Food prices could jump by up to 5% in 2025, and researchers say loonie is partly to blame
An annual report on food prices in Canada is predicting more pressure on grocery costs in the coming year — but it also notes that some prices in 2024 were lower than predicted.
The Food Price Report, released Thursday, is forecasting that Canadians will see the biggest price jumps next year in meat and vegetables, along with a jump in the cost to eat at restaurants.
Food prices overall are estimated to increase by three to five per cent compared to 2024 — higher than the Bank of Canada's inflation target of between one and three per cent.
That means a family of four would pay about $800 more for food in 2025 — roughly $66 extra a month — if food inflation hits the highest point the academics predict.
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Federal auditor says COVID loan program for small business lacked control over spending
The federal government's pandemic-era loan program for small businesses suffered from contracting problems due to a lack of oversight, Canada's auditor general says.
The Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA) was introduced at the height of the pandemic to help out small businesses forced to close or limit their operations due to public health measures. The program offered interest-free loans backed
by the federal government. A portion of the loan would be forgiven if it was repaid by a certain deadline.
A report from Canada's auditor general, released Monday, says the program was able to quickly provide loans to struggling businesses and the vast majority of the funds went to eligible businesses. But the audit found "significant weakness" in the program's management of contracts.
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Mayor wants BC's South Asian Heritages Museum built in Surrey
Mayor Brenda Locke is pushing to have Surrey be the home of B.C.'s planned Canadians of South Asian Heritages Museum, or Cultural Centre.
Plans for the facility date back to the B.C. election campaign of October 2020, when the BC NDP promised to build a museum in Surrey devoted to B.C.’s South Asian history.
Monday (Dec. 2) at a meeting of Surrey City Council, Locke moved a unanimously-approved motion urging the B.C. government to build the museum here, possibly in Newton, home to many people of South Asian descent and a large annual Vaisakhi Parade.
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India's
'blockbuster'
drugs to take on deadly superbugs
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Actress Nargis Fakhri's sister Aliya Fakhri arrested for murdering ex-boyfriend in USA
According to multiple latest reports, Aliya Fakhri, sister of actress Nargis Fakhri, was arrested for allegedly murdering her ex-boyfriend and his friend in Queens, New York by setting a
two-story garage on fire. The court has remanded her, and her next appearance is scheduled for 9 December. Aliya has been indicted on murder charges in connection with a fatal fire at her exboyfriend’s home in New York City, United States. Prosecutors allege that Aliya Fakhri, 43, intentionally set fire to the detached garage of a home in the borough of Queens, killing her ex-boyfriend, Edward Jacobs, 35, and his friend, Anastasia Ettienne, 33. According to prosecutors, Aliya Fakhri resorted to arson after Jacobs rejected her attempts to reconcile their relationship.
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Antibiotics are hailed as medical saviours. But they are increasingly facing a crafty adversary: bacteria that mutate and adapt and outwit the very drugs designed to defeat them and cure the infections they cause.
What did Metro Vancouver spend $580K on at the PNE
A PNE spokesperson is speaking out following comments made last week by Metro Vancouver Chief Administrative Officer Jerry Dobrovolny.
Following a Global News freedom of information request, Dobrovolny told board members that in 2024 Metro Vancouver had spent “in the order of $580,000” on a Metro Vancouver exhibit at the annual summer fair.
PNE spokesperson Laura Ballance sought to clarify that number Wednesday, telling Global News in an interview “It wasn’t $580,000 to the PNE, it was $130,000 to the PNE.” Global News requested details on how the remaining $450,000 was spent by the taxpayer-funded regional district.
We were advised that $115,000 was spent on event planning, management and contracted
production services. $105,000 went to staffing, $51,000 was for performers, $50,000 went to production rentals and $44,000 was spent on stage production. Additional money covered equipment, supplies, signage, vehicle rentals, administration and Wi-Fi.
Questions remain about tickets.
Metro Vancouver says that in 2024 its PNE sponsorship agreement didn’t include tickets.
However, in 2022 and 2023 its sponsorship package included a concert booth, with capacity for up to 24 people.
Who used those tickets? Global News has filed a freedom of information request seeking more details.
A former prominent Vancouver stock promoter residing in California has been sentenced to four months in jail and one year of supervised release for committing securities fraud through companies he directed in the U.S.
In a federal court in Boston, Mass., on Wednesday, Avtar Singh Dhillon learned his fate from Judge Allison D. Burroughs after admitting in October 2022 to wilful failure to disclose stock sales, aiding and abetting the sale of unregistered securities and conspiracy to not disclose touting compensation.
Authorities had determined Dhillon and his corporate lawyer Daniel Martinez concealed ownership of shares for Boston-based Arch Therapeutics and New Jersey-based OncoSec Medical Inc. — two “fledgling” biotechnology companies Dhillon was chairman of the board for, between March 2011 and April 2020.
Dhillon then clandestinely sold the shares for $2.1 million, profiting $1.5 million while Martinez gained just under $200,000. As such, Dhillon was ordered to repay $1.5 million as part of his guilty plea.
Dhillon also participated in a securities conspiracy involving the non-disclosure of what the U.S. Attorney’s Office called “sham consulting and service agreements” to promote Emerald Health Pharmaceuticals (EHP), a subsidiary of Dhillon’s B.C.-based investment firm Emerald Health Sciences.
Dhillon and the subsidiary (EHP) already settled fraud allegations in separate civil proceedings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) while Martinez pleaded guilty to criminal fraud in October 2023 and was sentenced to one year of supervised release.
Specifically, the U.S Attorney’s Office stated, Martinez made “misleading representations” directly and indirectly to stockbrokers in order to make it appear as if the shares held by Dhillon’s nominees were eligible for unrestricted sale to retail investors.
Dhillon faced the prospect of up to 63 months in prison; however, his recommended sentence was lowered to 18 months after pleading guilty and testifying against his former business associates in a contemporaneous civil complaint launched by the SEC, in August 2021.
A highly-touted expansion in British Columbia’s clean technology economy has been put on hold.
In November 2023, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Premier David Eby announced the billion-dollar expansion to a Maple Ridge lithium-ion battery plant, a project expected to create 350 permanent jobs.
But the company behind the proposal, battery cell maker E-One Moli, now says the economics of battery power electrification have changed. The company said the Maple Ridge plant is one of many projects it is scaling back globally.
Taiwan Cement Corp. company chairman Nelson Chang is quoted in a release saying construction has stopped in order to focus on Taiwanese production, in step with other battery makers suspending similar projects across North America.
The statement from Chang says it will be “very difficult” for the company to build new plants abroad before achieving full efficiency at its Taiwanese facility. Maple Ridge Mayor Dan Ruimy said despite the pause, he remains confident the
project will eventually be completed.
“They have been very clear it’s just a pause. If they wanted to cancel it they would have cancelled it,” he said.
Ruimy said that given the “large chunk of change” the company was looking at investing, it is not surprising that it has taken a step back to analyze the market, given shifting political and economic conditions. But he said the fact the plant is designed to produce non-car batteries works to its advantage.
“They have said all along that the project here is a viable project, to have a North American plant dealing with non-car batteries and appliance batteries make sense,” he added.
The power-down on the proposed plant comes amid a plateau in the global market for battery technology, with a glut of product as demand underperforms expectations.
Cleantech projects around the world are being reconsidered, not just in the battery sector but in alternative fuels as well. In Prince George, a hydrogen generating plant was scrapped earlier this year.
Several Burnaby schools to adopt staggered schedules
Staggered starts will be adopted at several Burnaby high schools next year to address overcrowding.
