The Asian Star November 6 2021 by The Asian Star Newspaper

www.theasianstar.com Vol 20 - Issue 39

Saturday, November 6, 2021

87-year-old South Asian woman becomes oldest person to receive master’s degree from York University She’s a mother of four, grandmother of seven, and now the oldest person to receive a master’s degree from York University. Varatha Shanmuganathan, 87, received her masters of arts from the Ontario university on Tuesday afternoon in a virtual convocation due to the pandemic.

“I am humble and proud,” she said. It’s actually Shanmuganathan’s second master’s degree, but although her achievement at this age may seem surprising to some, her family said it’s in line with the woman they know. “We’re very proud of her,” Continued on page 8

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Premier John Horgan says growth in throat is cancer He says he will need to start radiation treatment in the next couple of weeks, which will conclude near the end of December. Premier John Horgan said Thursday that the growth in his throat is cancerous and he will have to undergo radiation treatment. “The surgery and biopsy that were done last week were successful and I am grateful to the amazing health-care team for all the support I’ve received,” he said in a statement. “The pathology confirmed that the growth in my throat was cancerous.” Horgan stressed that his prognosis is good and he expects to make a full recovery. He will need to start radiation treatment in the next couple of weeks. The premier expects to have completed the treatment toward the end of December. Continued on page 3

Investigation against Hong Kong immigrant earning $40K/Yr bought $32M worth of real estate in Vancouver

Lest we forget

Lest We Forget

November 11, 1919

A man who was making $40,000 a year was flagged by authorities after purchasing $32 million of real estate in Vancouver. The Commission of Inquiry into Money Laundering in B.C. examined the man, who bought nine properties after $114 million was transferred from offshore accounts. According to a case study, the man reported a “steady annual income peaking at the CAD equivalent of $40,615,” and a family member

“was employed as a clerk with undisclosed income.” The document said that together they were able to amass the equivalent of $1.26 million to come to Canada from China. Authorities were alerted to possible money laundering when they noticed a discrepancy between the amount transferred and the amount of their income. The document said it was not only the man’s personal bank account that had suspicious transfers — he also used Continued on page 5

Elon Musk is willing to give UN $6 billion to fight world hunger — on one condition Elon Musk, whose net worth has ballooned by more than $140 billion this year, thanks largely to the skyrocketing value of his electric automaker — tweeted Sunday that he was willing to consider a proposal from a United Nations official who said that a $6 billion donation from one of the world’s wealthiest people could help stop world hunger. Last week, David

Beasley, the director of the UN’s World Food Programme, told CNN that it was time for the ultra-wealthy to “step up now, on a one-time basis” in order to “help 42 million people that are literally going to die if we don’t reach them.” He specifically mentioned Musk and Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos, the two richest men in the world.

Late Jassi Sidhu’s widower gives evidance in Punjab Court against his slain wife’s mother & uncle Jassi Sidhu was murdered while visiting the man she secretly married against the wishes of her family, her husband has appeared in a Punjab courtroom to give his testimony and be cross-examined as a witness in the case. This marked the first time Sukhwinder Singh, known as Mithu, was face to face with his slain wife’s mother and uncle since he and his wife were ambushed and attacked on June 8, 2000. Jassi’s mother, Malkit Kaur Sidhu and her maternal uncle, Surjit Singh Badesha, who were both extradited to India in 2019, are accused of ordering the killing of the 25-yearContinued on page 10

Deeply unfair’ to blame climate crisis on India and China, campaigners say Campaigners have condemned “deeply unfair” attempts to “shift blame” for the climate crisis onto middle-income countries including India and China. Global Justice Now, a British-based NGO campaigning for a just transition to a sustainable world, said today that, while India

and China have important climate action to take, rich countries have “a moral and historic obligation to act first.” The group pointed out that this country’s cumulative historic emissions per capita are 5.5 times higher than those of China and 20 times higher than India’s.

Global Justice Now called for Britain to “build trust” by making emissions cuts of its own, committing to contribute a fair share of climate finance and reforming the global trade system to prevent fossil fuel companies from “suing their way out of climate action.”

Saturday, November 6, 2021

Vancouver police respond to 4,550 calls over Halloween weekend Vancouver police say they had a busy Halloween weekend that saw them respond to thousands of calls, including dozens of serious crimes. Vancouver police said more than 215 extra officers were deployed during what proved to be one of the busiest stretches they’ve experienced since the start of the pandemic.

Officers responded to a homicide, a fatal hit and run as well a number of other violent incidents, serious injuries and sexual assaults. Police said a man was killed in a rollover collision near Fraser Street and East 55th Avenue around 11 p.m. Saturday that left one person dead and two others in hospital.

Sexual predator arrested in White Rock A sexual predator arrested in White Rock last year has received prison sentence of seven-and-a-half years after he was found guilty of 17 charges, including sexual assault. Jack Kelley, 35, was the subject of a nationwide manhunt in 2020, for warrants related to sexual assault, assault and unlawful confinement. He was sentenced in B.C. Provincial Court on October 18, and the outcome of the hearing was recently shared with Burnaby RCMP. “After months of investigation, coordination and painstaking effort, we’ve reached a successful conclusion and I commend everyone involved,” said Insp. Matt Toews in a Monday news statement. Some details of the court case, including the identity of the victim, are covered by a publication ban. Burnaby RCMP first asked for public assistance in locating Kelley in February 2020 in response to two Canada-wide warrants and one warrant out of

Burnaby. At the time, Kelley — known to police — was thought to be living in Burnaby under court orders not to date or engage in any intimate relationships with women until his bail supervisor had informed that person of his recognizance. In July, the Mounties arrested Kelley in White Rock and took him into custody. He then faced 15 charges, including assault causing bodily harm, uttering threats and sexual assault. He was convicted two weeks ago on 17 charges: one count each of assault, sexual assault and criminal harassment, and two counts each of assault causing bodily harm, unlawful confinement, uttering threats and attempting to obstruct justice. “We cannot undo the harm this man has caused, but we can and will always strive for justice and community safety,” Towes said.

Vancouver Canucks showcasing local Punjabi artists A Punjabi musician from Surrey is getting ready to perform at Rogers Arena this Friday as the Vancouver Canucks celebrate Diwali. For the fifth year, the team will be commemorating the festival predominantly celebrated by Hindus, Jains, Sikhs and some Buddhists by highlighting cultural elements, artists, and activities throughout the evening. Performing during the intermissions will be, Intense, a Surrey-based producer who’s worked with some big-time names. And he says after years of working in the music industry, “it’s finally nice to get noticed.” He hopes performing in front of so many people after such a long break due to the pandemic will help him reach a bigger

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audience who may not be familiar with Punjabi music. “The goal with a lot of the music that I create nowadays is to actually connect with the people that are non-Desi. With how music has advanced like the Latin culture and stuff like that, I feel like Punjabi music is kind of the next up when it comes to becoming coming commercial and mainstream,” he said adding, “If you might not understand the Punjabi language, but I’m pretty sure you’re going to like the beats.” Intense says he is thankful the Vancouver team gave him the opportunity to actually show people that Punjabi musicians “make some pretty fire music.”

