The Asian Star February 19 2022

www.theasianstar.com Vol 21 - Issue 3

Saturday, February 19, 2022

Five major Canadian banks mysteriously go offline On Wednesday (February 16) five major Canadian banks went offline, preventing a number of customers from using e-Transfers, online banking, and mobile banking services.

The financial institutions affected by the outage included the Royal Bank of Canada (RBC), BMO (Bank of Montreal), Scotiabank, TD Bank Canada, and the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (CIBC).

The number of complaints of people experiencing difficulty accessing their online banking peaked between 5 p.m. and 6 p.m.

Eastern time on Wednesday, February 16, while accounts of this issue are still occurring on Thursday, February 17, according to a

report by BleepingComputer. “We are currently experiencing technical issues with our online and mobile banking, as well as our phone systems,” an RBC representative confirmedThe RBC team added: “Our experts are investigating and working to get this fixed as quickly as possible, but we have no ETA to provide at this time. We appreciate your patience.” Notably, customers continued to report problems within half an hour of RBC, declaring that all systems had been restored.

It’s also worth mentioning that the source of the outage has not yet been determined, but its timing is noteworthy since it comes only a few days after PM Trudeau invoked the Emergencies Act in the wake of continuing ‘Freedom Convoy’ protests.

Boyfriend of slain South Asian girl pleads guilty to manslaughter The man charged with killing Surrey teenager Bhavkiran Dhesi and then torching an SUV with her body inside has pleaded guilty to manslaughter and indignity to human remains.

Harjot Singh Deo, who was Dhesi’s boyfriend, entered a guilty plea on Tuesday, Feb. 15 in B.C. Supreme Court for manslaughter with a firearm and offering indignity to a dead

human body or human remains.

The matter has been adjourned to Feb. 23 to fix a date for s entencing.

T h e 19-year-old victim had undergone a kidney transplant just six months before her death and “wanted to live more than anything else in this world,” Dhesi’s sister Anjali said during a December 2018

Tel:604-591-5423

Two-thirds of Canadians support use of Emergencies Act and want Freedom Convoy cleared out: poll Two-thirds of Canadians support Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s decision to invoke the Emergencies Act and believe it’s time to clear out Freedom Convoy protesters in Ottawa, even if people get hurt in the process, reveals a new poll.

But neither the federal Liberals nor any other level of government should take this as a sign of support for their management of the blockades, as a slim majority of Canadians (54 per cent) say they are “ashamed” of how politicians have let the protests get out of hand, according to data

collected by Maru Public Opinion.

“The backdrop of all this is an encampment, a siege (in Ottawa) and the impotency of the Ottawa police and the politicians … to make this go away,” says the polling company’s executive vice president, John Wright.

“We’re seeing support for the Act, but it’s fuelled by the sense of wanting to accomplish an end to this,” he added. “Whatever is done will be worn by the prime minister.”

The poll surveyed 1,518 Canadian adults via an online panel between Feb. 15 and 16, Continued on page 7

BC drops capacity limits, reopens nightclubs & bars but mask mandate remains in effect

Gas prices hit record high with no end in sight, experts say

British Columbia health officials have announced B.C. will be dropping restrictions for indoor and outdoor gatherings while keeping the B.C. vaccine card in place. Bars and nightclubs will be allowed to reopen and events can operate at 100 per cent capacity. Dancing will be allowed at organized gatherings and mingling can resume at restaurants. B.C. health officials outline changes to COVID-19 restrictions and those that remain the

The cost of fuel has skyrocketed nationwide, with many provinces in Canada reaching record high levels.

And, with immense uncertainty surrounding geopolitical tensions there’s no end in sight, experts warn.

“It does look like the pain will get worse,” said Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy.

As the price of crude oil has reached its highest level in seven years,

same The change is expected to formally come into place at 11:59 p.m. Wednesday night. “By following public health orders and advice we can do just about anything. These measures that have been in place to deal with the Omicron wave have been challenging for many,” Premier John Horgan said. The province will not be making any changes to the B.C. vaccine card program and masks will be required at organized events and gatherings.

Continued on page 7

Continued on page 7

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Saturday, February 19, 2022 Canada inflation rate tops 5 per cent for first time in 30 years

Statistics Canada says the annual pace of inflation topped five per cent for the first time in more than 30 years. The agency says the annual inflation rate rose to 5.1 per cent in January compared with a gain for 4.8 per cent in December.

Driving much of the increase in January were prices for housing, gasoline and groceries.

Gasoline prices were up 31.7 per cent last month compared with January 2021. Excluding gasoline prices, Statistics Canada says the annual rate of inflation would have been 4.3 per cent in January. Prices for groceries increased yearover-year by 6.5 per cent for the largest yearly increase since May 2009. Here’s what happened in the provinces (previous month in brackets): Newfoundland and Labrador: 4.0 per cent (4.2) Prince Edward Island: 7.1 per cent (6.7) Nova Scotia: 4.9 per cent (4.8) New

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Brunswick: 5.3 per cent (5.4) Quebec: 5.1 per cent (5.1) Ontario: 5.7 per cent (5.2) Manitoba: 5.5 per cent (4.7) Saskatchewan: 4.2 per cent (3.5) Alberta: 4.8 per cent (4.8) British Columbia: 4.3 per cent (3.9) The agency also released rates for major cities, but cautioned that figures may have fluctuated widely because they are based on small statistical samples (previous month in brackets): St. John’s, N.L.: 3.5 per cent (3.6) Charlottetown-Summerside: 7.3 per cent (6.8) Halifax: 4.7 per cent (4.4) Saint John, N.B.: 5.1 per cent (4.7) Quebec City: 4.4 per cent (4.9) Montreal: 5.0 per cent (5.0) Ottawa: 5.9 per cent (5.4) Toronto: 5.2 per cent (4.7) Thunder Bay, Ont.: 5.7 per cent (4.7) Winnipeg: 5.1 per cent (4.4) Regina: 4.1 per cent (4.0) Saskatoon: 3.8 per cent (3.2) Edmonton: 4.6 per cent (4.6) Calgary: 5.4 per cent (5.0)

Three men have now been charged in connection with millions of dollars worth of drugs, weapons and cash having been seized in Victoria and the Lower Mainland late last year.

Brian James Balla, 34, originally from Calgary and now living in Victoria, has been charged with possession of drugs for the purpose of trafficking and trafficking a controlled substance.

Vu Bao Nguyen, a 34 from Surrey, has been charged with possession of drugs for the purpose of trafficking and trafficking a controlled substance.

Brent William Van Buskirk, a 35-yearold man originally from Vancouver, has been charged with possessing a prohibited firearm, possessing a non-restricted firearm without a license and possession for the purpose of trafficking a controlled substance.

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Novavax vaccine approved for use in Canadian adults Novavax’s COVID-19 vaccine has been approved for use in adults 18 years of age and older in Canada. Health Canada updated the list of approved COVID-19 vaccines on Thursday with Novavax’s product. Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca and Johnson and Johnson are the other vaccine makers that have COVID-19 jabs approved for use in Canada.

Novavax’s two-shot Nuvaxovid vaccine was not approved for use in people under 18 as its safety and effectiveness in younger people have not yet been established.

Health Canada said in a news release the vaccine was shown to have 90 per cent effectiveness at preventing symptomatic COVID-19 and 100 per cent effectiveness at preventing severe disease.

The agency added preliminary data indicates Nuvaxovid does produce neutralizing antibodies against the Omicron variant.

The regulator recommends two doses of Nuvaxovid be given 21 days apart, based on evidence from clinical trials.

