The Asian Star Janaury 23 2021

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www.theasianstar.com Vol 19 - Issue 51

How a South Asian woman to the top of Twitter’s Asia-Pacific business Maya Hari has made a name for herself as the second woman to head Twitter’s Asia-Pacific operations. As vice president for APAC, she is responsible for overseeing the social media company’s tech operations, managing its business divisions, and increasingly, dealing with its sociopolitical concerns. But the Indiaborn engineer, who has worked her way up the tech industry, said reaching that position was all aided by discovering one “superpower” early on in her career. “While I understood technology and engineering really well, possibly my superpower in retrospect was being able to explain the technology to people who didn’t understand it,” Hari said. Continued on page 6

Saturday, January 23, 2021

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15 more lives lost to Covid-19 in BC, as 564 new cases confirmed B.C. health officials announced 564 new cases of COVID-19 and 15 more deaths on Thursday. In a written statement, Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry and Health Minister Adrian Dix put the number of hospitalized patients at 309 people, 68 of whom are in intensive care. A total of 1,119 people in B.C. have lost their lives to COVID-19 since the pandemic began. There are currently 4,450 active cases of coronavirus in the province, with public health monitoring 6,816 people across the

province who are in self-isolation due to COVID-19 exposure. More than 56,010 people who tested positive have recovered. There is a new community cluster in the Cariboo-Chilcotin region, in and around Williams Lake. “We remind people to pay close attention to how they are feeling and to immediately arrange to get tested if they are feeling unwell with symptoms of COVID-19,” Henry and Dix said in the written statement.

Continued on page 7

Make-shift Indian team shocked Australians at their home ground in historic cricket victory A “shocked” former captain Ricky Ponting finds it difficult to comprehend how an “A team” from India beat Australia in the Test series in their own backyard but admitted that the visitors deserved the win. An injuryravaged India beat Australia by three wickets in the series-deciding fourth Test at the Gabba,

a month after the Adelaide debacle where they scored their lowest Test score of 36. “I’’m quite shocked that Australia weren’’t quite good enough to win this series. The cold hard facts of it are pretty much that was the India A team that played this Test match and (India) still won,” Ponting told cricket.com.au.

Joe Biden administration could have record number of Indian Americans - more than half women President Joe Biden will likely have a record number of Indian Americans in his administration. Biden had named or nominated at least 20 Indian Americans to his administration, including 13 women — further propelling the historic vice presidency of Kamala Harris, the first South Asian and Black woman to hold the office. “It’s an extraordinary thing, in that we are finally able to see members of our

community at the highest levels of government … even at the staff level, there’s much better representation than there has been at any other time in the past,” said Neil Makhija, executive director of IMPACT, an Indian American advocacy group and PAC working to establish a network of Indian American leaders. The 19th thanks our sponsors. Become one. Neera Tanden was nominated for director of the Office of Management and Budget in November. If confirmed by the Senate, she

will make history as the first woman of color to hold the position. Sabrina Singh was named as the White House deputy press secretary earlier this month. She posted to Twitter, “I’m so grateful and incredibly humbled to join this team. It’s been an honor to work for @KamalaHarris and I’m excited to continue the work and deliver results for the American people.” Singh previously worked as press secretary for the Biden-Harris campaign. Continued on page 8

India debuts largest domestically built nuclear reactor India’s success in connecting its largest domestically built nuclear reactor to the grid is a boost for plans to deploy the technology to help the world’s third-biggest polluter limit emissions. The 700-megawatt pressurised heavy water reactor of the Kakrapar Atomic Power Station, located in the western state of Gujarat, is the first of 16 planned units that will help balance the grid against growing intermittent renewable generation, Continued on page 7

South Asian man hid inside Chicago airport for 3 months before detection A California man who police said claimed to be too afraid to fly due to COVID-19 hid out for three months in a secured area of O’Hare International Airport until his weekend arrest, prosecutors said Sunday. Aditya Singh, 36, is charged with felony criminal trespass to a restricted area of an airport and misdemeanor theft. In bond court Sunday, prosecutors said Singh arrived at O’Hare on a flight from Los Angeles on Oct. 19 and allegedly has lived in the airport’s security zone ever since, without detection. Continued on page 7

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Vol 19 - Issue 51

Jaskirat Singh Sidhu is awaiting a decision on his deportation from Canada following his eight-year prison sentence for dangerous driving causing death and bodily harm, a result of the April 6, 2018 Humboldt Broncos bus crash that killed 16 people and injured 13 others. In Canada, a criminal conviction that carries a sentence of longer than six months makes a permanent resident ineligible to remain the country. At least three families of players who were on the bus would like to see those laws enforced with Sidhu. “We’re all in this situation in the first place because he did not obey the Canadian laws, simply by running a stop sign,” said Chris Joseph, who lost his son Jaxon. “If he truly is remorseful, we would expect him to obey the laws that are set in place. “Our pain is going to be here forever. We have a life

Saturday, January 23, 2021

Families of players killed in Humboldt Broncos bus crash want truck driver who was responsible deported sentence. But if we can get the laws to get him deported, that’s one little thing that we don’t have to worry about ever again. We don’t have to see him in the news, we don’t have to go through that.” Russ Herold’s son Adam died in the incident, while Michelle Straschnizki’s son Ryan sustained a life-changing spinal cord injury. “Whether you’ve lost a child or a parent or a friend or whatever, or you’re just watching your child lift his own limbs everyday, it’s (heartbreaking),” said Straschnizki. “I don’t know that it’s going to change if he’s deported or not, but it is the law.” “He can start a family, he’ll look across the table and he’ll have a family. We don’t have that, our family is

Anti-gang program faces budget cut as gang war rages An agency contracted by the B.C. government to do anti-gang programming has had its funding slashed this year despite continuing gang and gun violence in the province. Safer Schools Together (SST) received just $500,000 of the $1.13 million committed by the Public Safety and Education ministries for the 2020-21 fiscal year, Postmedia News has learned. Anti-gang program faces budget cut as gang war rages And about $1 million that had been expected for the next fiscal year is also in jeopardy. The agency has developed successful anti-gang programs and works across the province, doing seminars for students and parents, training educators and law enforcement, and identifying youth atrisk of gang involvement. In December 2019, Public Safety Minister Mike Farnworth and Education Minister Rob Fleming announced an additional investment of $4.93 million over three years “to provide immediate support to students, parents, educators, law enforcement and community partners through gangprevention and awareness training programs.” That was on top of $1.12 million announced for the programs in March 2019. “Too often, we hear about the devastating effects of gang life on B.C. youth and their families, which is why we’re taking targeted action and offering intensive supports in B.C. communities that need help the most,” Fleming said at the time. “By focusing on training and prevention, we are taking important action to support young people earlier and give parents, schools and communities a way to work

together toward positive futures.” Over the last month there have been five gang-related murders in Metro Vancouver, including that of 14-year-old Tequel Willis. The Burnaby boy, who had links to the Brothers Keepers, was shot to death in Surrey on Dec. 28. There have also been other shootings believed to be part of the Lower Mainland gang conflict. Public Safety communications director Caroline McAndrews explained that the cash commitment was reduced this year because the “program has been funded out of contingencies.” “SST staff were informed that a lower amount was available through contingencies this past year, and that we are unable to confirm funding for next year at this time,” McAndrews said in an email. “Minister Farnworth is committed to continuing the funding for this program and that is being pursued as part of the budget process for ’2122.” On top of the $500,000 for the 2020-21 fiscal year, the safer schools program received $1.292 million in 2019-20. SST president Theresa Campbell said her agency was told last spring “that funding was going to be reduced for this operational year and that funding is not confirmed at all for the next calendar year.” She said the SST has had an excellent relationship with both ministries and is hopeful that something can be worked out. “Up until COVID, we had probably one of the most progressive collaborations for gang prevention in the country, because of the partnership between (Public Safety) and the Ministry of Education,” she said. “I am and have been hopeful during the COVID days — even though funding has not been confirmed for next year — that we will see it continued.”

broken forever because of him,” said Herold. “I think it’s the way to heal, is he’s got to be out of our sight.” Saskatoon immigration lawyer Chris Veeman says a deportation order is issued in the vast majority of cases where someone has a serious criminality conviction and all of the “legal parts” of Sidhu’s situation point to him being deported. In cases where people aren’t deported, Veeman says there’s often a “groundswell of opinion among the public” which can create pressure to intervene. “I know that that’s where the advocacy is at right now, like there’s letters going into the (Canadian Border Services Agency),” he said. “I think there’s letters coming in on both

Tel:604-591-5423 sides, there’s a lot of differing views on what should happen. I think those officers would probably default to just following the rules that are set out, which would be the deportation order.” At least one family who lost a loved one in the crash has expressed support for Sidhu’s appeal. Joseph said that feelings toward the issue of Sidhu’s deportation will be different among the 29 families that were directly involved, with “a range of forgiveness to hatred and everything in between,” but says a difference of opinion won’t get in the way of the emotional and mental support that remains in the group. “Nobody gets us like we get us,” he said, a sentiment echoed by Herold and Straschnizki. “Who better to know your grief than someone that’s gone through it,” said Herold.