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Saturday, November 6, 2021

South Asian man who fatally strangled his pregnant wife granted unescorted leaves from prison Mukhtiar Panghali murdered his pregnant wife Manjit Panghali in 2006. Both were Surrey school teachers. A former Surrey high school teacher who murdered his wife and burned her body on a rural beach in Delta in an attempt to destroy the evidence has been granted unescorted temporary absences from prison for one year. According to a Parole Board of Canada document, Mukhtiar Panghali, now 49, has been granted leave for “family contacts” following a hearing by videoconference on Oct. 7. The plan has been authorized for one year, on the Correctional Service of Canada’s recommendation. “At your hearing, you indicated that since your last hearing, you have thought more about accountability and responsibility, and how even describing your offence as a mistake is wrong,” the decision document reads. “You indicated that this sentence has been a journey in you correcting your beliefs and thoughts, and you want to work on this for the rest of your life. You take full responsibility for your actions.” The Cloverdale resident, who taught physics at Princess Margaret Secondary was found guilty of second-degree murder and interfering with a dead body, following a trial in B.C. Supreme Court in New Westminster in 2010. In January 2011, Justice Heather Holmes sentenced him to life in prison with no eligibility to apply for parole until after he’d served 11 years. He got four years credit for time served awaiting trial, otherwise it would have been 15 years. During the trial, Crown prosecutor Dennis Murray laid out the Crown’s theory that the teacher killed his wife after she’d returned home from a prenatal

Elections Canada probed how many Canadians have a ‘conspiracy mindset’ Elections Canada was curious to know how many Canadians believed in conspiracy theories in the lead up to the recent federal vote. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau had two years left in his minority mandate in August when he plunged the country into an election while a fourth wave of COVID-19 raged. Protesters opposed to public health measures like masking and mandatory vaccinations staged demonstrations, some of them following Trudeau as he crisscrossed the country, hurling obscenities at him and, at one point, even gravel. Months before triggering the vote, the federal agency in charge of running elections commissioned its first stand-alone survey into the level of trust Canadians had in the electoral process. That included finding out how many held a “conspiracy mindset.”

Premier John Horgan says growth in throat is cancer From page 1

“During that time, I will continue to participate virtually in briefings, cabinet meetings, and other important meetings like the Council of the Federation. For in-person events, minister Mike Farnworth and other cabinet ministers may attend in my place,” he said. “I would, again, like to thank everyone who sent their well wishes. Your support gives me strength and humbles me. I look forward to being back in the legislature and travelling in the new year.” In late October, Horgan released the news that a growth had been detected in his throat but that he had “been here before,” reference his previous battle with cancer. In his 40s, Horgan had been diagnosed with bladder cancer but underwent surgery and recovered.

yoga class, staged the discovery of her car in Whalley, burned her body on a remote beach along DeltaPort causeway in South Delta, and then delayed for as long as he could to lodge a missing persons complaint with the Surrey RCMP. He strangled his wife of nine years Manjit Panghali, 31, who was a teacher at North Ridge Elementary, on Oct. 18, 2006. She was four months pregnant at the time, and the couple’s daughter was three years old. Had he not cheaped out by using his wife’s cellphone after killing her, or snuck out in the dead of night to a local store and then lied about it later, Panghali might have gotten away with murder.

Halloween fireworks lead to restless night for many in Metro Vancouver despite bans Some Lower Mainland residents may have woken up tired on Monday morning after a restless night full of fireworks. They’re banned in several cities, but pyrotechnics still rang out into the early hours of the morning in many neighbourhoods. This was the Vancouver’s first Halloween under a fireworks ban, but that didn’t deter some people. A slew of videos on social media depicts a steady stream of loud and colourful displays lighting up the downtown skyline Sunday night. One video shows people shooting fireworks across open fields, toward people, and across the street from residential towers. It’s unclear if the people lighting them off had a permit to do so. Anyone

caught selling, using, or even possessing fireworks in Vancouver could receive a fine of up to $1,000. Buying fireworks without a permit is now illegal in Vancouver, Richmond, Burnaby and Surrey, though some exceptions are in place for religious celebrations. The District of North Vancouver is also considering a similar bylaw. In other cities, a permit is required and they’re only allowed until 10 p.m. Vancouver police say the Halloween weekend was extremely busy with lots of fights, drunkenness, assaults, and disorder. More details on the number and nature of tickets issued are expected.

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OPINION By Jay Goldberg

Saturday, November 6, 2021

Trudeau government needs to usher in a censorship reset

Rarely, in the history of Confederation, have so many, from so many points on the political spectrum, been so unified in opposition to one specific policy. Before the last election, the Trudeau government’s proposed internet regulations provoked opposition from

journalists, academics, civil liberties groups, women’s advocacy organizations, librarians, privacy experts, research think tanks, concerned citizens and scores of others. Rather than consulting Canadians and taking time to thoughtfully listen to the responses, former heritage minister Steven Guilbeault ignored

critics and tried to rush through legislation that ultimately died on the order paper when Parliament dissolved for an election. Now newly appointed Heritage Minister Pablo Rodriguez has a fresh parliament and the government has an opportunity to change course. Rodriguez needs to listen to Canadians and rethink the government’s heavy-handed approach to internet regulation. Critics have raised well-founded concerns about the federal government’s plan to alter broadcast regulations and introduce new online harms measures. The Independent Press Gallery announced it opposes the government’s proposals and expressed “serious concern to the harmful effects on freedom of expression and principles of law that will ensue if the government moves forward with the proposal.” The Canadian Association of Research Libraries argued “the proposed approach to regulating social media and combatting harmful content online needs a great deal of critical rethinking and caution.” OpenMedia called the government’s efforts “dangerously misguided.” Why are experts from coast to coast sounding the alarm bells? First, the Trudeau government’s legislation would empower bureaucrats to regulate Canadians’ social media feeds. Bureaucrats in their ivory towers in Ottawa would have a say over what we see in our news feeds on sites like Facebook and Twitter. Does the government really expect Canadians to be comfortable with a proposal one might expect to see in communist China rather than a democratic nation like Canada? Had the government listened to the experts, it could have proposed regulations that promoted Canadian content while leaving user-generated content untouched, as has been done in the European Union. Second, the Trudeau government’s legislation would impose 24 hour takedown requirements when potentially harmful content is flagged. Companies could face million-dollar fines if they fail to act in less than a day. Jay Goldberg is the Interim Ontario Director for the Canadian Taxpayers Federation.

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LOCAL

Saturday, November 6, 2021 From page 1

Investigation against Hong Kong immigrant earning $40K/Yr bought $32M worth of real estate in Vancouver

members’ accounts to deposit millions of dollars. According to BIV, he used his wife, child and mother to transfer money from Hong Kong-based depositors to luxury real estate in Vancouver and at least one shell company based in the Bahamas. Between April 2006 and November 2014, the man and his family members received about $114 million from Hong Kong, BIV added. A lot of this money was moved through what the document refers to as “Company A.” This company is an “investment holding company listed in the Bahamas and beneficially owned by the mother,” according to BIV. The document also showed that the wife had “ordered transfers from institutions listed in Switzerland, China,

Singapore and Canada.” “Unless they made considerably more before the majority of funds began to come to Canada in 2010, [the man] and his family did not have sufficient resources to account for the funds they transferred,” said the document. The document lists nine properties that were purchased. Exact details are redacted in the document, but it does show that the homes were priced in the millions and refers to “the child” as buying a $14 million home. “Commissioner Austin Cullen heard closing submissions this month and is expected to submit a final report in December, with findings and recommendations that could include real estate regulations and anticorruption measures,” said BIV.