Canada has committed to purchase 52 million doses of the vaccine, with an option to buy up to 24 million more doses.

Click to play video: ‘Montreal facility to produce Novavax vaccine in the fight against COVID-19’ 1:59 Montreal facility to produce Novavax vaccine in the fight against COVID-19

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At the time of his arrest in relation to this investigation, Van Buskirk was on parole for a 2004 murder conviction, police said. Van Buskirk had his parole revoked due to his arrest and is being held in custody awaiting the judicial process.

The other two men are also in custody, police confirmed.

These charges are in relation to a joint forces operation between the Victoria police’s Strike Force and the Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit of BC (CFSEU-BC), which led to a $30 million seizure of drugs, including fentanyl along with the weapons and cash.

The investigation began in June 2021, when the Strike Force team identified an organized crime group trafficking fentanyl in Victoria.

Over the following months, the Strike Force determined the group was also trafficking fentanyl in the Lower Mainland, according to CFSEU-BC.

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Saturday, February 19, 2022

OPINION

I fled my country to find freedom in Canada. Let’s not lose sight of what freedom really means I know what it’s like to feel fear to venture outside, to feel that it’s safe not to go anywhere, to live under a regime that weakens people and breaks them to the point they would agree to anything to stop the violence they face.

I know what that’s like, because I survived the Augusto Pinochet dictatorship in Chile.

I came to this country as a political refugee

in the 1970s. For me, freedom meant losing everything: my home, my family, my job.

I thought I had left the fear and uncertainty behind, but those feelings are rising to the surface again.

I never thought that I would see what is taking place here in Canada right

now. People are occupying main streets, speeding through the streets in residential areas, honking non stop and shouting obscenities at people who are wearing masks.

Intimidation and provocation, and with it the motors idling and horns honking nonstop, are all methods of torture that make it impossible to stay calm or sleep.

This is on top of two years of doing what we can to survive the pandemic.

Back in early 2020, we didn’t know if we would survive this unknown virus. Some didn’t. Most of us did what we could to stay as healthy as possible by wearing masks, not giving handshakes or hugs, living apart from friends and family. I can admit, I hate wearing masks, a product of years of abuse and torture as a political prisoner in Chile. But I did my part.

I could only see my grown sons when they parked at my house in their cars. I waved and smiled from my door with tears rolling down my face. Their visits became a treat. I could see they were still around and I missed them more.

A protester waves a Canadian flag in front of parked vehicles in Ottawa, in the ongoing protest against COVID-19 measures. (Justin Tang/Canadian Press) The vaccines gave us a glimpse of hope for a life of normalcy. Somehow, people saw it as a loss of freedom.

I know what a loss of freedom is. It’s much more frightening than getting a needle in your arm that will keep you alive by helping prevent the spread of a highly contagious virus.

Today, protesters are occupying our nation’s capital and blocking border crossings. They’re demanding freedom, but I can’t see what freedom they’ve lost. They are doing whatever they want and they have not faced any consequences so far.

Prime Minister Trudeau said that he wants to avoid violence against civilians, but where is he when Indigenous people are arrested violently, their ceremonial fires put out because they were rightfully defending the land without violence?

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Saturday, February 19, 2022

“Large sum of cash” lost in Coquitlam waiting to be reclaimed It was found on the 400 block of Schoolhouse Street in Coquitlam: A “large sum of cash” unclaimed by an owner.

Coquitlam RCMP is trying to get the money back to the person who lost it after “an upstanding citizen” turned it in.

Exactly how much money was found is unknown, since police didn’t disclose that information. The only reliable information is that they found a “significant amount.”

Callers have to prove their identity by answering specific questions about the amount, denominations, and what the cash was being carried in before getting the money back, Coquitlam RCMP officer Deanna Law said in a statement.

“Coquitlam RCMP would like to remind the public that if you have lost a large amount of money, you could call police and make a report. There is no reason to feel embarrassed,” Law said.

“Accidents happen and police would simply like to get the money back to the individual that lost it.”

If the funds might belong to you, call Coquitlam RCMP at 604-945-1550

Ontario to end COVID proof of vaccination on March 1, mask mandate to remain in place Premier Doug Ford says the province is ending its COVID-19 vaccine passport system starting on March 1. However, the mask mandate will remain in place.

“Ontario will also lift proof of vaccination requirements for all settings at this time.

Businesses and other settings may choose to continue to require proof of vaccination,” the government said.

A firm date for lifting the use of masks or face coverings was not set.

“Masking requirements will remain in place at this time, with a specific timeline to lift this measure to be communicated at a later date,” the government said. Capacity limits in all indoor public settings will also be eliminated.

Ford made the announcement on Monday morning alongside health minister Christine Elliott and Ontario’s chief medical officer of health Dr. Kieran Moore.

In addition, the next phase of Ontario’s three-phased approach to reopening the economy has been accelerated to Thursday, Feb. 17 — up from the previous date of Feb.

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Saturday, February 19, 2022

Millions of rapid tests are now in BC but who is getting them?

Health Minister Adrian Dix says B.C. now has more than eight million rapid tests available and millions more are on the way in the next few weeks. So what’s the plan to deploy them? By the start of this week, Dix says the province had received more than 15 million of the tests in total, and deployed more than seven million to “key strategic areas” — that is, to those in long-term care, other high-risk settings and vulnerable populations. The latest “strategic area” that will get the bulk of the rapid tests is the education sector, which will get nearly six million of the tests in the coming weeks. t NJMMJPO BSF FBSNBSLFE GPS , FEVDBUJPO t NJMMJPO XJMM HP UP QPTU TFDPOEBSZ JOTUJUVUJPOT t UFTUT XJMM restock the supply at all COVID-19 test TJUFT BDSPTT # $ t XJMM SFQMFOJTI

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“We will begin with seniors, carrying on our focus on higher-risk individuals, but will expand to the broader population as the inventory continues to arrive,” he says.

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Saturday, February 19, 2022

Five major Canadian banks mysteriously go offline Finbold had earlier reported on February 16 that Canadian police had blocked over 30 crypto wallets associated with the ‘Freedom Convoy’ truckers after issuing an order requiring all FINTRAC-regulated organizations in Canada to stop interacting with the wallets.

Consequently, many are wondering what is going on with the banks as a number of them encounter outages, with some reports claiming that a bank run is taking place, in which large groups of depositors remove their money from banks sparked by fears over the Emergencies Act.

The new requirements that payment s e r v i c e providers must comply with under the newly invoked Emergencies Act were detailed by Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland on Monday during a news briefing on Parliament Hill.

However, as the Deputy Prime Minister pointed out since banks are currently required to report to FINTRAC, it is unclear how additional laws will induce either planned or unanticipated downtime in the financial sector.

Boyfriend of slain South Asian girl pleads guilty to manslaughter 2018 news conference held to appeal for help locating those responsible. Dhesi, 19, was found dead at approximately 12:20 a.m. on Aug. 2, 2017, in a torched SUV located in the 18700-block of 24 Avenue.

Deo, arrested May 10, 2019, was charged with second-degree murder and with offering an indignity to human remains in connection with Dhesi’s death. Police said he had been in a romantic relationship with Dhesi.

He and two others – his brother, Gurvinder Singh Deo, and cousin, Talwinder Khun Khun, – were set to stand trial for the killing. Gurvinder Deo and Khun Khun are charged with ‘indecently interfere with or offer an indignity to human remains,’ as well as ‘accessory after the fact to murder.’

Khun Khun and Gurvinder were scheduled to appear in court Tuesday afternoon, after Peace Arch News press deadline.

