NATO'S EXPANSION

Finland formally became a member of NATO on April 4 during a scheduled summit, finalising the fastest accession process in the treaty's history.

Last week, the blue-and-white flag of Finland was raised alongside those of its western partners outside NATO's headquarters in Brussels after the Nordic country formally became the 31st member of the transatlantic defensive alliance.

Guests at the ceremony, including the US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, and the Finnish President, Foreign and Defence Ministers applauded and shouted "bravo" at the ceremony, which marked a historic realignment of Europe's security landscape.

US President Joe Biden warmly welcomed the completion of Finland's accelerated accession process, saying NATO had shown itself more united than ever after Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

The two Nordic countries, Finland and Sweden's inclusion in NATO was being watched as the war of nerves between the West, represented by the US and its allies and the Communist-Socialist bloc led by Russia. Though initially Russia showed less apprehension about the inclusion of these two Scandinavian countries in NATO, however, after Finland becoming the latest member to join the alliance, Kremlin's spokesperson, Dmitry Peskov, said that NATO's embrace of Finland was an "encroachment on our security and on Russia's national interests", adding that Moscow would watch closely for any NATO military deployments there.

The Ministry added that the development marked "a fundamental change in the situation in northern Europe, which had previously been one of the most stable regions in the world".

Russia said on Monday it would bolster its military capacity in its western and north-western regions in response to Finland's accession.

Sweden and Finland together share a 1,340 km-long border with Russia, and both submitted simultaneous membership applications last May, abandoning decades of military non-alignment to seek security as NATO members after the Russian invasion.

The Guardian has commented that joining NATO means Finland falls under the alliance's Article 5, a collective defence pledge that stipulates that an attack on one NATO member "shall be considered an attack against them all".

Finland is one of the few European countries to have retained a conscription army through decades of peace, wary of its eastern neighbour Russia after the former Soviet Union tried to invade the country during WW II.

Finland's ground, naval and air forces are all trained and equipped with one primary aim - to repel any Russian invasion.

Finland has what it calls "Western Europe's strongest artillery" that includes some 1,500 weapons: about 700 howitzers and cannon, 700 mortars and about 100 heavy and light rocket launchers. By joining the NATO now it can purchase more arms from diverse sources such as Israel.

TURKEY AND HUNGARY, PRESUMABLY AT THE BEHEST OF RUSSIA TRIED TO STALL THIS PROCESS FOR THE LAST ONE YEAR.

TURKISH PRESIDENT RECEP TAYYIPERDOGAN ACCUSES FINLAND AND SWEDEN OF HOUSING KURDISH "TERRORIST ORGANISATIONS", WHILE HUNGARIAN PRIME MINISTER VIKTOR ORBAN CLAIMED THEY WERE SPREADING "OUTRIGHT LIES" ABOUT HIS COUNTRY'S RULE OF LAW RECORD. HOWEVER, THERE WAS A LIMIT TO WHICH BOTH COULD STALL THE PROCESS AND WITH MANY BEHIND THE SCENES MANIPULATIONS AT LAST THEY BOWED DOWN TO THE NATO'S PRESSURE. TURKEY AND HUNGARY LATER SOFTENED THEIR STANCE ON FINLAND'S ACCESSION, OPENING THE DOOR TO ITS MEMBERSHIP EARLIER THIS MONTH. HOWEVER, THEY REMAIN OPPOSED TO SWEDEN JOINING -- AT LEAST FOR NOW. ANKARA ACCUSES STOCKHOLM OF SHELTERING KURDISH MILITANTS, WHILE BUDAPEST HAS "GRIEVANCES" ABOUT SWEDISH CRITICISM OF THE RULE OF LAW IN HUNGARY. FINLAND JOINING NATO MARKS ONE OF THE MOST SIGNIFICANT GEOPOLITICAL CONSEQUENCES OF RUSSIA'S INVASION OF UKRAINE TO DATE AND REPRESENTS A DRAMATIC REALIGNMENT OF EUROPE'S SECURITY FRAMEWORK. THE NORDIC COUNTRY MOVED TO JOIN NATO ALONGSIDE SWEDEN AS A DIRECT RESPONSE TO RUSSIA'S ASSAULT ON UKRAINE IN FEBRUARY 2022.

NATO has an open-door policy, meaning that any country can be invited to join if it expresses an interest, as long as it is able and willing to uphold the principles of the bloc's founding treaty. However, under the accession rules, any member state can veto a new country from joining. Turkey and Hungary, presumably at the behest of Russia tried to stall this process for the last one year.