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OPINION

By Paz Gomez, Research associate Frontier Centre for Public Policy

Among the many races the pandemic has accelerated, none is so pointless as the issuance of central-bank digital currencies. The Canadian government, which should know better, has jumped into the fray despite earlier opposition. Reversing comments made in February 2020, Bank of Canada deputy governor Timothy Lane now believes state involvement

Saturday, January 23, 2021 Central banks should stay clear of cryptocurrencies in cryptocurrencies is a pressing matter. Along with its G7 partners, Canada has been exploring central-bank digital currencies since 2017 but the race suddenly sped up in mid-October. The G7 countries claim to be getting ready in case another government or company issues a similar product. On the one hand, they believe private cryptocurrencies such as bitcoin

and Facebook’s Libra pose a threat to their monetary-policy control. On the other, they view China’s push to issue a central-bank digital currency as a threat to national security. However, creating a new money monopoly for the digital world is a little too late. The cryptocurrency genie is out of the bottle, with altcoins flourishing by the thousands, and there is no going back. The way to tackle rogue actors is not to impose a top-down solution but to set clear rules for the legitimate initiatives to flourish. Central banks: staying alive Just as in other parts of the world, droves of Canadians have turned to online payments and e-commerce during the pandemic. Many have dipped their toes into the vast sea of cryptocurrencies. Trying to bank on the opportunity and prevent more money from exiting the taxable financial system, authorities are rushing the development of central-bank digital currencies without pause for reflection. Cryptocurrencies are such an attractive and disruptive technology precisely because they offer peer-to-peer alternatives to state-backed currencies. Central banks are increasingly impotent against that driving force. The more they fight, the more they reveal their obsolescence. G7 central banks have only compulsion to offer crypto-enthusiasts. Governments are not after monetary innovation but rather their own continuity. To ensure it, they are trying to get in front of and truncate existing cryptocurrencies. Central-bank digital currencies are at complete odds with the nature of decentralized digital currencies. The technology that makes cryptocurrencies distinct, secure and trustable is the distributed ledger called blockchain, behind which there is no central bank tweaking monetary policy. Digital currencies controlled by the state would need a different architecture. They portend nothing akin to a network of transaction validators, like the miners that today power bitcoin through profit incentives. Central-bank digital currencies are the dream of starry-eyed politicians who think printing currency can solve a country’s problems. One need look no further than the digital currencies issued in Ecuador and Venezuela.

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Saturday, January 23, 2021 RCMP overstepped in shutting down Surrey protest for India’s farmers, organizers say Organizers of a planned drive-in demonstration in support of protesting farmers in India say the Surrey RCMP overstepped its authority in shutting down the event before it even started. The Surrey Challo event was billed as a COVIDsafe, music-focused demonstration, scheduled to take place at the Cloverdale Recreation Centre. On Saturday, Mounties stepped in and blocked the site saying that the evnt would violate COVID-19 restrictions and put public safety at risk. RCMP Insp. Dale Carr told Global News police expected up to 10,000 participants, and that the event — which was to feature musicians and a stage — was more akin to a festival than a protest. Activist group Avaaz claims one person was issued a $2,300 fine for hosting a COVID-19 non-compliant event “simply for attending the protest and speaking with the RCMP.” The group says the event was compliant with COVID-19 health and safety protocols required under B.C.’s most recent provincial health order, which allows for drive-in events. “(The) protest was organized with a COVIDsafety plan that would meet all the conditions of the Provincial Health Order, including limiting the total number of vehicles, people remaining in vehicles, compliance with the physical distancing requirement if outside their vehicle, mandatory mask-wearing, and gathering of contact information,” it said in a media release. “Audio was to be delivered by radio broadcast.”

It goes on to accuse the RCMP of exaggerating the number of people who would have attended as a justification for shutting down the event, and says police did not attempt to verify the event’s COVID-19 safety plan. On Sunday, Surrey RCMP Cpl. Joanie Sidhu confirmed that the fine had been given out to someone police had identified as an organizer. She said police respect the right to protest, and have supported previous events supporting the same cause. But she said this time, police were unable to reach anyone ahead of time who would step up as an organizer, and that the risk of COVID-19 transmission was too high, given what police saw. “We received information that there were going to be numerous vendors at this event, which included a DJ as well as food trucks, and in fact, when our officers were at the event turning people away there were actually food trucks arriving,” she said. “This is concerning, because while organizers were saying they were encouraging people to stay in their vehicles, having vendors such as these encourages people to actually get out of their vehicles.” The BC Civil Liberties Association has also weighed in, calling the shutdown an “affront” to the right to protest. “Freedom of expression and freedom of association are fundamental democratic rights that must be respected,” BCCLA lawyer Meghan McDermott said in a statement.

B.C. paramedics responded to record average of 74 overdose calls a day in 2020: BCEHS Paramedics across B.C. responded to more calls to help someone who had an overdose in 2020 than any other year since record keeping began, according to dispatchers. B.C. Emergency Health Services (BCEHS) on Wednesday said they were called to 27,067 overdoses last year — an average of 74 calls every day, or one call around every 20 minutes. The total is up 12 per cent from 2019, according to a statement. “It’s hard for every paramedic who goes to those scenes,” wrote Pat Hussey, paramedic unit chief in Penticton, which saw an 87 per cent increase in calls last year. The sobering statistics are further confirmation the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated the overdose crisis that has devastated the province for years. The overdose death toll for the year surpassed 1,500 in November, solidifying 2020 as a record-breaking year for lives lost due to a lethally toxic illicit drug supply. BCEHS said every one of B.C.’s five health regions saw an increase in overdoses last year, except one: Vancouver Coastal Health saw calls drop slightly, by four per cent. The Downtown Eastside, which has historically seen more than 5,000 overdose calls in a year, saw about 760 fewer calls last year than the year before. A reason for the drop was not

immediately confirmed by the service. Brad Cameron, a paramedic manager with BCEHS, said from anecdotal evidence and his own experience, one reason for the drop could be due to the higher availability of naloxone in the Downtown Eastside. “Pretty everybody down in that particular area knows of somebody who’s got naloxone or who carries themselves. It’s freely available among the safe consumption sites, harm reduction sites,” Cameron said. He also noted that there appears to be greater awareness among drug users in the neighbourhood noting, for example, that many people were becoming more aware that they shouldn’t be using opioids alone. “If somebody is with you when you’re using and notice that you’re going into respiratory distress or into arrest, they’re there readily to give the naloxone and call 911 for the presence of an ambulance,” he said. The increases in other rural communities were dramatic, relative to the population. There were 20 calls for an overdose in Fort Nelson, up 233 per cent from last year. Keremeos and Sechelt saw increases of 167 and 112 per cent, respectively. Terrace and Houston also saw double the number of calls compared to previous years.

Premier Horgan congratulates President Biden BC Premier John Horgan has offered his congratulations to Joe Biden, who was officially sworn in as the new president of the United States on Wednesday morning. On Twitter, Horgan congratulated both Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, stating that he is “looking forward to brighter days ahead.” Prime Minister Justin Trudeau also offered his congratulations to the new administration

on Wednesday. “On behalf of the Government of Canada, I congratulate Joe Biden on his inauguration as the 46th President of the United States of America,” said Trudeau. “Canada and the United States enjoy one of the most unique relationships in the world, built on a shared commitment to democratic values, common interests, and strong economic and security ties. Our two countries are more than neighbours – we are close friends, partners, and allies.”

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Saturday, January 23, 2021 From page 1

Maya Hari to head Twitter’s Asia-Pacific operations “I realized I absolutely love technology, and that’s still my first love till date, but I could certainly make the best impact I could being that communicator,” she said. Becoming a risktaker Hari said that realization went on to become a “cornerstone” of her career, leading her to where she is today. An engineer by training, she worked for several years in high tech roles in Silicon Valley, before moving to Singapore in 2005 to complete her MBA. Later, she returned to her native India, and spent eight years working in marketing and general management roles at tech companies, before moving back to Singapore to take on a

regional remit. Today, being a woman in tech is desirable and it opens a lot of doors. For the last six years she has been at Twitter, holding progressively senior positions. “Taking that risk at that point of time made me a person that had skills that I was bringing back to this region that were not common,” Hari said of her decision to leave the U.S. and move to Asia. Indeed, “putting yourself in uncomfortable situations” is vital for providing both career opportunities and important learnings, she said. That hasn’t come without its challenges. Hari said being a woman in a male-dominated industry has been tough at times, including being asked about her child-rearing plans by a prospective employer in India. But she insisted the situation is improving. “Today, being a woman in tech is desirable and it opens a lot of doors, at least for a first conversation,” said Hari. “As an industry, it’s much more meritocratic than most others,” she said. “If you persevere and you hold tight in the early days, when the differences between you and your colleagues are most obvious, I think over time, you add value and people look at you for what you add value for.” Twitter, for its part, has laid out its goal for women to account for 50% of the company’s global workforce by 2025. Currently, the figure stands at 42%. Hari, herself a mentor, acknowledged that challenges still exist for women today — particularly in Asia, where traditional societal expectations hang heavy. However, she shared three pieces of advice for aspiring women. Finding a career role model you respect and admire is motivating; finding one who’s relatable and in your professional circle is even better, said Hari. “You need to visualize someone you consider like yourself only a few years ahead of you. That relatability builds self-belief.” Be honest with your managers and stakeholders about your career aspirations. In the past, Hari said it took her three or four conversations to ask for a promotion. But, over time, she “built the confidence” to have open chats with her manager and ensure they were on the same page. Speaking up can be intimidating, but Hari advised women to make a game of the process. Set small challenges for each meeting or project, for instance, pledge to speak up in every team call. “That process can be very rewarding,” she said. “Today, being a woman in tech is desirable and it opens a lot of doors, at least for a first conversation,” said Hari.