Two-thirds of Canadians support use of Emergencies Act and want Freedom Convoy cleared out: poll From page 1 Trudeau’s government announced it was invoking the Emergencies Act for the first time in history to help authorities clear out Freedom Convoy blockades.Parts of downtown Ottawa have been paralyzed for over three weeks now by Freedom Convoy protesters occupying the streets around Parliament Hill with hundreds of trucks and cars. Organizers have repeatedly said that the occupation will continue until all COVID-19 public health measures are withdrawn and the prime minister steps down.

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Saturday, February 19, 2022

Trudeau kicks off debate about Emergencies Act use against convoy blockaders Parliamentarians are holding a historic debate Thursday morning and are expected to exchange barbs about Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s decision to invoke the Emergencies Act and give the government never-before-used powers to quash the ongoing convoy blockades.

MPs will eventually — though not necessarily on Thursday — vote on the motion. If a vote on the motion fails, the state of emergency will be revoked. Trudeau kicked off the debate with an address in the House of Commons at 10 a.m. EST, in which he said the act was invoked because “the situation could not be dealt with under any other law in Canada.”

While he defended the first-ever use of the act as “time-limited and targeted, as well as reasonable and

proportionate,” Trudeau acknowledged in French that its use was a “last resort.”

He moved to reassure Canadians that the Emergencies Act would not overstep protections enshrined in the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

“We’re not using the Emergencies Act to call in the military, we’re not limiting people’s freedom of expression, we’re not limiting freedom of peaceful assembly, we’re not limiting people from exercising their right to protest, legally,” Trudeau said.

“Blockades and occupations are not peaceful protests. They have to stop.”

Conservative critics in the House of Commons on Thursday questioned the Liberal government’s basis for invoking the Emergencies Act, citing concerns about powers given to financial institutions.

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Saturday, February 19, 2022 Man charged after woman groped while jogging at Vancouver park A man has been charged with sexual assault after allegedly groping a woman’s breast while she jogged through a Vancouver park.

The incident took place around 10 a.m. Tuesday as the woman ran through Trail 3 of Pacific Spirit Park, located south of the UBC and West Point Grey neighbourhoods. Police said the victim provided an “outstanding description” of the suspect, leading to his identification and arrest shortly after she reported the alleged assault.In a Wednesday news release, University RCMP encouraged the public to be aware of their surroundings while out and about, and consider keeping personal music at a lower volume.

“At this time investigators feel that there is no nexus between this assault and any other ongoing sexual investigations in the

Lower Mainland, and this was a solitary event,” said Sgt. Chris Manseau of the Lower Mainland RCMP in the release.

“Police are encouraging anyone who may have had any unusual encounters in the Pacific Spirit Park in recent weeks to report it to police immediately.” On Sunday, a woman told North Vancouver RCMP that she had been groped by a man while walking through Lynn Canyon Park. She filmed the suspect with camera, but the Mounties have yet to make an arrest. The woman, who asked not to be identified for her privacy, criticized police handling of her case.

She said she was instructed to wait at the park for an officer to show up, but after an hour no one came. When she called back, she learned no one had been assigned to her call.

Sex assault victim speaks at South Asian cop’s sentence hearing A North Vancouver provincial court judge is expected to provide a sentencing decision next month for a Vancouver police officer convicted of sexual assault.

Jagraj (Roger) Berar was convicted in October last year in relation to a disturbing incident in Whistler, B.C., in July 2019, involving an intoxicated woman in his hotel suite.

The victim testified that Berar, who is no longer part of the Vancouver Police Department, performed a sexual act on her in the suite after she had thrown up and blacked out.

“I broke through the blue wall of silence,” the woman wrote in an impact statement read aloud in court on Wednesday.

“I had wanted to be a cop since I was six years old. I want to catch bad people. I never thought it would be through my own victimization.”

Berar, who was suspended with pay when the allegations were first brought forward, appeared in North Vancouver provincial court on Wednesday, but did not speak

before cameras as he left the courthouse.

His defence lawyers have asked for a one-year sentence, while Crown prosecutors are requesting he serve between 12 and 15 months behind bars.

The assault was first reported to Squamish RCMP on July 19, 2019, and happened on July 15.

In proceedings leading up Berar’s conviction, court heard that he and the victim met that day, and spent the afternoon and evening socializing with colleagues and drinking in Whistler Village.

The group eventually returned to Berar’s hotel suite. The woman testified that when she woke up and found him performing a sexual act, she told him to stop before packing her belongings and leaving.

Berar testified that the pair had shared a pullout couch in the suite and that he had woken to find her grinding into him.

He “believed she was consenting because of the body movements and the sounds she was making,” Judge Joanne Challenger said in her ruling on Oct. 6, adding that she found the victim to have been a credible witness.

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Saturday, February 19, 2022

Banks have started to freeze accounts linked to the protests, Freeland says Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland said Thursday financial institutions have moved quickly to freeze the accounts of people linked to the demonstrations in Ottawa, leaving an unknown number of protesters in financial limbo. Freeland vowed to take more accounts offline in the coming days in an attempt to starve the organizers of the funds they need to continue their occupation of the nation’s capital. Freeland, who is also the finance minister, said the RCMP and other law enforcement agencies have been gathering intelligence on convoy protesters and their supporters and sharing that information with financial institutions to restrict access to cash and cryptocurrency.

The law also allows banks to target for account closure donors to the GoFundMe

and the GiveSendGo fundraising campaigns that fuelled this protest. Freeland said she wouldn’t get into the “specifics of whose accounts are being frozen.”

Citing terrorist financing laws, the government has forced crowdfunding websites and payment providers to register with the Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada (FINTRAC), the government’s financial intelligence unit.

In a final warning to the assembled protesters, Freeland said those who have their big rigs on Ottawa’s streets will see their insurance cancelled and their corporate accounts suspended — a move that could make it difficult for these drivers to ever work again.

“The consequences are real and they will bite,” she said.

Trudeau has invoked the Emergencies Act: what this means for the country Prime Minister Justin Trudeau invoked the Emergencies Act on Monday to end the antivaccine mandate protests that have blocked borders and occupied the nation’s capital for weeks. The Act, which authorizes the government to take “special temporary measures to ensure safety and security during national emergencies,” has never been used before.

Trudeau clarified during the press conference that the scope of these measures would be time-limited, geographically targeted, and “reasonable and proportionate” to the threats they are meant to address.

Here’s what it means for the country.

When can the government invoke this Act? There are four types of national emergencies that can be declared under the Emergencies Act: a public welfare emergency, a public order emergency, an international emergency, or a war emergency. According to a release from the

federal government, in order to declare a public order emergency, there needs to be “an emergency that arises from threats to the security of Canada that are so serious as to be a national emergency.”

The government defines threats to the security of Canada as threats or acts of violence against people or property in order to achieve a political or ideological objective. It defines a national emergency as a critical situation that endangers the health and safety of Canadians that cannot be effectively dealt with by the provinces or territories, or that threatens the government’s ability to preserve sovereignty and security.

Lastly, it must be a situation that can’t be effectively dealt with by any other Canadian law.

Leah West, a former national security lawyer at the Department of Justice, explained in a Twitter thread how the government is justifying the use of the Act. astly, it must be a situation that can’t be effectively dealt with by any other Canadian law.

Fully-vaccinated travellers re-entering Canada will no longer have to take a COVID-19 PCR The federal government announced major changes to border measures for fullyvaccinated Canadians Tuesday afternoon.

In a live press conference, Health Minister Jean-Yves Duclos announced, as of February 28th, fully vaccinated Canadians who return to Canada from travelling abroad will no longer have to take a molecular test, such as a PCR test.

