According to Immigration and Refugee Board (IRB) records obtained by CBC News, Arshdeep Singh and Sukhnaaz Singh Sandhu were known to each other — and to the alleged "prime conspirator" behind a series of extortion-linked shootings at a Surrey, B.C., café. Both men moved between provinces, racking up run-ins with police at every stop.
Singh, who came to Canada on a student visa in August 2022, was suspected in an arson in Ontario, a shooting in Edmonton, extortion cases in Surrey and auto theft and insurance fraud in B.C.'s Lower Mainland, Alberta and Saskatchewan.
And Sandhu, identified as a former leader in a Surrey-based criminal gang of international students called The Ruffians, was accused of engaging in a "highrisk lifestyle" involving "firearms, fraud, stolen vehicles, flight from police and drive-by shooting incidents."
Continued on Page 10...
American investors are making a big move into Indian cricket, with two separate billiondollar deals made on the same day for teams in the country’s most popular sports league.
No team in the Indian Premier League — one of Asia’s most-watched sports events — had ever sold for more than $1 billion until a consortium backed by U.S. businessmen Kal Somani and Rob Walton — the former Walmart chairman — agreed Tuesday to buy the Rajasthan Royals in a deal that Indian media valued at $1.63 billion.
That record only lasted hours, though, as an even bigger deal was announced the same day for reigning champion Royal Challengers
By
says he is working hard to represent the people of his constituency.
“That is why they elected me and that is what I am doing,” he said in an interview. The first time MP from Fleetwood was a Councilor in Williams Lake before moving to Surrey in 2016 and getting elected as an MP in 2024.
“Throughout my life I have been serving the community. I did community service in Willaims Lake and when I moved to Surrey in 2016, I lived in Chimney Heights and I worked to have washrooms built in parks in that area,” he said. Continued on Page 8...
Bengaluru. That team was bought for $1.78 billion by another consortium that includes U.S. billionaire David Blitzer’s Bolt Ventures and American asset manager Blackstone.
Continued on Page 10...
In the early 20th Century, when medicine was still overwhelmingly male and European institutions largely closed their doors to women, a young doctor from colonial India's Bengal broke through one of its most formidable gates.
In 1912, Jamini Sen became the first woman ever admitted as a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow - an institution founded in 1599 and long closed to women. Now, more than a century later, Sen's remarkable life - spanning palace wards in Nepal, examination halls in Britain and epidemicstricken towns in colonial India - has been reconstructed in Daktarin Jamini Sen, a new biography by her great-niece Deepta Roy Chakraverti.
Continued on Page 10...
Umendra Singh Fleetwood Port Kells Liberal MP, Gurbux Saini,
Kevin Williston with Nissan’s Armada Nismo at the 2026 Vancouver International Auto Show will be held at Vancouver Convention Centre
Photo by: Jaden D
Highways closed after winter wallops southern BC
Old Man Winter is doling out a spring wallop to parts of southwestern B.C.
Heavy snowfall has triggered a temporary shutdown of the Coquihalla Highway this morning, between Hope and Merritt.
Environment Canada has issued a snowfall warning, forecasting roughly 15 cm of snow in the region, with reduced visibility possible at times. The weather agency notes that the situation in the mountains can change suddenly, resulting in hazardous driving conditions. As of 10:45 p.m. Wednesday, DriveBC was reporting several traffic incidents due
until later Thursday morning.
Corporate / Commercial Real Estate / Property Development Areas of Practice
ICBC/Personal Injury
Immigration Law
BC MLA Hon Chan charged with assault and choking, kicked out of Conservative caucus
Hon Chan, B.C. MLA for Richmond Centre, has been charged with assault, assault by choking and uttering threats.
Chan was charged Wednesday and has been released from custody. He is set to make his first court appearance on April 22 in Richmond provincial court, according to the B.C. Prosecution Service. The case has been designated a "K file," which indicates it is an alleged case of intimate partner violence or domestic violence.
The victim's identity is unknown.
The B.C. Prosecution Service says a special prosecutor, Andi MacKay, was appointed on June 27, 2025, in relation to an investigation conducted by the Richmond RCMP. The alleged offences occurred on Jan. 12, 2024, in Richmond. Chan has been removed from the B.C. Conservative Party caucus, party leader Trevor Halford said.
During a news conference at the legislature Thursday, Halford said Chan called him the day before to inform him of the charges.
"These [charges] are incredibly serious. They're very troubling, they're very disturbing," Halford said.
statement saying: "MLA Chan was made aware of a claim relating to an allegation from approximately two and a half years ago. He disagrees with the allegation and looks forward to defending himself through the legal process. He will continue to cooperate fully with the police and the court process." They said because the matter is before the courts, no further comment will be made.
The statement was signed "MLA Hon Chan Office."
The B.C. Prosecution Service said it decided to appoint a special prosecutor for the case to avoid any real or perceived conflict of interest, given that Chan is an elected public official.
Chan became a B.C. Conservative candidate in August 2024. He was elected as an MLA in October of that year, with over half the votes, beating NDP incumbent Henry Yao.
He said the party took action to remove Chan immediately upon becoming aware of the charges, and that he's "very confident" nobody involved in the party or caucus knew about the investigation before Wednesday.
“Our caucus wishes to be clear, any allegations of domestic violence are taken seriously,” Halford said, adding that “people in positions of public trust will be held to the highest standard of accountability.”
Chan 'disagrees with the allegation,' says office Someone from his constituency office sent a
Proposal
Chan was the party's critic for climate solutions and climate readiness. He is a former journalist with Fairchild Television.
Grace Lore, NDP MLA for Victoria-Beacon Hill, said in a statement that removing Chan from caucus doesn't go far enough.
She said the Conservatives should call on Chan to resign immediately, saying his failure to disclose the criminal investigation "is a fundamental violation of trust with his constituents and all British Columbians."
"It is inappropriate for someone facing criminal charges for violent crimes to continue serving as an MLA," she said.
Asked if he thinks Chan should resign, Halford said, "He's going to have to make that decision himself."
for high-income seniors could save billions
A University of British Columbia professor says changes to Old Age Security (OAS) could help reduce Canada’s projected $78-billion deficit.
Paul Kershaw argues the current income threshold for phasing out OAS benefits is too high. Under existing rules, retired couples earning up to $185,000 annually can still receive the full benefit of roughly $18,000.
Kershaw says that threshold means only about four per cent of seniors are excluded from receiving OAS due to high income.