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Saturday, January 23, 2021 15 more lives lost to Covid-19 in BC, as 564 new cases confirmed From page 1 “Despite our COVID-19 curve trending COVID-19 vaccines have been administered in the right direction, we continue to have in the province, including 1,680 second doses. new outbreaks, community clusters and high Health officials had originally scheduled numbers of new cases. COVID-19 continues an on-camera briefing for Thursday, but to spread widely in our communities.” cancelled it as they prepare to update the The total number of patients in hospital has province’s strategy for immunization against fallen by about 11 per cent in the last week, the virus. The premier’s office said Henry reaching the lowest level since Nov. 28, but and Dix will instead join a news conference intensive care numbers have remained steady. Friday with Premier John Horgan and There have been no new outbreaks in Dr. Penny Ballem, who is leading B.C.’s health-care facilities, but six have been COVID-19 immunization rollout. The declared over. Meanwhile, the latest data four are expected to comment on the next confirm B.C.’s second wave of the pandemic steps in the immunization program that has has spread across the province and is no been complicated by a hiccup in the vaccine longer concentrated in the Lower Mainland. supply from Pfizer-BioNTech. The province About 39 per cent of the new cases adjusted its vaccination plan in response to announced Thursday were in the Interior news that Pfizer-BioNTech isn’t sending any Health, Northern Health and Island Health doses of its vaccine to Canada next week. regions. To date, a total of 104,901 doses of

India debuts largest domestically built nuclear reactor From page 1 according to Mr K.N. Vyas, India’s atomic energy secretary. “Renewables are less capital-intensive and can be implemented much more quickly. Yet, they need to be balanced with more stable power,” Mr Vyas said in a phone interview. “Nuclear (energy) provides clean base load power, and that makes it an important element of our climate strategy.” India is counting on its nuclear programme to help meet its Paris climate commitments to reduce the emissions intensity of its economy by a third from 2005 levels, by 2030. So far, domestic-built reactors have avoided cost run-ups that have hit projects planned with overseas technologies, said Mr Debasish Mishra, a Mumbai-based partner at Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu. Nuclear Power Corp of India, which connected the reactor to the grid last week, expects to start five more units by end-March 2027, and is placing orders for another 10 to be commissioned by 2031. The combined cost of the reactors is estimated at about 1.5 trillion rupees (S$27.2 billion), according to the state monopoly. India has 6.8 gigawatts of existing nuclear generation capacity, which accounts for roughly 2 per cent of the nation’s total capacity.

South Asian man hid inside Chicago airport From page 1 Cook County Judge Susana Ortiz reacted incredulously Sunday after a prosecutor detailed the allegations. “So if I understand you correctly,” Ortiz said, “you’re telling me that an unauthorized, nonemployee individual was allegedly living within a secure part of the O’Hare airport terminal from Oct. 19, 2020, to Jan. 16, 2021, and was not detected? I want to understand you correctly.” Early Saturday afternoon, two United Airlines employees approached Singh and asked to see his identification. Assistant State’s Attorney Kathleen Hagerty said Singh lowered his face mask and showed them an airport ID badge that he was wearing around his neck. The badge actually belonged to an operations manager who had reported it missing Oct. 26. The employees called 911. Police took Singh into custody about 11:10 a.m. Saturday in Terminal 2 near Gate F12. Hagerty said Singh reportedly found the badge in the airport and was “scared to go home due to COVID.” She told the judge other passengers were giving him food.

Payette stepping down as governor general after blistering report on Rideau Hall work environment Gov.-Gen. Julie Payette and her secretary, Assunta di Lorenzo, are resigning after an outside workplace review of Rideau Hall found that the pair presided over a toxic work environment. Last year, an independent consulting firm was hired by the Privy Council Office (PCO) to review reports that Payette was responsible for workplace harassment at Rideau Hall. Sources who were briefed on the consulting firm’s report told CBC News that its conclusions were damning. President of the Queen’s Privy Council for Canada Dominic LeBlanc told CBC’s Vassy Kapelos the federal government received the final report late last week, which he said offered some “disturbing” and “worrisome” conclusions. LeBlanc said Payette indicated her intention to resign

during a meeting with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau last night, where they discussed the report’s contents. In a media statement announcing her departure, Payette apologized for what she called the “tensions” at Rideau Hall in recent months, saying that everyone has “a right to a healthy and safe work environment.” “While no formal complaints or official grievances were made during my tenure, which would have immediately triggered a detailed investigation as prescribed by law and the collective agreements in place, I still take these allegations very seriously,” she said in the statement. “We all experience things differently, but we should always strive to do better and be attentive to one another’s perceptions.”

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Saturday, January 23, 2021

From page 1

Joe Biden administration could have record number of Indian Americans - more than half women

Biden also named Sonia Aggarwal as the senior adviser for Climate Policy and Innovation last week. Biden also nominated former civil rights attorney Vanita Gupta, who will serve as his associate attorney general if confirmed by the Senate. “By virtue of that name, that value of justice, we know the department carries a unique charge and North Star,” Gupta said at a press conference earlier this month. “It is the keeper of a sacred promise. It’s the promise of equal justice for all. That no one is above the law. And when this promise is pursued with vigor, it brings light to our nation and serves as a beacon to the world. But when

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abandoned, we degrade our democracy, and sew the division that we’ve come to know all too well.” If confirmed, Gupta says she will work tirelessly to uphold justice, accountability and equality. Biden most recently nominated

January 16 press release highlighted her diplomatic experience in Middle Eastern, South Asian, European, human rights and multilateral affairs. She tweeted Saturday, “In my 25+years as

Uzra Zeya for under secretary for Civilian Security, Democracy, and Human Rights. A

a diplomat, I learned that America’s greatest strength is the power of our example, diversity & democratic ideals. I will uphold & defend these values, if confirmed, as Under Secretary for Civilian Security, Democracy, and Human Rights.” Our newsroom is here for you. In Biden’s agenda for the Indian American community, he highlights the importance of representation in his own administration. “Biden will ensure that South Asian Americans are represented in his administration, starting with his Vice Presidential nominee, Senator Kamala Harris, whose mother emigrated from India to study and build a life in the United States. Our government will reflect the diversity

of the United States, a n d Indian American voices will be included in shaping the policies that impact their communities.” For the first time in history, two Indian American women represent Kashmir, the northern-most region of India, according to Business Standard. Aisha Shah, who has been named as partnership manager at the White House Office of Digital Strategy, and Sameera Fazili, who is nominated to be the deputy director at the U.S. National Economic Council. First Lady Dr. Jill Biden also added two key members of her team: Mala Adiga, appointed as the first lady’s policy director; and Garima Verma who was chosen as the digital director of the Office of the First Lady. These named and nominated women send a message about the commitment from the Biden-Harris administration to include and highlight the talents and experiences of women and Indian American individuals across top positions, said Makhija. “Our family came to the United States to give their children, their sons and their daughters, the opportunity to live out their dreams. And I think this is certainly an example of that on a personal level,” said Makhija.

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Saturday, January 23, 2021 Seniors living independently feel ‘forgotten’ as others prioritized for COVID-19 vaccines Dr. Samir Sinha’s phone rang on Saturday, as he said it often does these days. This time, the patient calling was a 90-year-old Holocaust survivor. “[He] called me on Saturday begging me, begging me to find him a vaccine sooner rather than later. He’s been locked in his house for an entire year,” Sinha, who serves as the director of geriatrics at Mount Sinai Hospital, said. “He’s tired of this and he’s worried. And he said, ‘don’t you know that I have a high risk of dying if I get COVID?’ And I said, ‘absolutely, you’re preaching to the choir here.’” However, Sinha’s patient doesn’t live in long-term care – which means he isn’t first in line to get the

coronavirus vaccine in Ontario, despite the fact that he’s in a high-risk group. How will I know it’s my turn to get the vaccine? Your COVID-19 questions answered This, Sinha said, is a problem among many older

adults: while vaccination rollouts in the province have prioritized older Canadians living in long-term care, seniors who are still living in the community have to wait until Phase 2 to get their jabs.

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10 B.C. company set to begin first Canadian production line of cupmoulded respirator masks A Coquitlam, B.C., manufacturer that pivoted production from pet beds to personal protective equipment is now set to start rolling out respirator masks after winning a $1-million federal grant. Novo Textiles has partnered with a company in Windsor, Ont., to develop the first madein-Canada automated machine to produce cup-shaped, moulded respirator masks — also known as N95 or N99 masks — used in hospitals. The N95 and N99 respirators are so named because they’re designed to filter out at least 95 per cent and 99 per cent of airborne particles, respectively, including pathogens. Respirator masks or higher level protection is required in hospitals and for medical procedures to prevent the spread of coronavirus and other infections — but they remain in short supply in Canada. “That’s where the greatest global shortage has been and continues to be in terms of PPE,” said Novo Textiles owner Jason Zanatta. Jason Zanatta, owner of Novo Textiles, holding one of his company’s surgical masks on April 8. Novo switched production from pet beds to masks in the early days of the pandemic.

Saturday, January 23, 2021

Vancouver businesses expect to struggle in 2021 due to Covid-19 Jennifer McCarthy says the year 2020 has been incredibly challenging for her business, the Bluhouse Market and Cafe, in Deep Cove. Financial struggles due to COVID-19 pandemic restrictions forced her to start a side grocery delivery business to sell more products. “We know it’ll go on for the next year,” McCarthy said, noting the increase in community support that has helped her stay afloat. “We’re going to need that support for some time to come.” McCarthy is one of many business owners in Vancouver who predict continued challenges brought on by COVID-19 in 2021, after so much hardship in 2020. “I think we all … had a lot of optimism and hope that 2021 was going to look a lot different,” Bridgitte Anderson, the president of the Greater Vancouver Board of Trade, said. “But, in fact, things are pretty much the same … quite bleak,” she explained, adding she expects Vancouver’s tourism sector, in particular, will continue to be impacted.

A small sample size recent board of trade survey finds that 62 per cent of businesses are still experiencing a decrease in sales, and that only three-in-10 respondents are optimistic about the next three to six months. Asian restaurants find hope in Lunar New Year David Chung, the president of the B.C. Asian Restaurant Cafe Owners Association and the owner of Jade Seafood Restaurant in Richmond says the past year has been especially hard for Asian restaurant owners because many of their customers began cancelling their reservations early on. “We thought they were overreacting until [the government] shut us down,” Chung told CBC’s The Early Edition, referring to the B.C.-wide lockdown in March, when all dine-in establishments were ordered to close. He said restaurants at the start of

2021 are making about 25 per cent of what they were at this time in 2019. “Tables are very small ... we have less than [half] of the people working right now … We just hope we can stay afloat until the summer,” he said. Chung noted that rest aurant-owners who have adapted to primarily take-out services will probably fare better this year than they did last year. He said that with the Lunar New Year coming up in February, he expects to see more customers who are looking to dine out in celebration, and his own restaurant has created a menu with “better dinners” to meet the occasion. McCarthy sees e-commerce as the saviour for many small businesses in the coming months and wants to see more technological supports for them in the future.