In news release Wednesday, School District 41 confirmed that four of its eight high schools would adopt a five-block schedule for the 20252026 school year.
The schools affected include Alpha Secondary, Burnaby Central Secondary, Burnaby Mountain Secondary and Moscrop Secondary.
The district says it expects to create 10 per cent more capacity with the extended school day. In a statement, Burnaby School District superintendent Karim Hachlaf said officials were “mindful” of the impact on students, staff and families.
He adds the move was not an easy decision, but a necessary one. “We have a responsibility
to find an immediate way to accommodate both the students we have now, and the new ones expected next year,” he said.
In October, the school district informed parents it was considering the strategy at five secondary schools because of significant enrolment growth.
It says that Burnaby North Secondary will not adopt staggered schedules, and further measures will be taken to manage existing space to accomodate anticipated growth for the next school year.
The strategy of expanding the school day to increase capacity has been implemented elsewhere in the Lower Mainland in response to challenges of overcrowding.
Several Surrey high schools adopted staggered schedules this past September.
Federal minister Harjit Sajjan defends accepting taxpayer-funded Taylor Swift tickets
Federal cabinet minister Harjit Sajjan is defending his decision to accept taxpayerfunded Taylor Swift tickets for himself and his daughter.
Sajjan, the minister responsible for the Pacific Economic Development Agency of Canada, was invited by PavCo, a B.C. Crown corporation that owns and operates B.C. Place Stadium, where the concerts will take place.
PavCo has been donating Swift tickets to food banks and other charity organizations so that they could raffle them off and raise money. PavCo has also donated B.C. Place suites to be auctioned off, raising more than $1 million, according to the corporation.
"This is actually supporting a very good cause, something that Taylor Swift also supports as well," Sajjan told reporters Wednesday. PavCo said it is hosting about 40 guests in a B.C. Place suite at each Swift concert, including government officials and
business partners. All guests are being asked to make a "significant donation" to the Greater Vancouver Food and Food Banks B.C., PavCo said.
The Greater Vancouver Food Bank told that Sajjan made a $1,500 donation.
Sajjan contacted the Office of the Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner about accepting the tickets, the office told CBC News.
It said that if a charitable contribution is made in lieu of payment for an item, then it would not be considered a gift for the purposes of the Conflict of Interest Act.
Sajjan accepted the tickets only after receiving clearance from the commissioner, his office said. Sajjan said his family previously purchased four tickets for Swift's concert in Toronto but ended up selling them at cost, choosing instead to attend the Vancouver concert.
BC nurses testify about ‘epidemic’ of workplace violence at Senate committee
The union representing British Columbia’s nurses took their concerns about an “epidemic” of violence against their colleagues to Ottawa on Wednesday.
The B.C. Nurses’ Union was testifying before a senate committee reviewing Bill C-321. If passed, the bill would amend the Criminal Code to make violence against first responders and health-care workers an aggravating factor during sentencing.
Union president Adriane Gear shared the story of a Surrey emergency room nurse who has been off the job since she was randomly attacked in June by a patient who was under the influence of drugs.
“He unexpectedly lunged at her, grabbed her uniform, and repeatedly punched her in the face over and over again,” she told senators. “The head trauma was devastating.
Since then, she continues to experience nausea, dizziness and double vision. Today she must wear an eye patch. She can’t read, and she can’t work because of her injuries. In fact, Jancie may never be able to work again.”
Gear also raised the case of a student nurse who was attacked with a knife at Vancouver General Hospital in November, adding the student may never return to her studies.
Some flights out of YVR delayed, cancelled during fog
Heavy fog in the Lower Mainland is affecting flights in and out of the Vancouver International Airport (YVR).
A fog advisory was issued Wednesday night for parts of the Lower Mainland for the second time in as many days. Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) says “near zero visibility” fog is expected to cover Metro Vancouver, including Vancouver, Burnaby, and New Westminster through Thursday midday.
“As was the case yesterday, temperatures ranged from along the coast of YVR from four degrees yesterday to as hot as 10 degrees in Abbotsford, where the sun was out — it was a gorgeous day yesterday,” he explained.
“Today that fog is going to linger in those
low-lying spots and close to the coast through the morning, but we’ll finally break as we get into the afternoon.”
“I love the wording in the advisory here, it says visibility may be significantly and, most importantly, suddenly reduced to near zero. And we’ve had that zero visibility in pockets across the Lower Mainland, not only for a good chunk of yesterday, but it will likely linger through the morning hours today,” Kuss explained.
“We’ve had reports of visibility at zero kilometers, and that’s as low as it can go — you can’t see your hand in front of your face. Of course, that’s affecting flights at the airport, and we’re not going to see that fog break until this afternoon.
Rustad
On the heels of yet another violent incident in downtown Vancouver, John Rustad has come out swinging against the BC NDP.
The BC Conservative leader claimed the attack, and the countless others that preceded it in recent months, are evidence that the governing party's policies have "emboldened criminals."
"The alarming surge in violent crime under Premier Eby's leadership is unacceptable," he said in a statement. "His lenient policies have "emboldened criminals," leaving law-abiding citizens vulnerable and fearful in their own communities.
Vancouver feels like Gotham City these days, and there's no Batman coming to save us."
can't even feel same stopping by the local convenience store to grab a carton of milk. Fear is now a daily reality for too many families across the province."
He then cited his party's plan to combat
Rustad went on to note that while the problem is worst in the big cities, it has by no means been limited to urban areas. He blamed the province-wide spike in violent crime in part on "catch-and-release" policies that allow many offenders to simply walk back out on to the streets after committing a crime.
"Premier Eby's soft-on-crime stance has created an environment where violent offenders operate with impunity," he continued. "It's a sad state of affairs when British Columbians
crime, including toughening charge assessment guidelines, hiring additional law enforcement personnel, implementing mandatory minimum sentencing regulations, and expanding programs that invest in communities.
"British Columbians deserve a government that prioritizes their safety and well-being," Rustad concluded. "The current administration has failed in this fundamental duty. The Conservative Party of British Columbia is committed to implementing effective policies that will make our communities safe again."
Burnaby buys old Metro Vancouver towers in Metrotown for $65M
The City of Burnaby got a bargain on two Metrotown office towers last month.
The city purchased the 350,000-square-foot complex for $65 million, which was about $22.8 million below the property’s assessed value.
The property at 4330 Kingsway, owned by Slate Asset Management, had fallen into receivership in June. It was a deal too good to pass up, according to the city’s chief administrative officer Leon Gous.
“The price was reasonable,” Gous told the Burnaby NOW.
“We buy real estate where it makes sense –especially if we can get it at a price that’s well below market.” The 19- and 10-storey towers, known for their golden sheen, have been vacant since Metro Vancouver moved out in 2017, according to Gous. Gous noted the city also owns properties on Kathleen Avenue.
“So it’s contiguous to a whole bunch of properties we already own for consolidation,” he said. Staff are preparing a report for council consideration on the future uses of the buildings.
One of the options will be to renovate the space to reuse it as offices for a temporary city hall while the current facility at Deer Lake is
Whether the city would consider using the Metrotown site as a permanent city hall has not been discussed yet, according to Mayor Mike Hurley.
If the city decides to demolish the existing towers, the property could potentially be rebuilt as a mixed-use development including residential, Gous said.
There will be costs whether the towers are renovated or demolished.
The city paid for the property with money from its corporate and tax sale land reserve fund, which can be used for property purchase and improvements, according to Gous.
He said staff expect to bring the options to council early in the new year.