Currently, travellers entering the country must show proof of a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours of their departing flight or arrival at the Canadian border and quarantine until their test comes back negative.

Now, fully vaccinated travellers who travel abroad will no longer have to take a PCR test upon their return.

Travellers will still be required to take a pre-arrival test, but can instead opt for a rapid antigen test, which is less expensive and provides a quicker result than a molecular test.

Travellers can also opt for a rapid antigen test approved by the country they are coming from.

Upon arrival, fully-vaccinated travellers may still be randomly selected for PCR testing, but travellers won’t be required to quarantine while awaiting those results.

Saturday, February 19, 2022

Police make ‘Freedom Convoy’ arrests, find guns, body armour, and machete Alberta RCMP say they’ve found and arrested a group of hardcore protesters at the “trucker” border blockade in Alberta who were armed to the teeth and ready for violence. Alberta RCMP say they’ve arrested a number of “freedom convoy” protesters who had a cache of weapons and were prepared for a violent confrontation with police if they tried to break up the blockade.

Experts have warned since the onset of the protest two weeks ago about the possibility of extremists hiding within the larger movement. The RCMP said they arrested 11 people on Monday and seized “13 long guns, handguns, multiple sets of body armour, a machete, a large quantity of ammunition, and high-capacity magazines” at the Coutts protest at the border of Alberta and Montana.

“The Alberta RCMP recently became aware of a small organized group within the larger Coutts protest. Information was received that this group had access to a cache of firearms with a large quantity of ammunition,” said the press release. “The group was said to have a willingness to use force against the police if any attempts were made to disrupt the blockade.”

They alleged one member of the group actually tried to ram a police vehicle with

a semi truck and a “large farm tractor.”

Alberta Premier Jason Kenney says the province will move to remove the blockade now that the weapons have been seized.

The news of the gun arrests comes just as Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is reportedly ready to invoke the never-beforeused Emergency Act, which would grant him more power to deal with the “freedom convoy” protesters.

Trudeau held an emergency Cabinet meeting Sunday to discuss invoking the Emergency Act, which authorizes “the taking of special temporary measures to ensure safety and security during national emergencies.”

Sources told the CBC there are no plans as yet to call in the military, as the “freedom convoy” continues to occupy a significant portion of Canada’s capital.

The leadership of the freedom convoy is nebulous, but its central demand has always been to remove vaccine-mandate rules. The protest, which started as a convoy that arrived in Ottawa on Jan. 29, has inspired similar ones across the country— like in Coutts, and at the Ambassador Bridge border crossing between Detroit and Windsor—and across the world.

LOCAL / NATIONAL

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Upset Hindus urge BC business to discontinue improper usage of Lord Ganesha in its logo Upset Hindus are urging “Big Dick Energy Coaching”; whose website domain reportedly had a registered address of Surrey (British Columbia); to apologize and withdraw the image of Lord Ganesha from its logo; calling it highly inappropriate.

Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, in a statement in Nevada (USA) today, said that inappropriate usage of sacred Hindu deities or concepts or symbols or icons for commercial or other agenda was not okay as it hurt the devotees.

Zed, who is president of Universal Society of Hinduism, indicated that Lord Ganesh was highly revered in Hinduism and he was meant to be worshipped in temples or home shrines and not to be associated with such an impolite/ offensive/ pejorative/vulgar slang/term.

Using a deity to identify/promote/ recognize/represent such a brand name was highly disrespectful; Rajan Zed noted.

Coaching companies should not be in the business of religious appropriation, sacrilege, and ridiculing entire communities. It was deeply trivializing of immensely venerated Hindu deity Lord Ganesh to be portrayed in

this manner, Zed emphasized.

Rajan Zed further said that Hinduism was the oldest and third largest religion of the world with about 1.2 billion adherents and a rich philosophical thought and it should not be taken frivolously. Symbols of any faith, larger or smaller, should not be mishandled.

Hindus were for free artistic expression and speech as much as anybody else if not more. But faith was something sacred and attempts at trivializing it could be painful for the followers, Zed stated.

In Hinduism, Lord Ganesha is worshipped as God of wisdom and remover of obstacles and is invoked before the beginning of any major undertaking.

The India Cultural Association of Vancouver has launched a petition on this issue at change.org, which seems to have been signed by over 3,800 people.

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Star & Style

Saturday, February 19, 2022

Malaika celebrates her pet’s birthday Malaika Arora shared a cute video on her Instagram. In video, Malaika can be seen celebrating her dog Casper’s 7th birthday.

As part of the celebration, she also gifted her pet pooch with a dog-friendly cake and asked his age. Malaika’s dog barks excitedly when she says “say you are seven years old”.

In the video, Malaika can be seen dressed in a red and white polka dot top. Sharing the post, Malaika wrote: “#happybirthday#mylove#birth dayboy#casper.” Reacting to the post, Chunky Panday’s wife Bhavna Panday, wrote: “Happy Birthday Casper !!! Too cute,” along with a heart emoji. The video, which only appeared an hour ago, has already accumulated nearly 27 thousand likes. On Valentine’s Day, Malaika Arora shared a mushy picture with Arjun

Kapoor on her Instagram handle. In the pic, Malaika can be seen hugging Arjun Kapoor and captioned it as “Mine” along with a heart emoji.

Music director, composer Bappi Lahiri passes way Music director, composer Bappi Lahiri, known for his synthesized disco beats, died in hospital in Mumbai last night at the age of 69.

He had been in hospital for a month being treated for multiple health issues and died of sleep apnea, according to media reports. Bappi Da, as he was known fondly, will be cremated tomorrow after the arrival of son Bappa from USA. A statement from his family reads: “It’s a deeply sad moment for us. Our beloved Bappi Da has left for heavenly abode last midnight.

The cremation will take on arrival of Bappa From LA tomorrow mid-morning. We are seeking love and blessings for his soul.”

“Bappi Lahiri had been admitted to the hospital for a month and was discharged on Monday. But his health deteriorated on Tuesday

and his family called for a doctor to visit their home. He was brought to the hospital. He had multiple health issues. He died due to OSA (obstructive sleep apnea) shortly before midnight,” Dr Deepak Namjoshi, director of CritiCare hospital, said.

Tributes from Bollywood to Bappi Lahiri flooded in this morning. Akshay Kumar tweeted: “Today we lost another gem from the music industry. Bappi Da, your voice was the reason for millions to dance, including me. Thank you for all the happiness you brought through your music. My heartfelt condolences to the family.

Om Shanti.” Ajay Devgn tweeted: “Bappi Da was so endearing in person. But his music had an edge. He introduced a more contemporary style to Hindi film music with Chalte Chalte, Suraksha and Disco Dancer Shanti Dada. You will be missed.”

Shashi Kapoor Shashi Kapoor was born as Balbir Raj Kapoor to Prithviraj Kapoor in Calcutta, on March 18, 1938. He was youngest brother of Raj Kapoor and Shammi Kapoor.

Shashi got an opportunity to work as an assistant director in the film Post Box 999, the debut film of Sunil Dutt, and worked as an assistant director to Ravindra Dave in Guest House (1959), which was followed by movies such as Dulha Dulhan and Shriman Satyawadi, where Raj Kapoor was the lead hero.

Shashi Kapoor made his debut as a leading man in the 1961 film Dharmputra and

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went on to appear in 116 Hindi films, including 61 films as the solo lead hero and 55 multi starcast films, 21 films as supporting actor and special appearances in 7 films. He was very popular actor in Bollywood during the 60s, 70s and until the mid-80s.