“This generosity helps explain why OAS’s rapidly rising cost is a primary contributor to Ottawa’s $78-billion deficit,” he said.
A new poll by Research Co. suggests Canadians are open to changes. The survey found that three-quarters of respondents support reform—including three in four Canadians of retirement age.
About 70 per cent of respondents said OAS payments should be reduced for retirees with six-figure incomes. The proposal includes lowering the household income eligibility threshold from $185,000 to $100,000—a move Research Co. estimates could save roughly $7 billion annually.
“That’s a huge amount of savings,” said Kershaw. “That’s enough to eliminate seniors’ poverty by adding an extra $5,000 for every low-income senior, lifting them above the official poverty measure.”
He added that the additional funds could also double federal investments in housing and postsecondary education, while boosting child-care funding by 50 per cent. CTV News asked the Department of Finance on Wednesday whether any changes to OAS are being considered.
In a statement, the department did not directly answer the question, but said the government continues to focus on affordability and supporting seniors.
“In recent years, the government of Canada has
Research Co. president Mario Canseco says just over 60 per cent of those surveyed believe the OAS threshold should be the same as, or lower than, the $81,000 cutoff used for the Canada Child Benefit.
Both Kershaw and Research Co. estimate that broader reforms could generate up to $20 billion in annual savings.
advanced initiatives and made investments that benefit seniors, including funding for home care and long-term care, and steps to improve health workforce planning,” the statement read, in part.
“The government also increased Old Age Security by 10 per cent for seniors aged 75 and older, providing an additional nearly $880 to full pensioners in 2025.”
BC court orders former mayor to pay back $814K he misappropriated from the family business
ormer Penticton mayor John Vassilaki has been ordered to pay back his family’s liquor store business for the more than $814,000 he misappropriated from it over the course of more than a decade.
Vassilaki, who served as mayor of the B.C. Interior city from 2018 to 2022, was fired from the company he co-owns with his brother Nick Vassilakakis (who spells his name differently) in October 2023.
Vassilaki’s son Fred and Nick’s sons Florio and George also own stakes in the organization, known as Vassilaki & Sons Investments Ltd. (VSI), which has operated Last Call Liquor Mart in Penticton since 2004.
In response to his firing, Vassilaki sued VSI for wrongful dismissal, while the company—now directed by Nick and Florio—countersued, arguing that it had just cause for terminating the former mayor and claiming damages for the money he misappropriated.
In a decision issued in B.C. Supreme Court in Kelowna last week, Justice Kenneth W. Ball dismissed Vassilaki’s claim and allowed the counterclaim, ordering him to pay back the family company for “excessive and unearned” amounts he had the company pay to himself and his wife and
kids. Ball’s decision lists a wide array of payments from VSI to Vassilaki and his family members that he authorized while he was the company’s president and director from 2004 to 2023.
The list comes from an agreed statement of facts and multiple “notices to admit” that Vassilaki admitted prior to the trial.
According to the decision, he admitted to causing VSI to pay his wife Barbara both an hourly wage and a monthly salary beginning in 2007, with regular increases to both and only occasional reductions or stoppages of one or the other.
In 2008, he hired his daughter Tania as a sales associate for the liquor store, and between 2011 and 2013, he increased her hourly wage from $10 to $31.43. He also had the company begin paying her a second hourly wage of $14 in 2013, and paid both amounts for several months.
“The plaintiff further admitted that he was responsible for ensuring that VSI’s hourly employees were only paid for the hours that they worked, while conceding that he knowingly caused VSI to pay his, Barbara’s, Fred’s, and Tania’s wages while they were on vacation, having also received vacation pay-in-lieu in each pay period,” the decision reads.
“In furtherance of these schemes, he would permit his family members to prepare and submit inaccurate payroll records.” The decision indicates Vassilaki caused VSI to pay him—at one point—a monthly salary and two hourly wages.
He also had the company pay him a salary of $3,500 a month from July 2018 through April 2021, despite not working for the company during the period.
He won the mayoral election in October 2018 and received an $80,000 annual salary as mayor, plus $36,000 for his role as a regional director of the Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen.
Senior ID’d
as victim of shooting at
homeless encampment in Fraser Valley
Authorities have publicly identified the victim of a shooting at a homeless encampment in B.C.’s Fraser Valley this week, as investigators continue piecing together what happened.
The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team said Wayne Versfelt, 69, was the man killed in Monday night’s shooting at the encampment located at the Whatcom Park and Ride in Abbotsford.
In a news release Thursday, IHIT described the killing as an “isolated and targeted incident involving residents at the encampment.” The homicide team shared Versfelt’s name and picture in the hopes of advancing the investigation into his death. “This is a tight-knit community, and we believe there are
those with knowledge of the shooting who have yet to speak with police,” said Sgt. Freda Fong, in a statement.
“Homicide investigators are still in the area and now is the time to do the right thing.”
Authorities said they have identified persons of interest in the case, but are still working to locate them and determine what role they may have had in the incident.
The motive for Versfelt’s killing has not been determined, but IHIT said it does not appear to be related to gang activity or extortions. IHIT asked anyone with information on the shooting to call its information line at 1-800-551-4448 or email ihitinfo@rcmp-grc.gc.ca.
Apply Now for Major Flood Financial Assistance
If you’ve been impacted by recent floods, you may be eligible for help under British Columbia’s Disaster Financial Assistance Program.
Financial support is available for individuals, small businesses, farms, charitable organizations, Indigenous governing bodies, and local governments. If you live in an eligible region and incurred more than $1,000 of uninsurable damage between April 27 and May 16, 2023, you may qualify for support.
To learn more about the application process and eligibility requirements, please visit gov.bc.ca/disasterfinancialassistance or call the Disaster Financial Assistance team at 1-888-257-4777 toll-free. Please note that financial assistance has some limits, and a maximum claim of $400,000.
The deadline to apply for Disaster Financial Assistance is September 3, 2023. Applications can be submitted online at gov.bc.ca/disasterfinancialassistance. For any questions, individuals, small businesses, charitable organizations and farms can contact DFA.Private@gov.bc.ca. Local governments and Indigenous governing bodies can contact DFA.Public@gov.bc.ca.
The MP who represents Tumbler Ridge, B.C., gave a heartbreaking speech at the National Prayer Breakfast in Ottawa on Tuesday, honouring the victims of the Feb. 10 shooting.
