start of a trend, but in our view, it is too early to get worried about the slight uptick in core inflation,” TD economist Leslie Preston said. “Core inflation remains essentially on the Bank of Canada’s target, and the slight uptick in March is unlikely to keep Poloz and company up at night.”
HAPPY VAISAKHI TO ALL OF YOU
i 13
LOCAL
14 i Saturday, April 23, 2016
P
Immigration consultants violating rules of private refugee sponsorship program
rofessional immigration consultants, in partnership with some refugee sponsorship groups, are charging refugees thousands of dollars in arrangements that critics say are unethical and violate federal rules on sponsorship. The immigration consultants have been targeting Syrians living in the Gulf states, many of whom are there on work permits and are able to earn a living. In that sense, they are potentially a more lucrative client base than those in refugee camps in Jordan, Lebanon and Turkey. The consultants advertise on social media and make visits to the region, setting up shop in five-star hotels. Edmonton resident Nhung Tran-Davies welcomes a family of Syrian refugees she helped to sponsor in March. Canadians across the country have been raising money to privately sponsor Syrian refugees, but
a CBC investigation has found that some Syrians coming applying from Gulf states are being asked to pay the cost of their resettlement up front by immigration consultants who are also charging thousands of dollars to process their applications. In the case of one such agency, information available online and documents obtained by CBC News reveal that the consultant is not only charging prospective refugees thousands of dollars to process their applications but also asking them to pay the full cost of their resettlement up front, which violates the financial guidelines of the Private Sponsorship of Refugees Program. “I find it appalling, honestly,” said Toronto lawyer Jackie Swaisland, who is part of a network of lawyers, immigration consultants and law students that has helped hundreds of refugees get to Canada without charging for their services.
Metro Vancouver wants water meters
M
etro Vancouver is researching the possibility of installing water meters for all homes in the region. The two-year study will examine the environmental benefits as well as the economic costs. “Basically water metering is a way to charge people for how much water they use and that does help people reduce how much they consume,” says North Vancouver Mayor Darrell Mussatto, who is also the chair of Metro Vancouver’s utilities committee. Mussatto estimates it would cost between $400 to $1,000 per home to install the meters, and
HAPPY VAISAKHI TO ALL OF YOU
about $50 a year for reading and billing. “It would cut down the use for sure, but you’d still have to raise X amount of dollars to pay for the system,” he said. The committee will have to decide if the environmental benefits would be worth the extra cost. Mussatto says the study is also looking at other alternatives — including hiring additional bylaw officers to enforce water restrictions during dry summer months. Homes in West Vancouver and White Rock already have water meters, as do all newly-built single and two-family homes in Vancouver. The region is considering the move to water meters following one of the hottest and driest summers on record. Stage 3 water restrictions were implemented in Metro Vancouver last summer for the first time since 2003. This year, the region will be restricting water use two weeks earlier than usual in order to ensure there is enough water left at the end of summer. From May 15 to Oct. 15, residents will only be able to water their lawn three times a week.
Victoria renters warn of scams in hot housing market
I
t’s a typical situation in Victoria’s red hot property market. Craig and Jackie Hiebert’s landlord is looking to sell and they are frantically searching for a new rental, fearing they will soon be out. “As soon as our spidey senses were tingling we started looking at the market, and that was pretty terrifying,” said Craig Hiebert. The Hiebert’s search has been hampered by a shortage of suitable listings in Victoria’s rental market that has almost zero vacancies. To make matters worse, some of the listings that looked promising were not what they seemed, when they went to view the properties. After corresponding by email with the supposed owner of one home listed online, Hiebert said he arrived to find a sign in the window indicating the home was never for rent and was the subject of an online scam. Another home the couple attempted to view didn’t exist at all when they went to find the address. Hiebert believes fraudsters are fishing for deposits or personal information in a vulnerable market. “Everyone is desperate to find a place. The vacancy rate is so incredibly low, there’s not a lot to choose from,” he said. Too good to be true There is concern that desperate house hunters could become prime targets for scams, said Const. Matt Rutherford with Victoria Police. “Maybe they, without thinking about it might hand out money or give out personal information,” he said. “We just want to encourage people to take a step back and do a little research.” People should be wary of any listing that seems too good to be true, or anyone offering a rental who claims they can’t meet in person before exchanging information. “If somebody is asking for personal inContinued on next page
LOCAL
Zika virus detected in 2 pregnant B.C. women
T
wo pregnant women in B.C. have tested positive for Zika virus, health officials have confirmed. The women are being regularly monitored with special higher resolution ultrasounds at B.C. Women’s Hospital, and so far no complications in their pregnancies have been reported, according to David Patrick, a medical epidemiologist at the B.C. Centre for Disease Control. “They look at whether the baby is growing normally for the date. They take a look at the size of the baby’s head in particular, and they look for other abnormalities within the babies skull as it develops,” he said. Last week Zika virus was confirmed as a cause of the birth defect microcephaly and other serious birth defects, by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. But the vast majority of women infected with Zika have no complications with their pregnancies, which generally only occur when the women are quite sick from the virus during their first trimester, said Patrick. Janine Santos holds her three-monthold son Shayde Henrique, who was born with microcephaly. Zika is now proven as a cause of microcephaly — or, unusually small heads — the CDC says. “If women have just been exposed and had the virus pass through their body without many symptoms, the risk to the baby is actually pretty low,” he said.
Victoria renters warn of scams in hot housing market From previous page formation like your SIN number or specific details like date of birth through email without meeting them, without seeing the suite, that would cause some red flags for me,” Rutherford said. “Usually with these scams we see the potential landlord claiming they are not in town so they are unable to meet the potential tenant, which in some cases might be legitimate, but in a lot of cases it is fraud.” The Hieberts did not hand over money orpersonal information to the people behind any of the questionable listings they have come across.
It is also still possible to test positive for the virus and not actually be infected, he notes. “The testing is getting better, but it is not super-good, so you really wouldn’t want to make a decision based on a false-positive
test,” Patrick said. “The most important message is to follow the pregnancy really closely with your doctor and an obstetrician with the right kind of ultrasounds.”
Saturday, April 23, 2016
i 15
Khadr marrying Edmonton human-rights activist who helped him gain his freedom
F
ormer Guantanamo Bay inmate Omar Khadr, out on bail in Edmonton since last year, is getting married. Postmedia News has confirmed the 29-year-old former child soldier will marry Edmonton human-rights activist Muna Abougoush, a longtime supporter who wrote and visited Khadr in prison during his time in Canadian custody. Facebook posts congratulating the couple have quickly spread online. “I am so happy to think you will be sharing your future together after so many years of shared past,” reads one message. Abougoush is one of several women who started an international campaign for Khadr’s freedom. She helped launched a website to keep his story in the news and
later began corresponding with and visiting him behind bars. Abougoush told the Toronto Star in 2013 that she was nervous before her first meeting with Khadr: “This case that everyone had been talking about for over a decade was about to become a real person.” She told the same paper a few years later that Khadr was maintaining a positive outlook despite his challenges. “Omar is very forward-looking, concentrating on his future. He doesn’t hold grudges. He knows if he hangs on to the negativity of the past he can’t move forward,” she said in May, 2015. Khadr was released on bail last year after spending more than a decade behind bars in both U.S. and Canadian custody.
Wishing you all a very HAPPY VAISAKHI C.S.T. Consultants Inc.
BC Helps Parents Boost their Education Savings! Start saving for your child’s future education in a Registered Education Savings Plan (RESP) and receive up to $8,400 in government grants.1 Open a CST RESP now and you’ll start receiving the Canada Education Savings grant (CESG). The CESG can add up to $7,200 to your child’s RESP. When your child turns six, they can receive an additional $1,200 from the B.C. Government.
Open a CST RESP today! Surjit S. Madhopuri Branch Manager C.S.T. Consultants Inc. Branch 888 (604) 377- 4171 / (604) 594 - 7200 surjit.madhopuri@cstresp.com http://www.cstresp.com/6117 1 The Canada Education Savings Grant matches 20% of the first $2,500 you contribute to your child’s RESP each year up to a lifetime maximum of $7,200. BC Training and Education Savings Grant (BCTESG) is a one-time $1,200 grant available to BC resident children born on or after January 1st, 2007. Children are eligible for the BCTESG on their sixth birthday. You have until the day before your child’s ninth birthday to apply for the BCTESG. Conditions apply. The CST Plan is only sold by Prospectus. You can get copies of the prospectus from www.cst.org or by calling 1.877.333.RESP(7377).
16 i Saturday, April 23, 2016
LOCAL
RCMP investigating gunplay in Surrey
A
nother apparent round of gunplay in Surrey. RCMP said they received reports of shots being fired in the 16000-block of 93 Av-
enue at about 10:30 p.m. Saturday. “Officers attended and located evidence to support that shots had been fired in the area,” said the press release. “No one was injured in the incident. The initial
investigation has revealed that a light coloured SUV was seen fleeing from the scene shortly afterwards the incident.” There are reports police found two bullet holes in a home on 93 Avenue, one in the front door and the other in the garage door. Police are still on the scene, speaking to neighbours and witnesses. Anyone with more information is asked to call Surrey RCMP at 604-599-0502 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or http://www.solvecrime.ca. There have now been 33 shootings reported in Surrey this year. In all of 2015, there were 47. On Friday, Premier Christy Clark said $23 million in funding will go towards the fight against gangs in B.C.
HAPPY VAISAKHI
W-18, a drug 100 times more potent than fentanyl, is now in BC The deadly synthetic opioid W-18, a drug 100 times more potent than fentanyl, has turned up in B.C. for the first time. Sgt. Darin Sheppard, of the RCMP’s Federal Serious and Organized Crime Synthetic Drug Operations, confirmed this week that police have detected W-18 in the province. “It’s starting to be found in samples in B.C., but only a few at this point,” Sheppard said. Sheppard said RCMP couldn’t yet divulge in which region the drug was detected, or how much of it was found, but said he expects more to show up in the province. “It’s not to the same numbers it’s being found in Alberta, but there’s no indication or no reasoning to think that it’s not going to become a problem here, too,” he said.
W-18 was first synthesized by a trio of chemists the University of Alberta in the early 1980s. Its formula collected dust until labs, which police believe are in China, recently began producing it again. Like the painkiller fentanyl, which is 50 to 100 times stronger than morphine, W-18’s high potency makes it far more profitable by weight than heroin, and easier to conceal and ship. Manufacturers and distributors freely exchange the drug over the Internet. W-18 and fentanyl are both used to manufacture counterfeit prescription pills. Poor mixing of pill ingredients can create concentrated hot spots in them, which cause deadly overdoses in those who consume them. RCMP have shut down three labs where fentanyl itself was being produced and a half-dozen tableting operations in B.C., Sheppard said. He said he doubts labs are producing W-18 in Canada. In Canada, W-18 first re-emerged in Calgary, where it was detected in three streetsold pills seized by police last summer. News of its presence triggered concerns over whether naloxone, a drug that reverses the effects of opioid overdose, would be effective against its highly toxic effects. Thursday, provincial health officer Dr. Perry Kendall declared a “public health emergency” in B.C. in response to the significant increase in drug-related overdoses and deaths. Fentanyl was detected in approximately 31 per cent of the 474 apparent illicit-drugoverdose deaths in the province last year. Kendall said there were 201 illicitdrug-overdose deaths in B.C. in the first three months of 2016, and without action, the province could see 700 to 800 overdose deaths by the year’s end. Sheppard said the discovery of W-18 in B.C. is a “big concern” for police. “The toxicity of W-18 is obviously worse than fentanyl,” he said. “In terms of the legislative controls over it, we’re pushing forward to get it regulated, but that all takes time, too.” In February, Health Canada made a proposal to schedule W-18 under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, making it illegal to sell, possess, manufacture or import. “There is no known evidence demonstrating that W-18 has any actual or potential uses apart from scientific research,” Health Canada said in a notice of consultation. Vancouver police spokesman Const. Brian Montague said he is not aware of any cases of W-18 turning up in the city.
Guilty Plea in 2015 Abbotsford Gas Station Stabbing
T
he Integrated Homicide Investigation Team has arrested one man after a murder in Abbotsford on Friday February 20, 2015. On Friday February 20, 2015 at approximately 9:30 p.m. 35 year old Trevor Johnson met the suspect at a gas station on Town line Road in Abbotsford. During the meeting a fight broke out in which Mr. Johnson was allegedly stabbed. Mr. Johnson was rushed to hospital but died of his injuries a short time later. Charged with second degree murder is 30 year old Thavone Junior Carlson of Abbotsford. Carlson has been remanded and will appear in court on Monday February 23, 2015 in Abbotsford.
Saturday, April 23, 2016
Saturday - April 23, 2016
Kapoors celebrate Babita’s birthday
Is Anil Kapoor the reason behind son Harsh’s break-up with Sapna?
B
uzz is, Anil Kapoor’s son Harshvardhan Kapoor has ended his relationship with Khamoshiyan actress Sapna Pabbi. Harsh is all set to make his Bollywood debut with Rakeysh
we hear, the Kapoor khandan is quite fond of her. However, instead of getting involved in a serious relationship, the family wants the youngsters to focus on
Omprakash Mehra’s Mirziya and insiders say that Anil does not want his son to be distracted by relationships at this point. Ironically, Anil plays a doting dad to Sapna in his TV show 24 and
their respective careers. Sonam also wants her kid brother to stay away from controversies. The young couple, we hear, finally decided to pay heed to their elders’ advice.
Randhir Kapoor with his daughters Karisma and Kareena celebrating his wife Babita’s 68th birthday. In picture Babita with family and son in law Saif Ali Khan (right) made it memorable the occasion for senior actress, who turns 68.
Parveen Babi to Priyanka Chopra: Bollywood stars who have graced the cover of Time magazine
P
riyanka Chopra graces the cover of the US and Asia editions of TIME 100. Here are other Bollywood stars who have been featured on the cover of the magazine Priyanka Chopra will grace the cover of the US and Asia editions of TIME 100. This is for the first time that a Bollywood personality has been on the American and Asia cover at the same time for the TIME 100 most influential people in the world list. The actress says, “TIME is an institution and to be chosen for the cover, especially for an issue which features the 100 most influential people in the world, is an achievement I’m truly proud of.” Priyanka has been making waves internationally with her TV show
‘Quantico’ and her upcoming film, ‘Baywatch’. Yesteryear star, the late Parveen Babi, was the first Indian star to be featured on the cover of the Asia edition of Time magazine in 1976. She was 27 when the Time cover, titled Asia’s Frenetic Film Scene, came out. Aishwarya Rai Bachchan then featured on the Asia cover in 2003 as ‘the new face leading the invasion as Bollywood becomes global and goes hip’. Shah Rukh Khan made it to the Asia cover in 2004 in a special issue that looked at Asia’s heroes.
Book one Service and Get Second Service 50% Off
78Ave & 142nd. Street Surrey
By appointment only
i 1
Bollywood
2 i Saturday, April 23, 2016
Abhishek Bachchan to attend ‘Housefull 3’ trailer
E
ven though he’s not yet healed fully, Bachchan Junior is said to have made up his mind to attend the trailer launch of his upcoming film, ‘Housefull 3’, next week. Though in pain, he feels it is important that he attend the event.