Get your Bernie Sanders mittens ready. It’s about to get cold in Metro Vancouver Bernie Sanders won’t be the only one needing warm mittens this week. British Columbians are in for the coldest stretch of the year as a winter high pressure zone settles into place across the province. In Metro Vancouver that means clearing skies and sub-zero temperatures beginning Thursday night. Friday is forecast to be clear with a wind chill of –6 C, according to CBC meteorologist Johanna Wagstaffe, with daytime temperatures rising to 4 C. Friday night into Saturday is set to be

the coldest night this season at –3 C to –5 C. From Biden’s Bible to the colour purple: 5 things you may have missed during the inauguration Saturday stays sunny until a low-pressure system brings in a wintry mix overnight into Sunday, including a couple of centimetres of snow. The snow will change into rain on Sunday — but the long-range forecast shows a chance of more snow falling next week.

Saturday, January 23, 2021

Biden’s first foreign leader call will be to PM Trudeau U.S. President Joe Biden’s first call to a foreign leader will be to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau this Friday, the White House has announced. During a Wednesday evening briefing, White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki announced the coming call. Earlier in the day, federal officials and Canada’s Ambassador to the United States Kirsten Hillman signalled that a conversation between the two world leaders would be scheduled soon. Hillman indicated that Trudeau will soon be looking to meet with Biden and his team, though due to the ongoing pandemic and border restrictions, what would typically be an in-person official visit will happen virtually. “COVID will probably have a big impact on exactly how everybody gets together as it does for every single one of us, but they know we’re very keen to see them soon,” Hillman said. “I think we’ll let the president get through his first day in office, and we’ll talk about it after that.” One of the major points of conversation will likely be the Biden administration’s day-one revocation of the Keystone XL pipeline permit, and whether there will be ways to work across the border to make the case for a broader “buy North American” approach rather than the president’s “buy American” pledge. “Buy American policies are not new to us. We’ve seen them under successive governments both Republican and Democrat. So we are used to making our case to American lawmakers and administrations as to why their economic recovery will be better and faster if they

keep the borders open between Canada and the United States for trade and supply chains,” Hillman said. In a statement, Trudeau said that while he welcomed Biden’s climate-change commitments, “we are disappointed but acknowledge the President’s decision to fulfil his election c a m p a i g n promise on Keystone XL.” Tr u d e a u also issued separate remarks We d n e s d a y, congratulating Biden and Harris while touting the “unique” relationship between the two countries. He vowed to keep working together to combat COVID-19 and eventually “build back better.” “I look forward to working with President Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, their administration, and the United States Congress as we strive to make our countries safer, more prosperous, and more resilient,” Trudeau said. In an interview on CTV’s Power Play, Foreign Affairs Minister Marc Garneau said that Canada also plans to engage on several issues early on, including the ongoing detention by China of Canadians Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor, and the COVID-19 response and push to vaccinate millions. “Nothing is off the table in terms of co-operation because it makes sense for two neighbours to work together when you’re dealing with something like the COVID-19 virus.” ‘BRIGHT DAYS AHEAD’

MP Derek Sloan ejected from Conservative caucus over ‘pattern of destructive behaviour’ Derek Sloan has been ejected from the federal Conservative caucus. Members of the caucus gathered on Wednesday to vote on the fate of the MP for Hastings— Lennox and Addington, who in just over one year of public life has prompted repeated criticism for behaviour ranging from attacking the country’s top doctor to sharing vaccine misinformation. “The Conservative caucus voted to remove Derek Sloan not because of one specific event, but because of a pattern of destructive behaviour involving multiple incidents and disrespect towards the Conservative team for over a year,” Conservative Leader Erin O’Toole said in a statement. “These actions have been a consistent distraction from our efforts to grow the party and focus on the work we need to do. Events of the past week were simply the last straw and led to our caucus making the decision it did today.” The meeting came after Conservative Leader Erin O’Toole said he would not let Sloan run again for the party following revelations that he had received a leadership campaign contribution from

a man described as a neo-Nazi. O’Toole did not have the power to eject Sloan on his own, however. He needed to get at least 20 per cent of the caucus to support a motion to review Sloan’s membership, which was then voted on via secret virtual ballot. A Conservative source told Global News the cumulative effects of Sloan’s behaviour were weighing on the caucus, leading to growing frustration including among social conservative members. The source said both Sloan and O’Toole spoke at the opening and end of the meeting, and that at no point did Sloan heed the urgings of several caucus members to agree to change his behaviour. Instead, the source said Sloan indicated he believed he has done nothing wrong. Sloan doubled down on his own defence after the meeting, taking to Twitter to accuse the caucus of acting as a “cabal” of O’Toole, and accusing O’Toole of trying to get “good democratic, conservatives purged.”

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LOCAL

Saturday, January 23, 2021 Delta police investigate stabbing incident involving 2 students in hight school Delta police are investigating a stabbing as a result of a conflict between two students at Burnsview Secondary School Tuesday. Police say the accused youth is not known to them. “This appears to be a conflict between two students that unfortunately escalated to violence,” said Delta Police spokesperson Cris Leykauf, adding that “police are taking this incident extremely seriously.”

Police say they are protecting the identities of the victim and the suspect because they are both under 18 years of age. The accused youth was arrested Tuesday and has since been released into the family’s custody on the condition they not return to Burnsview Secondary, while the victim who was injured in the altercation has now been released from hospital. Police say they have recovered the knife that was believed to have been used. They say the youth is not known to them.

B.C. Court of Appeal upholds decision barring Vancouver man from asbestos removal industry The B.C. Court of Appeal has upheld a lower-court ruling that prohibits Mike Singh and Seattle Environmental Consulting from working in the asbestos removal industry. In the lower court ruling, a 2019 B.C. Supreme Court decision, Singh and Seattle Environmental were found in contempt of an earlier court order that prohibited Singh from breaching the rules of the Workers’ Compensation Act. The lower court ruling permanently barred Singh and the company from engaging in the asbestos abatement industry. Singh was sentenced to one year’s probation and six weeks’ house arrest. Proceedings against Shawn Singh, Mike Singh’s son, were dismissed. In a unanimous decision issued in December 2020, the three-member Court of Appeal dismissed the issues raised as grounds for the appeal. Those included errors related to constitutional rights,

the Supreme Court judge’s interpretation of the Workers’ Compensation Act and its regulations, and findings of fact. “The judge made none of the errors identified by the appellants on substantive matters,” wrote Madam Justice Lauri Ann Fenlon in the 29-page decision. Fenlon noted the judge correctly applied a contextual approach in concluding that the Workers’ Compensation Board (known as WorkSafeBC) did not breach the appellants’ Charter rights by gathering evidence using its regulatory powers. “The judge did not err in imposing the injunction, as a permanent injunction was reasonable given the appellants’ repeated breaches of the Act. Nor was the sentence unfit; the judge took into account all relevant circumstances,” wrote Fenlon. The Court of Appeal did allow an appeal to go ahead on the issue of who is responsible for paying court costs of the parties in the lower court suit.

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Fired Pan Pacific Hotel workers launch wrongful termination class action A union representing workers at the Pan Pacific Hotel in Vancouver has filed a class action lawsuit in B.C. Supreme Court alleging the hotel wrongfully terminated 100 employees during the COVID-19 pandemic. Unite Here Local 40 says the workers — many of them women and immigrants with years of service — are owed as much as $3 million in severance pay. In a statement, the union said the Pan Pacific “concocted a plan to drastically reduce its staff from 450 workers to 80.” “Instead of informing workers of their plans, the company sent workers repeated messages delivering false hope suggesting

they intended to bring workers back.” Local 40 president Zailda Chan said the hotel circumvented group termination payout regulations in the Employment Standards Act by firing workers in three batches of fewer than 50 workers. Chan also said the hotel offered some workers $250 to sign a contract taking away their regular full-time status to become casual, on-call workers with no severance rights. Those who refused to sign were among those fired. “Had the hotel properly notified workers of its plans to drastically reduce its workforce, this class of workers could have been entitled to receive significant payouts,” said Chan.

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LOCAL / NATIONAL

Saturday, January 23, 2021

Two major BC cities reject Indigenous land acknowledgements Surrey and Richmond are among cities bucking the trend of implementing a symbolic gesture to recognize ‘unceded’ Indigenous. Surrey and Richmond have recently rejected implementing a formal acknowledgement of living and conducting business on Indigenous land, despite it becoming commonplace elsewhere across the province. Mayors in Richmond and Surrey have recently been outspoken about not having council meetings preceded by a territorial acknowledgement of their respective First Nations neighbours. Surrey councillor Jack Hundial produced a motion last month to “develop a meaningful, respectful acknowledgement before every Council and Committee meeting ‌ in recognition that we are

settlers here on this Coast Salish Land.� However, Safe Surrey Coalition (SSC) council members, including Mayor Doug McCallum, rejected the motion January 11 in a 5-4 vote. SSC councillor Allison Patton said Hundial was not being “authentic.� While Hundial expressed he was “shocked� after the rejection, McCallum explained, “we [City of Surrey] treat them [First Nations] better in Surrey than anywhere.� McCallum agreed with his fellow SSC councillors Laurie Guerra and Doug Elford that there is nothing wrong with a land acknowledgement; however, it ought not to be legislated, or mandatory, under city policy. “I have a problem with legislating language,� said Guerra.