“Let us remember the victims and families of Zoe Benoit, Ticaria Lampert, Abel Mwansa, Ezekiel Schofield, Kylie Smith, Shannda AviuganaDurand, Emmett Jacobs, and Jennifer Jacobs,” Bob Zimmer, said.
He also mentioned Maya Gebala, who was gravely injured in the shooting.
“I would ask you to continue to pray for Maya and her three main supporters: her mom, Cia, her dad, David, and her 10-year-old little sister, Dhalia. Maya is doing very well and was moving her eyes and legs and arms.”
Zimmer said he visited Maya in the hospital on Saturday and found that the 12-year-old can move her arm, her leg, her eye while watching TV and show that she was listening to what he had to say.
He also told a story many “likely haven’t heard before,” of a 12-year-old shooting survivor named Christina.
“Christina is a hero,” Zimmer said.
“I was honoured to meet Christina in one of the funerals, Ezekiel’s funeral. She is a little shy girl, about this tall, loves to play hockey, and loves to be with her friends.
“This is the story of why Christina is the hero.”
proceeded to pull them both under the table for protection,” Zimmer said.
“She held them both and was there for about 30 minutes while the shooting continued, in the aftermath that followed.”
Zimmer said he knows that Maya is still alive, in part, thanks to Christina.
He said that in the days following the tragedy, Christina asked to speak with Abel’s parents. It turns out that Abel had remained alive for about 30 minutes after he was shot.
“Christina came over to Abel’s family and their home and said, ‘I have something to tell you from Abel,'” Zimmer said.
Zimmer said that when the shooting in Tumbler Ridge Secondary School started, 12-year-old Maya tried to lock the library door to save children inside and keep the shooter out.
However, she was unable to lock the door and was shot twice.
Abel was shot and killed.
“Christina, during the shooting, grabbed wounded Maya in her left arm, like this, and grabbed Abel Junior in her right arm, like this, and
“Abel, Jr., while appearing to know he was dying, asked Christina to pass along a message to his mom and dad.
“‘Tell my mom and dad that I love them’.” Zimmer said Christina promised to tell them, which she did.
“The tragic, yet beautiful words from a beloved son to his beloved parents, beautiful words they wouldn’t have known except for a promise kept by his heroic classmate, Christina,” he said.
Maternity unit at Peace Arch Hospital on diversion for 6 days
The maternity unit at Peace Arch Hospital in White Rock, B.C., is now on diversion for the ninth time in the past four months due to a shortage of
obstetrician-gynecologists.
Fraser Health says a diversion will be in place from Wednesday, March 25 at 8 a.m. to Tuesday, March 31 at 8 a.m. In an update posted online, Fraser Health says people in labour who had planned to give birth at Peace Arch are advised to call the maternity unit to be directed to the appropriate hospital for care.
Fraser Health says it is working to fill ob-gyn vacancies. It says one new physician will begin working at the hospital in May and it is currently interviewing candidates for two other vacancies.
India is in a catch-22
situation
Ph: 604-591-5423
Fax: 604-591-8615
editor@theasianstar.com
Editor: Umendra Singh
Marketing and Sales: Ravi Cheema
604-715-3847
Shamir Doshi
604-649-7827
Harminder Kaur
778-708-0481
Parminder Dhillon 604-902-2858
Pre-Press: Avee Waseer
Production: Ozmo Media
www.theasianstar.com
By M.K. Bhadrakumar:
The salience of the two readouts of the phone call on Saturday by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian is that the bilateral relationship between the two ‘civilisation states’ has become fraught lately. The divergence of opinion is all too apparent.
The call appeared to be a dialogue between a deaf and a blind person. Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu can congratulate himself for creating this unthinkable situation — a tiny country of 8 or 9 million people bending a Leviathan of 1400 million to dance to its tune. But there is no question that the buck stops at Delhi in its failure to allow Israel to enter the Indian policymakers’ tent and eventually take it over — a catastrophe that could have been foretold.
Second, India’s transformation as a co-habitant of the US-Israeli orbit is evident from the Indian readout. PM just couldn’t bring himself to call a spade a spade even when the plain truth stares at him — that Trump at Netanyahu’s urging ordered a naked aggression against Iran that threatens international security. What more empirical evidence would Delhi require one doesn’t know.
Third, the government decision to practise the maxim of the three wise monkeys — ‘see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil’ — ie., dealing with impropriety by turning a blind eye won’t fly. It only tarnishes India’s reputation. Pezeshkian tried hard to draw out Modi by underscoring “Iran did not begin the war and the aggressor enemy conducted a military aggression against Iran without any reason, logic and legal basis in the midst of nuclear negotiations.” He pointed out that the US and Israel assassinated the Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, top military commanders and defenceless civilians, including innocent school children (over 200 in one primary school alone), and also targeted public infrastructure. He reiterated Khamenei’s fatwa against building or possessing nuclear weapons. Pezeshkian reiterated Tehran’s readiness for international verification and monitoring of its peaceful nuclear activities.
But what effect Pezeshkian’s entreaties made on Modi no one knows. Modi on his part stressed the critical importance of Iran respecting the freedom of
navigation and ensuring international shipping lanes remain open and secure and “condemned the recent Iranian attacks on critical infrastructure in the region, noting that such actions threatened regional stability and disrupt vital global supply chains.”
But Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Aragchi had explained in detail to his Indian counterpart S. Jaishankar a few days back only last week the consequences of the US-Israeli aggression for regional and global stability and security and “emphasised the firm resolve of the Iranian government, nation, and armed forces to exercise their legitimate right to self-defence against the aggressors.” Frankly, selfdefence is a thought process that Indians are familiar with; after all, Operation Sindoor needed no other plausible explanation. Fourth, Delhi keeps batting for the oil-rich regional states of the Gulf, remaining silent on the double standards of the Gulf Arab states who professed peace but effectively facilitated the US aggression. Doesn’t Delhi know that these vassal states are on a self-destructive trajectory if the war
spreads and the Arab Spring looked a picnic? India has some good friends among the Gulf region’s rulers. Has anyone attempted to counsel moderation and put sense into them? When Saudis convened a regional meeting of regional states with US backing last week, they invited Pakistan and excluded India. It must be Jaishankar’s idea to do yeoman service unilaterally to the US-Israeli agenda to whip up xenophobia — driving the sheikhs back into the American camp just when they began realising that the US bases gave them no real protection when the crunch time came. What has India got to lose if these regional states follow an independent foreign policy? Plainly put, do not try to fish in troubled waters. We will look incredibly stupid when, in a post-war scenario, the Gulf states return to the reconciliation track with Iran. Tehran’s serious intent to consolidate relations with its eastern neighbours is not in doubt. This war is a last-ditch US-Israeli attempt to set the natives of West Asia against each other. This should be something familiar to Indians.
arrangements have been made by Gurdwara Darbar Sri Guru Granth Sahib Surrey
As every year, Gurdwara Darbar Sri Guru Granth Sahib (8820–168 Street, Surrey) has organized special programs to mark the creation day of the Khalsa and the holy occasion of Vaisakhi. Under this series, every day from 5:00 AM to 7:00 AM there will be Naam Simran and Asa Di Vaar Kirtan. In the evening divans, renowned Sikh kirtanis will perform, and attendees will also have the opportunity to listen to “Shabad Vichaar” (spiritual discourse) by Brahmgyani Baba Ji Baldev Singh Bulandpuri.
