Cricket Canada consults experts after CEO charged with theft and fraud
Cricket Canada says it is “consulting with legal and governance experts to determine the appropriate course of action” in the wake of CEO Salman Khan being charged with theft and fraud.
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Canadians will wake up to much lower gas & diesel prices on April 1 and that’s no joke
The cost of filling up your vehicle is slated to go down significantly on April 1, and that’s not an April fool’s joke.
Newly sworn-in Prime Minister Mark Carney signed a prime ministerial directive to remove the consumer carbon tax effective April 1.
What is the carbon tax?
This tax is applied to fuels such as gasoline, diesel, natural gas and propane. It also impacts electricity rates as carbon pricing is applied to natural gas-fired electricity generation.
While Ontarians won’t get much of a reprieve from their home-heating bill, as the tax is being removed at the end of the winter season, drivers will notice an immediate price drop at the pumps.
Fraser Health is warning the public about the health risks associated with unauthorized Ayurvedic medicine sold by All in One Wholesale Cash and Carry in Surrey. The products may be contaminated with heavy metals, such as lead, mercury, arsenic and other heavy metals.
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Price drop at the gas pump
Drivers currently pay a carbon tax of 17.61 cents per litre of gasoline and 21.39 cents per litre of diesel — both figures had been scheduled to increase April 1 — but the price decrease will be even greater than that, points out Dan McTeague, president of Canadians for Affordable Energy. That’s because there’s a tax on the tax as we pay an HST on the above carbon pricing.
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Tesla accused of gaming Canada’s EV rebate program
Much like the U.S., Canada too has an EV rebate program to encourage more car buyers to go fully electric. The program was so popular that it was set to shut down early, and many car dealerships are claiming Tesla pulled a possibly illegal stunt to take most of the program’s remaining funds, which shut the program down even earlier. If true, it means Tesla created an unfair advantage to take over half of the CAD
71 million left in the program, leaving many car dealerships unable to get rebates they otherwise would have.
How did Tesla game the system?
In the waning days of the rebate program, it seems Tesla over-reported the number of cars it sold. Across four different Tesla dealerships in Canada, the company claimed it sold over 8,600 vehicles in three days.
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Trudeau collecting two pensions worth $8.4 million
The Canadian Taxpayers Federation is calling on party leaders to put an end to a second taxpayer-funded pension for prime ministers, arguing it’s an unnecessary burden on Canadians.
“Taxpayers can’t afford to keep covering Ottawa’s perks, and scrapping the prime minister’s second pension would be a good place to start saving money,” said Franco Terrazzano, Federal Director of the CTF.
“Prime ministers already earn nearly six times more
than the average Canadian and receive a generous MP pension — there’s no reason for taxpayers to foot the bill for a second one.”
According to CTF estimates, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will receive a total of $8.4 million in retirement through two government pensions. His MP pension alone will start at $141,000 per year when he turns 55, amounting to roughly $6.5 million if he lives to 90.
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Pro Hamas Indian student facing deportation in USA flees to Canada
A graduate student who fled the United States over fears she would be detained amid a crackdown on pro-Palestinian protesters denies allegations by U.S. authorities that she has been involved in activities promoting Hamas.
"I'm not a 'terrorist sympathizer,'" said Ranjani Srinivasan, referring to terminology the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and its secretary have publicly labelled her with. "So, I just find it kind of absurd."
Srinivasan, who is currently in Canada, spoke about her predicament.
She specifically denies participating in a high-profile protest at Columbia University, where students took over a building and police officers subsequently stormed it to end the occupation last spring. U.S. President Donald Trump's administration has been taking steps to single out pro-Palestinian protesters it holds culpable for involvement in a slew of protests on U.S. college campuses.
In January, Trump pledged to deport some noncitizen college students who participated in such protests.
"I was extremely afraid of being detained," said Srinivasan, who pointed to the detention of some fellow Columbia University students as a reason for her concerns about her safety.
Until recently, Srinivasan had been a doctoral student in urban planning at New York City's Columbia University. Between pursuing her studies and grading students' papers, she "rarely left the office," Srinivasan says.
Then she learned her student visa was being revoked, and that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents had been knocking on her door seeking to detain her.
She decided to leave the country, via a Canadabound flight from New York's LaGuardia airport.
"It feels a bit surreal," says Srinivasan, who is still trying to make sense of the events that have unfolded.
Tesla was removed from a major auto show because people keep vandalizing Teslas
The Vancouver International Auto Show, which begins on Wednesday and ends on Sunday, made the announcement Tuesday. More than 129,000 people attended the auto show last year.
“The Vancouver Auto Show’s primary concern is the safety of attendees, exhibitors, and staff,” Eric Nicholl, the event’s executive director, said in a statement. “This decision will ensure all attendees can be solely focused on enjoying the many positive elements of the event.”
and that our prime minister is a governor,” Vancouver resident Andrew Balakshin, who attended a recent anti-Tesla protest, told CBC News. Although the Tesla Takedown organizers emphasize nonviolent actions, such as dumping Tesla shares, reports of vandalism have become common in recent weeks. Tesla electric vehicles
During a news conference, the auto show said Tesla was given the chance to withdraw voluntarily last week, according to CBC News. Tesla was told it would be removed yesterday afternoon. The move comes after “Tesla Takedown” protests continue to rage against the company in protest of CEO Elon Musk’s high-profile role in President Donald Trump’s administration leading the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). Canada is also involved in a trade war with the U.S. that began with Trump’s new tariffs. The president has also mockingly referred to Canada’s prime minister as a governor, and the country as the 51st state. “I’m also against the attacks on Canadian sovereignty... by saying Canada is not a country
and facilities have been vandalized across the U.S., as have Superchargers. There’s even a website that claims to expose the personal information of anyone who currently owns a Tesla.
“This level of violence is insane and deeply wrong,” Musk said Tuesday on X in response to a video of several burning Teslas in Las Vegas. “Tesla just makes electric cars and has done nothing to deserve these evil attacks.”
Trump says he will double tariffs on Canada metals to 50%
President Donald Trump on Tuesday doubled his planned tariff on all steel and aluminium products coming into the United States from Canada, bringing the total to 50%, in response to the province of Ontario placing a 25% tariff on electricity coming into the US.
Trump said in a post on Truth Social that he had instructed his commerce secretary to add an additional 25% tariff on the products that would go into effect on Wednesday morning.
"Also, Canada must immediately drop their Anti-American Farmer Tariff of 250% to 390% on various US dairy products, which has long been considered outrageous. I will shortly be declaring a National Emergency on Electricity within the
threatened area," Trump wrote. He also threatened to "substantially increase" tariffs on cars coming into the United States on April 2 "if other egregious, long time Tariffs are not likewise dropped by Canada".
Canada condemns China after it executes 4 Canadians over 'drug-related crimes'
Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly said Canada is strongly condemning China after the country executed four Canadians earlier this year.
Joly said the Canadians were all dual citizens and faced "charges linked to criminal activities, according to China, linked to drugs."
She said Canada would continue to engage with China and ask for leniency "for other Canadians that are facing a similar situation."
Joly said she and former prime minister Justin Trudeau had personally intervened in the cases of the four citizens who were executed. She said she would not provide more information because the families asked for privacy. "Of course, our hearts and minds are with the families," she said. MacLeod said the federal department is continuing to provide consular assistance to the families of those who were executed, but would not provide the identities of the victims. China's embassy in Ottawa defended the executions on Wednesday, telling CBC News in an email that "whoever violates the law of China must be held accountable in accordance with the law." Global Affairs Canada spokesperson Charlotte MacLeod said Canada "remains steadfast in its opposition to the use of the death penalty in all cases, everywhere."