Priyanka Chopra greeted
A
lia Bhatt, Anushka Sharma, Parineeti Chopra, Hrithik Roshan, Farhan Akhtar and several other Bollywood celebs congratulated actress Priyanka Chopra for being featured in Time magazine’s list of 100 Most Influential People.
Akshay Kumar unveils ‘Housefull 3’ posters Akshay Kumar has unveiled the posters of the upcoming Bollywood comic caper ‘Housefull 3’, also starring Riteish Deshmukh, Abhishek Bachchan, Jacqueline Fernandez, Nargis Fakhri and Lisa Haydon.
Bigg Boss 9 contestant
K
apil Sharma is finally coming back to prime time television. After leaving audiences moist-eyed and walking out of the much famous Comedy Nights with Kapil, the comedian is now planning a gigantic return to the small screen. With The Kapil Sharma Show. A bi-weekly show, this show will have celebrities participating as well, much like the CNWK format. But the difference is that while Comedy Nights was about Kapil’s family and a few other characters, this one will have a backdrop of a neighbourhood with more than one family involved. And guess who’s joined the formidable CNWK team for the new show? Bigg Boss 9 contestant Rochelle Maria Rao will be seen adding spice on the show which goes on air from April 23. Now, this is surprising given that Rochelle is a Colors talent and she’s now all set to turn up the heat on Colors’ rival channel’s show. Also, Colors and Kapil too had a fallout and we’re sure this move by Rochelle won’t go unnoticed in the Colors boardroom.
Saturday, April 23, 2016 i 3 Bollywood New released Bollywood films Aamir Khan visits Dilip Kumar April, 2016
Dilip Kumar, who is undergoing treatment at Lilavati Hospital (Bandra), had Aamir Khan visiting him in hospital. The 93-year-old actor was hospitalised last week after he complained of fever and vomiting (Dilip Kumar hospitalised, Apr 16).
He is much better now and may be discharged tomorrow.
Baaghi
Lal Rang Nil Battey Santa
One Night Stand
Bollywood
4 i Saturday, April 23, 2016
Horoscope Libra
Aries
Sept. 24 - Oct 22
March 21 - April 20 You pride yourself on bringing something different to the dating game. The best way to get someone to notice you at the start of the week is to stand out from the crowd! Your bad mood shows more than you think it does at the end of the week, which could put a damper on a first date you were really looking forward to. It’s better to cancel and reschedule than go out when you don’t feel like it.
Taurus
Everyone has an opinion about how you could improve your love life, but the only opinion that truly matters is yours. Take some time at the start of the week to figure out what you want and then take the first step toward getting it. Relax and have fun with other single friends over the weekend. It’s a good way to share stories about the weird, wacky, and wonderful world of dating. You aren’t as alone as you sometimes feel.
Scorpio
April 21 - May 20
Oct 23 - Nov 22
You have your conservative side, but the start of the week is all about letting loose and having a great time. If you can shed your self-consciousness, you can have a lot of fun! An awkward social situation could have strange repercussions later in the week, but there’s no reason to take responsibility for someone else’s actions. Just because you were there doesn’t mean it’s your fault. A potential romantic partner will recognize this
Gemini
May 20 - June 21
How much distance is actually between you and the one you just know you were meant to be with? You won’t get what you want without putting yourself out there. The possible rewards are so worth any potential rejection. You are really good at matching up your friends with dates they might like later in the week, but what about you? Are you blind to your own romantic possibilities?
Sagitarius
Don’t you wish you could see into the future sometimes?! If you start dating someone new in the beginning of the week, you can’t help but wonder about your long-term chances. Unfortunately, only time will tell on that score. You have some great ideas for dates later in the week, but do you have anyone to try them out on? Asking out a stranger is nerve-wracking but could pay off big time.
Cancer
Nov 23 - Dec 22
Romance becomes true fun and games this week. Challenge your secret crush to one-on-one at the park or play a round of poker or checkers. You can tell a lot about a person by the way they win - or lose. You may feel a bit of pressure to get together with someone your family or friends set you up with over the weekend, but you could be surprised by how well you get along. Consider the possibilities.
June 22 - July 23
Your understanding nature is one of your best qualities, but make sure you don’t put yourself in a position that lets others take advantage of you. If you sense someone is a little too good to be true, listen to that instinct. Toward the end of the week you can’t help but think of a relationship that didn’t work out, but dwelling on your mistakes won’t do you any good. Live and learn.
Capricorn Dec 23 - Jan 20
Stay the course. You have an idea of what your future romantic path will look like, so why do anything to veer from it? You may be lonely from time to time, but you know that the right person is out there and you’ll find each other when the time is right. Staying calm when a dating situation gets out of control is important over the weekend. Your level head will see you through.
Leo
June 24 - August 23
Aquarius
Your flirting game isn’t on point as much as it usually is, so what’s up? Is it possible that you have your mind set on one special someone and no one else will do? It’s been a long time since you’ve felt this way, so make the most of it. You’re the life of the party over the weekend, which means a lot of cute strangers will be asking for your info. Times like these are good for your ego.
Virgo
August 24 - Sept 24 How long ago was your last relationship? Are you happy being single or would you like to share your life with someone permanent? If you don’t start asking these questions soon, you could miss some very satisfying opportunities. It seems like the Universe is intent on making things difficult for you over the weekend, but getting a smile from a cute stranger makes everything seem all right. Focus on that for a while.
Jan 21 - Feb 19 You love to put things into logical perspective, so why not your love life? Most people automatically attach emotions to new relationships right away, but you’re somehow able to stand back and take a more detached view. This can save you from heartache in the beginning of the week. Romance is a definite possibility if you get to travel over the weekend. What are the pros and cons of being in a long-distance relationship? Consider them.
Pisces
Feb 20 - March 20 You want the person you want and there’s no substitute. The lyrics “if you can’t be with the one you love, love the one you’re with” don’t ring true for you at all in the beginning of the week. You feel like you have to be polite if you’re set up with a friend of a friend over the weekend, but there’s a line to be drawn in there somewhere. Don’t put up with insulting, strange, or rude behavior from anyone.
Varun and Alia friends again
V
arun Dhawan and Alia Bhatt, who made their entry into Bollywood together, soon became one of the most loved onscreen couples. After their sizzling chemistry in Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhania, rumours were rife that Varun’s alleged girlfriends Natasha Dalal was not too comfortable of the actor’s growing closeness with Alia due to which Varun decided to maintain a distance from the Bhatt girl. Also, after Shuddhi and the sequel of Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhania (both the movies were to star Alia Bhatt and Varun Dhawan) didn’t saw the light of the day, people were in dilemma whether the duo will ever work together. But far from all the reports and rumours, Alia and Varun have long let the bygones be bygones. Confirming the same, our
source said, “It so happened that last week both Varun Dhawan and Alia Bhatt was shooting in Mehboob studios for their respective films. While Varun was shooting for Dishoom with Jacqueline Fernandez, Alia was shooting for Gauri Shinde’s upcoming film. As soon as Alia learnt that Varun is shooting next door the actress decided to drop by the sets of Dishoom.” Elaborating further on the same, the source added, “Alia joined Varun and Jacqueline and soon the trio had their lunch. Alia even shared her home made meal with Varun and Jacqueline. The trio had a blast while chatting away happily about their movies.” Well, now that both Alia and Varun are back to being friends we hope that the duo will soon be seen sharing screen space with each other on the big screen.
Bipasha Basu set to marry Karan Grover
A
ctor Karan Singh Grover, who is set to marry actress Bipasha Basu on April 30, shared a poem dedicated to his soon-to-be wife, expressing his love for her. Karan took to picture sharing website, sharing an image of himself and Bipasha in a black and white tint where the two can be seen in a playful mood. Bipasha is clad in a white gown and Karan, who is wearing a suit, can be seen holding the veil of Bipasha’s white dress in his mouth.
The poem reads: ‘You take away all the darkness, you take away all my pain... You walk me through the storm, you take away all the darkness, you take away all my pain...’ ‘You walk me through the storm, through sunshine and even the rain...You give me peace, you shower me with love and fill every moment of my life with glee...With your faith and your trust you show me not who I am but who I can be...’
Bollywood personalities’ birthdays MAMTA KULKARNI APRIL 20
ZOHRA SEHGAL APRIL 27
BABITA KAPOOR APRIL 20
YANA GUPTA APRIL 23
Saturday, April 23, 2016
ALL
CHECKOUT LANES
EVERY SATURDAY & SUNDAY 10AM-6PM
OPEN GUARANTEED Brar Sher Durem Atta flour 9.04 kg 20657367
LIMIT 2
9
AFTER LIMIT 13.79
97
i 5
Unless we are unable due to unforeseen technical difficulties.
Happy Vaisakhi
ea
rapini product of USA 2004807001
OR 2.98 EACH
5
2/ 00 Suraj roti
Ginger root
Rooster Brand garlic
product of China
product of China 1 kg
.97
20179038001
lb
2.14/kg
Britannia Punjabi cookies
3
20433866
96
Sun Exotic juice drink
620 g
selected varieties, 1 L
20855546
20115169
LIMIT 4
4
LIMIT 8
AFTER LIMIT 5.99
48
1
AFTER LIMIT 2.28
ea
Maggi sauce selected varieties, 340 mL
88
LIMIT 4
5
2/ 00 Suraj naan original or garlic, 1 kg
4
20342261
48
ea
20565449
20787290
5
98
3.63 kg
LIMIT 4
AFTER LIMIT 7.99
ea
OR 2.99 EACH
Quality Basmati rice
216’s, 680 g
LIMIT 4
AFTER LIMIT 3.48
98
ea
20884504
Tata Orange Pekoe tea
20687724
2
ea
original or whole wheat, 500 g
8
AFTER LIMIT 9.99
ea
98
ea
Prices effective Friday, April 22 to Thursday, April 28, 2016. We reserve the right to limit quantities. While stock lasts. Prices subject to change. No rainchecks, no substitutions. Valid at our 7550 King Grorge Boulevard, Surrey/ 14650-104th Avenue, Surrey/ 8195-120th Street, Delta/ 19851 Willowbrook Drive/ Langley locations only. No rainchecks. No substitutions on clearance items or where quantities are advertised as limited. We reserve the right to limit quantities to reasonable family requirements. We are not obligated to sell items based on errors or misprints in typography or photography. Pricing: All references to any savings claims (ie. “Save”, “Was”, “1/2 Price”, etc.) is in comparison to our lowest regular retail prices at Real Canadian Superstore locations in Ontario. Savings on items shown may vary in each store location. Applicable taxes, deposits, or environmental surcharges are extra. No sales to retail outlets. Coupons must be presented and redeemed at time of purchase. (R)/TM The trade-marks, service marks and logos displayed in this flyer are trade-marks of Loblaws Inc. and others. All rights reserved. (C) 2016 Loblaws Inc. Please recycle. superstore.ca Customer Relations: 1-866-596-RCSS (7277).
6 i Saturday, April 23, 2016
Bollywood
Bollywood I was a house husband for three years when I was jobless: Arshad Warsi
Saturday, April 23, 2016
i 7
Richa Chadda: I am excited to learn about lyrical jazz
R
icha Chadda is definitely a powerhouse actress. After captivating the audience with her performance in Gangs of Wasseypur, Masaan, Main Aur Charles, to name a few, the actress is all set for her next Cabaret. While Richa is all ready to set fire on stage, she has found her hobby back, courtesy her next film. Known to all, for playing a cabaret dancer, Richa had to learn various dance forms Jazz, ballet, contemporary to name a few. A source close to the actor said, “Richa has recently enrolled herself into a professional crash course when she will be in Los Angeles in the coming month.
venkyshanky23@yahoo.com Arshad Warsi identifies well enough with the concept of a house husband something that Arjun Kapoor portrays in Ki and Ka.
A
ctor Arshad Warsi identifies well enough with the concept of a house husband something that Arjun Kapoor portrays in Ki and Ka. Speaking at the special screening of the movie yesterday, Arshad told us, “I have been a house husband. I have lived my life just the way Arjun does in the film. And it is absolutely fine. There is no difference between man and woman. For three years I was a house hubands..I didn’t have a job then. I was looking after my house and kid.” Having been a homemaker, Arshad believes it is one of the most difficult job ever. “Being a home maker is the most difficult job ever. It is not easy to take care of household chores.”
Tiger Shroff dancing
T
iger Shroff, known for his dancing skills in Bollywood, shook a leg on the dance reality show So You Think You Can Dance Ab India Ki Baari, where he came to promote his forthcoming film Baaghi. Tiger impressed everyone with his dance moves and Street style dancing on the set of the show where he was joined by Baaghi director Sabbir Khan. “I am very happy and excited that the biggest dance platform is now all set to foray in India. The Indian version has attracted some great dance talent and I really enjoyed shaking leg with the participants,” Tiger said in a statement. The show, an Indian version of internationally acclaimed American reality format So You Think You Can Dance, features actress Madhuri Dixit, choreographers Terence Lewis and Bosco Martis as judges.