Turkish President Recep TayyipErdogan accuses Finland and Sweden of housing Kurdish "terrorist organisations", while Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban claimed they were spreading "outright lies" about his country's rule of law record.

However, there was a limit to which both could stall the process and with many behind the scenes manipulations at last they bowed down to the NATO's pressure.

Turkey and Hungary later softened their stance on Finland's accession, opening the door to its membership earlier this month. However, they remain opposed to Sweden joining -- at least for now. Ankara accuses Stockholm of sheltering Kurdish militants, while Budapest has "grievances" about Swedish criticism of the rule of law in Hungary.

Finland joining NATO marks one of the most significant geopolitical consequences of Russia's invasion of Ukraine to date and represents a dramatic realignment of Europe's security framework. The Nordic country moved to join NATO alongside Sweden as a direct response to Russia's assault on Ukraine in February 2022.

Russia has repeatedly blamed NATO expansion, among other grievances, for what in reality was an unprovoked invasion of Ukraine. Despite Russia's complaints, Ukraine was not on the formal path to join NATO at the time, and there wasn't a big push among the alliance's members to expand. But now, as a result of invading Ukraine, Russia has seen its land border with NATO double in size.

Last week, ministers formally convened in a NATO-Ukraine Commission format - a symbolic move acknowledging Kiev's aspirations for a closer relationship. Hungary, which has long blocked the body from meeting, grudgingly attended the session but vowed to continue opposing Ukrainian integration.

NATO pledged in 2008 that Ukraine would eventually join the alliance, but the process stalled. In the current situation, numerous Western capitals argue that the priority now is helping Ukraine win the war -- and that discussion of NATO's political relationship with Kiev should wait. But we cannot discount Ukraine too joining NATO sooner or later.

If and when that happens, that would strategically translate into Russia spreading thin its military resources, which have already taken a strong beating in the on-going Ukraine war. This may add to Russian President Vladimir Putin's headaches, but we also cannot discount its close ties with China and say that Russia has been pushed into a corner. In case of any direct confrontation with NATO, Russia can always be sure of support from China, and if it really happens that it may not augur well for the global peace. However, in the whole membership fracas, Russia seems to be the ultimate loser, as now it borders shared with NATO member or aspiring member countries have doubled in two different directions. Finland's inclusion in NATO indeed means a historic realignment of Europe's security landscape.

is a senior political commentator based in New Delhi.The opinions expressed within this article are the personal ideas of the author. The facts and conclusions appearing in the article do not reflect the views of Y Media and Midweek Newspaper, and Y Media does not assume any responsibility or liability for the same.

ONTARIO GOVT. RECOMMENDS COVID-19 BOOSTER SHOT FOR HIGH-RISK INDIVIDUALS THIS SPRING

Based on guidance from Health Canada and the National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI), Ontario's Chief Medical Officer of Health is recommending high-risk individuals receive their next COVID19 booster dose this spring.

"Staying up to date with vaccinations continues to be our best defense against COVID-19 and I'm strongly encouraging everyone, especially those with an increased risk of severe infection, to get all boosters available," said Dr. Kieran Moore, Chief Medical Officer of Health. "We are grateful to all Ontarians for taking the time to get vaccinated and I'm encouraging everyone to keep helping reduce the spread of respiratory illness by staying home when they feel sick, washing their hands often and covering their mouths when they cough or sneeze."

Individuals in the following high-risk groups are recommended to book an appointment for a spring COVID-19 booster if it has been at least six months since their last dose or confirmed COVID-19 infection:

* Individuals aged 65 years and older;

* Residents of long-term care homes, retirement homes, Elder Care Lodges, and other congregate living settings for seniors;

* Individuals aged 18 years and older living in a congregate care setting for people with complex medical care needs;

* Pregnant individuals;

* Individuals aged 18 years and older who are moderately to severely immunoco mpromised; and

* Individuals aged 55 years and older who identify as First Nations, Inuit, or Métis and their non-Indigenous household members aged 55 years and older.

Individuals 5 years and older who have not yet received a booster dose since September 1, 2022, remain recommended to receive a booster dose if it has been at least six months since their last dose or confirmed COVID-19 infection. Recommendations for other individuals who are not high-risk and have already received a booster since September 1, 2022, will be available closer to Fall 2023.

Appointments can be booked via the COVID-19 vaccination portal or by calling the Provincial Vaccine Contact Centre (PVCC) at 1-833-943-3900 (TTY for people who are deaf, hearing-impaired or speech-impaired: 1-866-797-0007).