After council gives its direction, staff will then go to a bidding process for next steps.
$80M Lotto Max jackpot split between winners in 2 provinces
Tuesday’s $80-million Lotto Max prize is being split between two winning tickets.
The winning tickets were sold in Quebec and Alberta, provincial lottery authorities said Wednesday morning. The jackpot reached $80 million after going unclaimed in previous draws.
“The very first $80-million jackpot was partly won in Québec in September. We’re thrilled to learn that it was won here again,” said Isabelle Jean, executive vice-president and chief operating officer of lottery games at LotoQuébec, in a news release.
“What wonderful news just before the holidays!”
Tuesday’s $80-million figure aside, there were an estimated 29 Maxmillion prizes, valued at $1 million each, up for grabs.
In Ontario, the provincial gaming authority said 664,790 Lotto Max tickets that were sold in province won prizes, with the biggest prizes including five $1-million Maxmillion tickets. The odd of winning the Lotto Max jackpot sit at one in 33,294,800, according to the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation.
According to PlayNow, which is B.C.’s lottery corporation, the most commonly drawn numbers since the Lotto Max switched to 50 numbers are 7, 19, 22, 32, 28, 32,36 and 46.
That is a far cry from the numbers that people are selecting as the most common numbers played are 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 which was selected by an average of 45,057 for each draw over the last year. The next Lotto Max draw will be held on Dec. 6, and will offer an estimated $33-million jackpot.
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What the Amsterdam riot teaches us about modern media
With alternative media challenging the mainstream narrative, the truth about the Amsterdam riot emerged –but not without biases of its own
By Gerry Chidiac - One of the less-discussed causes of the First World War was the effectiveness of propaganda in demonizing the “other.” Millions of young men and women volunteered to “serve God and country” because they had fallen victim to hateful messaging perpetrated by the state and the corporate media. This disastrous war created the momentum for the 20th century to become the bloodiest in human history. Propaganda blurred reality and rallied people to destructive causes.
Have we learned anything since then? Are people in the 21st century more discerning, or are we still vulnerable to manipulated narratives?
An interesting case study that may help answer this question is the Nov. 7 football (soccer) Amsterdam riot involving visiting fans from Maccabi Tel Aviv (Israel) and local citizens. Tounderstand its significance, it’s important to recognize how quickly corporate media and political leaders framed this incident – and how alternative narratives emerged to challenge their version of events Politicians were quick to echo this framing. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau stated, “The news out of Amsterdam last night is horrifying. This is a dark moment for our world – and one we have seen before. My heart goes out to the victims and the entire Jewish community today. Canada condemns this disgusting antisemitism.”
While such strong statements seemed justified at first glance, the emergence of alternative accounts paints a more complex picture. Raw footage and eyewitness testimonies began to surface almost immediately, contradicting the initial reports. Amsterdam residents reported being assaulted by Maccabi fans in the days leading up to the match. Footage showed Maccabi fans tearing down Palestinian flags from homes, burning them, and attacking a taxi. Inside the stadium, videos captured fans yelling and setting of fireworks during a moment of silence to honour victims of recent floods in Spain. Chants of “Let the Israeli army win and f*** the Arabs … There are no schools in Gaza because there are no children left” were also documented.
BC cabinet minister stepping down after cancer diagnosis
The B.C. minister of children and family development says she is stepping down from cabinet after receiving a cancer diagnosis last month.
Grace Lore says she will stay on as the MLA for Victoria-Beacon Hill but will take a temporary leave from the ministry.
“Late last month, I was diagnosed with colorectal cancer. This diagnosis was very sudden, and I am working with medical professionals to address this head-on, right away,” said Lore in a statement Thursday.
“This file is so important and requires the full attention of someone to make the changes we need because kids need us to get it right. By stepping back, I will be able to focus solely on my treatment and recovery, so l can get back to doing this work as soon as possible.”
Jodie Wickens, the MLA for Coquitlam-
Burke Mountain and minister of state for child care and children and youth with support needs, will take on Lore’s portfolio on a temporary basis.
Premier David Eby says Lore has persevered through “immense personal family challenges in recent years,” including the illness of her young son.
“Our entire BC NDP caucus and larger movement is sending her strength and love during this time, as I know many British Columbians will be when they hear this news,” said Eby.
Lore says she intends to continue participating in important votes in the Legislature to “ensure the stability of our government and make sure we can be delivering on the priorities of British Columbians.”
Three Canadian airlines are among those ranked in a new look at 100 global airlines — with Air Canada in the bottom 20.
The 2024 ranking by AirHelp, which is described as a online service that helps passengers seek compensation from airlines, looked at three main factors in coming to an overall score specifically on-time performance, customer opinion and how efficient airlines handled claim compensation.
In the top three were Brussels Airlines, Qatar Airways and United, while Nouvelair, Buzz and Tunisair at the bottom.
Air Canada fell flat into the bottom 20 airlines with a ranking of 91 out of 100, with AirHelp noting while it had a high customer opinion, its on-time performance and processing of claims were lacking.
Air Transat ranked the highest at 36 out of 109 with customer opinion giving it a boost, with WestJet slightly behind at 45.
Airlines that don’t fly overseas, like Porter and Flair, were not included. Tomas Pawliszyn, CEO of AirHelp, said the rankings should only be seen as a “snapshot” as it evaluates their strengths and where improvements can be made.
“There is always scope for airlines to improve in the rankings each year, using the score to help guide them,” he said in a post.
While the ranking could be helpful to some air travellers, travel and personal finance commentator Barry Choi said it’s really a matter of perspective because of where some reviews of airlines come from those most vocal.
A Canadian territory has changed its rules for elected municipal officials, allowing them to take an oath pledging allegiance to the country's constitution instead of the Crown when they are sworn in.
The change comes after the newly-elected council of Dawson City, Yukon, refused to take the King's oath in solidarity with an indigenous council member who raised concerns about the Crown’s history in Canada.
The protest delayed their confirmation and placed the town's governance at a standstill.
On Friday, the territory announced that they have adjusted the law to give the option of taking one of the two oaths.
fraught history with indigenous peoples.
“I read it probably about 15 times, and it didn’t get any easier to do,” said Lynn at the press conference announcing the change.
“With the history that the Crown has had in Canada and other places, I thought that there may be another option.”
Richard Mostyn, Yukon’s minister of community services, said the change “allows elected municipal officials to take the Oath of Allegiance in a way that aligns with society’s broader values and cultural identities”.
In Canada - a Commonwealth country and former British colony - most elected officials have to take an oath in which they swear or affirm they "will be faithful and bear true allegiance to His Majesty King Charles III" and his "heirs and successors according to law".
Questions had swirled about whether Dawson City's new council, which was elected in late October, would be able to sit if they refused to take the oath.
Under Yukon law, a newly- elected official must take it within 40 days of their election or else their win “shall be considered null”.
This gave officials a 9 December deadline to come up with a solution.
Councillor Darwyn Lynn, a member of the Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in First Nation, said he was hesitant to take the oath because of Canada’s
By questioning the requirement, a “wonderful conversation” on Canada’s history was sparked in Dawson City, a town of 2,400 people, as well as in the broader Yukon territory, he said. That conversation was “very balanced”, he said, with some people supporting an alternative and others hesitant over its removal.
“Everybody has the right to have their opinion and option, and that is the great part of our country,” said Lynn. He and the other Dawson City councillors will take the oath of their choice in the coming days. This is not the first time that a Canadian province or territory had amended the requirement of the Oath of Allegiance.