Man arrested for taking ferry joyride, detained again after glass-smashing spree The man who was arrested for taking a Victoria harbour ferry on joyride Tuesday was arrested again — this time for allegedly smashing the windows of at least 14 different buildings early Wednesday morning. Victoria Police say they were first alerted to the glass-smashing spree after the alarm went off in an apartment on the 1700-block of Cook Street after midnight. Officers found the front door window shattered by a rock. Over the next hour and a half, officers found several other businesses with windows broken by rocks or other objects. At 2 a.m., police received reports that a man was smashing windows with a large wooden pole at a restaurant on Pandora Avenue. The damage took place during the early hours of Wednesday, Jan.

20. (Submitted by Victoria Police) Though the suspect made a run for it, police were able to arrest him shortly after. Police believe there could be other damaged buildings and ask anyone who may have been affected to report any damage. The man was spotted around 2 a.m. on Pandora Avenue, and arrested shortly after. (Submitted by Victoria Police) Workers put up boards on the windows of Swans Pub on Store Street in Victoria after they were smashed early Wednesday morning. (Michael Mcarthur/CBC) Police say they are recommending charges of mischief and breach of an undertaking against the suspect, whose name has not been disclosed. The investigation is ongoing.

Vancity board appoints long-time executive Christine Bergeron as President and CEO Vancity has decided to stick with a familiar face at the helm of Canada’s largest community credit union. Vancity announced that the board has named Christine Bergeron as its next president and CEO following a national search. Last year, Bergeron replaced Tamara Vrooman on an interim basis as president and CEO after Vrooman accepted a new job heading the Vancouver International Airport Authority. “Having led the credit union successfully through one of the most challenging times in global history while delivering a renewed business plan, Christine has already proven she is the right leader with the vision and strategy to lead Vancity into the future,� Vancity chair Jan O’Brien said in a news release. Vancity has more than 543,000 memberowners and 54 branches. It currently has $28.2 billion in assets and assets under administration. Prior to becoming the interim president and CEO, Bergeron was the chief member services

officer. This meant that she oversaw the credit union’s branch network, retail business, commercial, and wealth-management operations, according to the news release. In the past, she’s also been vice president of impact investing, wealth management, and community real estate. In addition, she’s been vice president of community banking. Bergeron has a keen interest in finance as it pertains to the climate. She serves as a North American representative on the UN Environment Programme’s finance initiative banking board. “Since joining Vancity in 2011, I feel very fortunate to have been part of the Vancity journey to deliver exceptional service and advice to our members, and to help create a future that is clean and fair for everyone,� Bergeron said in the news release. “I’m incredibly excited to help drive our work to fulfill Vancity’s unique mission to further the financial, social, and environmental wellbeing of our members and their communities.�

BC to phase out enhanced driver’s licence and ID cards The British Columbia government says it is phasing out two types of travel identification cards that allowed easier entrance into the United States. The enhanced driver’s licence and enhanced identification card allowed the holder to enter the United States through land crossings or marine ports without needing to present a valid passport. The documents can’t be used for air travel and haven’t been available since last March when the Insurance Corporation of B.C., which manages the program, curtailed numerous services as the COVID-19 pandemic arrived. A statement from the Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General says the cards

Press release

are being discontinued because other travel documents are more cost effective, remain valid longer and cover air travel. The ministry points to Canada’s simplified passport application process and 10-year passport option as well as the growing popularity of the NEXUS expedited border control card which covers all methods of entry into the United States. B.C.’s enhanced licences and ID cards will be phased out over the next five years ending in September 2025, matching similar phase outs in Ontario, Quebec and Manitoba where the cards were offered by those governments. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 18, 2021.

BC Liberals announce the formation of the Leadership Election Organizing Committee

The BC Liberal Party’s Executive has announced the establishment of a Leadership Election Organizing Committee (LEOC) that will administer the upcoming leadership race. ćF NFNCFST PG -&0$ BSF t CoChair Roxanne Helme of Victoriat Co-Chair Colin Hansen of Vancouvert Derek Lew of Vancouvert Sarah Sidhu of Port Moodyt Don Silversides of Prince Rupertt Cameron Stolz of Prince George t Jackie Tegart of Ashcroft “I am honoured to be involved in this important initiative and excited to be part of renewing and ever strengthening our BC Liberal Party,� said LEOC Co-Chair, Roxanne Helme. “This is an historic time for our party as we embark on the process of selecting a new leader who will unite our coalition and put British Columbians first,� said LEOC Co-Chair, Colin Hansen.

The committee has been tasked with determining the timeline for the election, establishing the rules that will guide the race, and implementing the process by which members will elect the leader. “The election of a new leader is an integral part of the renewal and rebuilding process that the BC Liberal Party and its members are currently engaged in,� said Lindsay Cote, Interim Executive Director of the BC Liberal Party. “I want to thank the members of LEOC for dedicating their time and expertise to this extremely important process that will have a significant impact on the future of both the Party and the province.� All members of the party’s Executive and LEOC have pledged to remain neutral throughout the leadership process to ensure fairness and accountability.

LOCAL / NATIONAL

Saturday, January 23, 2021 Anti-gang Mountie joins Surrey police force as deputy chief Mike LeSage, who currently serves as chief officer for the RCMP’s anti-gang Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit, joins Surrey Police Service in February. The new Surrey Police Service has poached another RCMP commander to bolster its fledgling force. Surrey police Chief Norm Lipinski has hired RCMP assistant commissioner Mike LeSage, who currently serves as chief officer of B.C.’s anti-gang Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit, as his second of three deputy chief constables. A native of Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario and a resident of Garden River First Nation, LeSage has served with the RCMP since 1996 with his first five years spent in Williams Lake. He also had stints in the Northwest Territories, Ottawa and Saskatoon before being put in

charge of “O” Division, the RCMP detachment responsible for federal policing in Ontario, in 2017. He took over B.C.’s antigang task force last February. LeSage will join Surrey police in February as the officer in charge of Surrey’s community policing bureau. “It is a rare opportunity to be a part of creating a police agency from the ground up, so I am looking forward to working with the executive management team and the community to build an exemplary community-centred Surrey Police Service,” he said in a statement. The announcement is the latest move toward establishing a municipal force to replace the RCMP in B.C.’s second-most-populous city. Jennifer Hyland, the officer-in-charge of the Ridge Meadows RCMP detachment, was named the force’s first deputy chief earlier this month.

Quebec & Ontario, hardest hit by Covid-19 cases see decline over last-week totals Declining new COVID-19 case counts in the two provinces hardest hit by the pandemic offer some hope that newly imposed restrictions are working, some experts said Wednesday, while stressing the need to maintain strict public health rules. Quebec and Ontario, which account for the bulk of the country’s COVID-19 cases, have both seen new infections trend downwards compared to last week’s totals, weeks after each province enacted a series of more stringent pandemic measures. Thegassylinkbetweenlessmeatandlongerlife The shift in numbers is “promising,” and

suggests not only that the measures are having some effect but also that people are being more compliant, said Dr. Jeff Kwong, an epidemiologist with the University of Toronto’s Dalla Lana School of Public Health. “There’s a glimmer of hope, but we need to keep up the current restrictions so that we can see things go down further,” he said. “Because we really need to bring it down further before we can safely reopen anything.” Dr. Camille Lemieux, who is the medical lead for an Ontario COVID-19 assessment centre, said the lower numbers are also partly due to the fact that people have fewer excuses to get together now that the holidays are over.

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Bank of Canada keeps key rate at 0.25 per cent, warns of economic decline in 2021 The Bank of Canada says the national economy will go in reverse for the first quarter of 2021, hammering the hardesthit workers again on the path to a recovery that rests on the rollout of vaccines. Workers in high-contact service industries will carry the burden of a new round of lockdowns, which the central bank warns will exacerbate the pandemic’s uneven effects on the labour market. Governor Tiff Macklem, in his opening remarks at a late-morning news conference, warned the first-quarter decline could be worse than expected if

restrictions are tightened or extended. As a result, the bank announced it is keeping its key interest rate on hold at 0.25 per cent, citing near-term weakness and the “protracted nature of the recovery” in its reasoning. But the short-term pain is expected to give way to a brighter outlook for the medium-term with vaccines rolling out sooner than the central bank expected. Still, the bank warns in its updated economic outlook that a complete recovery from COVID-19 will take some time. Nor does the Bank of Canada see inflation getting back to its two-per-cent target until 2023, one year longer than previously forecast.

South Asian man charged in connection with corruption in tow truck industry appeared on TV show One of the men charged in connection with allegations of corruption related to Ontario’s tow truck industry has appeared on a popular television show. On Saturday, the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) announced they charged three of their own veteran officers and suspended four others over allegations of corruption related to the province’s tow truck industry. The force alleges the accused officers provided preferential treatment to towing companies within the Greater Toronto Area. They also announced they charged another man, 52-year-old Sutheshkumar Sithambarpillay, with aiding and abetting breach of trust and secret commissions contrary to the Criminal Code of Canada. Sithambarpillay, who goes by the name Steve Pillai, is the owner of Steve’s Towing, which is located near Highway 400 north

of

Sheppard Avenue in North York. The OPP confirmed he is the same man who has appeared several times on the television show “Heavy Rescue 401,” which airs on Discovery Canada. In the reality show, television crews follow around multiple tow truck operators and rescue teams as they work to clear collisions on Highway 401. The charges and suspensions stemmed from an investigation first launched in October 2019. The officers facing charges all have at least 20 years of service with the OPP and served with either its Highway Safety Division or the Toronto detachment. Const. Simon Bridle and Const. Mohammed Ali Hussain were both arrested this past week, while a warrant is out for the arrest of Const. Bindo Showan who is believed to be out of the province.

7832 120132 ST St. #106 - 7565 SURREY Surrey, BCBC BUS: 604-572-3005 604.572.3005

14103 110 AVE., N.SURREY

26964 28 AVE., LANGLEY

Truly delightful huge basement entry app. 7200 sqft. home sits on rectangular 9965 sqft. lot. House features 11 bedrooms & 10 washrooms build by good reputation builders. Main floor has 5 bedrooms & 4 bath with huge family room,living room,kitchen,& spice kitchen.Ground level basement has 27'x15' media room with bar & washroom for upstairs use.House has 3 spacious ground level basement suites (3 bed.+3 bed & bachelor suite).Total rent of the suites is $3500/month.Very nice tenants.Easy access to Pattulo bridge, Port Mann bridge & shopping center.Motivated sellers.Easy to show.