HAPPY VAISAKHI Now Open
M ADRAS CLUB HOUSE Authentic South Indian Cuisine
Unit 130 - 13737 - 72nd Ave., (opposite Newton bus exchange) Surrey, BC
More than 30 varieties of dosa and south-norht south-north Indian curries Everyday Specials are available
2
Buy Get
Special dosas 1 dosa FREE
Dine In / Take Out Open 7 days a week
We offer catering for all occasion
*Terms and conditions may apply
604-592-2865
Auto
8 i Saturday, April 23, 2016
M
Mitsubishi admits it may have faked mileage tests for 625,000 vehicles
itsubishi Motors Corp. said Wednesday says it found evidence its employees intentionally falsified fuel mileage test data for several models of vehicles. The Tokyo-based automaker said Wednesday that the inaccurate tests involved 157,000 of its own-brand eK wagon and eK Space light passenger cars, and 468,000 Dayz Roox vehicles produced for Nissan Motor Co. All vehicles included have been produced since mid-2013. The problem was found after Nissan pointed out inconsistencies in data, the company said. Mitsubishi conducted an internal probe and found that tire pressure data was falsified to make mileage appear better than it actually was.“The wrongdoing was intentional. It is clear the falsification was done to make the mileage look better. But why they would resort to fraud to do this is still unclear,” company president
Tetsuro Aikawa told reporters. Affected vehicles include Mitsubishi’s eK wagon and eK Space light passenger cars, and some Dayz Roox cars made for Nissan. (Mark Lennihan/Associated
Press) He and other company executives bowed in apology. U.S. mandates doubling of fuel efficiency by 2025 Aikawa said that although he was unaware the irregularities were happening, “I feel responsible.” The company said it would investigate whether data were altered for vehicles
Tesla CEO Elon Musk ‘fairly confident’ unveiled Model 3 will be ready late 2017
T
esla Motors gave a sneak preview Thursday of its Model 3 sedan, saying more than 130,000 people had ordered the car, even though it is more than a year away from production. Tesla Chief Executive Elon Musk unveiled a prototype of the Model 3 in Hawthorne, Calif., outside Los Angeles to hundreds of Tesla owners and the media, saying the vehicle will go into production in 2017 at a starting price of $35,000 US. The Model 3 is critical to the Silicon Valley automaker’s growth plans and to sustaining its lofty stock price. Tesla shares have jumped in recent days in anticipation of the Model 3 launch. The shares jumped as much as nine per cent in pre-market trading on Friday. “It’s very important to accelerate the transition to sustainable transport,” said Musk. “This is really important for the future of the world.” Musk guided the audience through the journey from the company’s previous models, the Roadster, S and X, to the current one. “With any new technology, it takes multiple iterations and economies of scale before you can make it affordable,” said Musk, the South-African born CEO who spent two years at Queen’s University in Kingston, Ont. “Do you want to see the car?” teased
Musk, to screams from the audience in the hangar-sized facility inside a Tesla design center. “We don’t have it for you tonight — just kidding!” Three Model 3s were driven onstage, which looked like a shorter version of Tesla’s Model S sedan. The Model 3 has a panoramic glass roof and an elongated hood. Inside, it seats five adults and has the same large touchscreen dashboard as other Teslas. It also has Tesla’s suite of semi-autonomous driving features, including automatic lane changing and lane keeping. Musk said it will accelerate from zero to 60 in less than six seconds. Musk says it will go at least 345 kilometres on an electric charge. Musk said that 115,000 pre-orders had already been taken on Thursday alone for the car. Within a half hour, that number reached 137,600 in a rolling scroll projected onto a screen. This undated photo provided by Tesla Motors shows the new Model 3 car. The Model 3 is less than half the cost of Tesla’s previous models. (Tesla Motors via AP) Musk said the car is on schedule to go on sale at the end of 2017, eliciting a cheer from the crowd of around 800 people. Tesla has a history of missing deadlines for its vehicles to hit the market. “I do feel fairly confident it will be next year,” Musk said.
sold overseas. Doubt cast on entire industry Nissan said in a statement that it recently discovered discrepancies in data from Mitsubishi about light vehicles it provided while assessing the current model in preparation for its next-generation vehicle. “In response to Nissan’s request, Mitsubishi admitted that data had been intentionally manipulated in its fuel economy testing process for certification,” Nissan said. Mini Cooper gas mileage exagerrated, U.S. regulator finds It said that after consulting the Japan’s transport ministry, it told dealers to stop selling the affected vehicles. Nissan was considering ways to help owners of the cars already sold. “Nissan understands and regrets the inconvenience and concern this will cause our valued customers,” the company said. Mitsubishi Motors struggled for years to win back consumer trust after an auto defects scandal in the early 2000s over cover-ups of problems such as failing brakes, faulty clutches and fuel tanks prone to falling off dating back to the 1970s.
Honda Accord Coupe Touring V6
A
ccord Coupe remains the only front-wheel-drive, midsize coupe available on the market. It has outlived, among others, the Toyota Solara, Chrysler Sebring, Dodge Avenger Coupe, and, most recently, the Nissan Altima Coupe. In what was already a niche market, the Honda Accord Coupe can say it sits in a class all its own – a true living rarity. But the question remains: why? Why has the two-door version of Honda’s best-selling sedan continued to live on while other family sedan-based coupes have dropped like flies? And who, exactly, is buying this vehicle when other, more powerful rear-wheel-drive coupes could be had for similar money? First introduced in 1990, the Accord Coupe found an audience, and continues to find an audience, as it offers the same comfortable driving experience as the sedan, but with the much sleeker, eye-friendly proportions of a two-door. The 2016 version stays true to the formula, with an emphasis on amped-up styling this year. Make no mistake, this is no bulbous Solara.
Honda Accord Sedan Sport
P
reviously the mainstay of suburbia, the onceubiquitous family sedan — and station wagon — was delivered a near-lethal blow by the arrival of the minivan some 30 years ago, which in turn was decimated by the sport-ute starting in the 1990s (and continues unabated, albeit in different shapes and sizes). Yet, while minivans are an endangered species these days, the four-door midsize sedan has enjoyed a resurgence of attention from car companies, the last few years seeing more emphasis on style and content. Formerly popular-selling yet staid models such as the Hyundai Sonata, Toyota Camry and Ford Fusion are now looking sharply tailored.
Ditto Honda’s Accord, blessed with a thorough freshening for the 2016 model year, one that focuses more on in-car technology, safety and appearance than powertrain. Structurally, body rigidity has been stiffened and there’s a sturdier rear bulkhead. A thicker front shock tower bar is complemented by high-performance shock absorbers for all models, as well as a retuned electric power steering system. 2016 Honda Accord Sedan Sport Not much is new under the hood as the engine and transmission combinations are essentially the same as before — a direct-injection 2.4-litre i-VTEC four-cylinder and a 3.5-litre VTEC V6, paired with either a six-speed manual or a continuously variable transmission for the four-cylinder models, and a six-speed automatic for V6 models.
Auto Electric vehicle numbers growing in B.C., but still far behind gas-powered counterparts
E
lectric vehicle registrations are surging in B.C., fuelled by hefty provincial incentives, improved technology and desirable packaging. But the overall number of hybrid and fully-electric cars on the road remains low, relative to their gas and diesel-powered counterparts, and that could come down to lingering fear over drained batteries. Since 2011, the province has committed about $31 million to help build charging stations and make electric vehicles more affordable to buyers. In that year, just 160 electric vehicles and another 22,000 hybrids were registered in the province, according to the Insurance Corp. of B.C. Since then, electric and hy-
brid vehicles have infiltrated the lineups of major manufacturers, from Ford and Toyota to Mercedes and Porsche. Some electric or hybrid vehicles — including the Chevrolet Volt, one of the grand prizes at the Vancouver International Auto Show this year — are on their second or subsequent generation. Meanwhile, Tesla’s fully-electric Model S has become one of the most attractive cars on the road. By the end of 2015, there were 3,200 electric cars registered in the province, a 1,900 per cent increase in just four years. Hybrids also jumped 63 per cent in that time to 36,000, according to ICBC records. While the growth is impressive, the overall count relative to conventional autos is less so. Electric and hybrid vehicles account for less than two per cent of B.C.’s 2,297,000 registered passenger vehicles on the road in 2015. Kelly Carmichael was one of the first people to own a fully electric vehicle in the province. He got his Nissan Leaf in 2011 and has since put about 115,000 kilometres on the car in his daily commute from his home in Surrey to the B.C. Institute of Technology in Burnaby. Carmichael said he thought some people might still be reluctant to try out all-electric vehicles. “People are just barely becoming familiar with hybrids and starting to trust (that) technology,” Carmichael said in an interview. “It’s
closer to what they’re doing, so they don’t have to change their behaviour to use a hybrid.” The change in behaviour demanded by electric vehicles comes down to charging and range. But both of those factors are getting easier all the time. When Carmichael got his Leaf, there was no charging network and vehicle users found one another on Facebook to help each other out. “Initially it was: ‘Do you mind if I come over and charge at your place if I ever need to?’” There are now hundreds of charging stations in B.C. “It’s come a long ways. It was very difficult to make plans to go anywhere. Going out to Chilliwack meant
that you would probably be there overnight because there was no charging, and of course coming back would be hard to do in a single day.” Fear of running out of juice partway through a trip is one of the most prevalent concerns about electric vehicle technology. There’s even a name for that fear — range anxiety. It’s something Carmichael said he’s never had during his regular commute, knowing that he has enough energy in his battery pack to get home at the end of the day (though he sometimes recharges the battery before the trip home in winter, when his heater puts more load on the car). “It does require more planning, but because you do that planning you learn very quickly what the vehicle’s capable of, so you don’t have to worry a whole lot,” Carmichael said. “The term I’ve heard a lot recently is: ‘Range anxiety is real, but only for people who don’t drive electric cars.’” Carmichael’s Leaf can drive between 80 and 100 kilometres on a single charge in real world conditions. Newer Leafs approach 140 kilometres. For comparison, Tesla’s Model S 85D has the longest range of any electric vehicle with about 430 kilometres on a charge. There are a few different ways to charge an electric vehicle. Some
Saturday, April 23, 2016
i 9
Drugged driving suit aims to curb impaired driving
B
eing simultaneously high on pot, cocaine, heroin, MDMA and LSD is never a good combination, but the Ford Motor Company wants you to know that it’s particularly bad if you plan to get behind the wheel. That’s the idea behind the automaker’s new “drugged driving suit,” an elaborate collection of weights, bandages, goggles and noisemakers that claims to simulate the physical effects of taking a variety of drugs. Ford will be rolling the suit out this year as part of its Driving Skills for Life classes, asking new drivers to navigate a driving course while pretending to be blissed out on an improbable cocktail of illegal substances. “It shows them that getting behind the wheel, whether you’re drunk or you’re drugged, is a terrible idea,” said Ford of Canada spokesman Matt Drennan-Scace. “Here in Canada in 2010, research showed that in 34 per cent of all accidents drugs were part of that accident. Thirty-nine per cent were alcohol, so it’s not that far off.” I got a chance to test out
B
the suit on Wednesday at the Vancouver International Auto Show and tried walking a straight line, catching foam balls and programming a car’s navigation. It wasn’t easy. I can’t say I’ve ever tried doing so many uppers, downers and hallucinogens at one time, so I can’t attest to the accuracy of the simulation. But even if I didn’t feel high,
I
certainly felt impaired. Weights wrapped around my wrists and one ankle, and bandages around my elbows and neck, were meant to mimic sluggishness caused by marijuana or heroin. Random noises in my ears stood in for auditory hallucinations from LSD. A pair of goggles flashed bright lights into my eyes, blurred my vision, made me see double and limited my field of sight to the space di-
Chrysler Pacifica
arring discounts and employee pricing, drivers won’t be able to get themselves into a new Chrysler Pacifica for anything less than $45,740 when the vehicle hits dealer showrooms later this spring. Fiat Chrysler Automobiles announced Tuesday the gas-powered 2017 Chrysler Pacifica minivan will offer about 12 km/litre for highway driving and 9 km/litre for city and highway driving combined. A number of Ontario dealers tell CBC the Pacifica will be sold in three trim levels: The Pacifica Touring-L at $45,740 The Pacifica Touring-L Plus at $48,740 The Pacifica Limited at $54,740 While dealers have told CBC the suggested manufacturer’s retail price, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles Canada spokeswoman Lou Ann Gosselin would only say in an email that “we
M
rectly in front of me — all side effects of a variety of intoxicants. And then, for good measure, there was a tremor generator on one hand to mimic the effects of withdrawal. Walking a straight line was impossible. I couldn’t tell which of the two lines in front of me was real and I could barely lift one leg. Those same vision problems made it extremely difficult to stop a foam ball from hitting me in the face or choose a radio station on a touchscreen. And one unintended side-effect: the paranoia from having a bunch of strangers watching me make a fool of myself. But why show teen drivers the effects of so many different drugs at once instead of making a suit that focuses on one popular drug like marijuana or MDMA? Drennan-Scace explained that it was all about logistics. “If we’re showing just one drug, we would need to make a suit for every different type of drug,” he said. “The research team decided it would be better to show (new drivers) the effects of different types of drugs in one suit, to get a feel for what it’s like.”
have not officially announced Pacifica pricing at this time.” By comparison, the Chrysler Town and Country Touring minivan currently has an MSRP of $45,195 but is available now for $34,695, after discounts, according to Fiat Chrysler Canada’s website. Former Chrysler Corp. chairman Lee Iacocca drove the company’s first minivan off the assembly line in Windsor, Ont., in 1983. Fiat Chrysler Automobiles unveiled the Pacifica at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit in January. It was designed to replace the Chrysler Town and Country and the Dodge Grand Caravan. However, Timothy Kuniskis, FCA’s head of passenger vehicles, previously said the company will keep making the current — and cheaper — model of the Grand Caravan for as long as there is demand.
Mercedes-Benz S400
ercedes-Benz followed their 15 in ‘15 strategy last year by launching 15 new models in India. The German car manufacturer is equally upbeat about 2016 and have promised 12 new cars to - one for each month. Following the launch of the GLE 450 AMG Coupe and the E-Class Edition E, MercedesBenz has launched another variant of its flagship sedan, the S-Class. The Mercedes-Benz S400 has been launched at Rs 1.31 crore ex-showroom Delhi. Currently, the Stuttgart based car maker sells its S-Class luxury sedan in four variants - S500, S350, the VR9 certified S-Guard and the more recently launched VR10 certified Maybach S600 Guard. The S400 though is for those who don’t want a die-
sel nor the immoderate S500 with the massive V8. Under the hood, the S400 houses a 3.0-litre V6 unit that is good for 333PS and 480Nm. All of this power is sent to the rear wheels via the same 7-speed GTronic transmission that also does duty on the S500. As far as the interior goes, the S400 will look identical to the other variants. The cabin is draped in Napa leather and has been fitted with Mercedes’ COMAND infotainment system. Needless to say, this one too has the space and the luxury focused for the passengers at the back. The S400 goes up against the other two German super luxury sedans, the BMW 7-series and the Audi A8L.