Since 1961, he started acting in English films, which include The Householder and ShakespeareWallah. He was one of first actors to go international fame. Actress Nanda, who was an established star at her time, citation needed signed 8 Hindi films with Shashi Kapoor, as she believed that he could deliver good performances.

Saturday, February 19, 2022

Star & Style

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Lata Mangeshkar, India’s Nightingale, dies at 92 Veteran singer Lata Mangeshkar died in Mumbai on Sunday at the age of 92. Called Swar Kokila by her legion of fans, Mangeshkar’s death brings down the curtain on an era in the Indian film industry.

Legendary singer Lata Mangeshkar passed away in Mumbai on Sunday at the age of 92 due to multi-organ failure. The versatile singer, christened the Nightingale of India, had lent her voice to thousands of songs in 36 languages in a career spanning almost eight decades. Leading personalities from all walks of life paid rich tributes to Mangeshkar.

Mrs. Shabnam Sablok, wife of Notary Public Tarlok Sablok, with the great legend Lata Ji in Calgary 13 years ago.

Mr & Mrs Sudesh Kalia and their children welcoming legendary singer Lata Mangeshkar on her first visit to Vancouver in 1976.

“Miss you so much Daadu,” Bappi Lahiri’s grandson Swastik writes in tribute Bappi Lahiri’s grandson Swastik (Rema and Govind Bansal’s son), 12, posted a eulogy for the composer-singer on his Instagram story on Wednesday.

Bappi Lahiri had been in hospital for a month, where he was being treated for multiple health issues and he died of sleep apnea, news agency PTI reported.

He is survived by his wife, son Bappa and daughter Rema. The composer will be cremated tomorrow after the arrival of son Bappa from USA. “It’s a deeply sad moment for us. Our beloved Bappi Da has left for heavenly abode last midnight. The cremation will take on arrival of Bappa From LA tomorrow midmorning. We are seeking love and blessings for his soul,” a statement from his family read.

Meanwhile, Swastik posted a throwback picture of his grandfather on his unverified Instagram handle. He wrote: “Miss you so much dadu. Rest in peace. Love you.”

Bappi Lahiri’s last on-screen appearance was with his grandson. The veteran singer appeared during an episode of Bigg Boss 15, where he

promoted his grandson’s song Bachcha Party.

Here’s a clip from the aforementioned episode: Sleep Apnea Which Caused Bappi Lahiri’s Death A Serious Disorder: ExpertsSleep Apnea Which Caused Bappi Lahiri’s Death A Serious Disorder: Experts Bappi Lahiri’s Death “Personal Loss, Mother Devastated,” Reveals Rani MukerjiBappi Lahiri’s Death “Personal Loss, Mother Devastated,” Reveals Rani Mukerji

Gangubai Kathiawadi’s poster released Gangubai Kathiawadi’s new poster has been released by the makers. Alia Bhatt shared the poster on Instagram and also announced the trailer release date. In the new poster, Alia is seen as Gangubai, dressed in white and reclining on a cot. The trailer of Gangubai Kathiawadi will release on February 4. “Aa Rahi Hai Gangu. Trailer out on 4th February. #GangubaiKathiawadi in cinemas on 25th February 2022,” reads Alia Bhatt’s caption. The film has been directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali. Alia’s mother and actress Soni Razdan praised the poster and left an array of love-struck, clap, and red heart emojis in the comment section. Huma Qureshi commented, “Woo hoo,” followed by a red heart emoji. Aditi Rao Hydari also commented and left a love-struck

and red heart emoji in the comment section.

Alia Bhatt’s post has more than four lakh likes.

The release date of Gangubai Kathiawadi was postponed few times because of COVID-19 restrictions.

Now, the film will be theatrically released on February 25. Sharing the new release date, the makers of the film had written, “Witness her reign in cinemas near you on 25th February 2022.” Gangubai Kathiawadi is adapted book Mafia Queens of Mumbai. It features Alia Bhatt in the role of Gangubai, one of the most powerful madams from Mumbai’s red-light area Kamathipura during the 1960s. The film showcases her journey as the head of a brothel and a political leader of Kamathipura.

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Stars:

To Bappi Lahiri From Bengali “He Truly Had A Heart Of

Gold”To Bappi Lahiri From Bengali Stars: “He Truly Had A Heart Of Gold”

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LOCAL / NATIONAL

Saturday, February 19, 2022

11 more deaths in BC, falling hospitalizations as event restrictions set to expire The number of COVID-19 cases in British Columbia hospitals continued to fall on Wednesday, as the province confirmed another 11 deaths linked to the virus.

Health officials said there were 762 positive cases in hospital, an overnight decrease of 25, including 121 cases in critical or intensive care.

Cases in hospital have been declining since hitting a peak of 1,048 on Jan. 31.

Officials also confirmed another 762 cases of COVID-19, however restrictions on testing mean the number no longer accurately tracks the spread of the virus As of Wednesday, 87.5 per cent of B.C.’s

population (90.4 per cent of those eligible) had received one dose of COVID-19 vaccine, 82.6 per cent of B.C.’s population (85.4 per cent of those eligible) had received two doses, and 46.8 per cent of B.C.’s population (55.7 per cent of those eligible) had received three doses.

Fully vaccinated people accounted for 77.2 per cent of cases over the past week and 67.9 per cent of hospitalizations over the past two weeks.

Data from the B.C. Centre for Disease Control continues to show unvaccinated people at a significantly higher risk of serious outcomes.

Ottawa blockade protesters have ‘strong ties’ to far-right extremists, Canada’s public safety minister says Protesters continued their three-weekold blockade of the core of Canada’s capital on Thursday after officials warned of extremist elements present among them who want to overthrow the government.

On Wednesday, police in Ottawa handed out flyers warning truck drivers and others paralyzing the downtown core that they should leave or face arrest, but there was little sign of imminent action to move the nearly 400 vehicles out.

While the demonstrators protest against vaccine mandates and pandemic restrictions, they also have made clear their opposition to Liberal Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and some have said they want to kick him out of office.

A portion of the protesters “have strong ties to a far-right extreme organization with leaders who are in Ottawa,” Canada’s Public Safety Minister Marco Mendicino said, referring to the arrest of 13 people in Alberta earlier this week linked to a border blockade there that has since disbanded.

They had guns and ammunition and police have charged four of them for conspiracy to commit murder. While the Ottawa protest has been loud and rowdy, it has been non-violent.

“I’m not afraid,” said a protester in Ottawa on Wednesday who declined to give his name. “We’re here peacefully and we will remain peacefully. Even if they attempt to arrest us, we will be arrested peacefully.”

On Monday Trudeau invoked emergency powers in order to end the protests.

Justice Minister David Lametti said the emergency legislation would be presented to the House of Commons on Thursday.

“We are going to take back the entirety of the downtown core and every occupied space,” Interim Ottawa Police Chief Steve Bell said in a statement on Thursday, adding that the action would be taken in “coming days” and that it would “take time” to do right.

Saturday, February 19, 2022

Canada’s first convicted terrorist deemed too dangerous for parole The first Canadian convicted under anti-terrorism laws enacted after the 9/11 attacks has lost his bid for release after the Parole Board ruled he wasn’t ready to leave prison. The decision followed a hearing at which Mohammad Momin Khawaja struggled to explain how he had reformed since he was arrested when police disrupted a 2004 bomb plot. He also appeared to downplay his actions, claiming he thought at the time that he was supporting a “good cause,” and was simply responding to “social injustice” and “suffering.”

“It is the Board’s opinion that you will present an undue risk to society if released, and that your release will not contribute to

the protection of society,” read the decision released Wednesday.