Truly delightful fully renovated 6 bedroom basement entry home sits on rectangular 7920 sf flat lot in most demanding area Aldergrove Langley.Main floor features 3 bed ,2 bath with new kitchen /island ,new flooring,new tiles , new woodwork,new fixtures,splash back,granite counters,new tiles,new cabinet, new windows,new zebra drapes,4 new washrooms & much more .Newly built 3 bedroom unauthorized basement suite with rear separate entry.Excellent renovated covered 333 sf Patio & deck.Landscape front & fully fenced back yard. Storage shed.Walking distance to both schools,shopping,community center with pools,water Park,ice arena,playing fields& to all major routes.

$1,779,000

$920,000

#125 32850 GEORGE FERGUSON WAY, ABBOTSFORD

14030 GROSVENOR RD., NORTH SURREY

Hot deal! First Time Buyers or Investors, great investment property with reliable tenants, centrally located in a great neighbourhood. 2 bedroom and 1 bath spacious ground level apartment. Well maintained complex, with many updates on the complex over the last couple of years including, roof, windows, balconies, boilers, security cameras, fob access systems and landscaping. There is shared laundry on every floor. Wheelchair access, elevators secure underground parking. Close to Bus stop, walking distance to shopping, restaurants, banks and

This well-maintained family home w/3-beds up, suite-potential down and a detached workshop/garage has everything you and your family needs, all located centrally. It's a 5 -10min drive to Guildford Town Centre & Hwy 1; only a 3min drive to Gateway Skytrain Station. The 2-level home has a brand-new furnace, dishwasher & washing machine +plenty of other extras including a mobile accessible alarm system and a cozy living room gas fireplace for winter nights. The back deck located off the dining room is perfect for summer barbecues! In addition to the carport and the driveway that fits up to 4-5 vehicles, the 10,200sf lot (60x170) has a massive 1100sf detached workshop that will

$210,000

$955,000

5843 180 STREET, CLOVERDALE 6559 CLAYTONHILL PLACE, CLOVERDALE

$912,500

Solid family home on almost 10,000 square foot rectangular lot in Cloverdale with loads of potential. Large open lot offers plenty of space for a pool, playground & trampoline; or use the extra space to build your dream home. Great central location close to shopping, transit & schools. Same owners since 1987. Three bedrooms up, one down in partially finished basement (just needs a closet). Walkout basement with its own entrance offers potential for two bedroom suite. Large covered patio off the living area overlooks the private, sunny backyard. Transform it into a modern, functional family home

$1,695,238

Welcome to CLOVERDALE'S NEW MASTERPIECE with beautiful VIEWS which is built in the prestigious and quiet Claytonhill neighbourhood. With almost 6000 sq. ft. of spacious living, this family home features 9 BEDROOMS & 9 BATHROOMS and is situated on a 6875 sq. ft. lot. Open concept main floor with decks offering views of BC's mountains, A/C, HRV, security system & more! Beautiful tile floors and engineered wood is carefully placed throughout the home. 9ft ceilings showcased throughout the home with an exquisite chef's kitchen, wok kitchen and bedroom that can be used for all your different needs. This AMAZING home has left no expenses spared with EVERY bedroom on main and upper floor offering a WALK-IN CLOSET and EN-SUITE. 2 BASEMENTS each having 2 beds (2+2),

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Saturday, January 23, 2021

Saturday, January 23, 2021

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LOCAL / NATIONAL

Saturday, January 23, 2021

Doctor says pilot project shows more rapid testing could help curb COVID-19 transmission A respirologist involved in a COVID rapid testing pilot project ending next month says the tests, so far, are proving to be a useful, inexpensive and simple tool to aid in the defence against COVID-19 transmission. As rapid testing pilots for COVID-19 near the end of their research period, doctors monitoring them say evidence so far shows it could soon be time to deploy them to schools, businesses, long-term care homes and anywhere else people congregate. Provincial Health Officer, Dr. Bonnie Henry said while she’s not opposed to anything that can help prevent transmission in care homes, she believes rapid testing is a tool that will use up a lot of resources. “It’s the time and the medical people that need to be there to monitor the tests and look at how they’re being done and how they’re being performed on site,” Henry said. Henry says each rapid test takes at least three people to administer and monitor. But Dr. Don Sin, a respirologist at St. Paul’s Hospital and a professor at the University of British Columbia, said early results of the pilot project show the tests can be “very fast, relatively easy to deploy and inexpensive.” The rapid tests, involving a nasopharyngeal (nose) swab, can take about 15 minutes to deliver results according to Sin, and scientists credit it with about a 75 per cent detection rate. However, when used on patients with clear COVID-19 symptoms and an elevated viral load, the scientists were able to raise the detection rate to 98.8 per cent. Sin said, while he supports Dr. Henry’s

decisions, it shouldn’t usually be necessary for three people to administer one test. “I can’t speak for Dr. Henry, but in the vast majority of cases, you don’t need three people to do this ... one trained individual can administer this test,” Sin said. When asked about this, the Ministry of Health said it had nothing further to add to the statement Henry made at her Monday news conference. Sin said there is no special equipment or training required to use the test kits. He said those administering it glove and mask up, prepare the liquid for the test, take the swab, put the swab in the tube, follow a few instructions and wait 15 minutes. “Like a pregnancy test, if you get two red lines on the paper, you have COVID. If only one line shows up, you don’t,” he said. Sin said he’s been working directly with the WestJet-YVR COVID-19 rapid testing study that launched in late November, and while there’s still another month left in the research project, the data indicates rapid testing would be helpful. “I think rapid testing has a certain role to play in reopening the economy safely. Places like YVR and other airports, universities. I would imagine long-term care facilities and the like could benefit from rapid testing,” Sin said. Dr. Isaac Bogoch, an infectious disease specialist out of Toronto General Hospital, said there needs to be additional steps that are taken to create safer workplaces, schools and community settings. Hes aid he believes, much like Dr. Sin, data and research proves rapid testing is under-utilized but highly effective.

Canada’s economy will shrink in early 2021, but brighter days ahead Bank of Canada The Bank of Canada says the national economy will go in reverse for the first quarter of 2021, hammering the hardest-hit workers again on the path to a recovery that rests on the rollout of vaccines.Workers in high-contact service industries will carry the burden of a new round of lockdowns, which the central bank warns will exacerbate the pandemic’s uneven effects on the labour market.As a result, the bank announced it is keeping its key interest rate on hold at 0.25 per cent, citing near-term weakness and the “protracted nature of the recovery” in its reasoning.But the short-term pain is expected to give way to a brighter outlook for the mediumterm with vaccines rolling out sooner than the central bank expected. Still, the bank warns in its updated economic outlook that a complete recovery from COVID-19 will take some time. Nor does the Bank of Canada see inflation getting back to its two-per-cent target until 2023, one year longer than previously forecast. Governor Tiff Macklem is scheduled to speak about the rate decision and outlook at a news conference later this morning. The bank’s latest monetary policy report, which every quarter lays out its

expectations for economic growth and inflation, forecasts that COVID-19 caused the economy to contract by 5.5 per cent last year. Despite an upswing over the summer and fall that may have spared the country from a worst-case economic scenario, the drive to a recovery will hit a pothole over the first three months of 2021. The bank forecasts real gross domestic product will decline by 2.9 per cent in the first quarter of 2021 compared to the same period in 2020 before improving thereafter if severe restrictions start easing in February. The bank is forecasting growth of four per cent this year, then 4.8 per cent next year, and finally 2.5 per cent in 2023. Getting there will be like riding a rollercoaster as the bank warned that resurgence in COVID-19, or new, more virulent strains, could weigh down a recovery in one quarter before leading to strong upswing in the next. Gasoline prices, which have weighed down the consumer price index this year, will by March be “well above their lows of a year earlier,” the bank’s report said, even if prices hover around where they are now. That should significantly bump inflation, possibly pushing the headline reading to roughly two per cent in the second quarter.

India’s richest man is getting WhatsApp’s help in effort to crush Amazon & Walmart Mukesh Ambani, India’s wealthiest man entered the country’s e-commerce market with a bang last year and take on American heavyweights Amazon (NASDAQ:AMZN) and Walmart (NYSE:WMT). Ambani’s JioMart e-commerce venture scaled up rapidly in a short time, thanks to parent company Reliance Retail’s already extensive physical footprint across the country. JioMart is now all set to scale up to the next level, thanks to its partnership with Facebook (NASDAQ:FB), which invested $5.7 billion in Ambani’s Jio Platforms venture last year for a 9.99% stake. At that time, Ambani had spoken of his intention to connect local shopkeepers with their customers digitally using WhatsApp -- Facebook’s instant-messaging service. And now, Reliance Retail has announced that it will embed the JioMart app within WhatsApp in a move that could rapidly expand its reach. Citing two anonymous officials, the Indian financial publication Mint reports that JioMart will be embedded into the WhatsApp instant-messaging application in the next six months. This will allow more than 400 million WhatsApp users in India to order products from JioMart without leaving the messaging service. In simpler words, WhatsApp users can simply open the messaging app and place JioMart orders seamlessly, which eliminates the need for a separate application.