BC is killing its consumer
carbon tax,
this is what does that means
In response to a reduction of the federal carbon tax for consumers to zero by the new prime minister, Mark Carney, B.C. Premier David Eby announced the consumer portion of the carbon tax will also be eliminated in B.C. On Friday, Eby said his government is already preparing legislation to do so. “This was an ideal policy from the perspective of economists. … But politics ultimately seems to be killing it,” said Marc Lee, an economist with the Centre for Policy Alternatives in B.C. Scrapping the rebate program, which was expected to distribute about $1 billion this fiscal year, will mean a net hit to the budget of about $1.8 billion. The federal tax did not apply to B.C. since it had its own version.
carbon tax when they fill up their vehicles will be gone, as will the $3.97 per gigajoule of energy they pay to heat their homes. The Canadian Taxpayers Federation had estimated that with a scheduled increase set for April 1, the carbon tax would have totalled $1,163 for a family of four to fill a minivan and to heat their home for a year.
What is the impact on B.C.’s budget? It will put a bigger hole in B.C.’s $10.9-billion deficit budget.
South Asian Business Association (SABA) held a mentorship gathering on Thursday night at Empire Banquet Hall to help and advise students on how best to approach the challenges in their future. The mentor-mentoree night was organized by SABA Directors Supreet Gill and Waris Purewal and attended by SABA members and students.
Here’s what will happen when the consumer carbon tax is eliminated: What changes will B.C. residents see?
The 17.61 cents a litre that motorists pay in
In the budget forecast for the 2025 fiscal year, which runs until March 31, 2026, the B.C. NDP government estimated the carbon tax would bring in $3.05 billion. B.C. Ministry of Finance officials said government expected to collect $199 million from its large industrial emitter program this fiscal year. So the remaining $2.8 billion of the carbon tax was to come from consumers, which include small and medium-sized businesses.
BC bracing for election with Carney expected to call vote by Sunday
British Columbians will likely be headed to the polls soon, with Prime Minister Mark Carney expected to call a snap election on Sunday. It comes with U.S. tariff and annexation threats now a key election issue, and amid a dramatic reversal of the federal parties’ fortunes, according to recent polling.
After holding a commanding 25-point plus advantage, the Conservatives have slid to second place according to Ipsos polling. Carney’s Liberals have surged to first place with 42 per cent support, and the NDP has collapsed to just 10 per cent nationally. “It’s unprecedented, I have never seen anything like it at the federal level, I have never seen a political party driven into the ground by a leader come back to life,” University of the Fraser Valley political scientist Hamish Telford said.
“The implosion of the NDP is one of the big features of the polling that we have seen. If this holds up, I think we could anticipate the Liberals picking up more seats in urban areas, including possibly southern Vancouver Island, which is unusual for them,” he added.
The snap election call means that all major parties will likely appoint a higher-than-usual number of candidates, rather than the typical but time-consuming nomination process. Former B.C. premier Christy Clark is also considering a Liberal run, but there are concerns internally about her favourability numbers.
Retiring Vancouver Police Chief Adam Palmer has been linked to a run for the Conservatives. Telford said the ability parties to recruit star candidates can be read as a sign of momentum.
Non-sufficient funds fee will be limited to $10 in Canada starting next year
In one of its last acts in office, former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's government decided to give Canadians a break at the bank.
According to an order-in-council dated March 12, two days before Trudeau resigned, banks won't be allowed to charge more than $10 if someone doesn't have enough money in their personal accounts to cover a cheque or a preauthorized debit.
Most banks charge non-sufficient funds (NSF) fees of $45 to $48 per transaction if an account holder does not have overdraft protection, which typically comes with its own monthly fee. Banks will also be prohibited from charging NSF fees more than once within a period of two business days and in cases where the overdraft is less than $10. The new regulations
will apply to personal and joint accounts but not to corporate or business accounts. They will go into effect on March 12, 2026. The government predicts the measure will reduce NSF fees charged by Canadian banks by $4.1 billion over 10 years.
Finance Department spokesperson Marie-France Faucher said the order comes at the end of a process that began with a news release in 2023 as well as announcements in the 2024 budget and the government's 2024 fall economic statement.
"This work included extensive consultations with consumer groups and banks to ensure that the regulations provided sufficient protection for consumers while being technically feasible to implement," Faucher wrote in an emailed response.
BC Greens push back on ‘vague wording’ in NDP emergency powers bill
British Columbia’s Green Party says the NDP government needs to “explain why” its proposal for broad-reaching emergency cabinet powers is needed before its two members support the legislation. Interim Leader Jeremy Valeriote said in a statement that while he understands the “urgency of the situation” given the ongoing trade strife with the United States, the proposed Bill 7 in its current form has “vague wording” and “could allow for sweeping economic decisions without clear limits or transparency.”
“There’s no need for secrecy,” Valeriote said. “Decisions should be made openly, not behind closed doors, and the legislature should receive regular reporting on what decisions are being
made.” The bill was tabled last week and would give B.C.’s cabinet sweeping powers to make regulations that address challenges or anticipated challenges from the actions of a foreign jurisdiction, or for a purpose “supporting the economy of British Columbia and Canada” without requiring a debate in the legislature. Premier David Eby said it is needed to respond to what he called the “humancaused disaster” of tariffs and other threats from U.S. President Donald Trump.
Valeriote said the Greens will “closely scrutinize this bill,” and the party is expected to “propose substantive amendments to ensure transparency, accountability, and fair economic outcomes” in the legislation.
Carney says he will eliminate GST for some first-time homebuyers
Prime Minister Mark Carney has announced that his government will eliminate the Goods and Services Tax (GST) for first-time homebuyers to address Canada’s housing crisis.
“Our government is laser-focused on lowering costs for Canadians and making homeownership a reality,” Carney said in a press release on Thursday. The tax cut applies to “all new and substantially renovated” homes at or under $1 million, he told reporters during a press conference in Edmonton, and is said to save Canadians up to $50,000.
“By eliminating the GST, Canadians will face lower upfront housing costs and keep more money in their pocket,” the press release reads.
“Eliminating the GST will also have a dynamic effect on increasing supply – spurring the
construction of new homes across the country.”
Despite this promise, Carney can only make it a reality if his government is elected in the next federal election, which is rumoured to be called as soon as Sunday, according to a source.
In response to Carney’s announcement, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre accused the liberals of plagiarizing him “a few days before calling an election,” he wrote in a post on X. He added that they unanimously voted against the same pledge he made last year.
“They are just trying to trick people into giving them a fourth term,” he said. In Oct. 2024, Poilievre released a six-minute video outlining his pledge to “axe the sales tax on homes,” with the caption saying, “You will pay no GST on new homes of under $1 million, saving up to $50,000.”
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Necessary tool or 'power grab?' BC NDP seeks to give itself new powers to fight US threats
British Columbia's Green Party says the NDP government needs to explain why its proposal for broad-reaching emergency cabinet powers is needed before its two members can support the legislation.
The NDP has a one-seat majority in the legislature and could pass the bill without Green assistance, but the two parties last week signed a confidence agreement that includes an NDP "commitment" to consult the Greens" with respect to the shared initiatives as listed in this agreement in relation to the United States Tariffs and Trade Actions." Interim Green Leader Jeremy Valeriote said in a statement that while he understands the "urgency of the situation" given the ongoing trade strife with the United States, the proposed Bill 7 in its current form has "vague wording" and "could allow for sweeping economic decisions without clear limits or transparency."