Metro Vancouver’s living wage $20.52 per hour but minimum wage is only $15 per hour The living wage in BC just went up and if you live in Metro Vancouver, it’s now $5 more than the rest of the province. Metro Vancouver’s living wage is at $20.52 per hour, which is way higher than the B.C. minimum wage of $15.20 — that’s the equivalent of $37,346 annual salary. A report from Living Wage for Families B.C. found the living wage by calculating the hourly amount that each of two working parents with two young children must earn to meet their basic expenses. Anastasia French, Living Wage for Families BC organizer,

said that “the reality is that a number of families across B.C. earn less than a living wage and struggle to make ends meet with the rising cost of living, especially the cost of housing.” The wage is based on what it takes to cover basic things like rent, food, child care and transportation. Family expenses like these in Metro Vancouver and Victoria rose by 7% and 6.8% respectively, the report said, which is more than the rate of general inflation (4.7%) over the same time span. The annual report provided the living wage amount for 14 communities in B.C.

Catalytic converters are being stolen in BC because of loophole in the law A B.C. law passed 10 years ago to put a stop to metal thefts doesn’t cover vehicle catalytic converters, a “loophole” that allows thieves to sell them to scrap dealers without the same scrutiny as for other regulated metals. Thefts of the emission-control units quadrupled in B.C. over the past five years, to 1,061 last year from 270 in 2016, costing ICBC around $2 million in claim payouts and car owners hundreds of dollars each for their comprehensive deductibles. And there’s been another 50 per cent increase in the number of thefts that ICBC paid out in claims this year so far, prompting Richmond RCMP, with 238 thefts this year, and Vancouver police, with 425, to warn car owners to park their cars in well-lit areas or in a locked garage or yard. Coquitlam RCMP said in a news release that the significant increase in the price of the precious metals inside the converters — platinum, palladium and especially rhodium — has made them a popular target for thieves. Rhodium, one of earth’s rarest precious metals, is priced this week at $11,000 an ounce, up from $780 five years ago. It hit an eye-watering $29,800 an ounce in March. A converter has just a gram or two of rhodium, but police say the price hike is driving up thefts.

It’s “due mostly to high prices for precious metals, particularly rhodium, which is currently in short supply and high demand,” Tracy Shaw, CEO of the Canadian Association of Recycling Industries, said in an email. A scrap dealer will pay up to $1,000 for a converter, depending on its origin and condition, said Jan Dimant, co-owner of Capital Salvage, who gets offered catalytic converters for sale several times a day. Most are from a legitimate source, such as a mechanic or hobbyist who has dissembled a car, she said. “If someone shows up and it appears to be stolen, we will not touch it,” she said. “But there’s nothing stopping them going to any number of other scrap yards.” There is no legal requirement for scrap dealers to record a converter purchase, as there are for other metals under the B.C. Metal Dealers and Recyclers Act. The act was a response to rising thefts of metals such as copper tubing or wiring from construction yards or public street lights, and required dealers to record purchases of certain metals the same day they are made, along with sellers’ names, and to send the summary to police. Police would then compare those reports to those of reported thefts and if there was a match, get a court order to obtain the seller’s name.

90 per cent of critically-ill patients in ICU in BC not vaccinated Nearly 90 per cent of people in critical care with COVID-19 were not fully vaccinated, says an update from B.C.’s health minister. In a tweet on Wednesday, Adrian Dix provided a breakdown of the province’s most seriously ill COVID-19 patients by age and vaccination status. Out of 137 people in intensive care, 116 had not received a jab of a COVID-19 vaccine, while four were partly vaccinated.

Among the unvaccinated patients, about 46 per cent are 50 and older. Younger people in their 30s and 40s also made up a significant chunk of the seriously ill, comprising 28 per cent. The data also shows 17 breakthrough cases — cases among the fully vaccinated — in ICU. Among these, the majority, or 14 cases, are in people ages 60 to 79 who were immunized early in the vaccination campaign. The remaining three cases are patients in their 20s, 30s and 50s.

Nearly 600 people died due to record-setting heat wave in BC last summer Nearly 600 British Columbians died due to extreme heat this summer, most of them in their homes. The B.C. Coroners Service released updated data Monday showing that recordsetting temperatures from summer 2021 have led to the deaths of at least 595 people. That’s an increase from the preliminary finding in July of

569 deaths. About 88 per cent of the heat-related deaths occurred during the unprecedented heat dome that scorched much of B.C. and devastated the community of Lytton, which was razed by a devastating wildfire on June 30. Between June 25 and July 1, at least 526 people died from heatrelated conditions.

Saturday, November 6, 2021

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Saturday, November 6, 2021 From page 1

NOV 11 Remembrance Day

87-year-old South Asian woman becomes oldest person to receive master’s degree from York University

her,” Priya Merritt, her daughter, said. “But we’re actually not surprised. She’s always talked about how age is not a barrier in life, just like race and gender should not be.” Born in Sri Lanka, Shanmuganathan’s love of learning was encouraged by her parents. “I was the only daughter and there were three brothers,” she said. “I was treated the same way. They knew I was someone who was studious and wanted to learn more.” She went off university in India, returning to teach in Sri Lanka, where she met her husband, also a teacher. The couple soon left for jobs in Africa and England.

“We have lived in different cultures, different countries, different climates,” she said. And she’s seen the effects of war in her own country, and in Ethiopia when its civil war began in the 1970s. “We were right there in the middle of it,” she said. “We watched it.” Shanmuganathan says those experiences, coupled with the teachings of Gandhi, the Dalai Lama and Nelson Mandela, led her to pursue her second master’s degree at York. She wrote her research paper on the civil war in Sri Lanka and the prospect of peace. “All of us human beings should be treated equally,” she said. “This is the message I want to give.” Her next plan is to write a book — proving that age is truly just a number.

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Air Canada suspends more than 800 unvaccinated workers under new federal rules Airline says 96% of employees are fully vaccinated. Air Canada has suspended more than 800 employees for not being fully vaccinated against COVID-19 in line with federal rules. The vast majority of Air Canada’s 27,000 cabin crew, customer service agents and others have received both shots, chief executive Michael Rousseau said Tuesday. “Our employees have done their part, with now over 96 per cent fully vaccinated,” he said on a conference call with investors. “The employees who are not vaccinated or do not have a medical or other permitted exemption have been put on unpaid leave.” The layoffs are “across the company” rather than concentrated in any particular job, spokesperson Peter

Fitzpatrick said in an email. The proportions align with those at WestJet Airlines, where fewer than four per cent of workers — less than 300 out of 7,300 — are unvaccinated, the company said in an email. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced last month that as of Oct. 30, Ottawa would require federally regulated air, rail and shipping companies to establish mandatory vaccination policies for employees. Air Canada said it sees hope on the horizon as revenues soared over 2020 levels last quarter amid stronger sales for winter, despite continuing to operate far below pre-pandemic capacity and at a loss of hundreds of millions of dollars. Domestic leisure bookings have bounced back, prompting a recall of more than 10,000 laid-off employees since the start of the year

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Saturday, November 6, 2021 From page 1

Late Jassi Sidhu’s widower gives evidance in Punjab Court against his slain wife’s mother & uncle