What’s more, WhatsApp recently started operating its payments service in India. Around 20 million users in the country can now use WhatsApp Payments to send or receive money in a seamless manner from within the messaging app. The integration of JioMart and the payments service into the instantmessaging service will make it easier for local shopkeepers to transact with their customers. This is what Reliance Retail had originally intended to do. Ambani had pointed out last year that the JioMart-Facebook partnership’s aim will be to help 30 million local shops in India to transact digitally with their customers in the neighborhood. WhatsApp is now going to play a key role in helping Reliance Retail achieve that goal, given its wide reach in the country and augment JioMart’s terrific growth. Why Amazon and Walmart need to be worried JioMart has made a big splash in India’s online grocery market, fulfilling a higher number of orders on a daily basis than its rivals within just a few months of launch. The addition of Facebook’s WhatsApp into the mix is expected to make things even more difficult for JioMart’s rivals, as the upstart is expected to corner half of India’s online grocery market by 2025, as per Goldman Sachs. That’s bad news for Amazon and Walmart, as online grocery sales in India are growing at a terrific pace.

INDIA

Saturday, January 23, 2021

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BJP made gains in Hyderabad using history as a weapon, but how accurate is its version of the past? When December’s elections for the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation in Hyderabad were announced, the PJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) seemed to treat it like a national poll. Hoping to make a dent in Telangana state, prominent national BJP leaders arrived in the city to campaign for the party’s candidates.

As it took on the regional Telangana Rashtra Samiti, which rules the state, and the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen, the predominantly Muslim party that has its stronghold in Hyderabad, the BJP deployed history as a major part of its arsenal. Uttar Pradesh chief minister Adityanath claimed in a campaign speech that Hyderabad would be named “Bhagyanagar” if the BJP was voted to power and the election would create “Bhagya” (fortune) for the city. In doing so, Adityanath was invoking a popular but unproven legend that the city’s name had been changed to Hyderabad in the late 16th century under Qutub Shahi rule. Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who was also on the campaign trail, claimed that neither the AIMIM nor the Telangana Rashtra Samiti had developed any flood infrastructure but the BJP would convert Hyderabad to a modern city by getting rid of the “Nawabi-Nizami” culture. This was a reference both to the “dynastic

SC notice to Centre, others on plea against web series ‘Mirzapur’ The Supreme Court sought responses from the Centre, Amazon Prime Video and Excel EntertainmentPvtLtdonapleawhichhasalleged that web series ‘Mirzapur’ has “completely tarnished” the historical and cultural image of the place by showing it as a “city of goons”. A Bench headed by Chief Justice SA Bobde issued notices on the plea which alleged that showing “shameless things” in the name of Mirzapur is an insult to the rich culture of the city. The petitioner, Mirzapur-resident Sujeet Kumar Singh, said he has filed the plea to protect the “historical and cultural value” of Mirzapur in Uttar Pradesh. “Mirzapur had rich cultural value but in 2018, Excel Entertainment has launched a web series named Mirzapur of nine episodes in which they have shown Mirzapur a city of goons and adulteress,” the plea said, adding, “By showing such ridicules and shameless things on the name of a city/district is the insult of approx. 30 lakh population and rich culture of Mirzapur”. During the hearing conducted through video-conferencing, the counsel appearing for the petitioner told the Bench that the plea has become infructuous as the web series has already been telecast. However, the Bench said it was issuing notices on the plea. The second season of the web series was released last year.

Man gets 9 months jail for molesting pregnant woman in Singapore A 26-year-old Indian painter in Singapore was sentenced to nine months in prison for molesting a pregnant woman after following her to a lift lobby, reported the Channel News Asia. The woman tried to escape, but Kota Durga Prasad blocked her several times and got into a lift with her where he hugged her, demanding her phone number repeatedly.

rule” supposedly perpetuated by the Telangana Rashtra Samiti and the AIMIM, as well as to the Asaf Jahi dynasty that ruled the princely state of Hyderabad from early 18th century until 1948 when it was incorporated into the Indian Union after a military operation. In the end, the BJP managed to secure 48 seats, a substantial increase from its earlier count of four seats. The Telangana Rashtra Samiti tally fell to 55 from 99 seats while the AIMIM remained at 44 seats. The results are an indication that voters in Hyderabad city responded positively to the rhetoric of communal propaganda couched in the language of development that the BJP has perfected over the years. The Hindutva history of Hyderabad-Deccan The manner in which the BJP presented the state’s past is not new. Starting from the

1990s, the BJP has demanded that September 17, 1948 – when Hyderabad-Deccan acceded to India – be celebrated as a day of “liberation” of Hyderabad from Asaf Jahi rule. During the agitation for a separate Telangana state carved out of Andhra Pradesh in the last two decades, the party also tried to present Osman Ali Khan, the last Nizam of the Asaf Jahi dynasty, as a man who oppressed the Telugu language. In the municipal elections, BJP leaders also presented the old quarters of the city as a Muslim enclave, against which they would conduct “surgical strikes” to weed out “anti-nationals”. To insert itself into the history of Telangana, BJP has also been claiming the legacy of the peasants’ struggle against feudalism in the late 1940s. That is the context in which to understand Amit Shah’s visit to Gundrampalli of Nalgonda district in 2017, a key area during the peasant uprising.

The origins of BJP’s claims The BJP’s narrative can be traced back to the 1930s when the Hindu Mahasabha (with whom the BJP shares a common ideologue in Vinayak Damodar Savarkar), the Arya Samaj and the Hyderabad State Congress began to take a serious interest in Hyderabad-Deccan. The Hindu Mahasabha and the Arya Samaj worked to create an image of an oppressive Muslim ruler lording over a subjugated Hindu populace. The Hyderabad State Congress maintained a public stance of being non-communal even if its membership and activities belied this stance. The Indian National Congress leader and Hyderabad native, Padmaja Naidu in a letter to MK Gandhi in November 1938 described the Hyderabad State Congress as communal and reported that the “original founders” of the party were all men with open association with communal organisations.

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INDIA

Saturday, January 23, 2021

India considering import duties hike by 5% - 10% Govt of India may rise import duties by 5%-10% on more than 50 items including smartphones, electronic components and appliances in the upcoming budget, three government sources privy to the discussions told Reuters on Monday. The move to increase import duties is part of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s self-reliant India campaign that aims to promote and support domestic manufacturing, said the sources, who asked not to be named as the discussions are not public.

One of the sources said the government was seeking to target additional revenue of about ₹200 billion to ₹210 billion, as it looks to shore up revenue amid the COVID-19 pandemic-driven slowdown that has stung the economy. Two of the government sources also said the duty increases could impact furniture and electric vehicles, potentially hurting the likes of Swedish furniture maker Ikea and Tesla, which is planning to launch its cars in India this year.

Ayodhya mosque project to start with flag hoisting on Republic Day Formal beginning of the construction of mosque in Ayodhya, in Uttar Pradesh, will be marked with a tree sapling plantation drive and raising of the national flag. The Indo-Islamic Cultural Foundation (IICF) trust, which is responsible for the construction of the mosque, said the ceremony to mark the beginning of the project will be held on 26 January. According to some media reports, the nine trustees of the foundation held a meeting on

January 17th, to discuss the programme. In the meeting, other issues such as the delay in getting clearances from the Income Tax Department and those for receiving foreign contributions were discussed. A new release from IICF, following the meeting, read that the tree plantation drive is aimed at creating awareness about climate change as a major challenge to humanity.

Tamil Nadu villagers celebrate inauguration of Kamala Harris Residents of the ancestral Indian village of Kamala Harris celebrated her inauguration as U.S. vice president on Wednesday by setting off firecrackers and distributing food. Thulasendrapuram, a leafy village about 320 km (200 miles) south of the city of Chennai, is where Harris’s maternal grandfather was born more than a century ago. Calendars featuring the faces of Biden and Harris have been distributed throughout the village by a co-operative. “A local politician conducted a special prayer

and villagers have been distributing sweets and letting off crackers since the morning,” said village shopkeeper G Manikandan. The scenes were in contrast to the sombre mood in Washington - locked down due to security concerns and the threat of the novel coronavirus - where Biden and Harris are due to be sworn in later on Wednesday. Harris, who was born to an Indian mother and a Jamaican father, both of whom immigrated to the United States to study, visited Thulasendrapuram when

Indian army specialists leaves for Russia for S-400 deal despite US caution After US warned India of sanctions if it went ahead with the purchase of Russian S-400 air defence systems, the Russian embassy hosted a team of Indian military specialists heading to Moscow. In his welcoming speech, Russian Ambassador Nikolay Kudashev not only described S-400 supplies as “one of the flagship projects” in Russian-Indian military and military-technical cooperation but listed a host of defence projects both nations are negotiating. “Your departure is marking a new stage in our strategic partnership,” Kudashev told the departing team. The Americans have made it clear to all of its allies and partners to forgo transactions with Russia as they risk triggering sanctions under the CAATSA (Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act) which does not have any blanket or country-specific waiver provision. The Ministry of External Affairs was resolute but restrained in its response. “India and the US have a comprehensive global

strategic partnership. India has a special and privileged strategic partnership with Russia,” said MEA spokesperson Anurag Srivastava when asked about the proposed S-400 purchase. “India has always pursued an independent foreign policy. This also applies to our defence acquisitions and supplies which are guided by our national security interests. We have not made any waiver determinations with respect to Indian transactions with Russia,” he had added. At the send-off function for the military specialists, Kudashev listed more joint projects – an AK-203 Kalashnikovs factory to make over seven lakh rifles in India, building of 200 Ka-226 also in India, upgrades to Su-30MKI and T-90 tanks besides frigates, submarines and missiles. The Russian ambassador said Russia and India are also involved in the joint development and production of military equipment, components and spare parts as well as technologies sharing, improving after-sales service system.

India’s ambassador to USA attends swearing-in ceremony of Joe Biden & Kamla Harris Indian Ambassador to USA, Taranjit Singh Sandhu actively participated in Swearing-in ceremony of new President of US Joe Biden and Vice President Kamla Harris. His role in US-India ties is crucial in new establishment of the USA. He is a seasoned diplomat who has played a key role during Trump regime.

“We look forward to working with President Biden’s administration in deepening our comprehensive global strategic partnership in a range of areas,” Sandhu said after the the inauguration c e r e m o n y .