10 i Saturday, April 23, 2016
JOBS Optical Store Manager required at:
Clear Cool Optical - 2450 McCallum Raod, Abbotsford, BC, Canada, V2S 6R9 For details check website: http://www.jobbank.gc.ca/jobposting.do?id=19833072
---------------------------
Baker / Sweet Maker wanted
Nirala Sweets and Restaurant in Surrey BC needs fully qualified Pakistani style Baker/Sweet maker (Mithai). Responsibilities will include Sweet making for retail and banquets, training of employees, labour & food cost control and supervision. Must have at least three years experience as a Pakistani Baker. Knowledge of Urdu an asset. ourly salary $15.50/hr. Contact Pasha 604 593 7323 or send resume at anwarpasha786@hotmail.com ---------------- Jan 23 2016
Cook for Pakistani cuisine wanted
Classifieds JOBS
JOBS
Nirala Sweets and Restaurant in Surrey BC needs experienced chef for Halal Northern Pakistani style dishes. Must be expert in making kababs and tandoori dishes. Must be able to handle halal meats. Responsibilities will include menu design and planning, cooking for individual customers and banquets, training of employees, labour & food cost control and supervision of kitchen staff. Must have at least 3 years experience as a Pakistani cook. Knowledge of Urdu and asset. Hourly wage $17.00 per hour. 40 hours per week. Contact Pasha at 604 593 7323 or send resume at anwarpasha786@hotmail.com
fice to provide ICBC claims, and/ or solicitor services to the financial area. Whether an exisiting law office looking for a satellitespace, or new lawyers wanting to establish their presence in this busy area. Please phone 604 581 8400 for Shahin Soheili Managing Director Sutton Group or email: shahin@sutton.com
---------------- Jan 23 2016
Perfect Space corner unit available for office
Descriptions: Perfect Space corner unit with gorgeous view for Law office, as this corner on 72nd and 120th Street, has lots of traffic, with numerous medical doctors and all the top five major banks in the area. There is no law office presence in the vicinity. Perfect opportunity for a law of-
Required urgently for beauty salon in Burnaby We have a great opportunity to add a new member to our team. We are looking for someone who is professional and confident in there waxing and threading skills. Our salon has an amazing reputation in these services and would love the right professional for the job. Please message for more info. 604-723-7553
---------------- April 16 2016
Need Janitorial Helpers
Surrey Janitorial Services urgently require helpers for Surrey and Abbotsford and Vancouver. Experience not a requirement but will be preferred. Please call 778-859-9234 ------------------- Feb 06 2016 Cell phone Technician “Mobile Zone Communication Inc., located at 123-9855 Austin Road, Burnaby, BC V3J1N4, has immediate 2 vacancies for Cell phone Technician for two different locations. One vacancy for 123-9855 Austin Road, Burnaby BC V3J 1N4 and one vacancy for Brentwood Town Centre 4567 Lougheed Hwy, Burnaby, BC V5C 3Z6. Full time, permanent positions with 35-40 hours per week, $31/hour. Job Duties include: Perform Inspection,Testing, Diagnose and Troubleshoot smart phone and other mobile devices; Disassemble the device to install, remove, repair or replace defec-
JOBS tive parts; Perform high quality repairs and refurbishment of phones/cell phones/tablets; Ensure all repair meets quality standards; Monitor parts inventory and inform management of status; Accurately document repairs and parts information on repair tracking document; Maintaining and using tools and equipment properly; Interact with customer as needed, providing exceptional customer service. Employment Requirements: Completion of Secondary School with 2-3 years of experience or Completion of 3-4 years apprenticeship training program or Trade certification with several months of on-job training. If interested please send resume at mobilezonecommunicationinc@gmail.com� -----------------------------Jan 02_16 Vacancy for In-home Caregiver Balwinder Singh Singhmaar, resident of 15095 92Ave, Surrey, BC V3R 5V8 has a vacancy for Inhome Child caregiver for infant child and 9 years old son. Full Time, $11 / hour, 40 hrs/week. Applicant must have high school with minimum of one year of related experience within last three years or six months of full time training in caregiving. Job Duties includes Supervise and care for children, prepare formulas and change diaper of infant, feeding, bathing, dress-
Basement for Rent
One bed room basement suite is available for rent from 1st of January 2016. Rent $ 600 including utility & internet . Walking distance to Bell Centre, Elementary & High School and Gurdwara Dukh Nivaran Sahib. Call 778-628-4473 ing, prepare children for rest period, escort child to school, prepare and serve nutritious meal and snacks, accompany to and from activities & appointments, light housekeeping, laundry, maintain safe environment at home, keep record of day-to-day activities, health and progress of children. Send resumes by email at balwinderssinghmaar@gmail.com -------------- Oct 31 2015 Western door manufacturing Ltd. located at #109-8250 124Street, Surrey BC V3W 3X9, has an immediate vacancy of Carpenter. We design and manufacture high end solid wood exterior doors, solid wood interior doors and custom doors. Full time permanent job position with wages of $25per hour. 35 to 40 hours per week. Job Duties includes Read & interpret drawings & sketches to determine specifications; Estimate height, width, length, & other proportions; Measure, cut, shape, & assemble materials using woodworking machines, power tools and hand tools; Build exterior doors, interior doors, custom doors with jams; Install hardware such as hinges, handles, catches using hand tools and power tools; Repair doors & replace panels of doors.
To PLACE YOUR AD IN THE ASIAN STAR CLASSIFIEDS Section Please
Call: 604-591-5423
Saturday, April 23, 2016
Community News
P
rotect your child: Follow the BC recommended immunization schedule
S
URREY – Approximately one in three children in Fraser Health have not completed the recommended immunizations by two years of age. With that in mind, Fraser Health reminds parents and caregivers about the importance of following the recommended BC immunization schedule. “Receiving all immunizations according to the recommended schedule is the most effective way to avoid contracting vaccinepreventable infections,” says Fraser Health medical health officer Shovita Padhi. “Make it a priority to review your child’s immunization record regularly to ensure they are protected.” In British Columbia, routine childhood immunizations are free, safe and recommended to be given at two, four, six, 12 and 18 months. A follow-up immunization known as a ‘booster’ is provided at four years of age. Children are not considered to be fully protected against vaccine-preventable diseases until they have completed the recommended immunizations. To make an immunization appointment, call your family physician or local Public Health Unit. For more information on vaccinations and where you can get your child immunized, visit http://www.fras e r h e a lt h . c a / h e a lt h - i n fo / h e a lt h - t op ics/immunizations/immunizations. To keep track of your child’s immunization schedule, use the following helpful resources: Sign up for free text reminders for your child’s next scheduled vaccine. Download the ImmunizeCA app for your iPhone, Android or BlackBerry device. Download the Child Health Passport or ask for one at your local Public Health office. For media inquiries, please contact: Fraser Health Media Pager: 604450-7881 media@fraserhealth.ca
“Sanskriti Cultural Awareness Society of BC” invites you with your family and friends to a specially designed evening, full of laughter and humor to celebrate Holi a festival of joy, happiness and participation with legendary poets from India and North America coming to make everybody laugh and giggle. Program would be followed by dance and a lavish dinner. This is an family event. For queries contact: Janardan Pandey Prachand at 604-889-2204 , Sanjeev Sharma at 604 767 4366 Sanskriti Cultural Awareness Society of BC 15165 91Ave, Surrey BC V3R 1B6 PH: 604 767 4366 E:mail:
T
he Surrey North Delta Division of Family Practice is inviting the community of Surrey and North Delta to an evening of conversation about healthy living, health care, and family doctors on Wednesday, March 30th at Enver Creek Secondary School. This free event is an opportunity for the general public and physicians in the community to connect with each other outside the family doctor office and to discuss some of the health care questions important to our community. The evening will kick off with guest speaker Dr. Art Hister, a familiar voice on the subject of healthy living for viewers of GlobalTV. Dr. Hister will be speaking about healthy living hints that will keep you laughing and learning. After Dr. Hister speaks, attendees will be invited to the lobby to enjoy refreshments and discuss questions they may have about health & family doctors, including how to find a family doctor in Surrey and North Delta. As Dr. Janice Peace, Family Doctor in Surrey and co-chair of the SurreyNorth Delta Division of Family Practice explains “This event builds on the daily work of the division and our family doctor members, with the vision of improving quality of life for the residents of Surrey and North Delta.” To register and to find out more information about the event go to: http://ow.ly/Y9tnn or contact Jody Schuurman at 778-387-6009. Space is limited, so register today! The Surrey-North Delta Division of Family Practice brings together family doctors to enhance the delivery of health care services in our community. “Laugh, Learn and Live Longer” is part of the division’s health promotion strategy. This event is an opportunity for anyone in Surrey or North Delta to discuss ways we can, together, be leaders for our own health and our community’s health. To find out more, and to join the conversation online, find Surrey-North Delta Division of Family Practice’s Twitter account @snddivision or search for #LaughLearnLiveLonger.
humarisanskrit2@gmail.com www.humarisanskriti.ca
---------------------------
Don’t give fraudsters an extra “tax” this season With March being Fraud Prevention Month and residents making final preparations to their tax returns, the Surrey RCMP is reminding residents to be extra vigilant when it comes to protecting their personal and financial information. As frauds involving the Canada Revenue Agency are on the rise not only in Surrey but across the country, tax season is prime time for fraudsters to prey
on unsuspecting victims. Residents need to be vigilant if they receive fraudulent communications from these agencies and report it to authorities immediately if they suspect they are a victim. “This time of year serves as a good reminder for residents to check their mail regularly when sensitive financial and personal information may be arriving daily in your mailbox,” says Surrey RCMP Corporal Scotty Schumann. “If criminals are able to access this information they can fraudulently use it to gain access to bank accounts, apply for loans and credit cards, or engage in criminal activity that ultimately becomes associated to you.” Surrey RCMP has also noticed a trend in fraudulent telephone calls claiming to be from debt collectors for unpaid phone, cable, hydro, or other utility bills. Most of the reports involve complainants who have lost their wallets or purses within the last year and have not reported it to authorities. Scams like this are good reminders to cancel and replace all important cards once lost and to routinely check your credit report to ensure you are not a victim of identity theft. Another scam that residents should be aware of that is making the rounds locally is the “black” or “white” money scam. This sophisticated counterfeit scheme comes in multiple forms but usually involves currency that on initial appearance has no colour but can apparently be washed with a chemical that makes it a legitimate bank note. In most cases, the victims are usually conned into making an initial investment into this counterfeit money with the promise of large returns. “Surrey is a very diverse community that includes many residents who are
i 11
new to Canada,” says Cpl. Schumann. “Unfortunately those who are unfamiliar with how our institutions and businesses operate can be more susceptible to these frauds. We ask that residents take this opportunity to discuss these recent fraud trends with family members who may not be aware.” For more information on fraud prevention please visit the Scams & Fraud page on our website. If your business or community group would like to host an info session on fraud prevention please contact the Surrey RCMP’s Economic Crime Unit at 604-5990502. If you are the victim of a fraud, please contact your local police and report it to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre online or at 1-888-495-8501. ------------------------------------Train-the-Trainer workshop for Hepatitis and other communicable diseases at PICS, Surrey Progressive Intercultural Community Services Society (PICS) is hosting Train-the-Trainer Workshop for Healthcare Providers to make them aware about Hepatitis C and other related communicable diseases in high risk Immigrant ethnic communities. PICS is part of the Sexually Transmitted Infections and Tuberculosis Coinfections project undertaken by Canadian Ethnocultural Council, Ottawa and will provide training in the Metro Vancouver region. In Canada, STIs and TB continue to be public health concerns, however; very little information is available on the prevalence of these diseases in the selected ethnic populations and therefore; appropriate training is a must. What - Train-the-Trainer Workshop for Healthcare Providers
12 i Saturday, April 23, 2016
Saturday, April 23, 2016
Vol. 6 No. 34
T
-
Saturday - April 23, 2016
- Tel: 604-591-5423 -
i 13
E-mail: ads@theasianstar.com
Vancouver’s skyline to rise amid an office-tower building boom
he $240-million Credit Suisse/ SwissReal tower in the heart of downtown Vancouver will be completed in less than a year, but so far, only one tenant has signed up to move in. 4 iThe Saturday, Julycommitted 25, 2015 for a 10th of tenant has
the 370,000 square feet – leaving a state of emptiness that is unusual for an office skyscraper in this city. Even so, a huge shift in business tenancy is expected as the region experiences something it has not seen before: an office-tower building boom much
of which is speculative construction rather than for specific committed tenants. “This is kind of uncharted territory for Vancouver,” said Mehdi Shokri, a principal with the capital markets team at Avison Young. “But I don’t see a big disaster occurring.” The Credit Suisse tower is only the most
visible and furthest along of a second wave of new office towers planned for Vancouver and some key suburbs. A first cluster of towers – some two million square feet – was built downtown in the past three years. Another 11 office developments are proposed within blocks of Credit Suisse’s Exchange tower at Howe and West Pender streets, even while the office-vacancy rate in the region continues to inch up as a result of the first wave of building. But commercial brokers say the city is not about to be populated by ghost towers. Mr. Shokri and others say they expect many of the new towers to start signing tenant leases as they get closer to completion. That is partly because companies in Vancouver, which do want to be in new, energy-efficient buildings, tend to operate on short timelines. As well, he said, prices in the new buildings will likely come down in the next two years due to competition. The landlords who will likely suffer as a result of the current boom are owners of older buildings, Mr. Shokri said. As well, new developments in the suburbs, which have already experienced higher vacancy rates in recent years, may have trouble as they compete with each other. In Vancouver, the co-developer of the Credit Suisse tower is optimistic his building will start to fill as the completion date gets closer. Franz Gehriger, the CEO of SwissReal Group who bought the original historic stockexchange building in 2002 before partnering with Credit Suisse to develop it, said the main group interested in leasing Vancouver office space these days is the technology sector. Those companies make their decisions just a year before they need to move in. And, he said, all signs indicate non-Canadian companies are looking for space here. “Vancouver is on the world map now. We get a lot of calls from California and Seattle of companies that are considering coming here,” Mr. Gehriger said. Some brokers say the building has had trouble signing tenants because of its unusual design. It is being attached to the existing heritage building, with the new tower starting on a narrow base next to it and then widening out above the older building. That complicated design did slow construction somewhat, but Mr. Gehriger said “most issues are resolved now.” He also just switched leasing agents, from CBRE to JLL, at the beginning of the new year, which has prompted local speculation about what is happening with the building. JLL vice-president Mark Chambers said his company plans to roll out some new strategies for marketing the building, including sophisticated analytical tools that show companies how much they benefit financially by being in energy-efficient buildings that are better designed for their employees.
Real Estate
14 i Saturday, April 23, 2016
R
CMHC tracks apartment turnover in Vancouver’s hot rental markets
esults from Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp.’s first-ever rental turnover survey in Metro Vancouver points to a migration of rental demand from the pricier centre to less-expensive suburbs. The survey, which tracked the number of purpose-built rental suites that changed hands during the 12 months up to the fall of 2015, found that 19 per cent of units had new tenants. In suburbs outside of the city centre, however, turnover rates were higher, coinciding with a decline in vacancies, said CMHC analyst Richard Sam. “It’s cheaper to rent outside Vancouver, so it’s possible that people are looking in terms of aff o r d a b i l i t y,” Sam said. “So vacancy (rates) and also turnover, supports a little bit (the notion that) people are moving away from Vancouver to areas in the Fraser Valley.” Rents, the CMHC data shows, are $395 cheaper, on average, in Surrey compared with the city of Vancouver. However, Sam cautioned that it is difficult to make direct correlations between factors in the housing market because this was the first time they have col-
lected the data and don’t yet have a sense of how turnover rates may be changing. Sam said the rental industry asked CMHC to start collecting the data. The first report seems to back up anecdotal observations of building owners that Metro Vancouver neighbourhoods generally experience between 10 and 30 per cent turnover each year, said Dave Hutniak, CEO of Landlord B.C., the industry association for apartment owners. “Moving forward, hopefully we’ll build a time series (with the data) to make more conclusions or better assumptions about the rental market,” Sam said. The University Endowment Lands, on the border of Vancouver near the
University of B.C., had the highest turnover rate at 48 per cent, but also had the lowest vacancy at 0.1 per cent. The lowest turnover rate was eight
Jolly Arts -Custom painted wall murals for home, office or commercial establishments. -Interior and decorative wall painting along with decorating design ideas.