In 2022, the French-speaking province of Quebec passed legislation that ended the requirement to have elected officials take an oath to the monarchy. One lawmaker called it “a relic from the past”. The oath, however, remains a requirement for members of Canada's national parliament and for most members of provincial legislative assemblies.
India's 'blockbuster' drugs to take on deadly superbugs
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These antibiotic-resistant "superbugs" directly caused 1.14 million deaths worldwide in 2021, according to The Lancet, a medical journal. Antibiotics - which are considered to be the first line of defence against severe infections - did not work on most of these cases.
India is among the countries hardest hit by "antimicrobial resistance". In 2019 alone, antibiotic-resistant infections caused around 300,000 deaths. They alone are responsible for the deaths of nearly 60,000 newborns each year.
But some hope is on the horizon. A number of promising locally-developed new drugs show potential to combat antibiotic-resistant pathogens. They also offer a game-changing solution to preserve last-resort treatments.
Enmetazobactam, developed by Chennaibased Orchid Pharma, is the first antimicrobial invented in India to be approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). This injectable drug treats severe conditions like urinary tract infections (UTIs), pneumonia and bloodstream infections by targeting bacteria’s defence mechanisms rather than the bacteria itself.
Bacteria often produce enzymes, like beta-lactamase, to destroy antibiotics. Enmetazobactam binds tightly to those
enzymes, neutralising them and allowing the antibiotic to kill the bacteria effectively.
To put it simply, the drug immobilises the bacteria’s "weapon" without triggering resistance easily. This also preserves the effectiveness of other antibiotics, including carbapenems, which are the reliable “last line of defence” drugs.
Trials across 19 countries - the drug has been approved by global regulators - with more than 1,000 patients have shown its effectiveness. “The drug has shown remarkable potency against these bacteria that have evolved over the years. It is administered via intravenous [IV] infusion in hospitals, specifically for critically ill patients, and is not available over the counter,” Dr Maneesh Paul, the lead co-inventor of the drug, told the BBC.
Mumbai-based Wockhardt is testing a new antibiotic, called Zaynich, for severe drugresistant infections. Developed over 25 years, the drug is currently in Phase-3 trials and expected to launch next year.
Dr Habib Khorakiwala, founder chairman of Wockhardt, has described Zaynich as a "groundbreaking, one-of-its-kind new antibiotic designed to combat all major superbugs". It was administered on compassionate grounds to 30 critically ill patients in India who were unresponsive to any other antibiotics.
Actress Nargis Fakhri's sister Aliya Fakhri arrested for murdering ex-boyfriend in USA
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She faces four counts of first-degree murder, four counts of second-degree murder, and arson charges. Her next court appearance is scheduled for 9 December, as per the Queens District Attorney’s office.
According to the indictment, Aliya Fakhri arrived at the property around 6:20 AM and was heard shouting, “You’re all going to die today,” before igniting the fire. Ettienne attempted to rescue Jacobs, who was asleep, from the burning building. They both succumbed to smoke inhalation and thermal injuries, officials said.
“This defendant maliciously ended the lives of two people by setting a fire that trapped a man and woman in a raging inferno,” said Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz. Meanwhile, Jacobs’ mother, Janet, told the New York Post that her son had ended his relationship with Fakhri over a year ago and had been trying to distance himself from her. “He’s been trying to tell her to leave him alone for the past year, but she wasn’t accepting the rejection,” she claimed.
Aliya Fakhri’s mother, however, expressed disbelief at her daughter’s involvement in the fatal fire. “I don’t think she would be killing someone,”
she told the New York Daily News. “She was a person who was caring for everybody.”
Aliya Fakhri is currently being held at Rikers Island, the largest jail in New York City, and has pleaded not guilty to the charges. If convicted of the most serious offence, she could be sentenced to life in prison.
Aliya Fakhri, 43, is the younger sister of Nargis Fakhri. She was born and raised in Queen, New York. Aliya and Nargis’ father, Mohammed Fakhri, was a Pakistani, while their mother, Marie Fakhri, is Czech. Aliya’s parents got divorced when she was a child and, shortly after, her father died.
According to officials, Aliya arrived at the garage on the morning of 2 November and yelled, “You are all going to die today” at Jacobs, who was sleeping at that time. Seconds later, the building was set on fire. Aliya has been charged with four counts of murder in the first degree, and four counts of murder in the second degree, and has also been accused of arson by a grand jury.
According to Aliya’s mother, she struggled with opioid addiction after a dental mishap, which she believes may have led to her daughter’s behaviour, many reports claimed.
Mayor wants BC's South Asian Heritages Museum built in Surrey
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“Surrey is home to a vibrant South Asian community and Council is committed to collaborating with the province to bring a South Asian Museum or Cultural Centre to life in our city,” Locke says in a news release posted Tuesday on surrey.ca.
“We have a remarkable opportunity to establish a cultural treasure that honours the rich history, diverse stories and bright future of South Asian Canadians. This initiative promises to cultivate a deeper appreciation of our cultural diversity for residents and visitors alike."
In August, an online survey suggested Surrey is the best location in B.C. for a new Canadians of South Asian Heritages Museum, a working
title for the promised facility. Launched in April, public-engagement results are found in a 16page report posted to the website engage.gov. bc.ca.
No construction timeline is given for the museum, which would be the first of its kind in Canada.
Now Locke will write to Premier David Eby and appropriate minister(s) to formally notify the provincial government of Surrey’s interest in the project, the city's news release says. It adds: "The City of Surrey has proactively identified land holdings that can support the facility’s development," though no sites are mentioned.
Surrey Board of Trade also backs Surrey as the site of the proposed South Asian museum.
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Female RCMP officer charged with two counts of sex assault in Alberta
A female Leduc RCMP officer has been charged with two counts of sexual assault following an investigation into an incident that occurred during a gathering at an Airdrie hotel in December 2022. The Alberta Serious Incident Response Team (ASIRT) began its investigation on December 13, 2022, after allegations surfaced about sexual assaults that reportedly took place in the early hours of December 3, 2022.
Evidence gathered by ASIRT led to reasonable grounds to believe offences had been committed. The findings were submitted to the Alberta Crown Prosecution Service (ACPS), as required under the Police Act, for a determination on whether the evidence met the threshold for prosecution.
After a thorough review, ACPS concluded the evidence warranted charges.
ASIRT Assistant Executive Director Matthew Block then authorized charges against the officer. On November 29, Const. Bridget Morla was formally charged with two counts of sexual assault.
She was released on an undertaking and is scheduled to appear in the Alberta Court of Justice in Airdrie on December 12, 2024. ASIRT, which investigates serious or sensitive allegations of police misconduct and incidents involving injury or death in Alberta’s policing community, has stated that no further information will be released while the case is before the courts.
Langley truck hijacker seeks bail
A man arrested and facing multiple charges after a carjacking in Langley in July will ask a B.C. judge for bail on Tuesday, Dec. 10.
Edward Joseph Biwer is currently in custody, charged with robbery, theft, assault, dangerous driving, driving while disqualified, and possession of stolen property.
He was arrested on July 5 in Langley, after a series of incidents that began with a carjacking in the 20200-block of 64 Avenue. A woman reported that she was assaulted by a man while getting out of her car, and he then got into the driver's seat and sped off.
A short distance away, the stolen car was involved in a three-car crash at the intersection of 200 Street and 64 Avenue. The suspect allegedly tried to carjack other vehicles before fleeing on foot.