Khawaja, 42, is serving a life sentence for five terrorism offences stemming from his involvement with Al Qaeda supporters who were planning bomb attacks in the United Kingdom. He has been imprisoned for 18 years. At a hearing on Feb. 3, the Correctional Service of Canada said it opposed his application for day parole, saying he “would present an undue risk if released at this time.” But Khawaja argued he should be allowed to move into an Ottawa halfway house, and said he wanted to study law and volunteer for humanitarian organizations that help refugees.

LOCAL / NATIONAL Canada’s banking industry will carry out emergency orders to stop trucker convoy

Canada’s banking industry says it will follow through with the federal government’s emergency orders targeting the trucker protesters as discussions on how best to implement them continue.

The government published details late Tuesday on the requirements covering a wide range of the financial industry including banks, credit unions, insurance companies, portfolio managers and investment counselling services.

The Canadian Bankers Association said in a statement Wednesday that, as with other financial service providers, banks will “need to diligently implement the required measures.”

“Banks in Canada follow all applicable laws and regulations in carrying out their operations, in keeping with their commitment to protect the integrity of Quebec to end COVID-19 vaccine passport system on March 14 Canada’s financial system,” the association said.

Quebec will slowly put an end to its be fully lifted for all settings — including Major Canadian banks have so far

COVID-19 vaccine passport system, the province’s health minister announced Tuesday.

“We are withdrawing it gradually as we learn to live with the virus,” Christian Dubé told reporters in Quebec City.

The passport will no longer be used for big-box stores as well as the government-run liquor and cannabis stores starting Wednesday.

Proof of vaccination will not be required to access places of worship as of Feb. 21.

Quebec’s vaccine passport system will

restaurants, bars and entertainment venues — starting March 14. Dubé said the program, which came into effect last fall, has succeeding in serving the government’s objectives to protect Quebecers and the health-care network as the pandemic continued. The move comes one day after Premier François Legault said he would meet with public health officials to discuss whether the province’s vaccine passport system should remain in use.

Ontario Premier Doug Ford announced on

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declined to comment individually and have referred to the CBA statement.

The emergency orders direct financial institutions to suspend services to both individual and business clients who they suspect are aiding the blockades.

They also require the institutions to conduct due diligence to identify accounts linked to the protests, and to disclose to the RCMP or CSIS any property or transactions they have identified as owned or controlled by those designated people.

Banks have been given protection from civil liabilities for actions done in following the orders.

Cryptocurrency platforms are also covered by the order and some, including Toronto-based BitBuy, say they’ve already received guidance on cryptocurrency addresses from law enforcement.

“We will conduct our own investigations and surveillance as part of our compliance program and report as required by the Emergency order

Ottawa police chief resigns amid criticism of how vaccinemandate protests were handled Ottawa’s police chief has publicly announced his resignation, after he faced days of widespread criticism over the force’s handling of an ongoing anti-government trucker protest in the Canadian capital.

Peter Sloly on Tuesday afternoon confirmed earlier reports that he had stepped down as head of the Ottawa Police Service, saying in a statement posted on Twitter that he made the decision with “a heavy heart”. “Since the onset of this demonstration, I have done everything possible to keep this city safe and put an end to this unprecedented and unforeseeable crisis,” he said, adding that police had acquired new resources and enforcement tools. “I am

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confident the Ottawa Police Service is now better positioned to end this occupation.”

Sloly has come under widespread criticism as Ottawa police have failed to disperse a large group of Canadian truckers and their supporters, who converged on the city late last month in protest of mandatory vaccination requirements at the Canada-US land border.

Since then, the so-called “Freedom Convoy” participants have erected blockades at several border crossings, while a group has maintained what residents describe as an “occupation” of Ottawa’s downtown core. Ottawa residents decried the demonstrators for parking their vehicles on residential streets, harassing

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Saturday, February 19, 2022

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INDIA

Saturday, February 19, 2022

Supreme Court sets aside High Court order on 75 per cent quota in private sector jobs for Haryana residents The Supreme Court on Thursday quashed the Punjab and Haryana High Court order staying a Haryana law providing for 75 per cent reservation to local candidates in private sector jobs in the state.

“The impugned order dated 3rd February, 2022 passed by the High Court is set aside

as the High Court has not given sufficient reasons for staying the legislation,” said a Bench led by Justice LN Rao. “Courts are reluctant to pass interim orders staying legislations.

Stay of legislation can only be when the Court is of the opinion that it is manifestly unjust

or

glaringly unconstitutional,” it noted.

The Bench directed the Haryana Government not to take any coercive steps against the employers and made it clear that the law will be applicable prospectively.

Refusing to get into the merits of the case, it requested the High Court to decide the matter

expeditiously within four weeks and asked the parties to appear before the high court on February 22 for fixing the schedule of hearing. The parties should not seek adjournments, it added.

The order came on Haryana Government’s petition challenging the February 3 Punjab and Haryana High Court order staying the Haryana

BJP’s nationalism is fake, based on British policy of divide and rule, says Manmohan Singh on Punjab poll eve With three days to go for the Punjab election, former prime minister Manmohan Singh on Thursday hit out at the ruling BJP describing its nationalism as “fake and dangerous and based on the British policy of divide and rule”.

In a video message on the eve of the crucial February 20 state election, Singh, without naming PM Narendra Modi, said

the PM’s post had a special significance and blaming history or a former prime minister for the country’s problems wouldn’t help.

Urging the people of Punjab to vote for the Congress which, he said, was the only party that could address the state’s development, farm prosperity and unemployment challenges, the former PM launched a scathing attack against

the government saying “it was busy blaming the country’s first PM Jawaharlal Nehru for national problems instead of accepting and correcting the mistakes of seven years of its rule”.

“Today’s circumstances are worrisome. Due to faulty policies of the government during Covid times, people are anguished by a shrinking economy, rising prices and joblessness. But the

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India Prime Minister Modi participates in ‘shabad kirtan’ at Ravidas Temple, sparks meme-fest on Twitter video with songs like Dulhe ka Sehra Suhana Lagta Hai from the Shilpa Shetty and Akshay Kumarstarrer Dhadkan and Mehangaayi Daayan Khaaye Jaat Hai from the Aamir Khan Productions-backed Peepli Live. A user named The Practical Guy reminisced Shark Tank India season 1 and shared the Ye sab doglapan hai meme under this video.

Other users wondered whether PM Modi could play the shehnai on their marriage.

Another user named Rohit Malviya asked the Prime Minister in a tweet, “Very good.

But tell us when do you do the job of a Prime Minister? Every day we spot you either in rallies or temples and gurudwaras.”

Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the Ravidas Vishram Dham Mandir in Delhi’s Karol Bagh on the occasion of Ravidas Jayanti today morning. Here, he paid his obeisance on the occasion of Ravidas Jayanti and also participated in the shabad kirtan organised by the locals. The Prime Minister shared the glimpses of his visit to the temple across his social media handles. Among these glimpses was a 45-second-long video of the PM participating in a shabad kirtan organised by the locals. PM Modi’s participation in this shabad kirtan sparked a meme-fest on Twitter with some dubbing the now viral

Air India cabin crew banned from airport duty free shops because it’s holding up flights Air India cabin crew have been ordered to steer clear of airport Duty Free shops because they are spending so much time shopping that they are delaying flight departures. The order comes just a couple of weeks after Indian conglomerate Tata Sons took Air India into private ownership for the first time in decades. The Indian government has been trying to offload the loss-making carrier for years and its new owners are focusing on some quick fixes to turn Air India around. Top of the agenda, it appears, is Air India’s woeful on-time performance – a metric of how many flights actually depart at or within a close range

of the scheduled time. Cabin crew have immediately come under the spotlight for causing unnecessary delays. As well as a new shopping ban, cabin crew have also been told not to wear so much jewellery as they pass through airport security as the amount of metal is causing many crew members to be plucked out of the line for timeconsuming secondary security checks. Once they are finally on board the aircraft, crew have been ordered to forego eating or drinking until passengers have boarded so that they are available in the cabin to help stow luggage and get the boarding process moving.