Custom Designs Kids Room - Living Spaces - Offices - Wallpaper Install
Tejpal Singh Mann
778-885-2197 By Appointment
www.facebook.com/tejpalsingh.mann
For Traditional & Modern Hand Paintings
TSM Gallery 9353 - 120 St. Delta
778.395.5354
per cent in southeast Vancouver, a neighbourhood bordered by Boundary Road and Cambie Street, roughly below King Edward Boulevard. Data on turnover rates is important to building owners, Sam said, because it gives them estimates of what they can expect to absorb in terms of costs associated with apartments changing hands such as repairs, new paint and advertising. However, turnover data can also be helpful to tenants in pointing to
pockets of opportunities, he said. For instance, potential tenants might be deterred by a very low 0.4-per-cent vacancy rate from searching out rentals in the Mount Pleasant and Renfrew Heights neighbourhood. However, the area showed a 20-percent turnover rate in the CMHC survey. “What it says is that although the market is tight, units do become available,” Sam said. “But because of the tight market, like the housing market, those units are probably going to be snapped up quickly.”
Cash bonuses for B.C. real estate agents called into question Here’s another oddity about real estate for buyers already facing high home prices. Tucked in the fine print of some Multiple Listing Service posts that can only be seen by agents are cash bonuses for agents on top of the usual standard commission. Some are a flat amount. Others seem to reward a buyer’s agent as the sale price increases. In a so-called sellers’ market — where analysts, politicians and the public battle each other over what exactly is driving skyrocketing home prices — there should be no need for such bonuses. “Selling bonuses have been used in markets where there are more listings than buyers,” said Maureen Coleman, professional standards adviser with the Real Estate Council of British Columbia. The bonuses, like the controversial practice of shadow flipping, are legal as long as they are properly disclosed. With the market so hot, it’s questionable that a seller would need to pay more than the usual commission to get a property sold. But if offering a bonus can land a sale at an even higher price, the cost of the bonus can be deducted from the sale. For buyers, however, such bonuses could potentially motivate their agent to work against their best interests and seal a deal at a higher price or pass over a property that doesn’t come with a bonus. As one agent put it: “What sense does it make for a (buyer’s agent) to get a bonus for making you, the client, pay more?” It’s not clear how widespread these bonuses are. The Real Estate Council of B.C. said it received one complaint last week. But in a little over an hour of digging around on the version of the MLS accessible only by agents, this reporter was able to find another eight such bonus offers — four on homes that have sold and four for listings that are still active.
For example, there is a five bedroom, five bathroom home on Nolan Street in Burnaby South that is asking $1,188,000. It’s listed by Nu Stream Realty Inc. and comes with the offer of a $5,000 bonus (in addition to a typical commission of 3.255 % on the first $100,000 and 1.15 % on the rest of the sale amount.) On Sardis Street near Central Park in Burnaby, there is a 4 bedroom, 4 bathroom duplex listed by New Coast Realty with this offer for a buyer’s agent: “If sold price between $1,460,000 and $1,509,999, the commission of buyer agent will be added bonus $3,000; If sold price between $1,510,000 a n d $1,549,999, commission of buyer agent will be added bonus $9,000. If sold price higher than $1,550,000, commission of buyer agent will be added b o n u s $ 1 4 , 0 0 0 .” A house in the 6000 block of Griffiths Avenue near Deer Lake in Burnaby sold for $2.32 million, an amount on which the buyer’s agent, of New Coast Realty, was offered by the listing agent, also of New Coast, the usual 3.255 % on the first $100,000 and 1.1625% on the balance, plus a $20,000 bonus.
Saturday, April 23, 2016
V
Vancouver to look at impact of AirBNB on rentals
ancouver councillors are poised to direct an in-depth look into the impact short-term rental service AirBNB is having on the city’s stock of rental homes and apartments. Councillor Geoff Meggs plans to introduce a motion in council Tuesday directing city staff to work with AirBNB and other services to collect data on how many units are being listed for short-term rentals and how often, according to a news release from the mayor’s office. “Collecting the data on short-term rentals is the first step to understanding its effects — both positive and negative — on our housing market, economy, and our residents,” he said.
With a vacancy rate of less than one per cent, prospective Vancouver renters are finding it hard to locate housing, and concern is growing that AirBNB could be contributing to that problem. Murray Cox, a community activist in New York who operates InsideAirbnb.com, recently calculated there were 4,728 Airbnb listings in Vancouver in December. About a third of those listings appear to belong to people who rent out multiple homes or rooms, he found. Rentals of fewer than 30 days — without an appropriate business licence — are now prohibited in the city, but staff only act on shortterm rentals when they receive complaints.
i 15
Man pays $400 a month to sleep in wooden box in friends’ San Francisco living room
B
y now, the high price of rent in and around San Francisco has become at once a familiar lament and an easy punchline. In 2014, BuzzFeed highlighted nine private islands that cost less than an apartment in the California tech capital; a year later, a local website found the same of five castles. Along with the cheeky comparisons came clever workarounds: a backyard tent in Mountain View, a garage in Palo Alto, a refurbished FedEx van at San Francisco University. In October, The Washington Post even spoke with a Google engineer who has made his home in a truck at company headquarters. With the median rent for a one-bedroom apartment at $3,670 a month, the city’s housing crisis has pushed frugal renters to the edge of their comfort limits. From tents to trucks, the next logical step in San Francisco has taken shape — in the form of a literal box. This makeshift bedroom, which its owner prefers to call a pod, is no larger than a wide bookshelf and inconspicuously stationed at one corner of an apartment living room in the Sunset District neighborhood. Its exterior resembles a large crate, while its inside houses a twin bed, a fold-up desk and some LEDs. At 8 feet long and 4.5 feet tall, the wooden box requires Peter Berkowitz to duck to get inside, but he assured The Post in a phone interview Monday night that his new
home is “honestly very comfortable.“I really don’t feel like I’ve taken a hit in terms of my quality of life,” said Berkowitz, 25. “I don’t really notice I live in the pod anymore.” Berkowitz moved into the box two weeks ago, after an attempt to find affordable housing in the city proved futile. Fortunately, he had “very generous” friends who allowed him set up “this contraption” in their living room. The box sits in an apartment where the roommates living in conventional bedrooms pay about $1000 for rent. For $400, Berkowitz lives in his pod and has full access to the amenities. Constructing the pod cost $1,300. The freelance illustrator and University of Chicago graduate moved to San Francisco after working as a cook at New York’s Gramercy Tavern. He grew up outside New York City, where admittedly “the real estate hunt isn’t fun” either. But for Berkowitz, whose work has appeared in the New Yorker, the box isn’t so much a sign of desperation as it is a creative solution. He isn’t in “dire straits,” and his decision wasn’t “fueled by poverty.” “It seems silly, and people have this dystopian take on it, like, ‘Is this what it’s come to?’” he said. “But I firmly believe that it makes a lot of sense. There should be some kind of middle ground between having a bedroom and sleeping on a couch.” I firmly believe that it makes a lot of sense. There should be some kind of middle ground between having a bedroom and sleeping on a couch
16 i Saturday, April 23, 2016
18 i Saturday, March 26, 2016
HAPPY VAISAKHI
Saturday, April 23, 2016
to all our Clients, Friends & Family
i 17
LOCAL
18 i Saturday, April 23, 2016
T
Labour minister eyes dedicated time for fathers in new parental leave rules
he federal government is signalling that when it finally unveils changes to parental leave rules, there will be provisions dedicated exclusively to new fathers. When Prime Minister Justin Trudeau mused about the idea last month at the United Nations, it was in the context of more gender equality and increasing opportunities for women in the workforce. In an interview this week, Labour Minister MaryAnn Mihychuk said she’s interested in making dedicated paternity leave a part of promised changes to parental leave under the employment insurance program. Dedicated leave for fathers is already in place in Quebec, where fathers alone are allowed to take five weeks of leave with the
A
provincial benefits system covering 70 per cent of their salary. Elsewhere in Canada, fathers can split up to 35 weeks of leave with new mothers. Labour Minister MaryAnn Mihychuk said she’s keen to see dedicated leave only for fathers allowed on a national scale. “I’m open to promoting some fairly large changes in that whole sector because families have a tough time — especially when you have preschoolers,” she said in an interview with The Canadian Press this week. “And if you have children under two, it’s a real challenge for those families so I think we want to modernize the system.”
W
‘Grant’s Law’ rally set for Vancouver and Victoria
orkers’ rights advocates will rally in Vancouver and Victoria against changes to regulations that were brought in after the death of gasstation attendant Grant de Patie. The British Columbia Federation of Labour’s Young Workers’ Committee will hold its annual overnight sitin to mark the anniversary of the province’s changes to the rules known as “Grant’s Law.” The pay-before-you-pump rules were brought in after Grant de Patie (pictued) was dragged to his death in 2005 after trying to prevent a gas-and-dash robbery over $12.30 worth of fuel. The B.C. Federation
of Labour says the province bowed to pressure from the business community in 2012 and removed specific safety requirements from the regulations. President Irene Lanzinger says the rules no longer require late-night workers to be physically separated from the public with a barrier or to work in pairs. B.C. was the first province to enact regulations requiring drivers to pay at the pump before filling up and the death of a Calgary service-station worker last year has prompted calls for similar legislation in Alberta.
Defamatory Facebook post costs Abbotsford woman $65,000
British Columbia woman has been ordered to pay more than $65,000 after making unfounded accusations on Facebook suggesting her neighbour was a pedophile who set up mirrors and cameras in his backyard to spy on her children. A B.C. Supreme Court judge has ruled that Katherine Van Nes’s “viral” online posts were “completely false and unjustified” and had a devastating effect on Douglas Pritchard and his career as a middle-school music teacher. In his ruling, Justice Anthony Saunders
describes how the Abbotsford neighbours’ relationship began to deteriorate after Pritchard approached Van Nes in 2011 about turning off a newly-built backyard pond and waterfall at night, which he said interrupted his wife’s sleep. Pritchard and his wife were eventually advised by the municipality to document their complaints after a series of worsening unneighbourly conduct by Van Nes and her family. The court document says those efforts, along with the installation of a decorative mirror, prompted Van
Nes to take to Facebook, which she described as a form of “venting.” Van Nes removed her defamatory comments after about 27 hours, but the ruling says by then the damage had been done, including one member of the community contacting the principal of the school where Pritchard worked about the allegations. “The seriousness of Ms. Van Nes’s defamatory Facebook post, her replies, and the comments of her ‘friends’ cannot be overstated,” Saunders writes. “An accusation of pedophilic behaviour
must be the single most effective means of destroying a teacher’s reputation and career, not to mention the devastating effect on their life and individual dignity. He now faces the challenge of repairing the damage Ms. Van Nes has caused, if that is even possible at this point.” The judgment awards Pritchard $50,000 in general damages, $15,000 in punitive damages and $2,500 for his nuisance claim. It also orders the Van Nes household to turn off the waterfall in the backyard pond nightly between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m.
POLITICS
Saturday, April 23, 2016
i 19
Duffy ruling could put brakes on expense cases against other senators The exoneration of Senator Mike Duffy on 31 charges of fraud, bribery and breach of trust could have significant implications for the cases against other senators under scrutiny for their expenses. “I think that the cases against the other senators have only gotten weaker after this judgment,” said criminal defence lawyer Michael Spratt. “This judgment has clarified how unclear the Senate rules are and what were the Senate policies and practices in place at the time, he said. “That information certainly would weaken the Crown’s case in respect to those types of expenses, maybe to the point where there is no reasonable prospect for conviction.” Judge clears Mike Duffy of all charges and slams Prime Minister’s Office under Harper
Senator acquitted on all 31 criminal charges However, Spratt did say that much of Justice Charles Vaillancourt’s decision turned on Duffy’s own credibility and reliability. “So in terms of any prospect of conviction that rely on factors like that, the other cases will have to be looked at in isolation.” So far, only Senator Patrick Brazeau and retired senator Mac Harb face trials in relation to alleged inappropriate housing and living expenses, with each facing one count of fraud and breach of trust. Last June, Auditor General Michael Ferguson, following a two-year review
of Senate spending, sent nine cases to the RCMP for possible investigation. RCMP would not pursue criminal charges against some of those senators flagged by Ferguson, but it is unclear which cases. Meanwhile, the RCMP’s investigation into Senator Pamela Wallin’s questionable expenses is still in the hands of the Crown’s office. But with Vaillancourt’s dismissal of
Police say Alberta teen free after charges laid against accused sex traffickers
T
wo men face human trafficking charges, accused of forcing an Alberta woman to have sex against her will. Police charged a 32-year-old from Edmonton and a 28-year-old from Montreal in the case, which required an in-depth investigation involving several sections of the RCMP, both in Lloydminster and throughout Canada. Police say the 18-year-old alleged victim is a Canadian citizen from Alberta who phoned RCMP for help from a Lloydminster, Alta., address. One man was arrested soon after, while another was arrested in Winnipeg on March 22. “The victim was introduced to these two gentlemen through a mutual friend,” said RCMP Const. Grant Kirzinger. “She was forced to come to Lloydminster. She was forced into having sex with other men against her will.” ‘When we’re dealing with person crimes, we look at every possible option.’ She received medical treatment and victim services gave her emotional support. Both men are in custody and are scheduled to appear in court July 6 via closed circuit television in St Paul. Kirzinger said the Lloydminster RCMP worked closely with the Calgary Po-
lice Service, project CARE, neighbouring RCMP detachments, strategic communications in Edmonton, and the forensic identification unit throughout the investigation. Police say they didn’t tell the public about the arrests earlier out of concern it could jeopardize the case. “Whenever we’re faced with an investigation of this size, we want to make sure that we utilize all the available resources, that we conduct a thorough investigation to make sure that we don’t miss any potential leads or evidence that could be out there.” said Kirzinger. “When we’re dealing with person crimes, we look at every possible option.” He said the investigation is concluded and the two people arrested were the only suspects in the case. The woman was the only victim they came across, Kirzinger said. He also said this case appears to have no link to organized crime. Advocacy groups and law enforcement agencies have issued several warnings to women about so-called Romeo pimps, who deliberately groom young victims by starting relationships with them, then coerce them into the sex trade.
HAPPY VAISAKHI
all charges against Duffy, a precedent has been set for the standard of review of the evidence in all these potential and current cases, said criminal defence lawyer Joseph Neuberger. “As long as there can be some connection to Senate business, it’s going to be an expense that should be allowed and it’s not going to be a criminal act,” Neuberger said. “So I think this will have a very serious impact on the other cases and investigations.”
20 i Saturday, April 23, 2016
A
U.S. experts urge Canada to cultivate social standards around pot use
s the Trudeau government prepares to draw up legislation that would legalize marijuana for recreational use, leading policy experts in the United States have some pointed advice for Canada: Rules are important, but cultivating unwritten social standards around how people use the drug are just as crucial. In states such as Colorado and Washington, where prohibition of cannabis has been lifted, lawmakers have seen recreational mari-
juana use soar. While that has pumped welcome tax dollars into government coffers, it has also led to problems with public consumption, overuse and intoxicated driving. “Do it cautiously,” Mark Kleiman, a professor of public policy at New York University, said at an international conference on cannabis policy on Sunday. “A bunch of the mistakes that are happening in the U.S. don’t have to happen in Canada.”