Then police got a report that a five-tonne truck had been stolen nearby. The driver of the truck drove erratically up to the 7200-block of
200 Street, colliding with several parked cars, before a Langley RCMP officer rammed the front wheel of the truck, bringing it to a halt. The driver was arrested. People charged with a criminal offence are considered not guilty until proven otherwise in a court of law.
Biwer, 33 at the time of his arrest, has a previous criminal record, and in 2017 had been sentenced to 10 years behind bars for another carjacking incident in the Clayton Heights area of Surrey. On Dec. 23, 2014, Biwer committed an attempted robbery, then a violent carjacking involving a pregnant woman. He also threw the woman's French bulldog out of the car window, before flipping the car, fracturing the woman's pelvis.
He carjacked a second vehicle at the scene of the crash, this one with a seven-week-old child in the back seat. The car was found 40 minutes later, with the child alone inside, having sustained a minor concussion.
Suspect charged with 9 break-ins in 5 days in Richmond
A man is facing nine break-and-enter charges after an alleged five-day crime spree in Richmond last year. The Richmond RCMP says it investigated nine incidents at apartment buildings in the city centre between Nov. 8 and Nov. 12 in 2023.
The suspect identified is now facing nine counts of break and enter contrary to the Criminal Code of Canada and one count of mischief. Mounties are taking the opportunity to remind residents
to take safety precautions ahead of the winter holiday season.
If you plan to leave your home for a vacation, the Richmond RCMP says you should arrange for someone trusted to house sit, or at lease shovel the driveway, mow the lawn, or collect mail as needed. Police also advise you not post about your vacation plans on social media, and not store ladders and tools outside your home.
Plea deal in USA reveals how migrants were smuggled across BC border in freight trains
At the same time as U.S. presidentelect Donald Trump accuses Canada of failing to secure its border with the United States, an Oregon resident has pleaded guilty to conspiring to transport dozens of undocumented migrants smuggled across the B.C. border by foot and freight train.
According to documents filed last week in U.S. District Court in Seattle, Jesus OrtizPlata signed a plea deal admitting to helping at least 25 people stay in Washington state illegally, in exchange for a sentence of up to 18 months in jail.
The charges relate to seven separate crossborder smuggling cases — including two where dozens of people were found hiding in rail cars among items like bulk plastic pellets.
The case highlights the inner workings of human smuggling operations on both sides of the border. "Several undocumented non-citizen smuggling organizations operate in the Lower Mainland of British Columbia, Canada," reads an application for a search warrant written by David Spitzer, the Homeland Security Investigations special agent who headed the case.
"These organizations typically charge
undocumented non-citizens between $5,000 and $10,000 [US] to be illegally brought across the U.S. border."
The court documents don't identify anyone involved in operations on the Canadian side of the border, but Spitzer laid out the relationship between B.C. smuggling operations and U.S.based associates like Ortiz-Plata, "who picks up the undocumented non-citizens once they cross the border illegally."
"These U.S. associates typically transport the undocumented non-citizens to the Seattle area, where associates may then assist the undocumented non-citizens with travel arrangements to other U.S. locations," Spitzer wrote.
Targeted shooting in Abbotsford
The Abbotsford police were called at 7:42 a.m. about shots being fired at a home in the 2100-block of Holly Street.
Before officers arrived, the suspects had fled in a red sedan.
Investigators found no evidence anyone was injured, but believe the residence was targeted, said Sgt. Paul Walker in a news release.
Just before 8 a.m., a car was reported on fire at the closed Bradner rest stop along Highway 1.
“Officers arrived and learned from witnesses that individuals were seen running from what is believed to be the suspect vehicle,” said Walker.
The rest stop — which has been shuttered since an encampment was cleared in the summer — is cordoned off and there is “a significant police presence” in the area.
The Lower Mainland police dog service was
called in and two men were found and arrested. They remain in custody.
Investigators think a third suspect is still on the lam and was last seen in the area of Hwy. 1 and Bradner Road.
Witnesses and anyone with dashcam footage are asked to contact Abbotsford police at 604859-5225.
Food prices could jump by up to 5% in 2025, and researchers say loonie is partly to blame
Continued from Page 1...
The annual report is published by a group of universities, including Halifax's Dalhousie University, the University of Guelph, the University of British Columbia and the University of Saskatchewan.
"We are expecting a difficult year, unfortunately, for families," said Sylvain Charlebois, lead researcher on the project and a professor at Dalhousie University.
This year, researchers on the project also used several artificial intelligence models to help estimate changes in food prices, though the authors wrote that they had human experts weigh in on the AI results as well.
The Food Price Report noted that the cost of food for 2024 came in on the lower end of its estimates for that year.
Though costs had been predicted to increase by 2.5 to 4.5 per cent, food inflation rose by 2.8 per cent — meaning an increase of $436 for a family of four through the year — bringing total food spending for that family to $16,032. Had the higher end of those predictions come to pass, they would have spent $264 on top of that.
Charlebois said that 2024 may have seen a bit of a slowdown when it comes to food inflation,
but he believes 2025 could see things track back upward.
"A lot of people didn't feel it, but 2024 was actually a bit of a break year, compared to the last few years ... in Germany, the food inflation rate is starting to rise again at the same level as Canada. So we're not alone in this," said Charlebois in an interview, speaking from Berlin.
This year, meat, vegetables and restaurant prices are likely to increase faster than other products, Charlebois said.
"Those are the three categories that are likely gonna push food inflation higher next year," he said.
The Food Price Report is predicting that meat will top its list of food inflation, going up by between four and six per cent. This matches reports from beef industry experts, who have said their product has been hitting record prices.
In September, beef striploin cuts were going for $32 per kilogram, compared to just $20 in December 2023. That issue is exacerbated by a drop in cattle, with numbers falling to their lowest since 1987, while reports indicate consumer demand remains strong for many beef products.
Restaurants and vegetables are predicted to see inflation of between three to five per cent.
Federal auditor says pandemic loan program lacked control over contract spending
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Export Development Canada (EDC), the Crown corporation responsible for administering the loan program, heavily relied on sole-source contracts with one contractor to deliver the program.
More than 90 per cent of the program's $230 million in administrative expenses was paid to Accenture, a professional services and IT company, based on sole-source contracts, the report said.
EDC flagged early on in the process that it didn't have the capacity to administer the program on its own and would need to seek outside help, the report said. But the Crown corporation "outsourced many key aspects of the management of the CEBA program without strong checks and balances in place," the report added.
Specifically, EDC allowed Accenture to determine the scope and prices in its contracts, with little pushback.
Auditor General Karen Hogan told the House public accounts committee on Monday that she would have expected a program like CEBA to be administered by the public service, not a Crown corporation. She also said that because the program was managed by an arms-length organization, there should have been more departmental oversight.
"I would have expected better oversight by the Department of Finance and Global Affairs [Canada] and they really did fail in their responsibilities to exercise oversight over that Crown [corporation]," she told MPs.
"I am concerned about the over-reliance that they have put on this one single vendor [Accenture], and the lack of oversight by departments is such that bad decisions are not being questioned."
In her report, Hogan questioned the decision to give Accenture hourly contracts rather than fixed price contracts, which she said eliminated an incentive for the company to complete tasks quickly or with fewer resources. Some contracts also lacked penalties for cases where work wasn't performed to certain standards, said the audit report.
"EDC did not verify that the resources charged were appropriate or that the hours claimed by each resource were accurate prior to making payment," the report said.
The report cites a call centre that Accenture set up as an example of EDC failing to properly monitor costs. The initial contract said the call centre would be needed for four months and would cost just under $3 million. Hogan found that the centre was still operating as of March 2024 and its cost had ballooned to just over $23 million.