The pair’s lawyer Simrandeep Singh told Global News that in his cross-examination, Mithu was unable to remember some of the specific details he was asked about. “[Mithu’s] deposition has not been very supportive of the prosecution case when 30 to 40 per cent of consciousness weeks later the questions he says he told Global News they don’t does not remember. The know how he survived his prosecution has to prove injuries. In his testimony beyond a reasonable doubt and cross-examination this and if he doesn’t remember week, Mithu, who is in prison things then their case on unrelated drug-related is doubtful,” Singh said. offences, blamed Kaur and Sidhu was released on bail Badesha for the murder of his in December of 2020 due wife and the attack that was to time served, according allegedly meant to kill him. “I to Singh, and Badesha’s have been facing threats from bail application is fixed the relatives of my deceased for Nov. 9. The case, Jassi Sidhu wife and police have been which has dragged on for registering false cases against over two decades in part me. But I have faith in the Indian Judicial because the crime and the love story at the system and that I would get justice soon,” centre of it span two continents, is the focus of Mithu said outside of court on Wednesday, this week’s Global Television’s true crime series according to The Tribune newspaper. In Crime Beat. Those who knew Jassi and have their testimony, Jassi’s mother and uncle said dedicated much of their lives to fighting for they did not approve of her marriage with what they believe justice means for her, help Mithu, who is from a poorer family, but they take us through the timeline of the tragedy, the deny having any involvement in her murder. complicated court process that would follow and

Maple Ridge woman. It was a gruesome attack where Jassi was tied to a chair, beaten and killed in a horrifying twist to what was meant to be a time of celebration for the newlyweds. Mithu was badly beaten and knocked unconscious; some journalists who interviewed Mithu when he regained

how Jassi’s story continues to live on today.

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Saturday, November 6, 2021

More than 3,000 unvaccinated health workers in BC on unpaid leave - Health Minister Adrian Dix B.C. health officials said Monday that 3,325 health-care workers, or about 2.6 per cent of the workforce, are not yet vaccinated against COVID-19 and have been placed on unpaid leave. Health Minister Adrian Dix said that as of midnight Sunday, about 122,000 of B.C.’s 127,500 health-care workers have been fully vaccinated, or

almost 96 per cent. Another 2,064 workers have received one dose, while the remainder is not vaccinated and on leave. Hospitals across the province are facing staffing pressures, including those in Kamloops, Abbotsford, North Vancouver, Richmond and New Westminster, Dix said, and as a result, surgeries are being postponed.

BC formally asks Ottawa for exemption to decriminalize illicit drug possession British Columbia is asking the federal government for an exemption from the criminal penalties for people who possess small amounts of illicit drugs for personal use. After an announcement last April, the province has officially become the first to ask Ottawa for the exemption from Health Canada under Section 56 (1) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act. The application would decriminalize personal possession of up to 4.5 grams of

illicit drugs, including heroin and fentanyl. “Substance use and addiction is a public health issue, not a criminal one,” Minister of Mental Health and Addictions Sheila Malcolmson said Monday in a news release. If the federal government grants the request, British Columbians caught with less than 4.5 grams would be provided with information around accessing addiction and health services.

Home prices doubled in Greater Vancouver over 10 years with townhouses posting biggest increase Here’s why many Vancouver homeowners are likely happy over their decision to buy property. A residential property purchased 10 years ago has doubled in value. Latest numbers from the Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver show that the benchmark price of a typical home rose in October 2021 to $1,199,400. The figure represents a 14.7 percent increase over October 2020, and a 1.1 percentincrease compared to September 2021. When

compared to 10 years ago, the $1,199,400 price last month marks a 95.6 percent increase. The price is a composite of prices of all types of homes, namely detached, townhouses, and condos. As for detached houses, the benchmark price in October 2021 increased to $1,850,500. That’s a 20.5 percent increase from October 2020; 1.2 percent up from September 2021; and a 95.4 percent increase from 10 years ago.

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Saturday, November 6, 2021

Actor Puneeth Rajkumar dies aged 46 after suffering from cardiac arrest Indian actor Puneeth Rajkumar has died aged 46 after suffering cardiac arrest on Friday, according to a statement from Vikram Hospital in the city of Bangalore. “Mr. Puneet Rajkumar, aged 46 years was

brought to Vikram Hospital on 29/10/21 with a diagnosis of heart attack with ECG done by a family doctor. At the time of arrival to the emergency, the patient was unresponsive and was in cardiac asystole,” the Vikram Hospital statement read.

When Deepika was shooting ‘Lungi Dance’ Ranveer Singh revealed while dancing with contestant Divyansh on ‘Lungi Dance’ that he was trying to impress Deepika Padukone while shooting for this track. He was interacting with the contestant in the show ‘The Big Picture’, hosted by Ranveer. During the weekend episode, Divyansh will be answering the questions asked by the host Ranveer Singh and also they will be having conversations about their fathers. As Divyansh opens up to Ranveer about how his father has supported him in his struggles, the host also reveals how his father has deeply contributed

to his success. Divyansh also told Ranveer that he is the first person from his village to become a Civil Engineer. He hails from Uttar Pradesh. Both Ranveer and Divyansh in a conversation opened up about their life struggles. Divyansh shared about the hardships his father faced to get him a good education. Ranveer also told how his father struggled financially when he went to study in America. He further mentioned how his father never made him realise the troubles he and his mother went through and can relate to Divyansh’s story. Ranveer also danced with Divyansh on ‘Lungi Dance’ song. Ranveer revealed that he was trying to impress Deepika Padukone when she was shooting for this song. Ranveer said: “During the shoot of this song, I was on the sets as I was trying to woo Deepika.”

Diwali celebrations in Bollywood Just like every year, this year also Amitabh Bachchan to Aamir Khan, Abhishek Bachchan, Shilpa Shetty, Genelia D’Souza, Riteish Deshmukh, Sara Ali Khan, Kim Sharma, Soha Ali Khan, Neha Dhupia, Jacqueline Fernandez and Vicky Kaushal, a lot of celebs posted pictures from their Diwali festivities along with heartwarming wishes for their fans on Instagram. Amitabh Bachchan used a black and white throwback picture of himself, wife Jaya Bachchan and daughter Shweta for his Diwali-special post and simply captioned it: “Happy Diwali.” On his Twitter profile, Big B shared a throwback picture featuring wife Jaya Bachchan, son Abhishek, daughter-inlaw Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and granddaughter Aaradhya and wrote: “To the several that have sent wishes on this auspicious day, my gratitude and grace .. it shall be impossible to respond individually to all, so kindly take this as my thankful response.” Akshay says, “ I’ve done a lot of action in my career…hanging from helicopters, jumping across buildings, crazy bike chases. #Sooryavanshi is special to me in more ways than one, it is my ode to that old school action but on a grander scale,releasing in cinemas tomorrow Popcorn#1DayToSooryavanshi

Saturday, November 6, 2021

Smiling Salman Salman Khan was often asked about his marriage plans and revealed several times that he did not believe in the marriage, but it did not stop rumors about his marriage. Now he has now revisited his marriage question. Arbaaz Khan Talk show Pinch season 2 The premiere episode aired, with Salman as a guest. During the show, Arbaaz means tweeting guests and stimulating their reaction. He admitted that some of the comments made on social media were overly mean. Arbaaz also read the average comment made by netizens on social media over a year ago.