HAPPY VAISAKHI TO ALL OF YOU
T
Liberals targeted four B.C. ridings with party funds to help campaigns
he Liberals pumped almost $700,000 into four B.C. ridings in the last election, dethroning two Conservative incumbents and one New Democrat, and losing to the NDP in the hotly contested riding of Vancouver East, election spending data show. The money to help four Liberals get elected included $225,415 to help Pam Goldsmith-Jones defeat Conservative John Weston in West Vancouver-Sunshine Coast-Sea to Sky Country, and $213,638 in SurreyNewton where Sukh Dhaliwal defeated NDP MP Jinny Sims. Those amounts, the highest to any riding the central party helped financially in the last election, were targeted in areas where the Liberals expected to be in tight races in a region all three parties considered a key campaign battleground.
L
The transfers from the national party down to the four local candidates were part of more than $4 million in financial help the party doled out before, during and after the election to help Liberal candidates get elected on Oct. 19. The spending was more than the combined total funding transferred from the top down to the riding level by the Conservatives, NDP, and Green party combined. In all, the four big parties that ran candidates across the country sent almost $8 million in cash, goods and services to help local candidates, based on a review of some 6,000 transactions filed before the end of March by about 1,500 candidates in the last election.
Suspect in murder of West Vancouver tycoon gave $14K to B.C. Liberals
i Zhao, the West Vancouver man charged in the horrific butchering of a Chinese mining tycoon, may have registered a $14,000 donation to the B.C. Liberals just days after the crime. The victim, Gang Yuan — a multimillionaire who has been linked to a bribery and corruption scandal in China’s Yunnan province — was found allegedly chopped into 100 pieces at his British Properties mansion on May 2, 2015. Yuan lived at the mansion with his cousin Xiao Mei Li and her husband, 55-year-old Li Zhao. Legal filings say that on May 8, 2015, Li Zhao was charged with murdering Yuan and “interfering” with his corpse. B.C. Elections donation records show that on May 12, 2015, 10 days after Yuan’s remains were found, a man named Li Zhao paid $14,000 to the B.C. Liberal Party. The donor Li Zhao also paid $1,000 to the B.C. Liberal Party in a Vancouver riding in May 2005, election records show. As election records only show the English language spelling of Li Zhao —
rather than the Chinese characters — public documentation can’t confirm that it is the same man charged in Gang Yuan’s murder. A review of B.C. property and financial documents only showed one Li Zhao with millions worth of assets living in the Lower Mainland. A battle for the control of Yuan’s estimated $50-million estate continues in court. Yuan’s family from China has alleged that Li Zhao and his family had “unjustly enriched” themselves. Court filings say Yuan bought the West Vancouver home where he was murdered for $4.5 million in 2010, but he allowed the home to be purchased in the names of Li Zhao and Xiao Mei Li. “I am very concerned that Xiao Mei Li or Li Zhao have been and will in the future dissipate the estate’s assets, including most immediately, the West Vancouver property,” an affidavit from Yuan’s brother Qiang Yuan stated. “It would be most troubling if Li Zhao were permitted to use an asset bought and paid for by my brother to secure his release on the charge of murdering him.”
Business / Finance
PCs win majority in Manitoba
M
riding of Fort Whyte. anitoba’s Progressive Conserva- nipeg tives stormed to power Tues- The election capped a five-week camday with a majority that ends 16 paign that often seemed nasty and personal. Last week, Selinger called Pallister “hoyears of NDP government in the province. PC Leader Brian Pallister rode to victory on mophobic” for voting against a law in 2013 a promise to build infrastructure, increase that requires schools to allow gay-straight alliances set up by students. trade and reverse a sales tax Pallister was also on the dehike that many believe doomed fensive over a vacation home Premier Greg Selinger and his in Costa Rica and the amount NDP when they broke a promof time he has spent there. ise and introduced it in 2013. At the final leaders debate, Pallister The decision prompted a suggested the province was being number of Selinger’s cabirun by the Canadian Union of Public net ministers to revolt and Employees and assured people that forced a leadership contest last Brian Pallister would change if his party took power. year that he barely survived. Selinger has promised to make big investPallister joins Brad Wall of Saskatchewan as another voice of conservatism on the Prairies. ments in infrastructure, add care home beds His victory also means the NDP’s or- and expand service at clinics to reduce presange wave continues to recede in Canada. sure on emergency rooms. He’s also offered The federal NDP were reduced to third- help to students with loans and tuition. The cost party status in the last federal election and would be continued deficits until at least 2021. Pallister has also promised to invest in infraSelinger’s defeat means Premier Rachel Notley is the last NDP premier in the country. structure, but also reduce the provincial sales The PCs and then-premier Gary Filmon lost tax to seven per cent from eight. He has also power to Gary Doer and the NDP in 1999 and said the PCs will raise income tax brackets with had been the official Opposition ever since. inflation and join the New West Partnership Pallister won his seat in the Win- trade agreement with other western provinces.
Senator Colin Kenny faces new questions about staff tending to personal affairs
A
Liberal senator is facing new questions about his use of Senate resources for personal business. The CBC’s French-language service, Radio-Canada, has obtained emails showing that as far back as 2005 Senator Colin Kenny had staff from his office organizing renovations to his home and taking care of business at a tanning salon he once owned. In one email from 2005, a Senate staffer offers Kenny an update on work being done at his residence. Senators still owe $554K in ineligible expenses as repayments trickle in Three senators repay Senate for travel expense claims Exclusive: Ex-Senate staffer ordered clothes, paid cable bill for boss “Mirrors are installed,” the employee writes. “Guest bathroom counter supposed to receive tomorrow. Phones are being done today.” In another, Kenny complains about delays to work on his bathroom. “One or two months is not acceptable for the toilet,” Kenny writes, instructing a Senate staffer to send him a list of work that still needs to be done. Other memos show Kenny’s staff managing affairs at the senator’s tanning salon business. “We are out of disinfectant for the beds/
S
goggles,” one email from 2010 reads. “We obviously don’t need an entire huge bottle of it for one month but I don’t know if there are any alternatives. Not sure how you’d like to proceed.” Another email suggests Senate staff were involved in day-to-day operations at the business. “I did tan cards this morning and went through all the Aug. sales to identify what we owed Jeff,” it reads. Complaint filed in 2013 Kenny has come under scrutiny before over accusations he used staff members to attend to personal business. A former employee, Pascale Brisson, filed a complaint about Kenny in October 2013. She alleged she spent roughly half her time at the office taking care of the senator’s personal affairs. Kenny was also one of nine senators whom the auditor general of Canada recommended the RCMP investigate over questionable expenses. In his report, Michael Ferguson found “the senator paid salaries and benefit expenses to staff for work that may not have been for parliamentary business.” Ferguson stated, “We found that staff performed numerous tasks that were not related to regular office operations.
Senators still owe $554K in ineligible expenses as repayments trickle in
enators flagged by the auditor general for filing ineligible expenses still owe in excess of $554K as the deadline for repayment fast approaches. Six more senators now have cut a cheque to the Receiver General to repay funds, including those who had their files reviewed by retired Supreme Court Justice Ian Binnie. Conservative Senators Pierre-Hugues Boisvenu, Terry Stratton, Dennis Patterson, Jean-Guy Dagenais and David Tkachuk — the former chairman of the Senate committee that oversaw the spending rules — and Liberal Senators Colin Kenny and Sandra Lovelace Nicholas have repaid more than
$100,000 as of Monday. They join six others who repaid money earlier this month. And yet some of the senators who were fingered for misspending are still on the hook for considerable amounts. One sitting senator, Nick Sibbeston of the Northwest Territories, still has an outstanding balance of $26,924.20. If he does not repay by Friday his wages will be garnisheed by Senate administration. The other senators who still owe monies are all retired, including Sharon Carstairs, Marie Charette-Poulin, RoseMarie Losier-Cool, Don Oliver, Bill Rompkey, Gerry St. Germain and Rod Zimmer.
Saturday, April 23, 2016
i 21
22 i Saturday, April 23, 2016
PUNJAB
Foodgrain scam: Cong wants stock verified
A
their wheat proday after he filed a duce, Jakhar said. complaint against Claiming that the CM and his such a big scam Cabinet colleagues for could not have causing a loss of more gone unnoticed than Rs 12,000 crore to by ministers and the state exchequer by agencies, Jakhar diverting the foodgrain stated that those stock, Congress leader found guilty must Sunil Jakhar demanded be made to pay physical verification of Sunil Jakhar shows documents pertaining to the Rs for the shortthe stock at godowns, 12,000- cr foodgrain scam in Bathinda fall by attachsubmission of report with the Centre and CAG and bringing the ing their properties rather than simply takguilty to book by attaching their properties. ing the release of CCL by the RBI as a clean He said that the biggest loss that the scam chit to the state in the multi-crore scam. “In case, the government fails to pin responsihad caused was to farmers as it had debility on the guilty, the Congress, after forming layed their payments for wheat produce by a month owing to the delay in the re- the government in 2017, will go to the depth of lease of the Cash Credit Limit (CCL) the scam and then, the guilty will not be spared which was earlier held up by the RBI. irrespective of their political stature,” he said. The Congress leader said that when Captain The farmers, already reeling under financial crunch due to crop failure, have now suf- Amarinder Singh had formed the government fered a loss of interest on the payment for in the state in 2002, the government had paid
Navjot Sidhu among 6 nominated to RS Ace cricketer and former Amritsar MP Navjot Singh Sidhu, Olympics medal-winning boxer Mary Kom, senior BJP leader Subramanian Swamy, journalist Swapan Dasgupta, Malayalam actor Suresh Gopi, economist Narendra Jadhav were on Friday nominated by the Modi government to the Rajya Sabha. President Pranab Mukherjee nominated the six personalities from different fields to the House of Elders following a recommendation of the Narendra Modi government, a Home Ministry spokesperson said here. He said a formal notification regarding their nomination to the Upper House would be issued shortly. The President recommends the names of the nominated members – drawn from fields such as literature, science, sports, art and so-
HAPPY VAISAKHI to all of you
cial service – on the advice of the government. Sixty-two-year-old Jadhav, an economist, was a member of Sonia Gandhi-led NAC during the UPA tenure from 2010 to 2014. Besides NAC membership, Jadhav has had held several positions. He was a member of Planning Commission from 2009 to 2014 and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Pune. He is a prolific writer in three languages — Marathi, English and Hindi — and credited with writing and editing more than 30 books. Swamy, a Harvard-educated economist, was a former Union Minister for Commerce and Law. He was also a former member of the Planning Commission.
Blast at gurdwara a ‘terror attack’, say German cops An explosion at a gurdwara in Germany’s Essen city was a “terror attack” carried out by radical Islamists, authorities have said for the first time, terming it as an “entirely new” strike targeting the Sikhs. After the interrogation of two detained teenagers, the investigators hold the view that the blast was a “religious motivated terror of the Islamist scene”, Essen’s police commissioner Frank Richter had said yesterday. The blast ripped through the entrance hall of the gurdwara on April 16 during a wedding ceremony and severely damaged part of the building besides shattering windowpanes and injuring three persons, including the gurdwara priest. Interior minister of the state of North Rhine Westphalia Ralf Jaeger spoke of an “Islamic background” to the blast and called for a thorough investigation to establish to what extent the two youths were radicalised by jihadists. It also must be investigated who are the other persons with whom the two terror suspects had contacts, he said. Jaeger said it was “entirely new” that the Sikh community in this country has become the target of a terror attack. The two terror suspects’ affiliation to a particular group cannot be established at the present stage of the investigation.
State proposes crop relief fund as option to ‘Fasal Bima Yojana’
N
ot inclined to implement the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana as it does not suit farmers, Punjab has proposed a crop compensation fund as its alternative. After a detailed discussion, the state Agriculture Department concluded that in its existing form, the Bima Yojana was not beneficial to our farmers. Besides requesting PM Narendra Modi on a personal level to modify the scheme, CM Parkash Singh Badal had also written to the Centre seeking changes in the existing format of the scheme. Following this, the PM had sent a team of senior officials to discuss the issue with the state officials concerned a few weeks ago. At the meeting, the state government had informed the Centre, including Secretaries of the Union Agriculture Department, Food Processing Department and Bima Implementation, that the crop insurance scheme devised by the Centre could not be implemented across the country due to various factors, including weather variations, different cropping patterns, irrigation facilities and other ground realities.
INDIA
Navy plane thwarts piracy bid in Arabian Sea
A
naval Poseidon-8I long-range patrol warning and scaring them off. Those pirates aircraft managed to thwart a piracy are now alive to do their evil another day.Sidattack on the high seas by flying over ney Brewster Piracy continues to be rampant a merchant vessel which was being targeted off the east coast of Africa, with pirates often by “a pirate mother ship and two skiffs” venturing deep into the Arabian Sea to hunt around 800 nautical miles from Mumbai last for targets like merchant vessels and oil tankweek. The P-8I, based at the naval air station ers, despite international efforts to curb the INS Rajali at Arakkonam in Tamil Nadu, was menace. India, like some on a routine surveilother countries, has been lance mission over the deploying warships in the Arabian Sea when it Gulf of Aden for anti-pireceived distress calls racy patrols continuously from the merchant vessince 2008 to safely escort sel, the Malta-flagged merchant ships of differMV Sezai Selah, on the A naval Poseidon-8I long-range patrol aircraf. ent nationalities through international Chanthe troubled waters. The nel 16 distress radio on April 15. “The pirate Navy has also inducted eight P-8I aircraft unmother ship and the two high-speed skiffs der a $2.1 billion deal inked with US aviation had come quite close to the merchant vessel. major Boeing in 2009, with negotiations for The P-8I immediately responded and made another four such planes currently underway. warning transmissions over Channel 16 while Armed with deadly Harpoon Block-II misflying over the pirate boats...they got fright- siles, MK-54 lightweight torpedoes, rockets ened and altered course to leave MV Sezai and depth charges, these sensor and radarSelah alone,” said an official. They should’ve packed aircraft act as India’s “intelligent hawkshot and killed the pirates, instead of just eyes” over the entire Indian Ocean Region.