Panth’s respected kirtani Bhai Baldev Singh Ji Bulandpuri and Bhai Sarbjit Singh Ludhiana will attend and perform in the morning and evening divans daily from April 12 to April 19.
All sangat (congregation) members are humbly requested to come together and participate collectively to receive the blessings of this sacred time.
For more information, you can contact the Gurdwara Sahib at 604-588-0130.
Kim Heizmann leads provincial real estate organization
The British Columbia Real Estate Association (BCREA) has announced that Okanagan Realtor Kim Heizmann has been installed as its 2026-2027 Chair at the BCREA Annual Meeting on Tuesday, March 24, 2026.
“The real estate sector thrives when teamwork and strong leadership guide the way,” says Kim.
“Leading an organization like BCREA is truly a team effort, and I’m honoured to serve as Chair alongside such a dedicated Board of Directors. Our work doesn’t happen in isolation; it relies on strong collaboration with our member boards and associations and their leadership teams across British Columbia.
Each region brings valuable experience and perspective, and when we listen to one another and work together, we strengthen the entire profession. I’m grateful for the trust placed in BCREA and look forward to a year of thoughtful partnership as we continue supporting REALTORS® and the communities they serve."
Kim has dedicated 19 years to real estate
in British Columbia’s Okanagan region, and for the past decade has served in a variety of leadership roles, championing collaboration and professionalism within organized real estate. Throughout her career, she has remained committed to fostering growth, integrity, and innovation across the sector.
Joining Heizmann as Officers of the Association are Chair-Elect Robert Wood; Past Chair Chris Shields; and BCREA Chief Executive Officer Trevor Koot.
BCREA also welcomes new REALTOR® Director Phil Moore (Burnaby), who will be joining BCREA’s Board of Directors when he has completed his term at the Canadian Real Estate Association on Wednesday, April 15, 2026. Returning REALTOR® Directors include Ruth Hanson (Vancouver), Daniel John (Vancouver), Chelsea Mann (Kamloops), Darcy McLeod (Vancouver), and Marlon Murr (Victoria). Public Directors Ehsan Etezad, Amanda Magee, and Andy Pham are also returning.
Over 115 kg of meth in pickle jars seized by RCMP
RCMP in British Columbia say they have foiled an operation to smuggle methamphetamine to Melbourne, Australia, hidden in jars of pickles.
Police say the investigation was carried out with the help of Australian Federal Police and Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), resulting in the seizure of 115 kilograms of the drug at the Tsawwassen, B.C., container facility in January.
Two male suspects aged 40 and 63 were arrested in Australia on March 17, while a 46-year-old foreign national was arrested the same day in Kelowna, B.C.
RCMP say the suspects in Australia have been charged with drug offences, while the man arrested in Kelowna has been released pending further investigations, with a referral to the CBSA for potential immigration enforcement action. As part
of the investigation, RCMP officers executed search warrants in Abbotsford, Kelowna and the Lower Nicola region, seizing cellphones and other devices.
RCMP say Australian police meanwhile searched homes in Sydney and Melbourne, seizing $400,000 in cash, eight one-kilogram silver bars, a luxury vehicle, jewelry and watches, electronic devices and drug paraphernalia.
"Drug trafficking knows no borders, and neither does our drive to confront it," he says.
Victoria police changing response to weekly pro-Palestinian rally after 126 weeks
The Victoria Police Department is changing its response to a weekly proPalestinian rally.
The department says that after more than two years of deploying officers to maintain public safety during these demonstrations, they are implementing the change to protect the health and wellbeing of its officers while upholding the right to peaceful assembly.
According to the department, more than 10,000 hours of officer time have been dedicated to managing these events, which have been taking place for 126 weeks.
It says that maintaining this level of service is no longer sustainable and that, as of April 4, officers will no longer provide traffic control or other related police resources for the street portion of the demonstration.
“We are responding daily to the highest calls for service per member in British Columbia,” Victoria police Chief Const. Fiona Wilson said. “Integrated teams, ongoing investigations, traffic safety and community-based policing priorities. We must ensure that our resources are aligned with our broader and ongoing demands.”
She said the decision announced on Wednesday is a thoughtful and necessary measure to ensure that police can continue to deliver effective and responsive policing in Victoria. Insp. Conor King said they have informed key community partners, including representatives from the City of Victoria, the Muslim and Jewish community leadership, and
Starting this Saturday, officers will begin sharing information with protest participants and businesses.
“Over the last several weeks and in the weeks ahead, we will continue to prioritize increased patrols and support
for places of worship, in light of the ongoing geopolitical unrest,” King said.
“We will also continue to monitor ongoing safety concerns and assess demonstration activity as it evolves.”
King said the Victoria Police Department is committed to protecting the right to peaceful assembly, but they are urging participants not to march on roadways due to safety risks.
“Individuals that choose to enter the roadway do so at their own risk,” he added.
King said the pro-Palestinian rally is unique in that it has been ongoing for 126 weeks and does not stay in one location.
“VicPD will assess what these protests look like in the future, with an eye to policing and cooperation with the legislative officers on the grounds of the legislature as required,” he added.
King said this move is not about saving the Victoria Police Department money; it is about making sure officers have time
Saini working hard for people he represents
Continued from Page 1...
He is also very committed to the federal Liberal party and was working with former Liberal MP, Ken Hardie in the area, and was the Liberal Constituency [president for Fleetwood- Port Kells.
When Hardie stepped down before the 2024 election, Saini put his name forward and was nominated as the Liberal candidate and won the election.