Chinese businessman denies allegations of leading criminal gang
Suva businessman and hotelier Fugang Zhao has denied reports that he heads an organised crime group in Fiji.
Mr Zhao’s denial comes after the Organised Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP), an international investigative journalism agency, released an investigative report on Thursday into the businessman and his relationship with top former Fiji officials.
OCCRP reported that Fiji Police officers had warned former prime minister Voreqe Bainimarama and former commissioner of police Sitiveni Qiliho of Mr Zhao’s associations, but both men had continued to associate with Mr Zhao.
In an email to The Fiji Times yesterday Suva lawyer Nikheel Nambiar described the reports as “baseless” saying that Mr Zhao did not “partake in, encourage or support any form of criminal
activity”.
OCCRP describes Mr Zhao as “a key figure in China’s attempts to build influence in (Fiji)”, saying that he has come under increased scrutiny since the change of Government in 2022. In March this year, OCCRP and Australia’s
Severe thunderstorms and heavy rain warning
If you are travelling through Western half of Viti Levu in an area between Sigatoka through to Momi, Nadi, Lautoka, Ba, Navua, Suva and the Western interior of Viti Levu and Southern Vanua Levu, be aware that is a severe thunderstorm warning with heavy rainfall warning for these areas.
The Fiji Meteorological Service is urging people keep clear of flooded creeks and drains and not to walk, ride bike or drive through flood water.
“Unplug computers and appliances and stay indoors
away from windows and keep children and pets indoors as well,” states Fiji Met.
Two charged for supermarket robbery
Two of the three men arrested for their alleged involvement in a robbery at Alison Supermarket in Laucala Beach this week has been charged.
Fiji Police Force said both have been charged with four counts of aggravated robbery each.
The two will be produced at the Nasinu Magistrates Court today.
The first accused is a 51-year old man residing in Valelevu while the second accused was a 43-year old residing in Suva.
The third suspect was questioned and released.
Rise in fuel and gas prices in December
New fuel prices come into effect tonight at 12am, with increases all across.
Motor spirit is going up by 5 cents from $2.62 per litre to $2.67.
Premix price is up by 8 cents from $2.43 per litre to $$2.51.
There is 9 cents increase in diesel price from the current $2.18 to $2.27 per lite.
The price of one litre kerosene will now be $1.74, with a 7 cents increase.
A 4.5kg gas cylinder has 38 cents increase from $14.97 to $15.35.
A 12kg gas cylinder has a $1.01 increase from $39.91 to $40.92.
There is 6 cents increase in Autogas, from the current $2.16 to $2.22.
Call for children’s curfew
Fiji may introduce a children’s curfew.
Speaking on the issue of street kids in the country, Minister for Women, Children and Social Protection Lynda Tabuya said the curfew if introduced would be between 10pm and 5am.
“I would very much like to revisit the issue of introducing a children’s curfew in Fiji where between the hours of 10pm and 5am, no children can be on the street,” she said.
“They need to be in their homes.
She said family had a key role to play in ensuring their children were safe and at home.
Nine media outlets reported that Australian intelligence and law enforcement had each designated Mr Zhao a “priority target” due to their suspicions that he had organised crime ties.
OCCRP noted that Australian authorities had not made public any evidence against Mr Zhao.
“Critics say that Bainimarama’s government often turned a blind eye to an explosion of meth and cocaine trafficking over the last several years.
Fiji is a logistics and tourism hub situated between drug-producing regions in the Americas and lucrative markets in Australia and New Zealand,” the OCCRP report said.
OCCRP says that it has a copy of a five-page 2020 Fiji police briefing portraying Mr Zhao at the head of what officers suspected was a local organized crime group comprised members of the country’s ethnic Chinese diaspora.
The suspected group members included Jason Zhong, who local investigators had dubbed a “Triad Boss” and “Ice Man”.
Zhong was convicted in 2005 of setting up a lab in Suva capable of producing almost a tonne of meth, and again in 2012 for trafficking Thai women to the country for sex work.
But Mr Nambiar said that Mr Zhao “has no connection” with Jason Zhong.
Mr Zhong did not respond to questions from OCCRP reporters.
According to OCCRP, Fiji police considered Mr Zhao to be the leader of the organised crime group and had briefed both Mr Bainimarama and Mr Qiliho.
Three different Fiji Police sources said that repeated police efforts to investigate the group were blocked by Mr Qiliho.
“It lies with family members to have their children at home, they can’t be left supervised, it is the school holidays, it’s possible they could be unsupervised, especially at night.”
She acknowledged the vanua o Sabeto which had introduced laws restricting the children from leaving the village after 10pm.
“If that can happen in a village setting, we can do it as well as a country and we should really look at that.
“It’s been done in other countries as well and we really need to take on this responsibility as a country.”
Bushra Bibi led a protest to free Imran Khan - what happened next is a mystery
A charred lorry, empty tear gas shells and posters of former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan - it was all that remained of a massive protest led by Khan’s wife, Bushra Bibi, that had sent the entire capital into lockdown.
Just a day earlier, faith healer Bibi - wrapped in a white shawl, her face covered by a white veil - stood atop a shipping container on the edge of the city as thousands of her husband’s devoted followers waved flags and chanted slogans beneath her.
It was the latest protest to flare since Khan, the 72-year-old cricketing iconturned-politician, was jailed more than a year ago after falling foul of the country's influential military which helped catapult him to power.
afternoon, her voice cutting through the deafening roar of the crowd.
“But even if you don’t,” she continued, “I will still stand firm.
“This is not just about my husband. It is about this country and its leader.”
It was, noted some watchers of Pakistani politics, her political debut.
But as the sun rose on Wednesday morning, there was no sign of Bibi, nor the thousands of protesters who had marched through the country to the heart of the capital, demanding the release of their jailed leader.
Pakistani influencer Maryam Faisal becomes 5th victim of MMS video leak
Pakistani influencer Maryam Faisal, who has 0.6 million followers on social media has become the 5th victim of a private video leak. The alleged sex video has gone viral
“My children and my brothers! You have to stand with me,” Bibi cried on Tuesday
While other PMs have fallen out with Pakistan's military in the past, Khan's refusal to stay quiet behind bars is presenting an extraordinary challenge - escalating the standoff and leaving the country deeply divided.
on social media and reportedly shows her getting intimate with a man. While the TikToker is yet to release a statement several users on social media have claimed that the video is of Maryam. This news comes after a series of headlines over the last month which also revealed a growing list of social media personalities who had a privacy breach. The list also includes names of Kanwal Aftab, Minahil Malik, Mathira Mohammad, and
Imsha Rehman. On the other hand, Pakistani actress-singer Mishi Khan has accused another influencer Minahil of leaking her video for publicity. Mishi Khan referred to Kareena Kapoor Khan's film Heroine and said, "Shameful to see these influencers stooping to the lowest level for fame and disgracing their families, parents and society. They should be banned from using social media." For the unversed, Minahil Malik was the first star to have a video leaked in October 2024. But soon after she clarified that the MMS video was fake and that the person in the video was not her but someone else.
However, more such cases have come up in the last couple of days. Just last week, Kanwal Aftab known for her lifestyle, beauty, and family-related content had a breach of privacy when her obscene videos were leaked online. According to reports, she is married to TikTok star Zulqarnain Sikandar. The two tied the knot in 2021 and welcomed their first child in 2023.