The PVCC is capable of providing assistance in over 300 languages, and parents and caregivers can book for their children and dependents. Eligible individuals can also book an appointment directly through public health units that use their own booking systems, Indigenous-led vaccination clinics, participating health care providers and participating pharmacies.

City Of Toronto Plans For Early Opening Of Seasonal Park Washrooms

City of Toronto is tracking weather forecasts, including the continued presence of ground frost, and actively finalizing plans for the early opening of seasonal park washrooms and water fountains this spring. This spring, the City will activate 128 seasonal park washrooms and more than 700 water fountains which will be available to the public into the fall. Through the winter months, 54 public year-round washrooms in parks as well as washrooms at 47 outdoor rinks are publicly open and available. Portable toilets (porta-potties) are also placed in 46 higher-use winter park locations.

The City budgets more than $180 million annually for all maintenance, staffing and operation of approximately 1,500 parks, including the opening and maintenance of seasonal park washrooms. In 2023, Toronto City Council approved an additional $2.8 million in new investment to ensure seasonal washrooms and drinking fountains in City parks open as soon as weather conditions permit in the spring and stay open later in the fall. Based on current available forecasts and conditions, staff expect to begin opening the first seasonal park washrooms by mid-April. This would mark one of the earliest-ever openings of seasonal park washrooms.

Once the first washroom is open, staff expect it will take crews about three weeks to get all seasonal park washrooms, including any fountains and bottle filling stations that may be attached to those washrooms, open and ready for the public. It will take approximately six weeks from when the first washroom opens for crews to get all other water fountains and bottle filling stations open and tested for drinking.

In order to protect uninsulated seasonal washroom infrastructure (such as water pipes and drains) from damage that could result in costly longterm repairs, and facility closures, certain conditions must be met each spring before crews can get to work, including:

* daytime and evening temperatures must be consistently above zero degrees (for at least five to seven consecutive days)

* the ground must be thawed and free of frost around seasonal buildings

* available weather forecasts must provide confidence that the threat of sustained cold weather has passed

SANJAY MADAN GETS 10 YEAR JAIL FOR STEALING $47.4M FROM ONTARIO GOVT

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Sanjay Madan, who served as an IT Director within the Ministry of Education, pleaded guilty to multiple charges of fraud, breach of trust, and money laundering, which he committed by overseeing two complicated schemes to bilk millions of dollars from taxpayers, the Global News reported. Madan's lawyer Chris Sewratan said he feels "sorry" for his crimes and is taking "responsibility for everything".

Madan has agreed to re-pay the entire amount, $30 million of which, his lawyers say was immediately returned to the Ontario government, while the remainder can be repaid over the next 15 years.

His deception came to light during the Covid-19 pandemic when the government set up the support for students fund to give parents a one-time payment of $200 per child to offset the costs of learning from home during the pandemic.

Madan, who had access to the internal processing portal, siphoned off more than 43,000 support payments into 2,841 bank accounts under his name -- taking $10.8 million from the fund, according to Global News.

Criminal charges were withdrawn against Madan's wife Shalini and their two adult sons as part of a plea bargain, which was designed to serve as a signal that he alone bore responsibility for the fraud.

Madan's lawyer said he pleaded guilty to clear the names of his wife, Shalini Madan, and their two sons whose names were on some of the accounts used to defraud the province. According to media reports, the Ontario government has successfully obtained an injunction to freeze Madan family's assets in Canada as well as overseas in India. Totalling $28 million, those assets include six Toronto condos collectively worth $3 million. Madan's whole family was also employed with the Province of Ontario, though his sons have since resigned and wife was dismissed. The probe into the pandemic funds fraud then uncovered a larger nine-year scheme in which Madan received profits to the tune of $36.6 million. Madan's lawyer said he apologised to the taxpayers, the Ontario government, his family and colleagues for the crimes.

PEEL POLICE LOCATED STOLEN VEHICLE & ARRESTED PARVEER SINGH, 34, WANTED ON OUTSTANDING IMMIGRATION WARRANT

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The Officer located a vehicle that was on file as stolen, which had a lone occupant in the driver’s seat and appeared to be sleeping.