"There's no need for secrecy," Valeriote said. "Decisions should be made openly, not behind closed doors, and the legislature should receive regular reporting on what decisions are being made." The bill was tabled last week and would give B.C.'s cabinet sweeping powers to make regulations that address challenges or anticipated challenges from the actions of a foreign jurisdiction or for a purpose "supporting the economy of British Columbia and Canada" without requiring a debate in the legislature.
Premier David Eby said the bill — which contains a sunset clause that repeals it by May 28, 2027, at the latest — is needed to respond to what he called the "human-caused disaster" of tariffs and other threats from U.S. President Donald Trump.
Attorney General Niki Sharma said Thursday that she takes "all concerns" with the legislation seriously, but defended the bill's intent.
"It's a very unprecedented time that we're in, and we need to make sure that we have [the] ability to respond rapidly in a temporary way to protect our economy and make sure that the guardrails are strong enough," she said. "I'm always open to discussions about how we do that."
She said the legislation is temporary but needed in response to an "emergency" brought on by an American government seemingly unconstrained by treaty obligations or Congress.
Valeriote said the Greens would "closely scrutinize this bill," and the party expected to "propose substantive amendments to ensure transparency, accountability, and fair economic outcomes."
A thaw between Canada and India might be on the horizon with Justin Trudeau stepping down and being replaced by Mark Carney as Canada's prime minister.
Trudeau had openly clashed with New Delhi since September 2023, when he linked the death of a Sikh separatist leader and Canadian citizen Hardeep Singh Nijjar to Indian government agents. New Delhi angrily denied any involvement in the killing, which took place near Vancouver, and the ties between the two countries plunged to historic lows. But Trudeau is now out of office, and his successor Carney is seen as having a technocratic and globally oriented perspective on foreign ties, including Ottawa's relationship with the world's most populous nation. Providing, of course, that Carney survives Canada's upcoming parliamentary election.
Mark Carney delivers his victory address against a red background, gesturing with his left handMark Carney delivers his victory address against a red
background, gesturing with his left hand
"There are opportunities to rebuild relationships with India, there needs to be a shared sense of values around commercial relationships and if I am the prime minister, I look forward to the opportunity to build that," said Carney, before being elected as the leader of the governing Liberal Party. In another sign of rapprochement, Daniel Rogers, the head of the Canadian Security Intelligence Service, visited New Delhi this past weekend for a meeting of international intelligence heads hosted by India's National Security Council Secretariat. The US and the UK intelligence chiefs also attended the conference, which was held behind closed doors.
In the wake of the Nijjar row, both countries expelled each other's top diplomats — known as high commissioners — and suspended trade negotiations. Canada is home to the world's largest Sikh diaspora community, with about 800,000 people, roughly 2% of the national population.
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Khan and another man, Syed Wajahat Ali, each face a count of theft over $5,000 and fraud over $5,000 arising from their time in charge of the Calgary and District Cricket League.
Khan is the former president of the Calgary league while Ali is the former treasurer.
Calgary Police Service said in a release Wednesday that it believes the two men “are responsible for misappropriating money belonging to the Calgary and District Cricket League (C&DCL).”
Cricket Canada issued a four-paragraph statement Friday, its first public comment on the charges.
“Cricket Canada is committed to the highest standards of integrity and accountability. We take this matter seriously and are actively investigating the situation … In the meantime, we want to assure our members, stakeholders, and the cricket community in Canada that we remain focused on our mission to grow and support the sport with transparency and responsibility,” said the statement.
“The Calgary Police Service launched an investigation and discovered between January 2014 and December 2016, the former treasurer and former president of the C&DCL are believed to have misappropriated approximately $200,000 from the league,” said the police statement.
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The actual price drop at the pump will be around 20 cents per litre on gasoline and close to 25 cents on diesel.
If on March 31 gasoline prices are $1.50 per litre, drivers can expect them to be $1.30 on April 1, McTeague said.
Eligible Canadians are still slated to receive the Canada Carbon Rebate (carbon tax rebate) in mid-April. There are questions about what happens to the tax following the federal election and what the next federal government will do. McTeague points out the legislation that led
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In addition, Trudeau will collect a second pension specifically for serving as prime minister.
The government states that any prime minister who holds office for at least four years qualifies for this additional retirement allowance.
Trudeau’s payments will begin at $73,000 per year at age 67, totaling around $1.9 million by age 90. With both pensions combined, Trudeau’s estimated lifetime payout reaches $8.4 million. His current annual salary is $406,200.
Reforms introduced in 2012 reduced pension benefits, raised the retirement age, and increased MPs’ contributions to their own pensions. Before
“The funds were misappropriated through cheque payments to construction businesses and contractors which the former treasurer and former president, or their immediate family members, had connections to.”
Police said payments were allegedly made to the businesses for repairs and upgrades to the league clubhouse and grounds. But the work was either never completed, or poorly done, using inferior products. Costs were also “highly inflated.” The charges have not been proven in court. The two men, both from Milton, Ont., had their first court appearance Thursday.
Khan, in a social media post via the Alberta Cricket Association, called the allegations “completely false.”
“Here’s the truth. A police complaint was filed against me more than seven years ago,” he wrote.
“A police investigator approached me and said he wanted to hear my side of the story and see the evidence I have to defend myself. He told me that if I didn’t provide my side, he would proceed with charges. I told him I would visit after Ramadan, but he didn’t want to wait and decided to post charges without even hearing my side or my evidence.
“Let me make this clear: They have nothing to prove against me … I am not worried at all. I’m ready to fight just like I’ve been doing for the past eight years.”
to the carbon tax’s creation remains in place and if the consumer price index is simply shifted to an industrial carbon tax, businesses will pass those costs to consumers anyway.
“You’ll get this carbon tax right back at you but in a hidden fashion, with no rebate,” he said.
Carney has not signalled an end to industrial carbon pricing for large emitters. The Clean Fuel Regulations, an industrial carbon tax that remains in place, is estimated to increase the price of gasoline by 17 cents per litre and diesel by 16 cents per litre when fully implemented in 2030.
these changes, MPs contributed just $1 for every $24 spent by taxpayers and federal funds.
Former prime minister Stephen Harper forfeited between $1 million and $2 million in potential pension payouts by implementing these reforms. Despite that, the CTF estimates Harper’s total lifetime pension will still amount to approximately $7 million.
“Prime ministers already collect millions through their first pension. They shouldn’t be billing taxpayers for a second one,” said Terrazzano. “Canadians need to see leadership at the top, and all party leaders should commit to ending this extra pension for future prime ministers.”
BC to cancel secondary-suite incentive program
The B.C. government is cancelling a secondarysuite incentive program that it started in 2023 to entice homeowners to build additional units.
In a statement, the government blamed "uncertain financial times" for the decision, and said it won't be accepting any new applications after March 30. It added that the federal government has committed to implementing a similar program, and that the province didn't want to duplicate efforts.
Housing Ministry staff said over 200 forgivable loans have been approved or pre-approved as of March 2025, and less than 50 applications are undergoing a review process with B.C. Housing to determine whether the homeowners are eligible.