A Bangladeshi perspective on restoring ties with India
Alauddin Mohammad, a member of the Bangladesh National Citizens’ Committee Executive, seeks people-to-people contacts between Bangladesh and India to clear misunderstandings that had vitiated the relationship after the ouster of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in a violent student-led movement in August this year.
While Bangladeshis saw the ouster of Hasina’s repressive regime as perfectly legitimate, India suspected that it was
engineered either by Pakistan or the US or together, to nullify its traditionally close ties with Bangladesh particularly, Sheikh Hasina. New Delhi was particularly irked when the Interim Government led by the pro-US Chief Advisor Dr.Muhammad Yunus sought the extradition of Hasina from India to face criminal charges in a Dhaka court.
Feelings ran really high in India when Islamic radicals attacked Hindu temples and a Hindu monk, Chinmoy Das Bhramachari,
was arrested and denied bail for allegedly dishonouring the Bangladesh flag. The Hindus of Chittagong had earlier held mass demonstrations demanding protection.
In Bangladesh, on the contrary, the popular narrative was that India was hatching a plot to use the Hindu minority in Bangladesh to discredit the Interim Government and eventually put protégé Hasina back in power. Relations between New Delhi and Dhaka stay frozen with no sign of an early thaw. It is
against that background that this writer talked to Alauddin Mohammad, a National Citizens (Jatiyo Nagorik) Committee member. The Jatiyo Nagorik Committee came into being in September seeking to unite diverse groups in Bangladesh to establish a new “political settlement for a democratic Bangladesh.” It aims to reform the State in line with the aspirations of the student-led mass uprising. It is run by a 55-member committee led by Nasir Uddin Patwary.
Akal
Takht issues 'tankhah'
for Sukhbir Badal and strips Parkash Singh Badal of 'Fakhr-e-Qaum' title
The Five High Priests headed by Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Raghbir Singh on Monday awarded 'tankhah' (religious punishment) to Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader Sukhbir Badal, former Akali ministers and the party’s core committee members holding them guilty of religious misconduct for taking controversial decisions during SAD's tenure from 2007 to 2017.
Giani Raghbir Singh addressed the 'guilty' Akalis from the podium of the Akal Takht, asking them to wear plaques around their necks with a message of their admittance of guilt.
The Akal Takht has also withdrawn the Fakhr-e-Qaum title, conferred on late Parkash Singh Badal, keeping in view that he was the state’s chief minister when the mistakes were committed that led to a dent to the Sikh Panth and its sentiments. The Jathedar also directed the working committee of the SAD to accept the resignation of Sukhbir Badal as party chief and report back to the Akal Takht within three days. On August 30, Sukhbir was declared 'tankhaiya' as part of ‘religious punishment’. Keeping in
view his health as he recently suffered a hairline fracture in his leg, Sukbhir was asked to serve at the entrance of the Golden Temple wearing a guard's dress while sitting on a wheelchair.
Sukhdev Dhindsa was also awarded a similar punishment owing to his old age and health concerns.
They were also directed to perform sewa at Guru Ram Dass Jee Langar Hall.
Meanwhile, others were asked to clean up washrooms of the Golden Temple complex for an hour, followed by washing dishes and cleaning shoes of devotees for an hour each.
The Takht termed the 'mistakes' as sins, and asked Sukhbir to answer its queries, pertaining to controversial decisions taken during the party's rule from 2007-2017, in either 'yes' or 'no'.
The proceedings started with the controversial pardon granted to Sirsa-based Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim in 2015, who faced charges of blasphemy. Giani Raghbir Singh asked Sukhbir to reveal the truth on the allegations levelled against him about his "dubious role" in facilitating pardon to the Dera chief.
Sukhbir Badal escapes assassination bid
Former Deputy CM and senior Akali Dal leader Sukhbir Singh Badal on Wednesday escaped an assassination bid when a pro-Khalistan activist opened fire on him from close range at the Golden Temple. An alert Punjab Police ASI deployed in civilian clothes pounced on the assailant, identified as Narain Singh Chaura, and grabbed his hands just as he pulled a revolver out of his pocket. Chaura managed to open fire, but missed the target. He was overpowered and arrested from the spot. The audacious attack was captured on
cover the second day of Sukhbir performing the guard duty at the entrance of the shrine as part of “tankhah” given to him by the Akal Takht for “mistakes” committed by the SAD government during 2007-17. Amid the usual hustle and bustle of devotees, Chaura appeared at the entrance of the Golden Temple from the Ghanta Ghar side around 9.30 am. He washed his feet in the “charan ganga” (a small pool where devotees wash their feet before entering the shrine) and started walking slowly towards Sukhbir, who was sitting
Denial of bail as pre-trial punishment violates justice principles, says HC in drugs case
The Punjab and Haryana High Court has ruled that denying bail solely as a pre-trial deterrent violates the core principles of justice and equity. Referring to aphorism that `crime, not the individual, should be condemned’, Justice Anoop Chitkara has also asked the courts to balance the severity of past criminal records with the need for a fair trial, especially when the offense in question is “minor”.
“Although the legal system upholds the principle that crime, not the individual, should be condemned, the contours of a playing field are marshy, and the graver the criminal history, the slushier the puddles, and a recidivist often operates on precarious ground, where the weight of a significant criminal record creates an increasingly challenging terrain,” Justice Chitkara asserted.
The court, at the same time, added the courts were required to not to allow past conduct overshadow the need for a fair trial process, where arrest was unwarranted, or
bail inevitable due to the minor nature of the offense.
“Nonetheless, where the offense for which bail is sought is minor, such that arrest is generally unwarranted, or bail would ordinarily be inevitable, the courts must not deny bail solely as a punitive measure intended to serve as a pre-trial deterrent. Such an approach contravenes the judiciary's obligation to uphold the foundational principles of justice and equity in bail proceedings,” Justice Chitkara asserted.
The ruling came on an anticipatory bail plea in a case where the accused was found in possession of a substance weighing less than the threshold categorised as a "small quantity" under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act.
Justice Chitkara asserted the classification was indicative of the offense's lesser gravity. Such quantities fell under the magistrates’ jurisdiction.
Several injured as farmers, police clash in Mansa
Several police personnel and farmers were injured in a clash in Mansa on Thursday.
The clash broke out when the farmers from Sangrur district were on their way to Leleana village in Bathinda to protest against the Gujarat gas pipeline.
In Mansa, heavy police deployment was made to prevent the farmers from marching towards the site.
According to reports, the farmers tried to break through the barricading but were stopped by the police which lead to confrontation. The police resorted to cane-charge to stop them,
with sticks also retaliated. Several policemen and farmers were injured in the clash, while a number of police vehicles were also vandalised.
The injured have been admitted to Mansa Civil Hospital.
India is set to upgrade its fleet of MH-60R multirole helicopters, boosting its submarine-hunting capabilities. The outgoing Biden administration has approved the sale of advanced equipment and supplies to the Indian Navy at an estimated cost of $1.17 billion (approximately Rs 10,000 crore), notifying the US Congress of its decision.
India initially procured 24 MH-60R helicopters under a $2.6 billion Foreign Military Sales deal, with the first batch inducted earlier this year. The new package includes advanced systems such as 30 multifunctional information distribution system-joint tactical radio systems, external fuel tanks, infrared systems, ammunition and data transfer systems.
The proposed upgrades will also provide India with a joint mission planning system (JMPS), test equipment, spare parts, depot-level
repair capabilities and software development. Additionally, the deal includes US government and contractor engineering, technical and logistics support services. The US Defence Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) emphasised that the sale aligns with US foreign policy and security objectives by strengthening the strategic partnership with India. The equipment will enhance India’s role as a stabilising force in the Indo-Pacific and South Asia regions, contributing to political stability, peace and economic progress.