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Saturday, February 19, 2022

Hindu hardliners protest Kashmir tweets in Modi’s home state Hundreds of Hindu nationalist protesters marched in the Indian state of Gujarat on Saturday, prompting the closure of stores owned by several multinational companies caught up in a furore over social media posts supporting disputed Kashmir. The messages were posted last week by the Pakistani branches of firms including Hyundai Motor, Kia Motors, fast food chain Domino’s Pizza and Yum Brand Inc’s Pizza Hut and KFC, which also operate in India.

They were issued by the companies on Feb. 5 to coincide with Pakistan’s Kashmir Solidarity Day, held annually to commemorate the sacrifices of Kashmiris struggling for self-determination, and caused anger among social media users in India.

“These companies cannot be doing business in

India and at the same time supporting Pakistan’s stand on Kashmir,” Dinesh Navadiya, national treasurer of Hindu nationalist organisation Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP), said during a protest in the city of Surat. Shouting slogans such as “Kashmir is Ours” and wearing saffron scarves, more than 100 members of Bajrang Dal, another Hindu nationalist group, also joined the protest - one of several held in Gujarat, the home state of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Both the VHP and Bajrang Dal are linked to Modi’s ruling Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP).

The furore has highlighted the risks faced by companies operating in India and arch rival Pakistan, which control parts of Kashmir but both claim the Himalayan territory in full.

BJP tweets personal details of petitioners, Sena MP lashes out With the Karnataka hijab row refusing to die down, a massive controversy erupted on Tuesday after the Karnataka BJP tweeted personal details of petitioners involved in the case being heard in the high court. The Karnataka BJP unit tweeted the names and their personal details, accusing the Congress of using minor girls to stay relevant in politics. Soon, Shiv Sena MP Priyanka Chaturvedi lashed out at the saffron party, condemning the social media post. “Shameless BJP Karnataka tweets the addresses of the minor girls in order to

attack the opposition. Do you realise how insensitive, sick and pathetic this is?” Chaturvedi tweeted. The Sena MP tagged the Karnataka DGP and Twitter India, demanding action against the BJP. The Shiv Sena leader also sought intervention from the Union ministry of electronics and information and technology.

Karnataka is in the midst of a raging controversy with Muslim girls seeking to assert their right to wear the hijab to educational institutes.

13 killed after falling into well at marriage function in UP Thirteen women and children, all girls, died after falling into a well while performing a marriage ritual in Uttar Pradesh’s Kushinagar district, police said on Thursday.

The incident, in which at least 10 people were also injured, took place at Naurangiya Tola village when an iron grille, they were sitting on, broke, they said.

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and Prime Minister Narendra Modi have expressed grief over the incident.

On Wednesday night, the pre-wedding ritual of “haldi” was being performed. Some

women and children were sitting on the iron grille and it suddenly broke and fell into the well, District Magistrate S Rajalingam said.

At least 10 people were also injured in the incident at the village under the Nebua Naurangiya police station area, he said, adding that they had been hospitalised.

According to information, 13 people had died - Pooja (19), Shashi Kala (15), Shakuntala (35), Mamta Devi (35), Meera (25), Pooja (20), Pari (1), Jyoti (15), Radhika (16), Sundari (15), Aarti (10), Pappi (20) and Manu (18), officials said.

Manjinder Singh Sirsa slams PM Trudeau’s ‘deplorable’ move to imposing emergency Manjinder Singh Sirsa, a politician and member of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), condemned the imposition of emergency in Canada and called it “a deplorable move”, noting that that it is against democracy.

Reacting to the sudden national emergency declared by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in the country, BJP leader Manjinder Singh Sirsa has condemned the imposition calling it “a deplorable move” and said that it is against democracy.

Earlier, Canadian Prime Minister, in a response to the ongoing protests by truckers

against various COVID-19 related mandates, declared a state of emergency in view of peacekeeping while the agitation entered day 18.

Speaking to ANI, the BJP leader said that carrying out protests was the right of the people and the PM should have dealt with the problem in the same way as India did instead of imposing the emergency which will only deteriorate the situation.

Further stating that the Canadian Prime Minister should have opened dialogue instead, Sirsa said, “I don’t want to see my Canadian brothers in trouble.”

Foxconn selects partner for India chip production Hon Hai Precision (Foxconn) agreed to set up a joint venture with India-based conglomerate Vedanta Group to manufacture chips in the country, with ongoing discussions with some state governments to determine the location of the factory.

In a statement, the Taiwanheadquartered contract electronics manufacturer noted Vedanta will hold a majority interest in the venture and the company’s chair Anil Agarwal will take on the same role in the new business.

Foxconn stated the venture will invest in chip manufacturing facilities to significantly increase domestic output and the move follows initiatives by the Indian government

to attract investment and boost domestic device and component manufacturing.

The company was one of 16 to receive funding in an INR450 billion ($6 billion) government incentive scheme in late 2020.

Vedanta is involved in technology businesses through affiliates Avanstrate and Sterlite Technologies, while also operating in industries spanning mining, oil and gas.

Joseph Waring joins Mobile World Live as the Asia editor for its new Asia channel. Before joining the GSMA, Joseph was group editor for Telecom Asia for more than ten years. In addition to writing features, news and blogs, he...

Foxconn, Pegatron linked with Mexico move

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Saturday, February 19, 2022

Punjab

FIJI Opening of the New Zealand border will benefit Fiji

In Abohar PM Modi appeals to people give BJP five years Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday appealed to people of Punjab to give the BJP and NDA government one chance for five years to bring allround development with double engine government in the state.

Modi started his address with chanting of ‘Jai Shri Ram’ at a rally in Abohar saying, “The BJP will bring security and development in Punjab.”

He claimed that Punjab is a border state, so it needs a government committed

to the nation first and people should reject those witha blurred vision.

Lashing out at CM Charanjit Channi over his recent controversial statement, Modi said Channi had said that they would not allow people from UP and Bihar to enter Punjab and a member of the ‘Delhi family’ clapped at this. People would not forgive them as people of UP are doing hard work in almost all villages in the state, he added.

“Modiji’s governance is only in advertisements. There is no governance in the country. Had there been governance, there wouldhavebeenemploymentandnopricerise.

“Had there been governance, PSUs, which generate employment, would not have been sold to his friends,” the Congress general secretary told reporters in Pathankot in poll-bound Punjab.

Addressing the “Navi Soch, Nava

Plea in Supreme Court for cancellation of bail of Union minister’s son A plea has been filed in the Supreme Court seeking cancellation of bail of accused Ashish Mishra, the son of Union minister Ajay Mishra, who was arrested in connection with the Lakhimpur Kheri violence that killed eight people, including four farmers.

An application has been filed by advocates Shiv Kumar Tripathi and CS Panda in the suo motu case registered on a letter petition sought setting aside of the order dated February 10 of the Lucknow bench of the Allahabad High Court.

They also sought direction to the Special Investigation Team (SIT) headed by Justice Rakesh Jain (retd) and the prosecution and Uttar Pradesh police as to why things are being delayed and to furnish a copy of the report comprising the charge sheet.