Saini said that whenever he meets people they always complain about affordability, specifically the cost of groceries. He presented a private members bill – food process transparency bill – to ensure food prices were transparent and clear. People were not getting the product they were paying for. The boxes and packages containing products were getting smaller while the cost of the products were going up.
Saini’s bill will ensure that the correct weight of products, cost and ingredients would be clearly outlined or printed on each package. This would allow consumers accurately compare prices pf products between stores and even online.
This bill is still going through the parliamentary process. He also praised the efforts of Prime Minister Carney to eliminate carbon tax as soon as he became PM - this brought down the price of basic items like food and gas.
The Carney Liberal government ahs also reduced the income ta of 22 million Canadians. – saving them $800 per family. Dental care coverage has also been expanded and costs reduced. Food programs for students has also been expanded – More than 4,000 students are getting free meals in schools and this program has now been made permanent.
The GST has also been removed on new home sales valued at $1 million or less. He is also supporting a private members bill to ensure that end users of weapons made and sold by Canada or Canadian companies were clearly identified. Currently, end user of weapons agreements with every country except USA. Saini alleged that weapons sold by Canada to USA were then sent to Israel where Israelis forces used those weapons “ to murder thousands of people” in Palestine.
“ I took a stand to represent the people of Fleetwood Port Kells,” he said while asking the weapons sold by Canada
A private member’s bill is making its way through the parliament to stop Canada manufactured weapons to be sent, directly or indirectly to Israel.
Saini said he was very upset that Israel denied him entry into West Bank to see how Palestinians are suffering. This was in retaliation to Canada’s recognition of Palestine as a country. Israel was not behaving faithfully by first giving him a visa and then denying him entry into West Bank.
Saini said it was not the Trudeau Liberal Government’s fault in giving out so much money to ineligible people during Covid. Instead, he blamed citizens who applied for and received Covid benefits when they were not eligible to do so.
He praised PM Carney and his Ministers for signing trade agreements with many countries, including India, but he said he is totally against any government involved in foreign interference in Canadian affairs.
‘We must ensure that Canadian sovereignty and Canadians independence should not be compromised under nay circumstances,” he said.
Saini said that extortion related crimes in Canada were unacceptable. He said that the Prime Minister Carney has met local police chiefs and offered them all the help they needed.
He said it was sometimes easier to remove from Canada or deport those with temporary visas facing accusations of extortion related crimes. This strategy saves time and money as those on temporary visas are given visas on the understanding, they will not be involved in any illegal activities in Canada.
He further said that those on student visas were given visas to study in Canada but were never promised any permanent residence visas by any government. Some of the Saini is not concerned about federal student visa holders are now trying to circumvent the system by fiking refugee claims to continue living in Canada upon expiry of their student visas. Saini is not concerned about federal deficit, saying compared to United States, Canada’s deficit is smaller - after considering the size of both economies. Canada’s deficit is comparative lower compared to its peers in G7 and G 20 and other mid to large economies, so he is not concerned about
RCMP, CSIS reviewing Vancouver company accused of ties to Hezbollah, minister says Investigation launched into sexualized conduct across B.C. municipal police forces
Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree says Canadian national security agencies are looking into a B.C. company accused of financial ties to the Iran-backed Hezbollah group.
The RCMP and Canadian Security Intelligence Service are “reviewing the situation and then they will have more to say,” the minister, who oversees the agencies, said on Wednesday.
Anandasangaree was responding to a Global News report that the U.S. government had sanctioned a Vancouver company over its alleged role in a $100-million Hezbollah financial network.
Seven Seas for International Trading and Logistics was formed in B.C. in 2022 by three directors, all based in Qatar. Corporate records obtained by Global News show it remains active. It has not been sanctioned by Canada.
The B.C. government said it had reached out to the federal government about Seven Seas, since Ottawa is responsible for sanctions related to terrorist financing.
“Any next steps from the province would be informed by that engagement with our federal partners,” the B.C. Finance Ministry said in a statement.
CSIS said the lead agency on sanctions was Global Affairs Canada, which has not responded to questions posed by Global News on Monday. “Canada’s national security agencies are looking at this issue and working with U.S. partners accordingly,” a CSIS spokesperson said on
Thursday.
The RCMP said it was aware of the sanctions on the B.C. company and was working with partner agencies in Canada and the U.S. “to determine the extent of this network in Canada and disrupt the transfer of funds and resources to listed terrorist organizations.”
“To protect operational integrity, we will not disclose information on potential or ongoing investigations until charges are laid and it’s a matter of public record.
Canada calls Hezbollah “a radical Shia group ideologically inspired by the Iranian revolution.”
The Lebanese faction is involved in the U.S. and Israeli war that began on Feb. 28.
Canadian security agencies have long accused it of fundraising and money laundering in the country.
Asked why Canadians had only heard about the Vancouver company as a result of U.S. enforcement action, Anandasangaree repeated that more information would be coming.
“We often do not talk about matters that are under investigation, and as you’re aware, there are a range of things that our law enforcement do, including on national security matters, and this is one of those matters where they will have more say.”
The U.S. sanctions allege the B.C. company is part of a network led by “Hezbollah financier” Alaa Hamieh that spans Lebanon, Syria, Poland, Slovenia, Qatar and Canada.
Its founder, Raoof Fadel, “is involved in numerous projects with Alaa Hamieh and the Hizballah finance team,” according to the press release announcing the sanctions.
The U.S. Treasury statement said Seven Seas was “Hezbollah-associated” and was the “Canadian branch of Alaa Hamieh’s similarly named Lebanese companies.”
Reached by Global News on Wednesday, Fadel said from Qatar that he was consulting his lawyer prior to commenting.
Race played a role in Ontario drug dealer's sentencing
A judge took a Toronto drug dealer’s race into account when he sentenced him for trafficking and possessing a loaded handgun while under a court-ordered firearm prohibition.
The judge was persuaded that Brandon Caleb’s “life experiences flowing from his societal disadvantage and anti-Black racism normalized gun possession in his mind,” said the recent decision. “This somewhat attenuates his moral responsibility.”
Caleb was found guilty on the three charges in Ontario’s Superior Court of Justice last summer.
“I am satisfied on a balance of probabilities that factors in Mr. Caleb’s life played a significant role in his criminal activity and which diminish his moral culpability,” Justice Mohan Sharma wrote in a the Feb. 17 decision.