The Biden administration’s approval comes weeks before its term ends, with President-elect Donald Trump set to take office on January 20, 2025. The deal reflects sustained US commitment to bolstering India’s defence capabilities as a key partner in the region.
Dhaka summons Indian envoy, suspends services at mission in Agartala
Bangladesh on Tuesday summoned Indian High Commissioner Pranay Verma to the foreign affairs ministry office here, a day after Dhaka lodged a strong protest against the alleged vandalism of its mission in Tripura.
Bangladesh also suspended all consular services at its Assistant High Commission in Agartala until further notice because of security reasons. Regarding summoning of the Indian diplomat, a Bangladesh foreign ministry official said, “Verma came as he was asked to come when we conveyed him our concerns.” Foreign affairs adviser Mohammad Touhid Hossain
earlier said the Indian envoy was asked to come to the foreign office after the Agartala incident. Verma, on the other hand, said Delhi wanted to build a “constant stable, constructive relationship” with Bangladesh saying no single issue should stand a barrier for bilateral ties.
India, Kuwait to boost partnership in tech, trade
India and Kuwait signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to set up a Joint Commission for Cooperation (JCC) at the level of Foreign Ministers, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said. The MoU details the outcome of talks between External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and his Kuwaiti counterpart Abdullah Ali Al Yahya.
The two ministers met in New Delhi today, marking the first official visit of Al Yahya as Kuwait’s Foreign Minister to India. This was their second meeting in four months. The JCC will facilitate the establishment of new joint working groups in areas
such as trade, investment, education, technology, agriculture, security and culture. “The JCC mechanism will serve as an umbrella institutional structure to review and monitor all aspects of our bilateral relations, including new and existing joint working groups on hydrocarbons, health and consular matters,” the MEA said. The ministers also reviewed the full range of India-Kuwait ties, covering political, trade, investment, energy, food security and people-to-people relations. They exchanged views on regional and international issues of mutual interest.
Home-cooked meals became dearer in November compared to the year-ago period due to higher prices of tomato and potato, according to a report on Thursday.
A vegetarian thali's price increased 7 per cent on year to Rs 32.70, primarily on a 35 per cent jump
in tomato prices to Rs 53 per kg and 50 per cent increase in potato at Rs 37 per kg, rating agency Crisil's monthly 'Roti Rice Rate' report said. Additionally, prices of pulses rose 10 per cent, it said, adding that they would decline with fresh arrivals in December, while import duty hike led to a 13 per cent increase in vegetable oil prices. An 11 per cent decrease in fuel cost due to an LPG price cut helped ease the pressure on the thali cost.
A non-vegetarian thali cost inched up 2 per cent to Rs 61.5 in November due to a 3 per cent increase in the cost of broilers, which have a 50 per cent weightage in computation. Compared with October, a 17 per cent decline in tomato prices helped in a 2 per cent reduction in the cost of vegetarian thali at Rs 32.70, while the nonvegetarian thali cost was flat.
A fake Bachelor of Electro-Homeopathy Medicine and Surgery (BEMS) degree racket was busted in Gujarat's Surat with the arrest of 13 people, including 10 bogus doctors, a police official said on Thursday. Allopathic and homoeopathic medicines, injections, syrup bottles and certificates were found from the "clinics" of the accused, he added. "Three of the accused were selling bogus BEMS degrees for Rs 70,000. They have been identified as Surat-resident Rasesh Gujarathi, Ahmedabad-resident BK Rawat and their associate Irfan Saiyed. Our preliminary probe has found the racket was being operated by Gujarathi and Rawat under the garb of 'Board of Electro Homeopathic
ISRO's trusted workhorse PSLV rocket carrying two satellites of the European Space Agency (ESA) lifted off from the spaceport here on Thursday.
The launch was rescheduled to 4.04 pm on Thursday and a revised countdown was set after sorting out an anomaly detected in the propulsion system of one of the satellites on Wednesday, minutes before the launch. As the countdown concluded, the PSLV C-59 blasted off to place Proba-3 spacecraft in the desired orbit. In a social media post after the lift-off, the Bengaluru-based space agency said, "Lift off achieved. PSLV-C59
Fadnavis
Medicine, Ahmedabad'," a police release said. "Both the accused have sold such certificates to nearly 1,500 individuals. Some of these are only 10th pass. Gujarathi had started a college in Gopipura area in 2002 and offered a three-year course in Electro Homeopathy. However, he incurred a loss as he failed to find students for the course," the release said.
He then came into contact with Rawat and both started selling the degree for Rs 70,000 to anyone wanting to start their clinic and the duo used to give them degree certificates, marksheet, registration certificates and I-card within one week of admission in the course, the official said.
has successfully soared into the skies, marking the commencement of a global mission led by NSIL, with ISRO's technical expertise, to deploy ESA's groundbreaking PROBA-3 satellites. A proud moment celebrating the synergy of international collaboration and India's space achievements."
Proba-3 (Project for Onboard Anatomy) consists of two satellites in which two spacecraft would fly together as one, maintaining precise formation down to a single millimetre to study the corona, the Sun's outer atmosphere.
BJP legislature party leader Devendra Fadnavis was sworn in as new chief minister of Maharashtra while allies Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar took oath as deputy CMs at a grand ceremony here on Thursday evening.
The event, attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, several Union ministers and chief ministers of various states besides thousands of supporters of the BJP-led Mahayuti, took place at the Azad Maidan ground nearly two weeks after the results of the assembly elections were declared on November 23. Fadnavis, 54, elected from Nagpur
South West constituency, became chief minister for the third time. Governor CP Radhakrishnan administered the oath of office to Fadnavis and his two deputies. Other members of the cabinet will likely take oath before the winter session of the assembly starts, BJP leader Sudhir Mungantiwar had said earlier in the day. Fadnavis emerged as the frontrunner for the top post as he was the face of the BJP's campaign and led the party to victory in 132 seats in the 288-member House.
The BJP-Shiv Sena-NCP `Mahayuti' coalition has a commanding majority of 230 seats.
In their first diplomatic talks under a key dialogue mechanism since withdrawing troops from two face-off points, India and China on Thursday reflected on the lessons learnt from the eastern Ladakh border row in order to prevent such face-offs in future.
At the meeting of the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination (WMCC) on
issues that emerged in 2020," the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said.
The eastern Ladakh military standoff between India and China began in May 2020 and a deadly clash at the Galwan Valley in June that year resulted in a severe strain in ties between the two neighbours.
India-China border affairs in New Delhi, the two sides agreed to maintain peace and tranquillity in border areas in line with bilateral pacts and protocols.
The two sides also prepared for the next meeting of the Special Representatives on the boundary question.
"The two sides positively affirmed the implementation of the most recent disengagement agreement which completed the resolution of the
The face-off effectively ended following completion of the disengagement process from the last two friction points of Demchok and Depsang under an agreement finalised on October 21.
Two days after the pact was firmed up, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping held talks on the sidelines of the Brics Summit in the Russian city of Kazan.
In the meeting, the two sides agreed to revive several dialogue mechanisms including the Special Representatives dialogue on boundary questions.
India's Special Representative for the dialogue is NSA Ajit Doval while the Chinese side is headed at the talks by Foreign Minister Wang Yi.
"They also prepared for the next meeting of the Special Representatives, which is to be held in accordance with the decision of the two leaders in their meeting in Kazan on October 23," the MEA said on the WMCC talks.
