www.theasianstar.com Vol 19 - Issue 39
Saturday, October 31, 2020
India & USA signed defence pact on satellite data as China fumes India will sign a military agreement with the United States for sharing of sensitive satellite data, the defence ministry said on Monday, as the two sides began a top-level security dialogue aimed at countering China’s growing power in the region. U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Defense Secretary Mark Esper flew into New Delhi for talks with Indian leaders at a time when India is locked in its most serious military standoff with China at the disputed Himalayan border in decades. Washington, for its part, has also ramped the diplomatic pressure on China, as ties worsen over a range of issues from Beijing’s handling of the coronavirus to its imposition of a new security law in Hong Kong and ambitions in the South China Sea. Ahead of the formal two-plus-two talks on Tuesday involving top diplomats and military officials, Esper met his Indian counterpart Rajnath Singh and the two men discussed the Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement on Geospatial Cooperation that is ready for signing, the Indian defence ministry said. “The two ministers expressed satisfaction that agreement of BECA will be signed during the visit,” the ministry said in a statement. The accord would provide India with access to a range of topographical, nautical and aeronautical data that is considered vital for targeting of missiles and armed drones. South Asian man who killed his entire family apologizes to anyone ‘impacted negatively’ by it A 24-year-old Ontario man who killed his entire family apologized this week to anyone he had “impacted negatively” with his actions, as lawyers asked a judge to hand him a life sentence with no parole for 40 years. Menhaz Zaman, whos family was from Bangladesh pleaded guilty last month to three counts of first-degree murder and one count of second-degree murder for killing his parents, grandmother and sister at their home in Markham, Ont., on July 27, 2019. Appearing via video conference at a sentencing hearing that was held virtually, Zaman addressed the court in a flat tone. “I would like to just apologize to anyone I have impacted negatively with my actions, and especially to the people who knew my family and friends and loved ones who I know could never have seen something like this happening,” said Zaman, who was wearing an orange jumpsuit as he appeared from the Central East Correctional Centre in Lindsay, Ont. “I’m sorry.” The Crown and defence both sought a 40-year period of parole ineligibility for Zaman for the murders. Justice Michelle Fuerst will give her decision on Nov. 2. Police found the bodies of 70-year-old Firoza Begum, 59-year-old Moniruz Zaman, 50-year-old Momtaz Begum, and 21-year-old Continued on page 7
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Money laundering inquiry hears of $800,000 and more in bags, luggage, backpacks Vast amounts of cash started flowing into British Columbia’s largest casino in 2010 and transactions of $800,000 or more became common as players hauled in bags, suitcases and backpacks full of cash, an inquiry heard Monday. Steven Beeksma, who worked as a surveillance manager at the River Rock Casino in Richmond, recalled one case in 2014 of a player bringing in $200,000. The player then lost $6,000 and cashed out with $194,000 in $100 bills, which would receive less scrutiny when deposited in a bank, he said. “This would be a case of refining, where the player was using the casino to exchange his $20 bills for $100 bills either for his own purpose or acting on behalf or a third party,” Beeksma added. “We would have no way of knowing, but that behaviour would be suspicious to us.” It’s unlikely banks would dispense so much money in $20 bills, said Beeksma, who was employed by the Great Canadian Casino Corp. for 12 years Continued on page 7
MLAs Jagrup Brar, Jinny Sims should be prime candidates for addition to the BC cabinet Premier John Horgan should look at adding more. Surrey MLA’s to his new cabinet. Apart from Harry Bains and Bruce Ralston, who are likely to return, reelected MLAs Jagrup Brar and Jinny Sims need to be
prime candidates for the new NDP cabinet. Both have the experience and capabilities to be good, effective Ministers. And both play important roles in the South Asian community. Continued on page 4
Driver responsible for deadly Humboldt bus crash fighting deportation An immigration lawyer representing Jaskirat Singh Sidhu, the driver who caused the deadly Humboldt Broncos bus crash, says his client is fighting to stay in Canada. In January 2019, Sidhu pleaded guilty to 29 counts of dangerous driving causing death or bodily injury. In court, he admitted he failed to stop his semi-trailer truck at a highway intersection on April 6, 2018. The resulting crash with a bus carrying the Broncos junior hockey team to a playoff game killed 16 people and injured 13 others. In March 2019, Sidhu was sentenced to eight years in prison. Singh is a permanent resident of Canada. Under federal law, a permanent resident
convicted of a crime that holds a maximum sentence of at least 10 years may be deported after serving their sentence. However, Sidhu’s lawyer, Michael Greene is trying to make sure that doesn’t happen. He said Sidhu was very remorseful and has no criminal background. “He couldn’t be more sorry,” said Greene, who has begun compiling his case, as well as letters of support to give to an immigration officer, who will ultimately determine the case. “He’s clearly not the kind of guy that is going to commit another offence. So put all together, it’s going to be an Continued on page 6