“They include his history and experience of antiBlack racism; challenges at school; the absence of Black role models; growing up in a community where criminal activity, specifically, drug trafficking and gun violence were normalized; and a desire to fit in and belong.”
The court heard the Toronto Police Service obtained warrants to search a car and a home in May 2022 with information investigator’s gleaned by tapping Caleb’s mobile phone during a drug probe dubbed Project Venom.
During their May 19, 2022 search of the home where Caleb was staying, police found a measuring cup “with white powdery residue in it,” two black digital scales, and two phones “located on the living room floor where Mr. Caleb was found sleeping on a mattress with his infant child.”
The Office of the Police Complaints Commissioner is launching an investigation into sexualized conduct across police workplaces in B.C. The review will examine how municipal departments prevent, investigate and respond to misconduct, in cases ranging from inappropriate comments to sexual assault. The Office of the Police Complaints Commissioner (OPCC) says that workplace-related sexualized conduct by police officers is a recurring issue, including situations characterized by significant power imbalances. It states that incidents may be underreported due to these barriers, which can discourage reporting. The investigation will examine policies, training
and workplace culture and whether there are effective pathways for reporting.
“I think that it will make a difference in creating a better workplace for police officers all around and restoring public trust that has, in some cases, been damaged over the last several years,” Elenore Sturko, the independent MLA for SurreyCloverdale, said.
“This isn’t something that police themselves should be afraid of. I hope they welcome this.”
Once the investigation is complete, a report will be delivered to the Director of Policing and Law Enforcement Services (“Director”), municipal police departments, designated units.
Ontario Provincial Police “officers also found a loaded firearm in the pocket of men’s jeans in a dresser shelf in a bedroom closet,” said the decision.
There was some debate in court about the types of drugs Caleb was dealing during the calls.
Though the judge indicated he was satisfied that, on three occasions caught on the wiretap in March of 2022 and once again that April, “that the substances in these calls were controlled substances — either cocaine, crack cocaine, or fentanyl.”
The judge was convinced Caleb lived at the home and “that he had knowledge and control of the firearm.”
Caleb conceded that if he was found guilty on that count, he broke an order made by an Ontario Court of Justice judge on Oct. 24, 2013, banning him from possessing a firearm.
Sharma gleaned information about Caleb from a pre-sentence report and an Impact of Race and Culture Assessment (IRCA), as well as his criminal record. Caleb had past convictions in Toronto for possession for the purpose of trafficking, fleeing police and breaking a court order. The 39-yearold has also been convicted of fraud over $5,000 and two counts of robbery. Caleb was introduced to marijuana by peers at the age of 15 or 16, said the decision. “By grade 10, his marijuana use increased from weekly to daily.”
He started selling pot before dropping out of Grade 12. His mother suspects he has undiagnosed Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).
Accused extortionists deported as part of CBSA crackdown on cross-Canada network
Continued from Page 1...
Although it's unclear exactly how they knew each other, a review of Singh's phone allegedly found links between him and Sandhu, including a video of them alongside Bandhu Maan Singh Sekhon, a man accused of orchestrating shootings at a Surrey café owned by a Bollywood star.
In a statement Wednesday promoting a crackdown on suspects involved in serious criminality, the CBSA cited Singh and Sandhu's deportation as an illustration of the agency's "ongoing efforts to identify and remove individuals linked to extortion and organized criminal schemes in Canada."
"Protecting the safety and well-being of Canadians requires constant vigilance in the face of evolving criminal threats," federal Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree said in the statement accompanied by pictures of Singh and Sandhu.
Singh and Sandhu are among 35 people removed from Canada as part of recent attempts to disrupt extortion networks. As of last week, the CBSA said it had opened 372 immigration investigations and issued 70 removal orders.
Singh and Sandhu's cases while reporting on the immigration system's response to the extortion crisis, attending immigration detention and admissibility hearings — which are nominally open to the public. Singh and Sandhu were living in Edmonton at the time of their arrests, but both men had previously come under the watch of police in Ontario and British Columbia. According to IRB transcripts, Singh was caught on camera at the scene of an arson involving Molotov cocktails
hurled at a commercial business in Brant County, Ont., last August; he was accused of directing assailants to film the attack.
He was allegedly linked through shell casings to shootings in Edmonton and Surrey and pulled over last October in a Surrey traffic stop in a vehicle with three men who were arrested the next day in relation to an extortion-related shooting.
Canadian immigration officials flagged Sandhu for criminality in 2020, but it took nearly six years to remove him from Canada. Singh's phone allegedly held a treasure trove of videos and messages linking him to an auto theft and vehicle fraud network and more than a dozen other extortion suspects — including Sandhu. At his admissibility hearing, Singh said he had grown depressed in immigration custody.
He was never criminally charged with extortion, but claimed he was admitting to the allegations made against him in order to speed up the deportation process. Sandhu was charged with uttering threats to cause bodily harm or death in October 2025, and later that same month his white Nissan Rogue was identified "for being a vehicle involved in a shooting event."
In court documents, Singh said he had "no home, no shelter and no immediate family capable of supporting me in India."
"I will face homelessness, family separation and severe psychological harm," Sandhu concluded in what amounted to a final, unsuccessful plea to authorities for one last, last chance.
"I make this affidavit in support of my motion to stay my removal and for no other or improper purpose."
The forgotten Indian woman trailblazer in British medicine
Continued from Page 1...
The biography draws on letters, diaries, a slim journal kept by Sen herself, her article in a journal called Mahila Parishad, and a synopsis written by her elder sister, Kamini. The book restores to history a woman of fierce intellect and radical resolve from pre-independent Bengal.
Born in 1871 in Barisal in the Bengal Presidency as one of seven siblings in a progressive family, Sen's journey began far from Europe's medical citadels.
Educated at Bethune College in Calcutta (now Kolkata), she qualified from Calcutta Medical College in 1897, entering a profession that remained overwhelmingly male and rigidly stratified by race. Soon after graduating, she accepted an offer that would define her early career: a post in Nepal as house physician to the royal household and head of the Kathmandu Zenana Hospital.
For nearly a decade she practised medicine at the highest level, earning the confidence of King Prithvi Bir Bikram Shah while introducing modern clinical methods within deeply traditional settings.
Her years in Nepal were not without drama.
Amid looming palace unrest and rumours of coups, Sen eventually left the country. The king who had honoured her with a gold watch bearing his crest would soon die, with poisoning suspected to be the reason.