Bharat mein sab jaante hain ke tu Dubai mein apni biwi Noor aur 17 saal ki beti ke saathhai. Bharat ke log ko kab tak murkh banaiga (Where are you hiding, coward? I know you are in Dubai with your wife and 17 year old daughter all over India. How long have we been? Do you want to cheat? “ After hearing this comment, Salman Khan was initially surprised. He asked, “Who is this for?” Arbaaz Khan then assured Dabangster that the comments were actually directed at him. After that, Salman said: This is all garbage. I don’t know who they talked about

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LOCAL / NATIONAL Police announce charges after new evidence found in 1989 sexual assault in Vancouver

Police in Vancouver believe they have cracked a nearly 33-year-old case involving the sexual assault of a teenager. Const. Tania Visintin says the assault happened in February 1989, when the young victim was pulled into a car in east Vancouver and attacked. Some evidence was gathered at the time but the victim was never able to identify a suspect. Visintin says officers were given new information about the case in 2017. She says a team of investigators tracked

the clues to a 55-year-old man now living in Ottawa and arrested him last month. Visintin says the man remains in custody and the B.C. Prosecution Service has now approved charges of sexual assault, assault, uttering threats, forcible confinement and theft under $5,000. Start your day with a roundup of B.C.focused news and opinion delivered straight to your inbox at 7 a.m., Monday to Friday by subscribing to our Sunrise newsletter here .

Two Canadians must each repay more than $100,000 in benefits for 22 fake children If you hope to claim the Canada Child Benefit (CCB), you’d better actually have children and not fraudulently make them up unless you want to spend time behind bars, warns the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA). Case in point: two Canadians will be spending up to the next two years in jail or home confinement and will have to repay over $100,000 each for fraudulently claiming child benefits for a combined 22 fake

children for years before being caught by the tax agency. In September, Cornwall, Ont., resident Patrick Paquette was sentenced to 22 months of house arrest followed by a curfew after pleading guilty to one count of fraud related to significant CCB fraud. The CCB is a tax-free monthly payment that pays up to $569.41 per month to assist parents with the cost of raising a child.

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Anti-maskers, vaccine passport protesters storm Canadian Tire in Nanaimo A boatload of anti-maskers and antivaccine passport protesters walked into a Nanaimo Canadian Tire Monday night, causing the store to close early and resulting in a significant police response. The event was organized and led by Chris Sky, a man who wrote a book about what he calls restrictions on Canadian freedoms. The incident began at a Nanaimo park Monday, a scheduled stop for Sky on his “No Vax Pass” tour of Vancouver Island. What followed was he and other supporters going to a Canadian Tire and parading through the store without their masks. “We are absolutely enjoying our freedom here. Ladies and gentlemen look at this. Absolutely everybody maskfree. This is insane. This is what we call freedom,” said Sky, while walking the aisles. Police say they were called to a disturbance at the store of a COVID-19

anti-mask group of up to 200 people. “They went inside the store. They expected to be dealt with by an employee. The management of the store decided to remove most of the employees for their safety and kept just a skeleton staff,” said Const. Gary O’Brien of Nanaimo RCMP. “The protestors went through the self-checkout. They lasted about half an hour. They didn’t steal anything. They weren’t antagonistic and they left shortly thereafter.” A livestream video shows dozens of people arriving at the store after police were already on scene. Police let the group, all not wearing masks, to pass by them and enter the store. “The RCMP is here. They walked us inside. They’re here with other local police and they’re 100 per cent supportive,” said Sky on the livestream.

UBC signals plans for larger Fraser Valley presence with purchase of Surrey site The University of B.C.’s purchase of a prime site in Surrey signals its plans for a larger presence in the Fraser Valley, but there are no immediate plans for a full satellite campus. President Santa Ono said developing the nearly three-acre, $70-million property will allow UBC to better serve thousands of its students who are already studying and training in the region. “It’s just really clear from our analysis that there’s huge demand,” said Ono. UBC works with Fraser Health, First Nations Health Authority and the provincial

government to train health students and medical residents in the Fraser region. Each year, more than 4900 health student and medical rotations take place in hospitals, primary care settings and clinics across the Fraser as well as about 200 nursing and 100 pharmaceutical sciences students. “The UBC Okanagan campus (is) about 10,000 students,” said Ono. “So, when you have 5,100 students in Surrey, there is already quite a significant presence.”

LOCAL / NATIONAL

Saturday, November 6, 2021

Canada wanted a stronger climate commitment from G20 Summit - Prime Minister Trudeau Justin Trudeau wrapped up two days at the G20 leaders summit in Rome, which resulted in leaders agreeing global warming needs to be limited to under 1.5 degrees Celcius by the end of this century. However, they could not agree to set specific deadlines for phasing out coal power before 2040 or getting to zero net carbon emissions by 2050. The prime minister says he had hoped for a stronger and more ambitious agreement on climate change to come out of the meeting, known as COP26. “There’s no question that Canada and a number of other countries would have liked stronger language and stronger

commitments on the fight against climate change than others,” Trudeau said at his closing news conference. “But we did make significant progress on recognizing 1.5 degrees is the ambition we need to share.” He also celebrated the recognition that phasing out coal and methane is critical to fighting climate change. “While we aim to finish the fight against COVID-19, we must not lose sight of the existential threat posed by climate change. Canada has worked with our G20 partners to address global challenges, promote our shared values, and create jobs and opportunities for people in our countries,” he said. “Now, we join together again to call for accelerated action on tackling

Canada’s grocery chains stocked with tomato products connected to Chinese forced labour Canadian consumers who purchase popular tomato pastes, sauces and ketchups may actually be buying products harvested and manufactured by Uyghurs and other ethnic minorities under oppressive working conditions in China, according to a CBC Marketplace investigation. Marketplace, in collaboration with the Investigative Reporting Project Italy — a nonprofit media association — and The Guardian, found some of the world’s biggest grocers, including ones here in Canada, are stocked with tomato products that could be tied to forced labour in Xinjiang, a remote area of western China where Uyghurs are subjected to mass detention, surveillance and torture by the Chinese government, in what many countries

have labelled a genocide. “This is such a moral failure on the side of these companies,” said Adrian Zenz, senior fellow in China studies at the Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation. Zenz said the “risk of forced labour is endemic and systemic” in China’s tomato industry and that “it’s high time [these companies] increased their awareness.” Where do your favourite tomato sauces, pastes, and fresh tomatoes really come from? Turns out, the truth isn’t always on the label. We reveal which big brands are linked to Chinese forced labour. 22:30 Marketplace identified several major brands — Nestle , Del Monte and Unilever — that purchased tomatoes from Chinese companies in Xinjiang, processed them in intermediary countries like Pakistan, the Philippines and India, and shipped them

PM discussing raising flags ahead of Remembrance Day with Indigenous people Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said his government is talking to Indigenous communities across the country about potentially temporarily raising the Canadian flags on federal buildings and on the Peace Tower in Ottawa, in order to lower them again for Remembrance Day. “We continue to work very closely with partners, with Indigenous peoples, with communities across the country. There is an understanding of how important it is to be able to lower the flags on Remembrance Day to mark our veterans, to mark people, including Indigenous peoples, who’ve stepped up to fight for Canadian values and paid the ultimate sacrifice,” Trudeau told reporters during a press conference from the COP26 Summit in Glasgow on Tuesday. “I’m confident that the conversations with Indigenous leadership on making sure we are

able to lower the flags once again on Nov. 11 will come at the right solution,” Trudeau said. On Monday, Minister of Veterans Affairs Lawrence MacAulay’s office told CTVNews.ca in an email that “discussions” were “underway” between Canadian officials and Indigenous communities. The flags at federal buildings and on the Peace Tower were lowered to half-mast in late May on Trudeau’s request, after ground-penetrating radar located what is believed to be the remains of 215 children in unmarked graves at a former residential school site in Kamloops, B.C. In the months that have followed, discoveries of unmarked graves at other former residential school sites have continued. The government’s position has been that until further notice, the would remain at half-mast in honour of the victims and survivors of the Canadian residential school system.