A new incentive to encourage BC homeowners to build more secondary suites... will it work? We'll ask a local housing advocate
B.C. Housing Minister Ravi Kahlon told
CBC News that they're reviewing everything through the lenses of "What do we need to do now?" and "What would be nice to do?"
He said ending the pilot program two years early will provide about $40 million that can now be used for other types of housing initiatives.
"That's a win-win for us," said Kahlon. "We still get to have the units come online through the federal program, but we can use these dollars to provide support for other types of rentals that we want to see."
Qualified homeowners in the pilot would have received funding for the construction costs of a new suite to a maximum of $40,000 in the form of a forgivable loan. The federal government program, when it's launched, would allow for low-interest loans of up to $80,000.
Kahlon said the federal program allows for more money, more flexibility, and seems to be supported by all federal parties.
"I feel fairly confident that the program, no matter which party wins, will remain."
Insufficient funding to match housing prices
Bryn Davidson, the co-owner and lead designer at Vancouver-based custom home builder Lanefab
Design Build, questioned whether the funding provides enough of an incentive for homeowners, though.
He said his business has never had a client ask about the provincial program and that he doesn't think the federal one, even with the higher funding cap, will be enough to offset the costs of building.
Something like a laneway house, he said, is closer to $600,000.
Fraser Health warns of unauthorized Ayurvedic Products sold by All in one Wholesale Cash & Carry in Surrey
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Fraser Health investigated a local case of lead poisoning connected to a purchase of Ayurvedic medicines at All in One Wholesale Cash and Carry, located at 107-12815 85th Avenue, Surrey.
The premises was found to have imported Ayurvedic products on site that are not authorized by Health Canada.
Some of these products were found to contain high levels of lead and other heavy metals, which may pose serious health risks for consumers. Some examples of these products are shown in the attached photos. All unauthorized products on site have been seized.
Ayurveda emphasizes good health and prevention and treatment of illness through lifestyle practices (such as massage, meditation, yoga, and dietary changes) and the use of herbal remedies. Ayurvedic herbal medicines, like conventional medicines, may cause side effects, trigger allergic reactions, or interact with other medicines or herbs you are taking.
It is best to choose Ayurvedic products that have been approved by Health Canada.
Unauthorized Ayurvedic products should not be consumed as they may pose serious health risks.
Health Canada has a database to check if the products are approved. Authorized products will have an eight-digit identification number, such as a Natural Product Number (NPN) or Drug Identification Number (DIN).
• If you or someone you know are using these products, stop immediately and discard the product. Then monitor for symptoms of lead poisoning, they may be hard to differentiate from other health problems:
• Mild symptoms include fatigue, irritability, headache, muscle pain, abdominal discomfort or pain, constipation, vomiting and tremor.
• Severe symptoms include severe abdominal pain, seizure, reduced consciousness, numbness and very weak muscles.
• Long-term use of products containing high levels of lead can lead to chronic health issues in adults (increased risk of high blood pressure, cardiovascular problems and kidney damage).
Lead exposure during pregnancy can cause reduced fetal growth and preterm birth. Young children are particularly vulnerable and can suffer permanent health and developmental issues, especially in their central nervous system (ex. permanent hearing loss)
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Since each EV sold earned a $5,000 rebate while the program was active, this resulted in over CAD 43.1 million headed Tesla’s way.
Mathematically, this means Tesla would have been selling 120 cars per hour—yes, two Teslas sold every minute—across all four dealerships, including the hours those Tesla dealerships were closed. That’s two Teslas sold every minute, 24 hours a day, for three straight days.
CEO of Tesla and SpaceX Elon Musk speaks at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) at the Gaylord National Resort Hotel And Convention Center on February 20, 2025 in Oxon Hill, Maryland.
How Canada’s rebate program works
In Canada, rebates on EVs are dictated by the government and provided by dealerships. The discount is provided at the point of sale, and the
Canadian government reimburses car dealerships afterward. Rebate applications must be filled out before the car is delivered.
EVs sold well in Canada this year, and the program was set to be shut down early due to higher-than-normal rebate applications. Car dealers were selling EVs with the understanding that the program would come to a close early, but they were also under the belief that other dealerships were acting in good faith and selling cars normally—not two vehicles per minute, 24 hours a day.
Why car dealerships are upset
“These dealers in good faith gave customers the money for a program that is always refunded,” said Canada Automobile Dealers Association spokesperson Huw Williams. “They shouldn’t be left making a payment on behalf of the Government of Canada.”
First-degree murder conviction in 2019 Surrey gas station shooting
A jury has found a man guilty of firstdegree murder in the 2019 shooting death of 29-year-old Kristijan Coric as he sat in his car outside a Surrey gas station. At about 6 p.m. on Sept. 28, 2019, Coric was shot and killed at the station in the 18600-block of Fraser Highway. The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT) took over, and it was determined that a male suspect was seen running from the gas station, then getting into a Toyota sedan driven by a second man. A lengthy series of court dates
followed before a trial by jury finally began on Feb. 3 of this year. Closing submissions were heard in B.C. Supreme Court in New Westminster last week before the jury reached its decision on March 14. Monteith’s conviction for first-degree murder comes with an automatic life sentence with no parole eligibility for 25 years. About four hours later, Burnaby RCMP were called about a burnt-out Toyota in the area of Willingdon Avenue and Kemp Street that was linked to the shooting. On Oct. 30, 2020, Carlos Monteith was charged with first-degree murder and Trion Castello was charged with accessory after the fact.
16-year-old arrested after taxi driver stabbed in Downtown Eastside
The Vancouver Police Department says it’s investigating an alleged stabbing of a taxi driver in the Downtown Eastside on Tuesday night.
In a statement to 1130 NewsRadio, Sgt. Steve Addison says the incident happened around 9:30 p.m. at Main and East Hastings streets. According to police, an off-duty officer witnessed the stabbing and alerted nearby on-duty police. The taxi driver, a 59-year-old, was taken to hospital and treated for a non-life-threatening injury, Addison says.
A 16-year-old boy from Richmond was taken into custody and now faces charges of aggravated assault. The president of the BC Taxi Association,
Mohan Kang, says he was shocked to hear about the incident. He says violence against drivers has become far less common since safety cameras were made mandatory.
“Maybe 20, 25 years back, there was much more violence. And due to the safety camera, has decreased it because, simply, everybody knows that somebody is watching,” said Kang. He said he’s seen statistics showing that violence against cab drivers has decreased by as much as 70 per cent since cameras became mandatory in the Metro Vancouver area. Kang says he hopes the victim recovers, and violence against cab drivers ends.
Day parole extended for man who killed real estate agent in Duncan in 1980
This story has details about sexual assaults and murder. A man serving a life sentence for the murder of a woman in Duncan and the attempted murder of another in Williams Lake has had his day parole extended. Kelly James Toop, now 64, was found guilty of the 1980 first-degree murder of Suzanna Seto, a 29-year-old Vancouver real estate appraiser, and of the attempted murder and rape of a Williams Lake woman in 1982. He was sentenced in 1983 to life in prison without parole eligibility for 25 years.
Toop broke into Seto’s Duncan hotel room through an unlocked window on June 2, 1980, and sexually assaulted her for several hours. He then took her to a nearby wooded area and hit her on the head with a concrete block, killing her.
Seto’s body was found the next day, but Toop was not connected to the crime until years later.
Toop, who grew up in Williams Lake, moved to Duncan in 1980 after being transferred there through his job at Woolworth’s, a now-closed retail chain. He was working as a pizza delivery person
when he killed Seto, the Times Colonist reported in 1983 during Toop’s trial for Seto’s murder.