In 1911, with support from the Lady Dufferin Fund, she travelled to Britain, took a medical licence in Dublin, studied at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, and went on to sit the fellowship examinations in Glasgow.
The Royal College had only just opened its exams to women. In 1912, she passed, becoming the first female Fellow at an institution founded in 1599.
The triumph, however, was incomplete. The college's records note that Sen "was unable to hold office... meaning that her privileges as a female Fellow were restricted compared to those of her male counterparts".
It would take another 11 years for a second woman, Margaret Hogg Grant, to be admitted in 1923. She then travelled to Berlin in 1912, to further her clinical
knowledge at a time when continental Europe was at the forefront of medical research in tropical diseases. This intellectual restlessness defined her career.
"I have a lot of responsibilities towards my sisters in my country," Sen is quoted as saying in the archives of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow. Returning to India, she joined the Women's Medical Service and worked in cities including Agra, Shimla and Puri. In Agra, during local unrest directed at British doctors, Sen was brought in to steady tensions - her presence as an Indian woman physician proved crucial.
Women sought her out specifically; they trusted her. Patients affectionately called her the "saree-wali daktarin sahib" or the sari-clad lady doctor.
Among them are the watch given to her by Nepal's king - which she wore pinned to her sari - a Tibetan tsog spoon gifted in recognition of her medical service and a delicate blue-wing brooch she purchased in London. Only two grainy black-and-white photographs of her remain, now submitted to the Glasgow College archives.
In Shimla and Puri she continued working through outbreaks of epidemics and difficult conditions that some colonial doctors resisted.
Many young mothers suffered from post-childbirth sepsis - a crisis she confronted head-on. "The greatest improvement has taken place in maternal cases," she wrote in her journal with quiet pride.
Chakraverti's portrait is of a woman shaped equally by ambition and sorrow - a doctor who confronted racism in pre-independence India and sexism in Britain, yet remained steadfast in her vocation.
Even in the way she dressed, Sen signalled a quiet modernity. She adopted a practical working style - a pinned sari and full-sleeved blouse with a lace collara departure from older Indian drapes and one better suited to hospital wards than drawing rooms. Her story reminds us that the making of modern medicine was never solely a European tale, nor exclusively a male one. It was also written in pinned saris, palace wards, epidemic outposts and examination halls where a determined Bengali woman refused to step aside.
American investors bet big on Indian cricket with two separate billion-dollar deals for IPL teams
Continued from Page 1...
The two deals highlight the increasing allure of India’s national pastime among international investors looking to be part of the most popular sport in the world’s populous country.
“It’s mind-boggling numbers,” Indian cricketing great Sourav Ganguly told local reporters. “But great news for Indian cricket and the way forward. I think it’s already as big as the NBA.” The valuations for the two teams mark a huge jump from their original 2008 sales, when liquor baron Vijay Mallya purchased RCB for $111.6 million and Rajasthan sold for $67 million.
Sports teams overall have become a major target of global investments, as businesses try to tap into new markets abroad and spending from their fan bases. Deloitte analysts wrote in an outlook published last month that the industry is “entering an age of expansion” — and that private equity deals across sports leagues have jumped in recent years. The IPL, which only runs three months a year, features the sport’s shortest format — called Twenty20 — and has developed into cricket’s hottest property. In 2022, the broadcast rights for the 2023-27 cycle were bought for $6.4 billion by Disney Star and Reliance Viacom18. Disney has since exited its India business and the two entities together formed JioStar in 2025.
In a statement, Blitzer described the IPL as “one of the great growth stories in global sport.”
In 2021, the league was expanded from eight to 10 teams and the two new franchises, Gujarat Titans and Lucknow Super Giants, sold for $670 million and $940 million, respectively.
In comparison, the London Spirit team of the British cricket league The Hundred was valued in 2025 at $370 million — the highest for any team
in that tournament — when its partial stake was up for sale last year. “Over the past two decades, the IPL has morphed to become a global sporting powerhouse that has changed the face of Indian cricket, creating enormous value for India,” said Kumar Mangalam Birla, chairman of Aditya Birla Group, which is part of the consortium that includes Blitzer. “RCB, as one of the most compelling franchises in modern sport, offers us a distinctive platform to extend our legacy into the arena of global sport.”
The 2025 title was RCB’s first, but the celebrations turned tragic when at least 11 people died in a deadly crowd crush at the team’s stadium.
The new ownership consortium will bring in a reformed management team for RCB. Aditya Birla director Aryaman Vikram Birla will serve as chairman, while Satyan Gajwani of the Times of India Group will take on the role of vice chairman. Blitzer already has ownerships stakes in the NBA’s Philadelphia 76ers, the NHL’s New Jersey Devils and the Premier League’s Crystal Palace, among a slew of other teams.
For Rajasthan, Somani was an existing shareholder and moved to take full control of the franchise in a deal that still needs approval from the Board of Control for Cricket in India, Indian media reported. The Arizona-based tech entrepreneur is also one of the founders of Motor City Golf Club in the TGL league co-founded by Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy. The 81-year-old Walton is the eldest son of Walmart founder Sam Walton, and is an owner of the NFL’s Denver Broncos.
While the IPL’s current valuations still fall well shy of the top global sports franchises in other sports, like the NFL’s Dallas Cowboys or soccer’s Real Madrid, there is still room to grow.
Public consultation opens on national ID system
Public consultations on Fiji’s proposed National Identity (NID) system will begin this week, as Government moves to introduce a unified identification framework aimed at improving access to services and strengthening the digital economy. The consultation, led by the Reserve Bank of Fiji (RBF) in collaboration with the Ministry of Policing and Communications, will run from March 27 to April 7, inviting feedback from individuals, businesses and stakeholders on the proposed framework.
According to the concept paper released yesterday, the NID system is designed to provide citizens and residents with a single, secure form of identification, replacing the current reliance on multiple documents such as voter cards, passports and joint ID cards. Government says the move will address inefficiencies caused by fragmented
systems, while improving access to public and private services, including banking and social welfare.
The proposed system will be voluntary and aims to support secure electronic identity verification (e-KYC), promote financial inclusion and reduce identity fraud.
It will also incorporate biometric data such as fingerprints and facial images for verification purposes, while ensuring safeguards for privacy, consent and data protection.
Authorities say the framework is being developed under a phased rollout plan from 2025 to 2030, with governance structures already established to oversee implementation.