Additional Officer’s attended the scene and quickly contained the vehicle with their patrol cars to prevent escape and the risk of a vehicle pursuit. Once awoken, the individual attempted to flee by ramming police vehicles. Despite the significant danger created by the suspect, officers were able to arrest him without further incident and without injuries. Investigation revealed that the driver, 34-year-old Parveer Singh, of no fixed address, was wanted on an outstanding Immigration warrant. Furthermore, he was on a probation order forbidding him from driving a vehicle that wasn’t his following prior auto theft offences.

Detectives from the 12 Division Auto Crime Unit have charged Parveer with the following Criminal Code Offences:

* Possession of Property Obtained By Crime

* Mischief Over $5000

* Dangerous Operation

* Breach of Probation Order

Parveer Singh has previously been convicted of similar offences, including fleeing from police and failing to comply with a release order. He was transferred into the custody of the Canada Border Services Agency

Anyone with any information is asked to contact investigators at 905-453-2121, extension 1233.Information may also be left anonymously by calling Peel Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), or by visiting www.peelcrimestoppers.ca.

SHARAN KARUNAKARAN, 28, OF TORONTO, CHARGED AFTER SUSPECTED HATE-MOTIVATED INCIDENT AT MARKHAM MOSQUE

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Witnesses reported that a male suspect had attended in a vehicle and drove directly at one of the worshippers and yelled threats and religious slurs.

The suspect drove dangerously in the parking lot before leaving the property.

Members of the #5 District Criminal Investigations Bureau were notified and worked cooperatively with the Intelligence Unit and Hate Crime Unit to identify the suspect.

Members of the Hate Crime Unit attended the mosque to offer support to its members.

The suspect was identified and a warrant for his arrest was issued while efforts were made to locate him. Shortly after midnight, on April 7, 2023, members of York Regional Police arrested the suspect in Toronto.

CHARGED:

* Sharan KARUNAKARAN, 28, of Toronto

CHARGES:

* Uttering Threats

* Assault with a Weapon

* Dangerous Driving Sharan KARUNAKARAN was held for a bail hearing. His next scheduled appearance is at the Ontario Superior Court of Justice in the Town of Newmarket on April 11, 2023.

Investigators are concerned there may be other victims and police encourage them to come forward.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the #5 District Criminal Investigations Bureau at 1-866-876-5423, ext. 7541, or call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS, or leave an anonymous tip online at www.1800222tips.com.

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Over that period, the number of people employed has increased by 383,000, or 1.9 per cent, the national statistical agency added on Thursday. Employment gains in March were concentrated among private sector employees and there was little change in the number of public sector employees and self-employed workers, the agency said. According to the agency, for the fourth consecutive month, the unemployment rate was five per cent in March, just above the record low of 4.9 per cent observed in June and July of 2022, Xinhua news agency reported. Total hours worked rose 0.4 per cent in March and were up 1.6 per cent on a year-over-year basis, the agency said.

Average hourly wages rose 5.3 per cent to 33.12 Canadian dollars ($24.5) on a year-over-year basis in March, compared with 5.4 per cent in February, Statistics Canada added.

A 32-YEAR-OLD INDO-CANADIAN POLICE OFFICER WAS KILLED IN A TRAFFIC ACCIDENT IN ALBERTA

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He was treated at the scene of the crash by emergency services and civilians but died from his injuries. Dhami was a well-respected member of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), having served for four years, police said in a news conference on Monday. He was described as a dedicated officer who had a passion for serving his community, the report added. Alberta RCMP deputy Commissioner Curtis Zablocki said in Monday's news conference that from the time Dhami graduated from the RCMP Depot in 2019, he had "a strong sense of responsibility." "He was hardworking, dependable and so well-liked by everyone around him," Zablocki said. Dale Kendall, the Strathcona RCMP detachment commander, said Dhami is survived by his wife. "He was a husband. He was a son. He was a brother. He was a friend. He was a colleague. And he was so much more," Kendall said. The news of Dhami's death has been met with shock and sadness by his colleagues and the wider police community. Many have taken to social media to express their condolences and pay tribute to his life and service.

EHSANULLAH NESARI, 21, OF TORONTO, CHARGED FOR ALLEGEDLY HARASSING YOUNG GIRLS WALKING IN EAST YORK

The Toronto Police Service is updating the public of a man arrested in a Criminal Harassment investigation.

It is alleged that:

* each day from Sunday, April 2, 2023 to Tuesday, April 4, 2023, a man harassed girls walking in the Floyd Avenue and Pape Avenue area

* he made inappropriate comments to the girls, all under 13, and asked them to go with him.