At trial, Toop claimed he entered Seto’s hotel room to steal her purse, but Seto fell and hit her head while struggling to hold on to the purse. After she passed out, he “got a strange idea in my head and had sexual intercourse with her,” he testified.
In November 1982, Toop forced his way into a young woman’s car in Williams Lake and drove her to a highway pulloff, where he attacked her, forced her to undress and sexually assaulted her. He drove the woman to his parents’ home, stopping along the way to rape her repeatedly. At the house, he taped her eyes closed and bound her wrists. Toop forced her to perform vaginal, anal and oral sex.
At one point, he told the woman: “I hate life,” she testified at Toop’s 1984 trial for attempted murder, rape and gross indecency. Toop later drove the woman to a gravel pit and hit her over the head with a tire iron and left her for dead.
She was found the next day, alive but seriously injured. Toop has admitted he intended to kill her
and thought he had done so, according to a recent Parole Board of Canada decision. During the investigation into the sexual assault and attempted murder of the Williams Lake woman, Toop admitted to killing Seto, the March 6 parole board decision says. Toop was investigated for sexual assaults involving minors and was interviewed by police up until 1992 for murders he was suspected of committing, but no charges were laid in any of those cases, according to the parole board.
Toop has been in custody since his arrest in 1982, and has been in a minimum-security institution since 2021. The parole board decision does not identify the location of the institution, but Toop is under conditions not to be in B.C.
Several psychological and specialized assessments over the years have led to a diagnosis of antisocial personality disorder and sexual disorder, the parole board decision says.
Toop’s most recent psychological risk assessment in 2022 confirmed the presence of sexual sadism disorder that is in remission in
a controlled environment. His risk of sexual recidivism was assessed as average and he poses at least a moderate risk to commit a violence offence, the parole-board documents say.
The decision says Toop was verbally and physically abused as a child by teachers and family members. He was not allowed to express his feelings in his family environment, suffering beatings and humiliation if he did. He learned to repress his emotions as a result.
He was sexually assaulted at 10 years old and when he told his parents, he was told to never speak of it again, the decision says.
The parole board said Toop’s history is no excuse for his actions, but provides some context.
“The Board can see the connection between your harsh upbringing, sexual assault, and the lack of emotional support, with your distorted notions of sexuality, objectification of women, and use of violence,” the decision says.
Toop completed more than 1,000 escorted
Body of missing Langley senior found months after she went missing
Mounties in Langley, B.C., say the body of an 82-year-old woman has been found several months after she went missing.
Jane Whitehouse was reported missing on Oct. 25 last year. Police said she was last seen that day in the suburb of Aldergrove. Her empty grey Dodge Grand Caravan was found a few days later.
Police said video showed Whitehouse driving her vehicle along Hicks Lake Road on Oct. 25 at approximately 4:10 pm. (Submitted by Langley RCMP) Police said the vehicle had run off the East Harrison forest service road in Agassiz, B.C., about 120 kilometres east of Vancouver. Over 1,000 hours went into the search for Whitehouse, which included helicopters, drones with FLIR (forwardlooking infrared) and search dogs. Search and rescue said at the time, it found no heat signatures
or scents. Searchers said the fact that one of Whitehouse's shoes was found near her van and the other on a steep precipice had led them and the family to the conclusion that she had most likely slipped into the swollen waters of the creek.
The search effort was called off in November as winter conditions set in, and the family said the missing senior was likely deceased.
In a statement on Wednesday, a spokesperson for the family said that Whitehouse's body was found in a "remote and treacherous area" of Harrison Hot Springs, B.C., near Agassiz in the Fraser Valley.
"This has been a hard hit for the family, so we ask for privacy, kindness and respect as they go through this painful and challenging time grieving the woman who kept them centred and grounded," the spokesperson wrote.
Vancouver man charged in 'sophisticated' scheme smuggling gun parts from the USA
A Vancouver man has been accused of running a "sophisticated" firearms scheme involving imported gun parts from the U.S., according to the Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit of B.C.
Andy Emre Gencoglu, 24, is facing six firearmrelated charges, including one count of smuggling a restricted firearm and two counts of importing a restricted firearm knowing it's unauthorized.
None of the allegations have been proven in court. Gencoglu has been released from custody on conditions, including that he not possess any weapons. He is scheduled to appear in court on April 15.
"This was a very sophisticated importation scheme that this person has created," Cpl. Sarbjit Sanga told.
"Smuggling firearms is a dangerous criminal activity that jeopardizes public safety and fuels violence." Sanga said, in June 2023, the Canada Border Service Agency (CBSA) seized packages
at the U.S.-Canada border that were confirmed to contain firearms parts imported from the U.S. "Combating gun smuggling and investigating those who break our laws is part of the Canada Border Services Agency's commitment to Canadians," said CBSA criminal investigations assistant director Harald Wuigk in a statement. Police then conducted a search warrant at a Richmond autobody shop and seized two firearms. "This business didn't have a direct involvement with this importation scheme, However, it was being used by our accused to get his packages to this body shop," Sanga said.
In November 2023, officers conducted another search warrant at the Vancouver home where Gencoglu lived, according to Sanga. She said officers found further evidence of the alleged gun importation scheme but could not provide more details. Sanga said police believe that he was acting alone in this alleged operation.
Up to 20 displaced, 15 hospitalized after Burnaby apartment fire
Up to 20 people have been displaced, and more than a dozen hospitalized, following an early morning fire at a Burnaby, B.C., apartment building on Thursday, according to the local fire department. Paul Rushton, an information officer with the Burnaby Fire Department, said nearly 50 firefighters responded to the fire, which started at about 3:00 a.m. PT at 7272 Kingsway St.
The fire started on the fourth floor of the building, and smoke spread up to the 12th floor, Rushton said.
B.C. Housing, which manages the rental property, says Emergency Support Services (ESS) is working to find temporary accommodation for those affected. In a statement released early
Thursday afternoon, the agency said the total number of people displaced had not yet been confirmed.
"B.C. Housing staff will be on hand to help support people who have been impacted by this fire," it said. The cause of the fire is still unknown, according to Rushton.
"All we know is we want to make sure that we're thinking about those people that have been injured and displaced from this fire, which is really important at this time," he said.
Rushton said the fourth floor appears to have "extensive damage" because the door of the fire compartment was left open, cautioning people to close those doors in the case of fire.
BC court upholds $6M foreign homebuyers tax assessed on Burnaby property
The British Columbia Court of Appeal has dismissed the claim of a company fighting $6 million in foreign homebuyers tax assessed on the purchase of a $30 million, 38-unit low rise apartment building in Burnaby, B.C.
The issue, spelled out in the decision written by Justice Harvey Groberman, was whether the purchaser's parent company, which is incorporated in China but whose shareholders are permanent residents of Canada, should be considered a foreign entity under the Property Transfer Tax Act.
The Metrotown neighbourhood property at 5978 Wilson Ave., was bought in 2018 with $1,418,000 in general property transfer tax paid at that time.
But in December of 2020, the Ministry of Finance advised the owner that after an investigation, and an additional $6 million in
Additional Property Transfer Tax — also known as the foreign homebuyers tax — was being assessed because the controlling corporation of the purchasing company was "neither incorporated in Canada nor listed on a Canadian stock exchange."
The $6 million assessment was appealed, first to the ministry and then to the Supreme Court of B.C., before being brought before the higher court.