The plea said bail order has “manifest error” as the High Court has rest its reasoning on “presumption and guesswork” using the word “might” to arrive at a conclusion that the said crime culminated in a possibility of the driver

Pakistan Bill Gates meets Prime Minister Imran Khan during his visit to Pakistan American business magnate and Microsoft owner Bill Gates met Prime Minister Imran Khan among other scheduled commitments as he landed in Pakistan for first time.

Prime Minister’s Office shared the pictures of the meeting on Twitter while the

Prime Minister aide on Health Dr Faisal Sultan welcome Bill Gates to Pakistan.

Reports in local media said that Bill Gates landed at Islamabad and was welcomed by government officials.

During his visit, Bill Gates will also meet President Arif Alvi, and other senior officials.

2,000-year-old Buddhist temple unearthed The structure is one of the oldest of its kind in the Gandhara region. Archaeologists in northwest Pakistan’s Swat Valley have unearthed a roughly 2,000-year-old Buddhist temple that could be one of the oldest in the country, reports the Hindustan Times.

Located in the town of Barikot,

the structure likely dates to the second century B.C. according to a statement.

It was built atop an earlier Buddhist temple dated to as early as the third century B.C. within a few hundred years of the death of Buddhism’s founder, Siddhartha Gautama, between 563 and 483 B.C.

Cousin marriages create high risk of genetic disorders Scientists say inbreeding is causing an unusually high number of genetic mutations to spread in Pakistan, leading to disabilities in children of consanguineous marriages. Still, this social custom persists. Ghafoor Hussain Shah is a 56-year-old teacher and father of eight children in Pakistan-administered Kashmir.

According to tribal customs in Pakistan, Shah said he is expected to arrange the children’s

marriages within his extended family.

However, Shah knows about the potential risks of genetic disease prevalent in children from inter-family marriages. He married his maternal cousin in 1987, and three of their children suffer from disorders.

Shah said his son’s brain did not develop to a normal size. One of his daughters has a speech disorder and another has hearing problems.

49-yrs-old MP marries 18-year-old girl in third marriange MP Aamir Liaquat Hussain recently got married to an 18-year-old woman.

Wife Saeeda Daniya Shah posted a romantic video of the two. In the video, it’s seen that Saeeda is lying along with her husband and she was secretly shooting the video. Liaquat Hussain was perhaps sleeping at that time.

She wrote: “Good Morning Pakistan and

the 14th of March is a really important date. The New Zealand Government’s border reopening announcement has meant that New Zealander should be able to leave New Zealand, come to a place like Fiji and know that they can return.”

The Trade Commissioner adds that there continues to be growing interest from New Zealand businesses in establishing partnerships with Fijians businesses.

Climate fund critical for Fiji and developing countries

Priyanka slams BJP, AAP & calls Modi ‘bade miyan’, Kejriwal ‘chote miyan’ Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra called Prime Minister Narendra Modi “bade miyan” and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal “chote miyan” on Thursday, and said their governance is only visible in advertisements.

She also accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) of using religion and sentiments for political gains.

he New Zealand-Fiji Trade Commissioner is confident that Fiji’s Tourism industry will be boosted once New Zealand fully opens its border.

David Dewar says this will help trade between the two countries as well as it will bring investment and tourist dollars.

“There are so many New Zealanders that are looking forward to getting back to Fiji as you say that

specially Karachi, my new home” In the video posted, Saeeda wrote in the caption- ‘Last night Kashi made me a bride, it was a very special moment, my husband is my idol since childhood.

Meanwhile, the marriage has become the topic of discussion on the social media. Users have been commenting

iji and other countries facing the impacts of climate change need to be able to access funds to address these challenges.

Fiji’s Permanent Secretary to the United Nations, Satyendra Prasad says there was a missed opportunity during the COP 26 meeting in Glasgow last year, for countries like Fiji to have access to the $100 billion

climate fund target, which was set in 2020.

“Fiji will continue to make the case of why this minimum of USD$100 billion being available is very important because if we did not have that, then countries like ours are unable to recover. If all countries are unable to recover, then they will be worse off each year.”

Death of detained man in police station investigated The Fiji Human Rights and AntiDiscrimination Commission is investigating the circumstances surrounding the death of a man while in custody at the Samabula Police Station.

Commission director Ashwin Raj said an internal investigation is now being conducted by the Criminal Investigations Department.

Raj in a statement said it is important to ensure there is transparency and accountability without impunity.

He said the Commission is waiting for the post-mortem report as it was expected to be conducted sometime today.

FTA fails to make submissions on time Chief Justice Kamal Kumar refused to hear the Fijian Teachers Association’s application for constitutional redress after the association executives failed to file their submissions on time.

The constitutional redress matter on the “no jab, no job” policy was called for hearing before justice Kumar who stated that he would not hear the matter and it would be

adjourned because the court had given the plaintiffs ample time to file their submissions, with multiple dates given from December.

He said the court would vacate the hearing date, issuefreshdirectionsandassignanewhearingdate.

The plaintiffs have until Friday to file their submissions.

The matter will be called

22 Press release

Saturday, February 19, 2022 What is the secretive NDP doing with your data?

Is Canada’s most secretive government — John Horgan’s NDP — exempting its failing InBC program from Freedom of Information (FOI) scrutiny because they are considering selling the personal health data of B.C. cancer patients for investment purposes?

The Official Opposition has obtained documents that hint at what activities the new Crown Corporation might get up to, and they reveal the following: “A couple of our participants highlighted data assets as a unique opportunity. They told us that the BC government has access to incredible data sets, including in the forestry and mining sectors, as well as via the BC Cancer Society. If there was a permissible way to allow that data to be accessed and monetized, they believe this could be a huge draw to getting companies to come to BC and that this is a particular competitive advantage for the province.”

“The Minister Responsible, Ravi Kahlon, must explain why he is considering selling

personal health data from the BC Cancer Society for investment purposes — and tell British Columbians what other kinds of their data he might do the same with,” says Todd Stone, Opposition Critic for Jobs, Economic Recovery and Innovation.

“This is a $500 million high-risk taxpayerfunded venture capital scheme that the NDP has chosen to exempt from FOI, on top of passing harmful legislation that expands the data-linking powers of government and reduces oversight. British Columbians deserve to know what this government is doing with their data, and the NDP must come clean to them today.”

More than a year since this scheme was announced, InBC still hasn’t hired a Chief Investment Officer; hasn’t published its investment criteria, hasn’t published a business plan; and hasn’t pushed a single dollar out the door for economic recovery.

Press release

Statement from Kevin Falcon on lifting of health restrictions

Kevin Falcon released the following statement today on the lifting of public health restrictions in British Columbia: “British Columbians have done everything they’ve been asked to do for the last two years and, encouragingly, B.C. has lifted most of its COVID-19 restrictions.

“The restrictions have taken a heavy toll on the economic and mental health of British Columbians and they expect government to provide clarity on how B.C. is moving towards an endemic approach to managing COVID-19.

“As people begin a return to normalcy, government must provide clear benchmarks as to what will trigger the end of British Columbia’s

remaining restrictions. With the majority of Canada now providing clear guidelines on the removal of remaining restrictions, it’s imperative that the B.C. government explain how they’re reaching decisions and release the relevant data to back it up.

“People want to do the right thing, but they are past the point of being told ‘just trust us,’ without an explanation why.

“We have always supported public health orders and continue to do so. But to maintain the confidence of British Columbians and begin healing divisions, people need to be trusted with all the relevant information so we can move forward together.”

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Saturday, February 19, 2022

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