Army jawan killed in Pakistani firing along LoC in J&K An unprovoked ceasefire violation by Pak army on the Line of Control (LoC) in Krishna Ghati Sector in Poonch district, J&K on Thursday. The Indian Army troops responded strongly to the enemy fire. In the incident, Havaldar Nirmal Singh of 10 JAK RIF was critically injured and later succumbed to his injuries. The Pakistan Army resorted to unprovoked firing along the LoC in the Krishna Ghati sector of Poonch, the officials said. The Indian Army responded to the enemy

fire in a befitting manner, they added. Havaldar Nirmal Singh of the 10 JAK Rifles unit of the Army was critically injured in the firing and subsequently succumbed to his injuries, the officials said. Singh was a brave, highly-motivated and sincere soldier, a defence spokesperson said, adding that the nation will always remain indebted to him for his supreme sacrifice and devotion.

Fans hail mentor Rahul Dravid as young guns shine in India’s win against Australia As Indian cricket fans across the globe rejoice India’s historic victory at the Gabba to seal a Test series win against Australia in Australia, former great and legend Rahul Dravid has been rightly remembered by many. On Twitter and other social media platforms, many have said that ‘The Wall’ also deserves the plaudits equally as does the backroom staff led by coach Ravi Shastri. The win came because of inspired performances by young guns like Rishabh Pant, Washington Sundar and Shubman Gill, all of who have played under Rahul Dravid at the Under-19 level. Dravid, who was a rock in the Indian middle order during

his playing days, is heading the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru where he grooms Indian players who play for the India A team and U-19 level. While Pant and Washington had played in the U-19 team in 2016, Gill who made a vital 91 opening the innings during the chase, had played in the 2018 team managed by Dravid. The win is significant in many respects with the team battling the odds as many of its frontline players were laid low due to injury and couldn’t play in the match. India’s regular captain Virat Kohli had already flown back after the first test for the birth of his child and the team was being led by Ajinkya Rahane for the remainder of the series.

Centre govt nod for Chenab hydel project despite Pakistan’s objection The Centre govt decided to go ahead with long-pending 850 megawatt Ratle hydroelectric power project on river Chenab in Jammu and Kashmir, despite objections raised by Pakistan govt. Manoj Sinha, Lieutenant Governor, J&K said the approval for the Rs 5,822 crore project came at a cabinet

meeting chaired by PM Modi earlier. Hydroelectric power project to be built near Drabshalla village in Kishtwar, former PM Manmohan Singh laid the foundation stone for the project in 2013. However, Pakistan govt objected to the construction of dam, claiming that it was not in conformity with the Indus Water Treaty.

FIJI

Saturday, January 23, 2021

Punjab Rs 5 lakh each to families of 4 Ludhiana farmers who died during protest Families of four farmers, who had died during the ongoing protests against the contentious farm laws, were on Thursday handed over Rs 5 lakh each in compensation. Deputy Commissioner Varinder Kumar Sharma said Rs 5 lakh was given to each of the four bereaved families on the directions of Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh.

He said the case of the fifth deceased farmer was under process and the compensation amount would be released shortly. Five farmers from Ludhiana district have so far lost their lives due to different reasons while participating in the protest against the controversial farm laws.

Drugs & weapons seized in Punjab 5.2 kg heroin, one AK-47 rifle and some valuables were seized by police in Gharinda area of Amritsar. Speaking to the media, SSP (Senior Superintendent, Police) Amritsar said, “5.2kg heroin, one AK-47 (sub-machine gun) with magazine and 7 live cartridges, one pistol

with magazine and 7 live cartridges were recovered from Gharinda area of Amritsar.” “An FIR has been registered under Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act and Arms Act. Search operations are underway,” he added.

Chickens found with avian flu symptoms in Mohali area, to be drstoryed Around 53,000 birds of two poultry farms in Mohali area to be culled after some samples from there testing positive for avian flu, a senior official said on Thursday. The reports of samples taken from two poultry farms at Behra village in Dera Bassi,

Mohali were received from the National Institute of High-Security Animal Diseases lab in Bhopal. “The culling of around 53,000 birds will either start today evening or tomorrow,” said V K Janjua, Additional Chief Secretary (Animal Husbandry and Dairy).

Farmer writes a letter to PM Modi’s mom Punjab farmer writes open letter PM Modi’s mother Hiraben Harpreet Singh, a farmer from village Golu Ka Moud in Ferozepur area, who was among three men arrested for trying to hold without permission protest in support of the farmers at the Ridge Maidan, Shimla – have written an open letter in the name of Hiraben Modi – mother of Prime Minister to

Narinder Modi. Added here that Karandeep Sandhu, Harpreet Singh and Gurpreet Singh from Punjab’s Mohali and Chandigarh were arrested under Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) section 107 (apprehension of breach of peace) and 151 (arrest to prevent cognizable offenses) as they had no permission either from the home department or from the deputy commissioner to hold the protest.

Pakistan Oxford-AstraZeneca’s Covid-19 vaccine may cost $6 to $7 in Pakistan The government is likely to bear $6 to $7 per dose of millions of shots if it opts to pick the Oxford-AstraZeneca’s Covid-19 vaccine, which has been approved by the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (Drap), though its sole authorised local distributor is at the moment unable to give a proper timeline for the supply, it emerged on Wednesday.

“Since the government has allowed it [the Oxford-AstraZeneca’s Covid-19 vaccine] and given us the nod to import the consignments, we have estimated that it would be available to the government for something between US$6 and US$7,” said Usman Ghani of the Sindh Medical Stores, one of the biggest importers of vaccines and other pharmaceutical products in Pakistan.

Hindu temple given protection Police were deployed to protect Hindu temple in KPK province, days after a leader of minority community demanded protection for the place of worship fearing an attack by some mischievous elements who wanted to occupy its land. The move comes after officials of the District Evacuee Property Trust Committee and District Revenue in a meeting with theDeputy

Commissioner, Abbotabad, held that Havelian temple in Abbottabad district is a historic religious structure and needs protection. On the recommendations of the officials in the meeting, Deputy Commissioner Mughees Sanaullah directed deployment of police personnel at the temple site for its protection.

Internal report alleges China may have made huge profits from CPEC at the cost of locals An internal report submitted recently to Pakistan’s Prime Minister Imran Khan has made sensational allegation that China may made huge profits at the cost of its all-weather ally from CPEC projects. The reality investments in the China

Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) has been revealed in a 278-page report titled “Committee for Power Sector Audit, Circular Debt Reservation, and Future Road Map” which lists malpractices to the tune of $ 625 million in the independent power generating sector.

Journalists face charges for criticizing army It was a normal day in September 2020 for a journalist Asad Ali Toor, who started his morning with fresh newspaper and cup of tea. But when Toor turned to page three, he was shocked to see an F.I.R (First Information Report) in police, had been registered against him. Toor was being charged with spreading “negative propaganda” against state of Pakistan and its institutions through social media under the Pakistan Electronic Crimes Act 2016 (PECA). Since it was passed in 2016, PECA has been

heavily criticized by civil society in Pakistan as a draconian tool used to muzzle free speech. The act criminalizes speech considered “blasphemous,” along with speech that criticizes state institutions, which are colloquially referred in Pakistan as “the establishment.” PECA’s reach was recently extended with a new section inserted into Pakistan’s penal code stipulating up to two years in prison and a fine of over €2,500 ($3,018) for anyone that “intentionally ridicules, brings into disrepute or defames the Armed Forces of Pakistan” or its members.

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600 families affected by TC Yasa to get assistance after a donation by Panamex, New Zealand 600 families affected by Cyclone Yasa will soon receive much-needed assistance after a donation of $40,000 worth of products by Panamex New Zealand in partnership with their distribution partners Tappoo Group. The donation was made to Fiji-based NGO Sai Prema Foundation who will include the products as part of their relief packs.

The products donated include canned baked beans and spaghetti, sanitary pads, children’s diapers, mosquito coils, batteries, washing powder and juice packs. Panamex New Zealand’s Sales and Marketing Manager Stephen Precious says the Sai Prema Foundation has been doing wonderful work and we have confidence in them that they will distribute these products to those with the most need.

Australia provides more relief supplies to Fiji More relief supplies have arrived from Australia to refill warehouses that were exhausted following Cyclone Yasa and to ensure Fiji is ready to respond to any future humanitarian emergency. The Royal Australian Air Force C-17 aircraft landed at the Nadi International

Airport with a delivery of humanitarian relief supplies from the Australian Government. The C-17 aircraft, which is the largest aircraft operated by the Australian Defence Force, was received by Major Damien Tudehope and Natasha Verma from the Australian High Commission.

Corrections Centres in Fiji overcrowded by 12% The Corrections Centres in Fiji are overcrowded by 12% as the approved capacity is a population of 2129 however there are currently 2379 inmates in the centres. This has been revealed by the Director Rehabilitation, Salote Panapasa at the Sow a Seed Program today. Panapasa says out of the total number of inmates in prison, 571

are between the age of 17 to 25. She says 474 are remand inmates and 1659 are convicted prisoners. Under the program, six volunteers have come forward to mentor young offenders between the age of 17 to 25 this year to help them embark on a life changing journey to sow seeds of hope when they get back into the society after serving their time.

NGO Coalition calls for stronger accountability NGO Coalition calls for stronger accountability but Commission says Fiji should face the same level of scrutiny as all other countries. The NGO Coalition on Human Rights Chair, Nalini Singh is calling for stronger accountability and commitment to human

rights in Fiji however the Director of Human Rights and Anti-Discrimination Commission, Ashwin Raj says Fiji should face the same level of scrutiny as all other countries in terms of it’s human rights record. The United Nations Human Rights Council has elected Fiji’s ambassador Nazhat Shameem as its 2021 President.

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Saturday, January 23, 2021

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Saturday, January 23, 2021

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Saturday, January 23, 2021

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