The entity bringing the appeal, 1164708 B.C. Ltd., held the property in trust of another B.C. numbered company, 1162509 B.C. Ltd.
At the time of the purchase, all shares in those two companies were owned by a third B.C. corporation, Global Dingye Capital Ltd. Global Dingye had a sole shareholder, Nanjing Dingye Investments Real Estate Group Co. Ltd., which was incorporated under the laws of the People's Republic of China.
Couple charged in fraud related case get another court date
A FORMER accountant at the Fiji Rugby Union (FRU) and his wife will re-appear in court on April 22.
Pawan Deo and Subhashni Mudaliar had their matter called this morning for mention in the magistrate’s court in Suva .
The Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption was to confirm its stance on representation but Magistrate Krishan Prasad’s court was not in session. All matters listed have been adjourned to a later date. The couple are charged with a count each of conspiracy to defraud, obtaining a gain and obtaining financial advantage.
Known drug dealer’s house raided and 2 Corrections Officers dismissed for their involvement in drug lab
Two Fiji Corrections Service officers have been dismissed following their involvement in a drugrelated incident uncovered during a recent police operation.
During a raid conducted by police at a premises suspected to be operating as a drug lab, two corrections officers were found present in the room. Commissioner of Corrections, Dr. Jalesi Nakarawa says it was established that the landlord of the property is a known drug dealer and a former inmate at the Suva Remand Centre.
Dr. Nakarawa says additionally, despite both officers being married, they had been cohabiting as partners at the location. Investigators discovered drug-related paraphernalia (equipment) at the
location, including digital weighing scales, plastic film sealers, and zip-lock plastic bags containing residues believed to be methamphetamine.
Dr. Nakarawa says the Corrections Service is committed to upholding the highest ethical and professional standards. He says any breach of their code of conduct, especially in relation to criminal activities, will be met with immediate and decisive action. He says they remain dedicated to ensuring that their officers are role models in society and will not tolerate behaviour that compromises the integrity of their institution.
The Corrections Commissioner says their internal investigation revealed that the two officers had been renting accommodation at the premises.
Police officer charged for theft and aiding family in receiving stolen property
A police officer has been charged for stealing and allegedly using her authority to aid the commission of an offence committed by her family members with regards to the receiving of stolen property.
Police say the accused, who is based at the Lautoka Police Station is alleged to have given false information during the conduct of an investigation in to the use of two dishonoured cheques used to purchase assorted electronic items from two outlets in 2024 and in January.
They say the items were found at the Police officer’s home whereby her husband and son were taken in for questioning.
Police say upon further investigation, a phone that was purchased with the use of a dishonoured check was allegedly being used by the Police officer, which she later reported as missing. The Police officer faces one count of giving false information to a public officer while her husband and 16-year-old son face two counts each of receiving stolen property. In a separate case, the Police officer is also alleged to have during the
month of December 2024 stolen a phone that was being kept as lost and found property. Police say during the course of investigation, it was revealed that there was no official entry made regarding the phone when it was brought in for safe-keeping by a member of the public. They say the officer faces an additional count of abuse of office with regards to the second case. She will appear in the Lautoka Magistrates Court while her husband and son will appear in the Nadi Magistrates Court.
The sanctioning of charges were authorised by the Office of the Director Public Prosecutions.
Commissioner of Police Rusiate Tudravu has reiterated his stance on ensuring officers who breach the law and ethics of service are held accountable.
He says the warning has been cascaded down to the very junior officer, and if one chooses to breach the ethics and laws that govern their work, then they should stand ready to face the consequences as the integrity of the policing profession must never be compromised through actions that erode public trust and confidence.
SoE seeks removal of excessive powers as review of electoral laws begin
As the review process of the three electoral laws begin today, Supervisor of Elections Ana Mataiciwa says they have made submissions to remove powers of the Supervisor that are not needed.
Mataiciwa highlighted this while responding to questions on fijivillage Straight Talk with Vijay Narayan on the excessive powers of the Supervisor of Elections, including the search and seizure of documents it deems necessary. She says they have also considered the excessive powers of the Supervisor of Elections because it was not only brought up by the stakeholders but also in the Multinational Observer Group report of the 2022 General Election. There are also concerns regarding the amendments made under
Parliamentary Standing Order 51 in 2021 where people have to pay to only see, not take photos or print the declarations of assets and liabilities of the candidates. Mataiciwa assures the people that she has also made submissions for it to revert to the previous law which is for anyone to view the declarations when it is published in the dailies.
Earthquake of magnitude 4.9 jolts Afghanistan
A 4.9-magnitude earthquake struck Afghanistan on Friday, according to the National Center for Seismology (NCS).
The earthquake occurred at a depth of 160 km, as per NCS data.
In a post on X, NCS stated, "EQ of M: 4.9, On: 21/03/2025 01:00:57 IST, Lat: 36.48 N, Long: 71.45 E, Depth: 160 Km, Location: Afghanistan. Earlier on March 13, an earthquake of magnitude 4.0 jolted Afghanistan.
As per the NCS, the earthquake occurred at a depth of 10km, making it susceptible to aftershocks. "EQ of M: 4.0, On: 13/03/2025 13:58:36 IST, Lat: 36.69 N, Long: 69.70 E, Depth: 10 Km, Location: Afghanistan," NCS noted.
Shallow earthquakes like this one are more dangerous than deeper ones due to their greater energy release closer to the Earth's surface,
causing stronger ground shaking and increased damage to structures and casualties, compared to deeper earthquakes, which lose energy as they travel to the surface. As per the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA), Afghanistan remains highly vulnerable to natural disasters, including seasonal flooding, landslides and earthquakes.
These frequent earthquakes in Afghanistan cause damage to vulnerable communities, which are already grappling with decades of conflict and under-development and have left them with little resilience to cope with multiple simultaneous shocks, UNOCHA noted.
Afghanistan has a history of powerful earthquakes, and the Hindu Kush Mountain range is a geologically active area where quakes occur every year, according to the Red Cross.
Prominent Baloch leader Mehran Marri has condemned Pakistan's intensified military operations in Balochistan, linking the Baloch Liberation Army's recent attack on the Jaffar Express and the Noshki bomb blast to ongoing repression in the region. Marri accused the Pakistani establishment of escalating atrocities, citing the recent forced disappearances of over 60 Baloch students from universities across Punjab and Sindh.
"This is just a sequence of events. The Pakistani army has escalated its atrocities in Balochistan," he stated, arguing that the latest phase of the Baloch independence movement, which began between 2000 and 2005, has intensified due to systematic oppression. He also criticised the treatment of
peaceful protestors, including human rights advocate Mahrang Baloch. "She was treated like a criminal by the Pakistani media, despite being nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize. This shows the contradiction in how the world views Balochistan and how Pakistan's ISPR (Inter-Services Public Relations) manipulates narratives," he remarked.
Amidst these tensions, the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) recently carried out a high-profile attack on the Jaffar Express, followed by a bomb blast in Balochistan's Noshki district, resulting in casualties among Pakistani security forces. The attacks mark a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict in the region. The situation in Balochistan remains volatile as tensions between rights groups and the Pakistani military continue to escalate.
Southeast Asian nation Timor-Leste opens embassy in India
In a significant milestone, Southeast Asian nation Timor-Leste has inaugurated its embassy in New Delhi on Thursday, marking a major step forward in strengthening diplomatic ties with India. Notably, at the ASEAN-India Summit in Jakarta on September 7, 2023, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a decision to establish an Indian Embassy in Dili, Timor-Leste. The decision is a reflection of the importance India attaches to ASEAN, and its relations with Timor Leste, according to MEA press release.