More airports opening for international flights from November 30 The federal government says more regional airports will be able to accept international flights after enduring an eight-month ban. At a news conference this morning, Transport Minister Omar Alghabra said airports at eight mid-sized cities can reopen their runways to planes from across the border as of Nov. 30. The airports range from those in Victoria to St. John’s, N.L., and also include Saskatoon, Kelowna, B.C., and Hamilton, Ont. Alghabra says higher vaccination levels have allowed Ottawa to open the

airports to flights from abroad, and that he will give consideration to more airports as conditions dictate. The sector had been pushing the government to allow more airports to accept international flights, with an eye to trips to and from U.S. and Caribbean destinations as winter approaches. Ten airports currently enjoy that status, expanded from four when Ottawa first introduced the restriction in February as part of a move to discourage non-essential trips, slow the spread of COVID-19 variants and concentrate the location of quarantine hotels.

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Welcome home! Situated in a family-friendly area of Grandview Heights in South Surrey. This 5 bedroom, 4 bathroom home features mountain views, offering a fully finished walk out basement with 2 bedroom suite and separate entry. The main floor has high ceilings, open concept layout, office, natural light, and sundeck out back with mountain views. Custom closet organizers, air conditioning, pantry. Upstairs has 3 generously sized bedrooms that include a Master ensuite with mountain views, walk in closet. Fenced yard, double garage and extra parking space. Excellent location on a quiet street, easily walkable to shopping, recreation, parks, schools and quick HWY access. Down the street Sunnyside Elementary, New Grandview Heights Secondary school catchment.

A TRUE STUNNER! Rarely offered, this spectacularly landscaped home offers tons of privacy & tranquility. Located in the coveted subdivision of Chimney Hills, this 3 bed / 2.5 bath home is located on a HUGE 13,982 sq. foot lot. Highlights include NEWLY painted exterior, HARDWOOD floor & carpet on main, lots of NATURAL LIGHT, traditional layout with sunken living & family room, renovated kitchen with granite countertops & a nook overlooking the backyard, ONE YEAR OLD FURNACE & A/C plus Hotwater On Demand. Upstairs offers 3 bedrooms including a large master with a WI closet & ensuite fitted with a soaker tub. The beauty of this home is ac

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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. A must see to appreciate.

This 4 bed / 4 bath executive style home on the bluff has outstanding 2nd floor views all the way to the North Shore. Above garage reno added in 2001 and larger reno in 2014 including solarium, upstairs bathroom, master bedroom with spa like ensuite. No expense spared with 2 way see through fireplace with jetted Chromotherapy/ Aromatherapy tub. Large walk in shower with rain head and body sprays. Enjoy the outdoor view in a private back yard with mature Palm and bamboo trees while you lounge around the concrete pool with attached hot tub. Pool is solar heated as well as gas and the yard is

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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 2level 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 hold 3 cars, an RV or boat, and meet all of your storage needs.

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Saturday, November 6, 2021 BC Liberals say the NDP must reverse decision to end direct autism funding

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a system they are already struggling with.” Thousands of people have signed an online petition calling for the government to develop a fair and transparent plan, and to keep individual ized autism funding program in place. “Families are scared for their future and angry with this NDP government, which thinks it knows better and is ignoring the voices of people with direct experience in autism care,” added Kirkpatrick. “It’s unacceptable that not one autism organization was involved in the decision-making process. Instead of creating chaos and confusion with its top-down approach, the NDP minister needs to show some respect to B.C. families and carry out a full consultation. These marginalized families can’t afford further disruption by this government and its funding cuts.”

The BC Liberals are calling on the NDP government to reverse its recent decision to end direct funding for children with autism by 2025, and commit to full consultation with parents and service providers in the autism community. “It’s deeply unsettling that the NDP, without any consultation, is taking away the ability for parents to decide on care for their children,” said Karin Kirkpatrick, BC Liberal Critic for Children, Family Development and Childcare. “The NDP’s callous announcement is taking our province backwards from being a leader in autism care. Phasing out individualized funding will only create another waitlist, making families compete against one another for resources and services in

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China built 100-home village on disputed territory with India in 2020: US report A report by the Pentagon has stated that China in 2020 “built a large 100-home civilian village inside disputed territory between the PRC’s Tibet Autonomous Region and India’s Arunachal Pradesh

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state in the eastern sector of the LAC”. It added that Chinese army installed fiber-optic network in the remote areas of western Himalayas to provide faster communications and increased protection.

77 countries pledge to end coal use as carbon emissions rebound to pre-pandemic levels UN climate conference host Britain said 77 countries had pledged to phase out coal, dirtiest of the fossil fuels that drive global warming, as a study showed the carbon dioxide they release into the atmosphere had rebounded to near pre-pandemic levels. “We were expecting to see some rebound,” said the study’s lead author Pierre Friedlingstein, a climate modelling researcher at the University of Exeter. “What surprised us was the intensity and rapidity of the rebound.” Alok Sharma, British president of the COP26 conference in Glasgow, said the two-week meeting was on its way to gradually ending use of the world’s most widely used fuel – for which demand is set to hit a record this year. He said on Thursday 77 countries had signed a pledge to phase out coalfuelled power plants – which produce more than 35 per cent of the world’s electricity – and stop building new ones. “Today I think we can say that the end of coal is in sight,” Sharma told the conference. China increases coal production to ensure winter supplies, easing energy shortage China increases coal production to ensure winter supplies, easing energy shortage China increases coal production to ensure winter supplies, easing energy shortage China increases coal production to ensure winter supplies, easing energy shortage

He said progress had been rapid since 2019: “Who’d have thought, back then, that today we are able to say that we are choking off international coal financing or that we would see a shift away from domestic coal power?” But the hurdles to reach the United Nations goal of “net zero” global emissions by 2050 are still enormous. Many developing countries, not least China, India and Indonesia, rely on cheap, accessible coal and other fossil fuels to grow, despite their disadvantages to the environment and health. The British government said on Wednesday it expected 190 nations and organisations to sign the non-binding pledge, in which richer countries would phase out coal power before 2040, and poorer countries before 2050. ‘This won’t end well’: green groups on ADB plan to phase out coal plants 2 Nov 2021 But the list published on Thursday left out both India and China, which is home to almost half the over 2,600 coal-fired plants operating or under construction around the world. Poorer countries are certain to demand financial help from developed nations as the price of ending their reliance on coal – and richer countries have failed to meet a promise of providing US$100 billion a year in “climate finance” by 2020.

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India & France agree to boost Indo-Pacific ties French President Emmanuel Macron and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi have agreed to boost ties in the Indo-Pacific region during a meeting on the sidelines of the Group of 20 summit. Macron’s office said France and India will open a “strategic dialogue” next week in Paris to set a common agenda. The talks will address bilateral, regional and international issues.

France has said India is its “main partner” in the Indo-Pacific area after the announcement in September of a secretly negotiated submarine deal between Australia, the U.S. and Britain. Macron’s office listed “trust” and “independence” amid principles which must guide France and India’s actions in the region shaken by concerns over the growing influence of China.