T
Centre taking away power of elected governments
he Centre on Tuesday got a rap on its knuckles yet again in the Uttarakhand high court which said by imposing President’s rule it was taking away the powers of an elected government and introducing “chaos” and that floor test “cannot be deprived of its sanctity”. The division bench of the court repeatedly maintained that irrespective of allegations of horse-trading and corruption, the only constitutional way to test majority was to hold a floor test, which “you still have to go for”. The Centre also faced searching questions from the court which observed that if the reasons for imposition of Article 356 in the instant case, where ruling parties are different at the Centre and in the state, are accepted then it may lead to the central government “watching with a magnifying glass where there is an opportunity for President’s rule”. “It (President’s rule) has to be applied in exceptional cases only,” the bench of Chief Justice KM Joseph and Justice VK Bist said adding that the President could have waited for events to unfold on March 28 when a floor test was to take place. The bench was hearing arguments on the petition challenging imposition of President’s rule filed by the ousted chief minister Harish Rawat and related pleas. By imposing President’s rule, “you (Centre) are taking away power of an elected government. You are introducing chaos”, it said adding the governor had not
recommended imposing of Article 356. The bench went on to say that the Governor’s action of March 23 calling for a floor test “cannot be deprived of its sanctity”. “After (the decision on) March 23 what has happened for imposition of Article 356?” the court asked. It said that irrespective of allegations of horsetrading or a sting operation pointing towards corruption in the government, “the only Constitutional way to test majority was to hold the floor test. You still have to go for floor test”. “The sting operation and conclusions derived from it are totally irrelevant. The Union Cabinet could not have known that the Speaker would on March 26 disqualify the nine MLAs. “Even if it (Cabinet) did know, it was irrelevant for the Centre to take it (disqualification) into consideration. If it (Centre) does take it into consideration, then it would stand accused of being partisan and playing politics in the state,” the bench said. The court also said that the government cannot say that the chief minister was trying to buy back his rebel MLAs while at the same time he was trying to get them disqualified. “Both can’t go hand in hand,” it observed. Senior advocate Harish Salve, appearing for state of Uttarakhand, asked the bench if the Centre has “clinching proof of corruption” should it allow floor test to happen and a corrupt and illegal government to go on by remaining a “mute spectator”.
Saturday, April 23, 2016
i 23
Congress hail verdict in Jayalalitha case
V
arious opposition leaders in Tamil common people, Gnanadesikan said “vioNadu today welcomed Chief Minister lence should be eschewed.” Commenting on Jayalalithaa’s conviction by a Banga- the verdict against Jayalalithaa he said, “full lore special court in the disproportionate as- details pertaining to the judgement has not sets case and urged police come..there should not be to maintain law and order. criticism of the verdict.” Tamil Nadu Congress Welcoming the verdict, Committee President B S PMK founder leader Dr Gnanadesikan appealed that S Ramadoss said police violence should be eschewed should take steps to enand urged the State police sure that the law and orto uphold law and order. der is protected and vio“The police have a duty lence should be checked. MDMK Chief Vaiko to protect the law and It showed that justice order and I believe that police will do had prevailed, he said in a statement here. their duty,” he said in a statement here. MDMK leader Vaiko said the judgement Stating that violent incidents would affect the has reaffirmed the supremacy of judiciary.
HAPPY VAISAKHI
INDIA
24 i Saturday, April 23, 2016
Prosperous Chandigarh clings to LPG subsidy
K
Only 17,745 consumers, out of a total of 2.30 lakh connections, give up subsidy
nown as the most prosperous city and so on the radar of almost all luxury car makers, the city beautiful, Chandigarh, seems to be shying away from giving up LPG subsidy under the ‘Giveitup’ campaign. The city has also been adjudged among the top three states which have recorded the highest per capita income in the country. Also, in June 2012, the RBI ranked Chandigarh as the 12th largest deposit centre and the tenth largest credit centre nationwide. Further, it is being considered as one of the largest economic hubs in the northern region, and emerging centre for the IT and e-commerce. The city is also known for its progressive environment for business. According to the data accessed by oil marketing companies, only 17,745 consumers have given up their LPG subsidy under the “Giveitup” campaign of the Oil Ministry, out of a total of 2.30 lakh connections, which is around 7.7 per cent. Across India, around 1 crore people have surrendered their LPG subsidy. There are 16 crore LPG connections across all states in the country. Thus, around 6.25 per cent consumers across India have given up their subsidy. If we compare the data, comparing the cur-
rent LPG subsidy, each of these 17,745 families in the city has surrendered an annual LPG subsidy worth Rs 1,200. Each consumer is entitled to 12 subsidised cylinders a year and any requirement above this is at the market price. The initiative asking consumers to give up their LPG subsidy has been on since 2012, but the campaign gathered pace in the past year due to a massive outreach programme run by the Petroleum Ministry and Prime Minister Narender Modi, who appealed to well-to-do sections of Indian society last year to voluntarily give up their LPG subsidy, so the benefit of the same could be shared more widely with poorer sections of society. Chandigarh has also the distinction of having the highest per capita vehicles in the country with more than 10 lakh vehicles registered in the city, which has a population of around 12 lakh. “In addition to this, all luxury car makers have their dealership in the city, clearly suggesting that the city is prosperous. But its residents still are not willing to give up their subsidy which merely translates an annual saving of Rs 1,200 per annum,” said a senior official in a oil marketing company.
12 charred to death in Bihar’s Aurangabad district
T
welve persons, including six children, were charred to death today in a fire at a house here. The incident took place in Hari Nagar tola when the fire from a nearby house engulfed Jagta Ram’s residence trapping his family members, who had gathered for a social function, District Magistrate Kamal Tanuj said. Twelve persons — six children, two women and four men — were burnt to death in the blaze, he said. It was, however, not clear what cause the fire in the nearby house. At least six other family members sustained burn injuries, Daud Nagar police station in-charge Pankaj Kumar said, adding they were rushed to the hospital for treatment. The District Magistrate said ex-gratia
compensation of Rs 4 lakh would be given to the kin of each killed in the blaze. The District Magistrate said the fire was extinguished by the villagers themselves and the cause of the blaze was being investigated. Chief Minister Nitish Kumar expressed profound grief over the tragedy and directed the District Magistrate and the Superintendent of Police to camp at the village for expeditious rescue and relief work. Kumar directed the district administration to provide the ex-gratia compensation to the kin of the victims. The District Magistrate said the victims were being identified for the purpose. Magadh division commissioner Liam Kunga and the Magadh Range DIG Saurabh Kumar also visited the affected village and took stock of the situation.
T
Supreme Court restores President’s rule in Uttarakhand until April 27
he Supreme Court on Friday restored President’s rule in Uttarakhand till April 27 after Centre’s virtual assurance that no attempt would be made to install a BJP government in that state. A Bench comprising Justices Dipak Misra and Shiva Kirti Singh passed the order after hearing arguments for 70 minutes on Centre’s appeal against the Uttarakhand High Court verdict yesterday, quashing the President’s rule and reviving the dismissed Congress government led by Chief Minister Harish Rawat. Arguing for the Centre, Attorney-General Mukul Rohatgi took strong exception to Rawat resuming charge as Chief Minister and holding a Cabinet meeting immediately after the high court ruling without even waiting for a copy of the high court judgment. The high court verdict, dictated in the open court, was not yet made available and in view of this Governor KK Paul was still in charge of the state administration, while Rawat also claimed to be back in power. “How can two
T
authorities be in charge of the state running parallel administrations,” the A-G asked. The apex court slated the next hearing for April 27 and asked the high court to make its judgment available by April 26. Appearing for Rawat, senior advocate Abhishekh Singhvi pleaded with the Supreme Court against passing any interim order as it amounted to allowing the Centre’s plea. He assured the Bench that his client was ready to stay away from the Chief Minister’s Office till the Supreme Court heard the case after getting a copy of the high court judgment. But the Bench was not amenable to this option. The Bench said it was keeping the high court verdict in abeyance till April 27 for maintaining the balance of convenience. It recorded the Centre’s assurance that President’s rule would not be lifted till then. In the absence of any such assurance, the Centre would have been at liberty to pave the way for a BJP government.
Central panel to prepare roadmap to double farm income
he government has set up a panel to prepare a blueprint for doubling farmers’ income by 2022, as promised by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. “The committee will chalk out a plan to shift farm policies from being production-oriented to based on incomes,” a senior Agriculture Ministry official said. The eight-member panel will identify potential areas of agriculture where more investment should happen and suggest ways to reduce the risk of farming by diversifying to horticulture and allied activities like livestock and fisheries to boost income, the official added. The government’s decision to set up the committee follows the Budget announcement that set a target of doubling farm incomes by 2022. The inter-ministerial panel, which is expected to submit the report in two months, will also look at reducing the cost of cultivation and addressing unpredictability of
weather and price fluctuations in farm sector. “The government is focusing not only on increasing crop yields but also on reducing the cost of cultivation to increase the net income of farmers. The schemes on soil health card, neem-coated urea and per drop more crop, are aimed at bringing down the cost of cultivation,” the official said. Besides, the government is trying to address the unpredictability in agriculture due to market fluctuations, and due to weather by setting up an electronic National Agriculture Market and implementing a new crop insurance scheme, he added. The committee will be headed by Ashok Dalwai, Additional Secretary at the Agriculture Ministry. The other members will be officials from Agriculture and Food Ministries as well as experts from the Delhi-based National Council of Applied Economic Research and National Institute of Agricultural Economics and Policy Research.
Saturday, April 23, 2016
Real Canadian Superstore速 location is the convenient one-stop shopping solution for everyday needs and for special occasions. You'll find variety, value, and a wide range of South Asian specialities -- at great price! 350 SE Marine Drive, Vancouver T: (604) 322-3727
Fax: 604-322-3744 Store Hours: Monday to Friday 9:30AM-8:00PM Sat 9AM - 5PM & Sun 12PM - 5PM
Contact for more assistance:
Remo Mastropieri Store Manager
i 25
fOOD
6 i Saturday - April 4, 2015
INDIA
26 i Saturday, April 23, 2016
A
16 dead in Arunachal landslide; PM expresses grief
Cong leader shot dead in Rohtak
60-year-old Congress leader was on Friday shot dead allegedly by three assailants when he was out on a morning walk here. The police suspect that the victim, Ashok Kaka, could have been killed over some land dispute. “He is a Congress leader. At one time, he used to be head of Railway Road Market Association here and probably also had a jewellery outlet there. He was attacked by three assailants when he was on a morning walk in a park,” said Rohtak SSP Shashank Anand.
The SSP said that Ashok was rushed to PGIMS at Rohtak, where he was declared dead on arrival. Asked what could be the motive behind the killing, he said, “We have got some information that he had some land dispute with his brother. There is also information that he had a land dispute with another party. We are trying to develop these pieces of information as we investigate the case.” He said that a case under relevant provisions of the law has been registered in connection with the incident.
At least 16 workers lost their lives and several others were missing when a massive landslide triggered by heavy rains hit a labour camp in Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh today. 16 bodies have been retrieved from the spot along with one injured person, official sources said. Two other workers are feared to be trapped in the debris. Local authorities search for missing labourers at the landslide site in Phamla village, Tawang, Arunachal Pradesh The incident occurred Ingredients at around 3.30 am when Senior • officers are on chicken the spot and res250g boneless 17 labourers engaged in construction work he Ministry of External Affairs said Mallya, a Parliamentarian, left the councue and relief operation was on. 2tbsp rapeseed oil were inside the camp in Thamla, about Prime • Minister on Friday that they were currently try on March 2, leaving behind some 17 Narendra Modi has ex• 1 medium red onion four km away from Tawang town, border- pressed grief considering a proposal to have li- banks to struggle to bring get back unover the loss of lives. In a • 3 large tomatoes ing China, Additional Deputy Commis- message, quor baron Vijay Mallya, who left the coun- paid loans pending since his airlines, the Prime Minister extended • ½ cup cashew nuts sioner (headquarters) Lod Gambo said. his condolences try in March as he faced pressure to pay Kingfisher Airlines, folded up in 2012. to the bereaved families. • 100g tomato puree Rs 9,000 crore in unpaid loans, deported. Among the several cases against him one for • 1 tbsp dried fenugreek leaves “The government is committed to fraudulently having a loan of Rs 900 crore • 100ml low fat cream bringing Vijay Mallya back to face extended his company by the IDBI bank. ok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan has • 1tsp garam masala justice. We are considering steps for A court issued a non-bailable warpending all business over the situation. called an all-party meeting on Sunday • 1tsp red chilli powder rant against the businessmen Mallya’s deportation,” foreign minThe resolution seeks to “deplore” the “destaahead of the second part of Parliament’s • 1tbsp gingergarlic paste istry spokesman Vikas Swarup said. for the bank fraud on April 18. bilisation” of the democratically elected govBudget Session that comes in the middle of • 2tbsp thick low fat “disapprove” yoghurt He said Mallya had responded to a notice The Enforcement Directorate, the agenernment in Uttarakhand and the an ongoing tussle over power in Uttarakhand. • salt imposition to taste the central government had issued last cy that is investigating the loan fraud, “unjustified” of President’s Rule Drought in 10 states is also likely to week asking him why his passport should had requested the Ministry of Exterthere under Article 356 of the Constitution. be on top of Parliament’s agenda, with not be revoked. The ministry is holding nal Affairs to have the businessman The Supreme Court on Friday stayed till some parties in the opposition alProcedure:with legal experts on how to deported Mallya after he missed three consultations April 27 Uttarakhand High Court’s judgehaving given notices the Chair. the onions and tomatoes. Heat 1 tbsp Marinate the withSwarup the ginger paste and yoghurt 20 min. soak theready cashew in warm water for 15to minutes.chop deadlines to the report for for investigations. bring him back tochicken the country, said. garlic ment quashing President’s rule in the state, Congress is the already preparing oil to a pan. sear the chicken are pieces hot oil for 1had minute on each to a goldenThe colour. remove chicken pieces.toinbattle the same pan, add 1tbsp oil and the chopped The Ministry suspended hisside passport “The grounds for deportation pri-in the Congress criticises the central governCentral over flame the politionions. saute a translucentwarrant pink. Add theweek, tomatoes, chiliagency’s powder,request. garam masalathe powder andGovernment cook on medium till the tomatoes tender to (approx. 4-5 President’s last also red at the marily two: A till non-bailable ment’s are decision impose crisis paste. in Uttarakhand: Congress’s minutes). from flame run in a blender with the soaked cashews to make acal smooth return to the pan anddeputy add the tomato puree. Bring to a boil and add The crime-fighting agency had also asked issued by theremove Mumbai court andand susrule in the state and dismissing its govleader and in the Rajyafor Sabha, AnandBroil Sharma, the chicken simmer for 4-5 minutes till the chicken is cooked. Add the low fat cream simmer 2 minutes. the fenugreek a pan.“an crush the on the the ministry to revoke his passport, a repension of thepieces. passport of the busiernmentleaves for onbeing attack gave a notice to Rajya Sabha Chairman fenugreek leavesinover curry and fire. serve questfrom the ministry sayshot. it is still considering. nessman, ” sources thethe ministry said.remove federal structure of the Constitution”. Hamid Ansari on Thursday under Rule Once dubbed the ‘King of Good Times’, Mallya is currently believed to be in the UK The session will begin on April 25. 267 for taking up a resolution after sus-
MEA considers extraditing Vijay Mallya
T
chicken (no butter) Masala Your favourite butter chicken but without the butter and added calories!