The reciprocal opening of embassies in New Delhi and Dili underscored the commitment to
deepening bilateral ties.
Meanwhile, Charge d'Affaires Francisco Fernandes praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a visionary leader, highlighting India's growing influence on global affairs. Fernandes noted that relations between the two nations have strengthened significantly, citing meetings between Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao and Prime Minister Modi, as well as President Jose Ramos-Horta's participation in Vibrant Gujarat. Fernandes emphasised the potential for collaboration in sectors such as petroleum, gas, tourism, and logistics.
Pakistan High Commission in Delhi celebrates National Day with Iftar event
The Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi marked its National Day with an Iftar gathering, attended by dignitaries, diplomats, and prominent personalities.
Among the notable attendees was former Union Minister Mani Shankar Aiyar, who participated in the event as a guest. The Iftar was held as part of the High Commission's annual observance of Pakistan's National Day, fostering diplomatic engagement and cultural exchange.
Pakistan has decided to hold its National Day celebrations in New Delhi again this year, which is observed on March 23, the day the Lahore Resolution was adopted in 1940 by the Muslim League. The resolution played a key role in shaping the demand for a separate nation for Muslims in British India, ultimately leading to the creation of Pakistan in 1947. The High Commission's commemoration in India reflects an effort to maintain diplomatic traditions despite ongoing challenges in bilateral relations.
Ramzan, the holiest month in the Islamic calendar, holds profound spiritual significance
for Muslims worldwide. Observed in the ninth month of the Hijri calendar, it is a period of deep devotion, self-restraint, and reflection.
One of the five pillars of Islam, fasting--referred to as Roza--requires abstaining from food, drink, and other physical needs from dawn to sunset. The month is also a time for prayer, charity, and strengthening communal bonds, with Iftar serving as an important moment for breaking the day's fast in a spirit of togetherness.
India has maintained a consistent and principled stance in its approach toward Pakistan. Under the "Neighbourhood First Policy," India has expressed willingness to foster normal and peaceful relations, provided they are free from terror, hostility, and violence. It remains committed to addressing any outstanding matters through bilateral dialogue, under the Simla Agreement and the Lahore Declaration. At the same time, India has asserted that national security remains paramount and has reiterated its resolve to take decisive measures against any threats to its sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Bhangra is so
mesmerising
that even patients feel like dancing, says President Murmu
Praising Punjab's rich culture, legacy and spiritualism, President Droupadi Murmu today said that Punjab's Bhangra is so mesmerising that if any patient watches it, he would feel like getting up and dancing.
"Their heart starts racing again, half their illness vanishes there only. Punjab's folk dances have always been very popular across the country. Punjabi singers are doing so well on the national and international stage. Marriage festivities across the country also have a Punjabi flavour these days." "Punjab's food has been adopted by many countries. People throng Punjabi restaurants for
lassi, dahi and parantha," she added.
President Murmu was addressing a civic reception hosted by the Punjab Government at the Indian School of Business in Mohali today.
6 Khalistan Zindabad Force terrorists get life term for smuggling arms in Punjab
A special NIA court in Mohali has sentenced six terrorists linked to proscribed Khalistan Zindabad Force (KZF) to life imprisonment for smuggling explosives and arms through drones in Punjab for launching a terror attack in 2019.
Besides KZF, the convicts are also linked to designated individual terrorists — Germanybased Gurmeet Singh alias Bagga and Pakistan-based Ranjeet Singh alias Neeta, officials said Tuesday.
Three other persons have been sentenced to 10 years of rigorous imprisonment in the case by the NIA special court, they said.
“While Akashdeep Singh, Balwant Singh, Harbhajan Singh, Balbir Singh, Maan Singh and Gurudev Singh have been sentenced to life imprisonment, accused Shubhdeep Singh, Sajanpreet Singh and Romandeep Singh have been sentenced to 10 years’ rigorous
NIA spokesperson said in a statement. The court has also imposed fine on all convicts, the statement said. The spokesperson said the court found the accused guilty under various sections of the IPC, UAPA, Arms Act and Explosives Substances Act in the case, linked with the proscribed terrorist organisation KZF.
The NIA had taken over the investigation from Amritsar police in October 2019.
The anti-terror probe agency found that the convicts were involved in collecting, transporting and smuggling huge caches of arms, ammunition, explosives, communication devices and fake Indian currencies into India via drones by Germany-based terrorist Bagga and Pakistan-based terrorist Neeta.
“The explosives, arms, etc were dronedropped at specified locations in Punjab’s Tarn Taran district at various intervals during the months of August and September, 2019,” the
Court orders FIR against Arvind Kejriwal for 'defacing' public property
A Delhi court on Tuesday ordered Delhi Police to file an FIR against former chief minister Arvind Kejriwal and others in a defacement of public property case.
Additional chief judicial magistrate Neha Mittal said one Shiv Kumar Saxena submitted visual evidence with the date and time indicating that the illegal banners bore the names and photos of the accused persons, including Kejriwal.
The court ordered the FIR against Kejriwal, former MLA Gulab Singh and then Dwarka councillor Nitika Sharma for installing "largesized" banners.
"The seriousness of the offence...can be gauged from the fact that it is not only an eyesore and public nuisance thereby destroying the aesthetic sense of the city but is also hazardous and dangerous to the smooth flow of traffic by distracting traffic and poses a safety challenge to the pedestrians and vehicles. Deaths caused by
collapse of illegal hoardings are not new in India,” the court said.
The court, taking note of the evidence, said that "hanging a banner board or affixing hoardings" amounted to defacement of property under Section 3 of the Act. “The application under Section 156 (3) of (erstwhile) Code of Criminal Procedure (power of magistrate to order police investigation in a cognisable offence) deserves to be allowed," it held.
The station house officer (SHO) concerned was, therefore, directed to register the FIR "immediately under Section 3 of the Delhi Prevention of Defacement of Property Act, 2007".
The court said Section 5 of the Act prescribed an offence under the law to be cognisable.
The court said it would be unfair to expect the complainant to gather evidence against the persons responsible and only Delhi Police could carry out a thorough investigation.
Indian researcher in US faces deportation over ‘Hamas links’
An Indian student enrolled as a postdoctoral fellow in the US faces deportation after federal authorities said he was “spreading Hamas propaganda” and has “close connections to a suspected terrorist”, who is a senior adviser to the group.
Badar Khan Suri is a Postdoctoral Fellow at the Alwaleed Bin Talal Centre for Muslim-Christian Understanding at the Edmund A Walsh School of Foreign Service, Georgetown University, Washington, DC. A senior Department of Homeland Security spokesperson said Suri, a foreign exchange student at Georgetown
University, was “actively spreading Hamas propaganda and promoting antisemitism on social media”. “Suri has close connections to a known or suspected terrorist, who is a senior adviser to Hamas. The Secretary of State issued a determination on March 15 that Suri’s activities in the US rendered him deportable,” he added.
A report in Politico said Suri has been “detained by federal immigration authorities amid the Trump administration’s crackdown on student activists whom the government accuses of opposing American foreign policy”.
Jaishankar extends India's full
backing to Brazil's presidency for a successful and outcome-oriented COP30
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Thursday extended India's full backing to Brazil's presidency for a successful and outcome-oriented COP30. This development comes as Jaishankar met with Andre Aranha Correa do Lago, President of COP30Amazonia and former Ambassador of Brazil to India.