Prime Minister Modi commits to net zero emissions by 2070, asks for $1 trillion in climate finance India’s Prime Minister has announced 2070 as the target for his country to reach net zero carbon emissions, two decades after the US and Australia and 10 years later than China. Narendra Modi made the surprise announcement at the UN COP26 climate summit in Glasgow.

Only last week, India, currently the world’s third-biggest emitter of greenhouse gases after China and the United States, rejected calls for a net zero carbon emissions target. It said it was more important for the world to lay out credible pathways to reduce emissions.

Indian Navy receives its largest indigenous guided-missile destroyer ‘Visakhapatnam’ The Navy received its first P15B stealth guided-missile destroyer from Mazgaon Dock Shipbuilders on Thursday, an official statement said on Saturday. The construction and delivery of this ship — named “Visakhapatnam” — is

another testament of impetus given by the government and the Navy to the indigenous warship construction programmes, it said. A guided-missile destroyer has the capability to launch guided anti-aircraft missiles from its deck.

India & UK to launch global solar grid project at COP26 India and the U.K. will launch a project that aims to create a solar grid connecting countries in different parts of the world at the upcoming U.N. climate talks in Glasgow, Scotland. The project, known as the “Green Grids Initiative,” is being initiated by the International Solar Alliance, which was launched by India and France at the 2015

Paris climate conference to promote solar energy. The U.K. and India agreed to join forces in the initiative in May this year. Although solar energy is becoming cheaper than dirtier alternatives, countries cannot rely on it at night and must fall back on fossil fuels that produce earth-warming greenhouse gases.

Congress wins all seats in by-elections in Hemachal Himachal Pradesh chief minister Jai Ram Thakur on Tuesday said he humbly accepted the people’s verdict in the state’s by-election in which candidates of the Opposition Congress were declared winners in all three Assembly seats and one Lok Sabha constituency. Thakur, however, added the results of the bypolls were not as per expectations. The Congress won all three Assembly seats of Fatehpur, Arki and

Jubbal-Kotkhai and the Mandi Lok Sabha seat, where bypolls were held on October 30. Thakur also raised allegations of some BJP workers operating against the party candidates. “Action will be taken against them,” he said. “The BJP will introspect the causes which led to its defeat, will formulate a strategy to overcome its shortcomings and do everything possible to ensure victory in the

India-born Rahul Gupta confirmed as Director of National Drug Control Policy by USA Dr Rahul Gupta, a veteran IndianAmerican primary care physician, has been confirmed by the US Senate as the Director of National Drug Control Policy, making him the first medical doctor to ever lead the White House Office of National

Drug Control Policy (ONDCP). Dr Gupta, who recently served as clinical Professor in the Department of Medicine at Georgetown University School of Medicine, was confirmed for the position by the US Senate on Thursday.

IAF Wing Commander Abhinandan, who shot down Pak jet, promoted to Group Captain rank The Indian Air Force (IAF) has approved the rank of Group Captain for Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman who had downed an enemy jet during an aerial combat with Pakistan in February 2019 and was held captive for three days, official sources said on Wednesday. They said the rank has been approved and he will get it

once a laid down procedure is completed. Also Read - Kangana Ranaut Inspired by Abhinandan Varthaman as She Plays Airforce Pilot in Ronnie Screwvala’s Tejas Explaining the process, they said any official after getting a new rank, is able to wear it once there is a vacancy for the position.

Chhattisgarh MLA Devvrat Singh dies of cardiac arrest at 52 Janata Congress Chhattisgarh (J) legislator and former MP Devvrat Singh died on Thursday following cardiac arrest, his family members said. The 52-year-old leader was declared dead by doctors after he was taken to a hospital at Khairagarh in Chhattisgarh’s Rajnandgaon district, around 90 km from the state capital Raipur.

“Singh complained of chest pain at around 1 am following which he was rushed to a government hospital where doctors declared him dead,” Sunil Singh, a close relative of the legislator, told PTI over phone. His final rites will be held later in the day in Khairagarh. He has a son and a daughter, the relative said.

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Navjot Sidhu calls Amarinder Singh ‘failed CM’ PCC president Navjot Singh Sidhu today launched a searing attack on former Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh over his statement on exposing the alleged “sand mafia” being run under the patronage of Congress ministers, bureaucrats and leaders.

Sidhu, who was here to kick-start development works at ancient Ram Talai temple falling under his Amritsar-East constituency, said if Capt Amarinder was aware of the sand mining nexus during his tenure, why didn’t he speak up then. He added no action amounted to abetment.

Sonia accepts Amarinder Singh’s resignation from Congress

Congress president Sonia Gandhi has accepted former Punjab chief minister Amarinder Singh’s resignation from primary membership of the party, AICC general secretary (organisation) K C Venugopal said on Wednesday.

Singh on Tuesday had resigned from the Congress, accusing party president Sonia Gandhi and Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra of hatching a “midnight conspiracy” to oust him.

Punjab CM announces Rs 3,100 each for 3.17 lakh registered construction workers Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi announced an interim financial relief of Rs 3,100 each for registered construction workers in the state on Wednesday, a day ahead of Diwali. “The financial grant of Rs 3,100 is a ‘shagun’

for construction workers and their families on the joyous festival of lights,” he said. The decision is aimed at mitigating the hardships faced by these workers due to loss of livelihood in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, an official statement said.

Crackdown on private bus operators While Punjab Transport Department has launched a crackdown on private bus operators defaulting on road tax, Raghu Raj Service, a transport firm owned by Finance Minister Manpreet Badal’s family, has outstanding tax of

nearly Rs 13 lakh since January 2021. When asked, Manpreet assured that the road tax would be deposited. So far, nearly 300 buses have been impounded and another 200 have been challaned for tax evasion or other violations.

34 new Covid-19 cases in Punjab, one casualty Thirty-four new Covid-19 cases reported in Punjab. One person died of Covid-19 in Mohali. The infection count has risen to 6,02,466. So far, the infection has claimed 16,562 lives across the state.

The fresh death was reported from Mohali. Jalandhar reported seven cases, followed by four in Pathankot and three each in Amritsar, Ferozepur and Ropar.

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan wishes happy Diwali Prime Minister Imran Khan expressed his wishes to Hindu community living in Pakistan on the eve of Diwali, the festival of lights. PM Imran took to Twitter to congratulate Pakistani Hindus on Diwali, which is one of their most important religious festivals

of celebration. “Wishing our Hindu community a happy Diwali,“ Prime Minister tweeted. Hindu community in Pakistan celebrating Diwali with zeal and fervour, with families decorating their houses and temples with colourful lights.

Four TTP terrorists killed in tribal areas Four terrorists associated with the banned Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) were killed on Tuesday in a police operation in northwest Pakistan, police said. The counter terrorism department (CTD) wing of the police killed the terrorists in tehsil Thall of Hangu district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

province, bordering Kurram tribal district. The CTD sources said the slain terrorists belong to Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). The police have launched a massive operation in the area to arrest the remaining accomplices of the terrorists, they said.

Man who posted video of Peoples’ Party MPA hunting houbara bustard found dead A man who posted video of People’s party MPA hunting houbara bustard (a terrestrial bird banned for hunting) found dead in Karachi on Wednesday. In Thatta district in Sindh few days ago a man named Nazim Jhokio stopped the vehicle having foreign registration number plate and asked the people sitting inside the vehicle what were they doing here? During the verbal brawl, the man filmed the entire episode also. The people gave him death threats and tried to snatch his mobile phone.