L
LS Speaker calls all-party meeting
FIJI
Fiji needs aid to stop hunger, disease: UN
T
wo months after being struck by a powerful cyclones, Fiji needs urgent assistance to plant crops and rebuild homes, the United Nations said, calling for international support to reduce
Floods in Nadi the risks of food shortages and disease. Cyclone Winston, the worst storm recorded in the southern hemisphere, hit Fiji in February, killing 43 people and leaving tens of thousands homeless. The United Nations said Winston had destroyed crops and more than 31,000 homes, and that flooding in recent weeks had washed
away many crops planted after the cyclone. “As planning begins for longer-term recovery and reconstruction, it is important to emphasise that humanitarian efforts must continue, particularly in locations hit by both the cyclone and subsequent flooding,” UN resident co-ordinator Osnat Lubrani said in a statement. Urgent needs include distribution of agricultural supplies, construction of shelters and toilets, mosquito control and surveillance to stop the spread of disease, and psychosocial support, she said. “Our work is far from over. There is an acute need for the distribution of more seeds and seedlings to kick-start food production in areas hit by the cyclone and floods. This is vital to reducing the risk of food insecurity over the months ahead.” It is also vital to train people to build stronger, safer houses, she said, noting that “even small donations from the international community can make a huge difference”.
Stop being selective, parliamentarians told
S
top being selective when choosing which media organisation you want to talk to, the Media Industry Development Authority director, Dr Ashwin Raj, advised parliamentarians. Speaking at the PACMAS Parliamentary Masterclass training, Mr Raj said MPs had a responsibility to talk to all media organisations and not be biased. He said by talking to all media outlets, MPs would enable journalists to carry out balanced reporting. He said a free, responsible, accountable and robust media was critical in fostering a culture of deep and deliberative democracy. “Unlike many other constitutional jurisdictions that deem the guaranteeing of freedom of speech, expression and publication to entail implicitly freedom of the press, the Fijian Constitution through its Bill of Rights, unequivocally recognises freedom
Lone survivor seeks assistance
M
adhu Mohini prefers her solitude after a lifesaving surgery in 1991 permanently deformed her face. As an unmarried 28-year-old at the time, she claims her family shunned her because of her deformity. She said they moved out of the family home in Masimasi, Tavua, some migrating overseas and the rest to other parts of the country. When Severe Tropical Cyclone Winston struck on February 20, the now 53-year-old fled to a neighbour’s place to wait out the Category 5 storm. “I didn’t want to be alone because I wasn’t sure if my house would be strong enough during the cyclone,” she said. “I became a Christian after my surgery and my whole family also converted from Hinduism, but they did a very un-Christian act by leaving me to live here all on my own. “I don’t have enough money to repair my home and I don’t know anyone in my area who will be able to assist me because everyone in Masimasi is trying to repair their own homes and farms.”
of the press as pivotal in the materialisation of freedom of speech, expression, thought, opinion and publication,” Mr Raj said. He said freedom of the press must not be reduced to simply the freedom of journalists, editors or proprietors alone. “Rather it is an embodiment of the public’s right to know and participate in the flow of information or the democratisation of the flow of information.” Mr Raj said a strong statutory framework was important in creating an environment that protected the rights of the media while ensuring that public interest and individual rights were not impinged. He said striking the right balance between freedom of speech and standards of responsibility, decency and quality must be given due consideration.
Saturday, April 23, 2016
A
i 27
Man found after 9 days
n 18-year-old youth of Macuata who has been drifting out at sea for nine days has been found. Police spokesman Inspector Josaia Weicavu confirmed Oreti Tabakau was rescued yesterday morning by workers of Ariana Ltd. “Police would like to thank
Ariana Ltd and their fishing vessels for rescuing Oreti,” Inspector Weicavu said. “He has been drifting out at sea since April 11 and we would also like to thank the media for raising awareness.” Mr Tabakau had joined a group of men from his village of Nakalou, Seaqaqa for a fishing trip to the Cakaubalavu reef.
Wish you all a very Happy Vaisakhi
28 i Saturday, April 23, 2016
Pakistan
Army chief fires 12 officers over corruption 7 policemen shot dead over polio vaccination
A
rmy chief Raheel Sharif on Thursday sacked 12 serving Army officers, including a LieutenantGeneral, for corruption-related offences. The sacking comes at a time when the chorus for an inquiry into the offshore assets of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif ’s children, as re-
vealed by the Panama Papers, is growing in Pakistan. Two sons and a daughter of Mr. Sharif, according to the Panama Papers, had formed four offshore companies in the British Virgin Islands. The precise nature of the charges against the dismissed Army officers, against whom an inquiry has been on for some time, has not been revealed so far, agency reports from Islamabad said.
Lt. Gen. Obaidullah, Inspector General Arms and Weapons at General Headquarters; Maj. Gen. Ejaz Shahid; Brigadiers Rasheed, Asad Shahzada, Saifullah, Amir and Haider; Lt. Col. Haider and Major Najeeb were among the officers who have been
sacked, the Dawn newspaper’s website reported. Several of these officers are said to have served together in the Frontier Corps in Balochistan from where the charges against them emanated. #ThankYouRaheelSharif was trending on Twitter in Pakistan, adding to the Army Chief ’s already growing stature as a General who had not hesitated to take on terrorists and now corruption in the country.
S
Paramilitary forces cordoned off the area after police mobile was attacked by unknown assailants in Karachi
even policemen guarding polio vaccination workers were gunned down in two separate incidents
in Pakistan’s Karachi on Wednesday. Eight gunmen on four motorbikes first shot three policemen in Orangi, and four others in their vehicle in the same area. About 5,000 policemen were deputed to guard 6,200 health workers for a threeday anti-polio campaign across Karachi. Such campaigns in Pakistan have often been fraught with grave risks, with militants claiming them to be anti-Islamic, affecting child fertility. “The eight men asked a worker for his identification which prompted a cop to intervene. In response, the men opened fire overpowering the police,” said police officer Raja Omar Khithab.The attackers fled and attacked another police force few streets away, he said. The drive in the area was suspended until proper security was put in place. “Investigations are on to apprehend the culprits,” Sindh’s home minister Anwar Sial said. Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif condemned the attack and hailed the policemen who lost their lives. Early this year, a suicide attack on a polio vaccination centre in Baluchistan had left 15 persons, many of them police officials, dead. Militants also accuse anti-polio workers to be spying for US.
Police arrest al-Qaida financier
K
arachi police said they had arrested an al Qaida financier who has been on the United Nations security council sanction lists for four years. Abdur Rehman alias Abdul Rehman Sindhi, who was arrested yesterday in Karachi, was placed on the UN sanction list in 2012 for providing financial services to al Qaida. Individuals on the list are subject to a freeze on their assets, travel ban and arms embargo. He was arrested during a joint operation of police and intelligence agencies in a congested residential quarter, Muqaddas Haider, a senior police officer told AFP.
NRI
Saturday, April 23, 2016
IS link to attack at gurdwara in Germany
T
he dreaded Islamic State terror group may be Richter. “We have to prelinked to the explosion sume it was a terrorist at a gurdwara in Germany’s act, religiously motivated western city of Essen, a media terror by the Islamist report said today as the police scene,” Richter said. arrested two teenagers in conGurdwara in Essen, Germany, The strength of the after the blast nection with the “terrorist act”. Sikh community memSuspicions of an IS involvebers in Germany is estimated at 15,000. ment in the Saturday blast at Nanaksar SatEarlier, one of the two men identified sang Sabha Gurdwara, which occurred at the by police as Yusuf T, an IS sympathiser, is end of a marriage ceremony, have hardened now being treated by investigators as the following the arrest of two 16-year-olds in key suspect, ARD TV network reported. the nearby town of Gelsenkirchen last night. He has been actively involved in a camThe two teenagers with known links to paign organised by a radical Salafist sect regional Islamists have been arrested for the of Islam to distribute free copies of the attack which left three persons, including a Quran in the German-speaking region priest, injured, said city police chief Frank
A
Indian-origin student hit by London Tube, dies
33-year-old Indian-origin student was found dead after he was struck by a Tube train at an underground station in Britain, media reported on Monday. Mir Baquer Ali Rizvi, who was pursuing Master’s in business administration (MBA) here, was pronounced dead at Osterley Tube station last Tuesday. British Transport Police (BTP), who led the investigation, ruled out murder as the cause of the death at this stage though the official reason will only be confirmed by a coroner at a future date. “We were called to Osterley London Underground station at 7.45 pm on Tuesday, 12th April, following reports of a person being struck by a train,” a BTP spokesperson was quoted as saying. “The man’s death is not being treated as suspicious and his family has been made aware. A file will be prepared for the coroner,” he added.
Mir Baquer Ali Rizvi, student of Master’s in business administration (MBA) died after struck by Tube train in London.
Rizvi, who hailed from India Hyderabad’s Miralam Mandi area, had arrived in London in 2009 to pursue higher education. Earlier, another Indian-origin MBA student died after his throat was slashed on the street near his home in west London on April 10.
DUECK’S TRUCK MONTH!
SAVE UP TO $12,500 PLUS 2.99$ FINANCING! NEW 2015 CHEVY SILVERADO DOUBLE CAB 4.3L V6, A/C, Power Door Locks And Windows, Rear Locking Differential, Cruise Control, Tailgate Lock - #5SI8883
MSRP
$33,005
Dueck Disc $9,010 DUECK PRICE:
$23,995 Taxes and $549 Documentation fee excluded. Offer ends March 31st, 2016.
SELECTION
VALUE
CALL AMIN OR KULDIP ON MARINE
DL:8430
TRUST
604.324.7222 400 S.E. MARINE DR.
S H O P 2 4 / 7 O N L I N E @ D U E C KG M . CO M
i 29
30 i Saturday, April 23, 2016
SOUTH ASIA
Prince William and Kate try archery in Bhutan
B
ritain’s Prince William and his wife tain kingdom today morning from InKate tried their hand at Bhutan’s na- dia, where they played cricket, hung out tional sport of archery on Thurs- with top Bollywood actors and laid a day as they began their first visit to the tiny wreath at a memorial to India’s war dead. They will spend two Himalayan kingdom in a whirl days in the tiny kingof colourful dancing and music. dom, famously the The couple laughed as they tested last country to get their shooting skills at an opentelevision and home air archery venue in the Bhuto just 750,000 people. tanese capital Thimphu to loud A row of monks cheers from the gathered crowds bowed to the couple - even when they missed the target. as they arrived at the Bhutanese archers must aim at very Dzong small, brightly decorated wood- Britain’s Prince William and his wife Tashichho en targets positioned 145 metres Kate tried Bhutan’s national sport fortress in Thimof archery on April 14. phu for their private away from where they are standing. audience with King Jigme Khesar NamThe Duke and Duchess of Cambridge were allowed to move a little closer than gyel Wangchuck and Queen Jetsun Pema. Bhutan’s Oxford-educated monarch - known that, but were not able to hit the target despite coaching from the experts. as the Dragon King - greeted the British couple The couple had braved the rain to head to in Bhutanese national dress, which is still rean archery competition in the open-air sta- quired to be worn in schools and the workplace. His wife also wore traditional dress, while dium, where they chatted to local people after earlier meeting Bhutan’s king and queen. Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, wore a black They flew into the picturesque moun- and cream cape top and a long blue printed
T
Indian naval ships in Sri Lanka for spring overseas deployment
hree Indian naval ships are currently prises indigenously built warships namely Tir, on a three-day visit to Sri Lanka as Shardul, Sujata, ICGS Varuna and two Sail part of their spring overseas deploy- Training ships Sudarshini as well as Tarangini. ment, imparting sea training to Lankan naThe primary aim of the Squadron is to impart val and coast guard trainees. The three ships sea training to Naval and Coast Guard trainees Tir and Sujata and Indian Coast over a period of 24 weeks Guard ship Varuna that are part while exposing them to of the First Training Squadron the rigours of life at sea. will stay here till April 19, the The Training SquadIndian High Commission said. ron is headed by CapThe ships will figure in a series tain S R Ayyar, Senior of professional, training, cultural Officer First Training and sports interactions that will Squadron and Comtake place between the ships’ crew Naval ships at Tuticorin port. manding Officer INS Tir. and Sri Lanka Navy personnel. As one of the finest destiShips from the First Training Squad- nations for training, Indian Navy has trained ron have been visiting Sri Lanka regularly. more than 13,000 international trainees from Their last visit was in March last year, dur- over 40 countries in the last four decades. ing which valuable training opportunities were provided to the Sri Lanka Navy. The First Training Squadron forms part of Southern Naval Command (SNC) and com-
7 killed in Kabul attack, 327 wounded
A
powerful Taliban truck bombing followed by a fierce firefight left at least 28 people dead and more than 300 others wounded Tuesday, officials said, a week after the insurgents launched their annual spring offensive. The Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack near government offices, which sent clouds of acrid smoke billowing in the sky and rattled windows several kilometres (miles) away. The brazen assault in a densely packed neighbourhood marks the first major Taliban attack in the Afghan capital since the insurgents announced the start of this year’s fighting season. “The latest toll shows at least seven people have been killed and 327 others wounded,” health ministry spokesman Mohammad Ismail Kawoosi told AFP. “Most of those wounded are civilians and many are in a serious condition.” Security officials said the loud explosion was triggered by a truck bomb, expressing concerns that other bombers may still be on the loose. The Afghan interior ministry denounced the attack as a “war crime”, pledging to track down the perpetrators. Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid claimed their fighters had managed to enter the offices of the National Directorate of Security, the main spy agency. Afghan officials dismissed those claims, saying that the target of the attack was a government office responsible for providing security to government VIPs. Pitched gun battles were ongoing near the building, which was cordoned off by security officials as ambulances were seen rushing to the scene. “(We) condemn in the strongest terms the terrorist attack in Puli Mahmood Khan neighbourhood of Kabul, as a result of which many of our countrymen were martyred and wounded,” President Ashraf Ghani said in a statement. “Such cowardly terrorist attacks will not weaken the will and determination of Afghan security forces to fight against terrorism.” The Taliban on Tuesday last week announced the start of their “spring offensive” even as the government in Kabul seeks to bring them back to the negotiating table to end the drawn-out conflict.
Saturday, April 23, 2016
GREAT PHONE, GREAT PRICE. LG G4 for
$0 *
on a 2-year Smart plan
· 5.5" IPS Quantum Quad HD display · 16 MP camera
12845 96 Ave. Surrey, BC 778-395-6060
Khalsa Business Centre 8388 128th St. Surrey, BC 604-507-1234
Orchard Park Shopping Centre 2271 Harvey Ave. Kelowna, BC 250-762-5577
Sevenoaks Shopping Centre 32900 South Fraser Way Abbotsford, BC 604-850-7721
Brick Yard Station 17455 56 Ave. Surrey, BC 778-574-1212
King’s Cross Shopping Centre 7488 King George Surrey, BC 604-593-5130
Plaza 88 800 Carnarvon St. New Westminster, BC 604-553-2208
Scottsdale Centre 7031 120th St. Delta, BC 604-507-5566
Capilano Mall 935 Marine Dr. North Vancouver, BC 604-770-2771
Mt Lehman Crossing 2871 Livingstone Ave Abbotsford, BC 604-853-1344
Subject to change without notice. *Phone price shown with activation of a Fido Pulse Smart plan on a 2-year Tab24 agreement. Early cancellation fees apply. Taxes extra. TMFido and related names & logos are trademarks used under licence. © 2016 Fido
i 31
32 i Saturday, April 23, 2016
MAMTA KULKARNI