"Glad to meet Andre Aranha Correa do Lago, President of UN Climate Change COP30 Amazonia and former Ambassador of Brazil to India. Extended India's full support to Brazil's presidency for a successful and outcome-oriented COP30," Jaishankar posted. Jaishankar's assurance underscores India's commitment to strengthening bilateral ties with Brazil, particularly in the realm of climate action. The two nations have a history of cooperation on global issues, having worked together in forums like the G20, BRICS, and the United Nations. As Brazil takes the helm of COP30,
India's support is crucial in driving meaningful outcomes on climate change. The meeting between Jaishankar and Lago highlights the growing partnership between India and Brazil, with cooperation extending to areas like trade, energy, and culture India and Brazil share a strong bilateral partnership, rooted in shared democratic values, a common global vision, and a mutual commitment to fostering economic growth with social inclusion. Their cooperation extends across multiple global platforms, including BRICS, BASIC, the G-20, G-4, IBSA, and the International Solar Alliance.
Both countries also collaborate in major multilateral organisations such as the United Nations, WTO, UNESCO, and WIPO. Their relationship was formally recognised as a Strategic Partnership in 2006 and has continued to deepen through diplomatic engagement and trade cooperation.
"Exciting to see effective innovation done in a clever way": Bill Gates praises India's growth story
Microsoft co-founder and philanthropist Bill Gates has praised India's role in global innovation, emphasising the country's contributions in vaccines, artificial intelligence (AI), and digital infrastructure.
"Well even in my Microsoft days I got to see the depth of talent here. Now Microsoft has so many great people from India including Satya Nadella who's doing a fantastic job and so you know when I started the foundation, I knew that in terms of improving children's lives India would be a place we'd want to be active in partnership with the government and that innovative spirit and it spread way beyond. Everybody knows DPI
which is amazing and it is being taken to many countries everybody knows the vaccines but now it's going way beyond that in agriculture, artificial intelligence, diagnostics. Particularly since the pandemic I would say there has been an acceleration," he said.
"The financing for entrepreneurs here has been very strong. Some of them are building on that DPI infrastructure. The ones that are successful are setting a good example of starting their philanthropy at a pretty young age and so it's exciting to come here and see not only effective innovations but that are done in such a clever way that the cost can be very low," he added.
The charitable trust that runs Mumbai's wellknown Lilavati Hospital on Tuesday alleged that funds of over Rs 1,500 crore were misappropriated by its former trustees and other related individuals.
The Lilavati Kirtilal Mehta Medical Trust (LKMMT) has lodged separate complaints with the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and at the Bandra police station. It has also claimed that black magic was performed on the hospital premises by erstwhile trustees and related individuals.
The complaints allege the misappropriation, uncovered during a forensic audit of Lilavati Hospital's financial records, has impacted the trust's operations and health care services provided by the leading private medical facility located in upscale Bandra area.
"We filed complaints which translated into FIRs due to the orders of the Bandra Magistrate Court. Three FIRs have been filed against the former trustees and other related individuals. A fourth proceeding against these individuals is now pending before the magistrate, which is based on our complaint filed in the Bandra police station
for black magic and occult practices," LKMMT Permanent Resident Trustee Prashant Mehta told reporters.
The Bandra Magistrate Court has ordered an inquiry against these very individuals, he added. We are committed to upholding the integrity of the Lilavati Kirtilal Mehta Medical Trust and ensuring that funds meant for health care services are used solely for the benefit of patients who rely on us daily.
"The gross misconduct and financial misappropriation uncovered during forensic audit is not just a betrayal of the trust placed in the alleged and fraudulent former trustees, but a direct threat to the very mission of our hospital," Mehta maintained. He said LKMMT will ensure that every individual involved in these illegal activities is held accountable.
"We request the Enforcement Directorate to take swift and decisive action in investigating these financial crimes under the provisions of the PMLA (Prevention of Money Laundering Act)," he stated.
Musk’s Starlink internet to make India debut with Bharti Airtel
Elon Musk-owned SpaceX has partnered with Bharti Airtel to launch Starlink’s high-speed internet services in India, the telecom operator announced in a filing to stock exchanges on Tuesday.
The announcement comes weeks after Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with Elon Musk in Washington, where they discussed issues including space, mobility, technology, and innovation.
This satellite telecom joint venture will provide much-needed services to remote areas in India, where conventional telecom services are often expensive. This is the first agreement to be signed in India and is subject to SpaceX receiving the necessary authorisations to sell Starlink in the country, the stock exchanges were informed.
The partnership will allow Airtel and SpaceX to explore how Starlink can enhance Airtel’s offerings and how Airtel’s expertise in the Indian
market can complement SpaceX’s direct offerings to consumers and businesses. Airtel and SpaceX will explore offering Starlink equipment in Airtel’s retail stores, Starlink services via Airtel to business customers, and opportunities to connect communities, schools, and health centres in even the most rural parts of India, the stock filing said. It informed that Airtel and SpaceX will also explore how Starlink could help expand and enhance the Airtel network, as well as SpaceX’s ability to utilise and benefit from Airtel’s ground network infrastructure and other capabilities in India.
By adding Starlink (in addition to its existing alliance with Eutelsat OneWeb) to its offerings, Airtel said it will further its ability to offer nationwide connectivity and connect previously underserved areas, particularly those with limited to no coverage today.
Carrier Strike Group joins Indian Navy for Exercise
The French Carrier Strike Group (CSG), led by the aircraft carrier FNS Charles de Gaulle and accompanied by its air fleet and escort vessels, is currently engaged in the bilateral Varuna exercise with the Indian Navy from March 19 to 22, 2025.
The annual exercise underscores the deeprooted military cooperation between France and India, who have shared a strong strategic partnership for over 25 years. Varuna is part of a broader series of joint military drills, which also include land-based (Shakti) and air (Garuda) exercises.
The Charles de Gaulle, the flagship of the French Navy, will be conducting a series of complex exercises alongside the Indian Navy's INS Vikrant.
These drills are designed to enhance operational coordination and aero-naval interoperability between the two forces, an official press release by the French Embassy said.
The focus is on preparing crews to counter threats from multiple domains, including aerial, surface, and underwater operations. The presence of advanced assets from both navies ensures a high level of training, reinforcing their ability to operate in a coordinated manner in real-world scenarios., reported the press release. Since November 2024, France has been deploying its Carrier Strike Group as part of the CLEMENCEAU 25 mission, aimed at strengthening military ties with IndoPacific partners.
More than 80 German universities and research institutions are visiting India this month in a significant step toward strengthening IndoGerman academic collaboration, an official press release by DAAD reported.
The delegation will participate in high-level engagements with Indian universities and research institutions, the inauguration of the German School of Technology at PSG College of Technology in Coimbatore, the Indo-German Forum: Research, Innovation and Transfer, and the APAIE Conference 2025 in New Delhi. The visit also coincides with the DAAD Jubilee
Celebrations, marking 65 years of DAAD's presence in India. German Ambassador Philipp Ackermann is attending these landmark events.
"The Indo-German partnership in science nd education is stronger than ever. It is one of the building blocks of our bilateral ties. We have almost 50,000 Indian students in Germany, the largest group of foreign students from any country. Indian scientists are contributing to our research landscape, with their talents, their ambitions, and their discoveries. It is a pleasure to see this exchange grow so dynamically, from year to year," said Ackermann.