On Friday, April 7, 2023, Ehsanullah Nesari, 21, of Toronto was arrested. He has been charged with:

1. Criminal Harassment

Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 416-8085500, Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS (8477), or at www.222tips.com.

XI TELLS KIM JONG-UN TO BOLSTER ‘STRATEGIC GUIDANCE’ OVER BILATERAL TIES

Pyongyang’s state media on Saturday said that Chinese President Xi Jinping told North Korean leader Kim Jong-un that the two nations should bolster “strategic guidance” over bilateral ties. The remarks came as Kim received a message from Xi as the latter thanked the North Korean leader for congratulating him on his re-election as president of China, according to Pyongyang’s official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).

In the message, Xi “attaches great importance to the relations between the two parties and two countries, expressing his willingness to accelerate the development of the socialist cause of the two countries and promote regional peace, stability, development and prosperity by strengthening the strategic guidance” over the China-DPRK relations,” Yonhap News Agency quoted the KCNA as saying.

DPRK stands for the North’s official name, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. China’s new ambassador to North Korea, Wang Yajun, who began his official activities earlier this week, delivered the message to Kim Song-nam, international department director of the Central Committee of the North’s ruling party, according to the KCNA. Wang’s arrival came amid speculation that the North will soon resume trade with China following years of its border closure over the Covid-19 pandemic.

Shehbaz says President Alvi is 'beholden' to Imran more than Constitution

Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif castigated President Arif Alvi for returning the Supreme Court (Practice and Procedure) Bill, 2023, unsigned and calling him a worker of the Pakistan Tehreeke-Insaf (PTI), according to a media report. The bill is aimed at curtailing the powers of the chief justice - including the suo motu and the formation of benches. The PTI has strongly condemned the move to pass the legislation and said it is an "attack on the judiciary", Geo News reported. "President Alvi returning the Supreme Court Bill duly passed by Parliament is most unfortunate," the prime minister said in a hard-hitting tweet hours after the president returned the bill to the legislature, Geo News reported.

India

Y MEDIA EXCLUSIVE: AAP HAS TOTALLY FAILED IN PUNJAB, MLA KHAIRA SAYS

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In Khiara's opinion, Amritpal's fight against drugs was a good cause, but he became objectionable when he started talking about antiIndian programs. During the interview, MLA Khaira raised certain objections to the idea of relating anti-India or nationalist sentiment to the Sikh community. He said the central government is defaming and degrading the Sikh community by framing them as anti-nationalist. He also alleged the central government is defaming Punjab through Amritpal Singh. When asked if Sikh separatist state is possible, Khaira candidly said those demanding it are propagating madness as it is never possible. You can watch this exclusive interview only on Channel Y Bell 828, Telus 2418, Rogers 857, Ignite 707. For more information, you can also visit our websites, southasiandaily.com and ymediaplus.com. Follow us on our Twitter and Facebook pages: Y Media, to stay updated with the latest events. Read our 'Midweek' newspaper published every Tuesday, to know what is happening in Canada and worldwide.

MODI WILL BECOME PM FOR THIRD TIME WITH MORE THAN 300 SEATS: SHAH

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday claimed that the BJP will again form the government at the Centre in next year's Lok Sabha election, winning more than 300 seats. He asserted that Narendra Modi will become the Prime Minister of the country for the third time in a row. While addressing a rally of BJP workers in Assam' Dibrugarh, Shah also expressed confidence that the BJP will be victorious in at least 12 out of the 14 Lok Sabha seats in the state. According to him, the party is set to win big in the entire northeast, which accounts for a total of 25 seats in Lok Sabha.

5 INDIAN-AMERICANS AMONG 100 MOST INFLUENTIAL WOMEN IN US FINANCE

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The list includes Anu Aiyengar of JP Morgan, Rupal J. Bhansali of Ariel Investments, Meena Lakdawala-Flynn of Goldman Sachs Group, Sonal Desai from Franklin Templeton and Savita Subramanian of BofA Securities.

IMF CUTS INDIA’S GROWTH PROJECTION TO 5.9% FOR 2023; HAILS INDIA AS ‘ONE OF THE BRIGHT SPOTS’

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In other words, the Indian economy had fared far better in those years than the IMF had estimated and, therefore, had “less room for catching up” than the rest of the world. The fund’s had a grim warning for the global economy though: while the recovery from pandemic and the war in Ukraine will continue, although at a rate slower than projected before, because of recent turmoil in the banking sector — shutting down of two regional banks in the US and the distress sale of Switzerland’s Credit Suisse — the “fog around the world economic outlook has thickened”.