He, somehow, managed to escape from the scene and uploaded the video on social media, which went viral. On Wednesday, the police recovered Nazim Jhokio’s body from Memon Goth village near Malir, Karachi. His family, however, accused People’s Party Sindh MPA Jam Awais of having Nazim Jhokio killed. The PPP MPA called him at his house and subjected him to severe torture, his family clamed. The family accused and said that Nazim Jhokio was tortured to death by the PPP lawmaker, Sindh.

Govt announces Rs 120 billion subsidy package Prime Minister Imran Khan on Wednesday announced a whopping Rs 120 billion package for the poor families to buy three essential items of daily use at cheaper rates, describing it as “the biggest welfare programme in Pakistan’s history”. Under the subsidy programme, eligible families will be able to purchase wheat flour, ghee and pulses at 30 per cent lower prices for the next six months, he said in an address to the nation.

Khan said that his government had allocated “Rs 120 billion to help 20 million families to buy flour, pulses and ghee 30 per cent cheaper for the next six months”. Calling the subsidy as the “biggest welfare programme in Pakistan’s history”, he said it was a step to make Pakistan a truly welfare state as it would benefit 130 million people across the country.

A 33-year-old woman of Makoi Hart says instead of giving her tithe which is 10% of her income to the church she will give it to her neighbour to help them celebrate Diwali. Ashnita Devi says her neighbour who is the only breadwinner in her family was robbed recently. She says her neighbour is a market

vendor and had worked hard to save about $400 which got stolen from her home recently. Devi says she will help her neighbour although her only source of income is social welfare and the support of her brothers and sisters.

FDB approves $1 million worth of loans to support ginger The Fiji Development Bank has so far approved $1 million worth of loans to support ginger farmers in the country. FDB CEO Saud Minam says despite being occupied with the COVID-19 Recovery Credit Guarantee Scheme since August, the Bank

has remained committed to the agriculture sector by the timely approval of loans to ginger farmers helping meet the planting season needs. Minam says this timely financing supported development costs for clearing of land, increasing the capacity of existing farmers,

Parliament passes proposed electoral law requiring people to use their birth certificate name to be registered as a voter Parliament has passed the Electoral Registration of Voters Amendment Bill which now requires the application for registration as a voter to state the person’s full name as specified on his or her birth certificate and to also be

accompanied by his or her birth certificate. The bill was tabled on Monday and passed after a debate for one hour in parliament today. Two other bills have also been debated and passed in parliament

88.2% of the adult target population now fully vaccinated while 19,335 students have received both doses 88.2% of the adult target population in Fiji is now fully vaccinated. The latest update by the Permanent Secretary for Health Doctor James Fong says 96.7% of the adult target population have received one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine.

This means 597,761 people have received one dose and 545,009 people have received two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine. Doctor Fong also confirms that 19,335 children are fully vaccinated. 32,395 children have received one dose of the Moderna vaccine.

Saturday, November 6, 2021 Press release

Mayor of Delta city respected George Harvie unveiled the Komagata Maru interpretive sign

The Mayor cty of Delta respected George V. Harvie unveiled the Komagata Maru interpretive sign on Monday November 1, 2021 at 9:30 AM in the North Delta Social Heart Plaza. The Komagata Maru arrived in Vancouver on May 23, 1914 with 376 passengers including two women and five children, one of which was my grandfather. His name was Baba Puran Singh Janetpura. The passengers were Sikh, Muslim, and Hindu, and all were British subjects. Their British citizenship made them eligible to enter Canada. The welcome received by the passengers of the Komagata Maru was a cold refusal by the government to allow the ship to dock. No food, water or medication was provided, even though it was the government’s discriminatory law that prevented the passengers from disembarking. The local South Asian and First Nations communities provided the passengers with food, water and medication. Furthermore, this help was limited by the Canadian government because it restricted the Canadian South Asian

community from accessing the ship. Often the passengers went for 24 hours without food and water, and sometimes 2 or 3 days, or more. Passengers were getting sick. Komagata Maru passengers were starving, they were thirsty, and they were getting sick. They had a very painful, hard time. The ship was sent back to India after two months, forcefully, under the shadow of a military ship as a result of a discriminatory act by the Government of Canada, without allowing the passengers to disembark. The British were ruling India at that time, and when the Komagata Maru arrived in India, British troops shot at the passengers. Around 20 people were killed on the spot. Many were injured, and the rest of them were put in jail for a long period of time including my grandfather. In 1968 my uncle sponsored my grandfather to come to Canada. However, my grandfather refused, saying that he had a painful, bitter memory of Canada. He said that he did not want to move to Canada, but he foresaw that in spite of what happened in 1914, the South

Asian community would be very successful, and live happily and peacefully in Canada. His words came true, the South Asian Community living happily, peacefully and Successfully here. The Descendants of the Komagata Maru Society worked for more than 15 years for apologies from the governments involved in the incident. We never asked for any compensation. On May 18, 2016, Honourable Prime Minister Justin Trudeau apologized to the descendants of the Komagata Maru and the South Asian community for the Komagata Maru incident in the House of Commons and May 23, 2008 BC Government apologized for the Komagata Maru incident in the BC legislature. Then on June 10, 2020, the City of Vancouver apologized for its role in the 1914 Komagata Maru incident and also September 27, 2021 the City of New Westminster apologized for their previous Council role in the Komagata Maru incident behalf of my request. December 2019, I gave a request to the City of Delta Council for recognizing the Komagata Maru passengers. In July 2020, I had a meeting with the City of Delta Heritage Advisory Commission. I spoke for 10 minutes in the meeting and a motion to recognize the passengers of the Komagata Maru passed unanimously. December 14 2020 the City of Delta Council meeting a Motion to recognize the passengers of the Komagata Maru passed. Today, Monday November 1, 2021 at 9:30 AM. the City of Delta respected Mayor George Harvie and myself unveiled the Komagata Maru interpretive Sign. The City installed a Komagata Maru Story Board Sign in the North Delta Social Heart Plaza so that residents may be better informed of the hardships and struggle that the passengers of the Komagata Maru endured.It’s a great tribute to those passengers who suffered a lot during the tragedy. We are very happy and also South Asian Community and the Canadian are very happy.it’s a very good learning tool to connect the Delta residents and Canadians their History. I am glad to be a part of making this happen.

I would like to say thank you to the Respected Mayor George Harvie, the councillors, the Mayor office advisor Param Grewal, the City of Delta staff, and the City of Delta Heritage Advisory Commission for their work in making this Komagata Maru Story Board sign a reality. “We can’t undo the past, but we can move forward and leave a legacy for future generations by educating them about the past. This new Komagata Maru Story Board Sign in the North Delta Social Heart Plaza will help educate the community and remind us of Delta’s diverse makeup. I hope that it will help in connecting British Columbians, Canadians, and Delta residents with their past, in order to build a more peaceful and tolerant tomorrow.” My name is Raj Singh Toor. I represent the non-profit Descendants of the Komagata Maru Society, in which there are 15 families all over Canada who are direct descendants of the passengers of the Komagata Maru. I represent the Descendants of the Komagata Maru Society, in which there are 15 families all over Canada who are direct descendants of the passengers (children, grandchildren or great grandchildren). The entire South Asian community supports us because we are the ones who suffered in losing loved ones and who deeply shared the pain of our parents, grandparents, or great grandparents being rejected by Canada in 1914. Raj Singh Toor. Vice President and Spokesperson for the Descendants of the Komagata Maru Society Cell 778 386 0024

Saturday, November 6, 2021

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