The RBF has been endorsed as the implementing agency for the first phase, with a focus on enhancing digital services and financial systems.
Corrections nurses suspended over alleged intimate links with prisoners
Two nurses employed by the Fiji Corrections Service have been suspended with immediate effect over allegations of fraternising and colluding with inmates. In a statement issued today, the service confirmed that the officers have been placed on half pay pending the outcome of a Board of Inquiry, which will be convened to establish the facts surrounding the claims.
The internal investigation will proceed in line with established disciplinary processes, with authorities expected to determine whether any breaches of conduct or professional standards occurred. The Fiji Corrections Service emphasised that it maintains a zero-tolerance approach to corruption and inappropriate relationships between staff and inmates.
Fijians ingesting microplastics through drinking water, USP study finds
Fijians are ingesting microplastics through everyday drinking water, according to new research by The University of the South Pacific (USP), raising fresh concerns about water safety and public health.
The study, released to coincide with World Water Day 2026, provides the first baseline evidence of microplastics in Fiji’s drinking water systems.
“Our findings show that people of Fiji are ingesting microplastics through drinking water, and this highlights the need for enhanced monitoring, treatment and public awareness to safeguard both people and ecosystems,” said Associate Professor David Rohindra, who led the research.
The study analysed multiple water sources, including tap water, groundwater, rainwater and bottled water, and found microplastic particles present across all categories.
Tap water recorded concentrations ranging from 0.10 to 2.90 particles per litre, while some bottled water samples contained up to 2.20 particles per litre. Rainwater showed the lowest levels of contamination.
Although the levels remain below critical pollution thresholds, researchers say the findings present a critical opportunity for early intervention.
Needle Syringe program is sensitive but necessary: Expert
While the Needle Syringe Program is regarded as one of the most effective ways of minimizing the spread of HIV infections, it is a sensitive approach and may trigger public resistance.
Jason Mitchell, the HIV Advisor for Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, says that the HIV-AIDS Act 2011 allows the government to introduce the Needle and Syringe Program, but there are other elements that need to be considered.
Mitchell says that in the past, any public health intervention introduced in Fiji and other countries met with significant resistance from communities.
“Good examples that we all have experience with are condoms and family planning. When we first introduced those to Fiji and in many other countries, it was the same experience. People immediately said, “You are promoting
No action against former health minister for 11 years
NO further action was taken to investigate the allegations against former health minister Dr Neil Sharma from 2012 until the file was handed over to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) in 2023. Former Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption investigator Alifereti Wakanivesi said under oath that the file was transferred following a complaint made to the CID in 2022.
Testifying before Justice Usaia Ratuvili, he said investigations were paused in 2012 after a directive from then deputy commissioner George Langman to “put the case aside for the time being,” on the instructions of former attorney-general Aiyaz SayedKhaiyum. The State is alleging Mr Sayed Khaiyum intentionally obstructed FICAC’s investigation into Dr Sharma by directing all investigations to be shelved until further notice.
Wakanivesi agreed that there were no written directives to pause the investigation until the handover in 2023 when Commissioner Rashmi Aslam took office.
Defence lawyer Devanesh Sharma cited the Procurement Regulations under regulation 48 (4), which stated the Minister of Finance can grant a waiver if it is impractical to follow the tender process and if there is an urgent infrastructure need.
However, during cross-examination, Mr
However, Mr Wakanivesi said the letters requesting the waivers did not specifically mention urgency or impracticality, but rather focused on cost savings, decentralisation of health services, and supplier-related issues. In this case, the State alleges former prime minister Voreqe Bainimarama and Mr Sayed-Khaiyum abused their position by granting a waiver to tender CTN 66/2011 and CTN 153/ 2011 without justification.
Drug raid inquiry | Farmer claims property, crops destroyed during search for marijuana
The Fiji Police Force is investigating their own officers following allegations that they destroyed a farmhouse and crops while searching for a suspected marijuana operation in Kadavu.
A video circulating online shows a farmer claiming his property was severely damaged, with crops and vegetables destroyed, trees cut down, and personal belongings, including clothing torn and thrown into the mud.
of an initial inquiry.
He stressed that the Fiji Police Force maintains a zero-tolerance stance on abuse of authority.
In the footage, the farmer claims that officers, who were in the area pursuing a suspect, targeted his farm after suspecting him of cultivating marijuana. Police Commissioner Rusiate Tudravu confirmed that statements from the officers involved have been requested as part
“If there are any breaches of the law, criminal investigations will be initiated,” Mr Tudravu said. He added that although the claims remain allegations at this stage, they are serious and risk undermining public trust and confidence in the force. “Such actions will not be condoned, assuring members of the public that the matter will be investigated thoroughly.”
The operation in question took place on the morning of March 18, 2026, after officers received information about the cultivation of marijuana in the Lavidi area.
promiscuous sex, you’re going to make people have early sex, all these sorts of things. And what we respond to them was, we are responding to public health needs.”
However, Mitchell stresses that the Needle and Syringe Program is a public health measure and a harm reduction approach to reducing HIV infections.
MARCH 28, 2026
"Man in a burning building offering you spare room": US war expert Col Douglas Macgregor on Pakistan's mediation push in West Asia conflict
New Delhi [India], March 26 (ANI):
Geopolitical risk advisor and former US Army combatant, Colonel Douglas Macgregor (retd) has questioned the credibility of Pakistan, which is attempting to position itself in a negotiating role in the West Asia crisis, stating that the country faces severe internal challenges and would not be viewed as neutral by Israel.
In an interview with ANI, Col Macgregor, who served as the advisor to the US Secretary of Defence in the first Donald Trump Administration, said Pakistan is faced with internal difficulties, including a precarious economic situation. He suggested that India
could play a credible role in facilitating dialogue due to its diplomatic relationships across different geopolitical blocs.
"For the Pakistanis to offer help is sort of like a man who is in a burning building offering you a spare room in the building. Pakistan's not going to be viewed in any way, shape or form as neutral by the Israelis," he said.
"They're going to view Pakistan as part of the problem. Why would you go to Pakistan to Islamabad to try and close a deal, if you will, on ending the war? That's an impossibility. It strikes me as just ludicrous nonsense," he added.
Balen set to take oath as Nepal PM on Friday, RSP choose him as parliamentary leader
Kathmandu [Nepal], March 26 (ANI):
The Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) has unanimously approved the proposal of appointing senior leader Balendra Shah as parliamentary party leader, paving the way for his appointment as the next Prime Minister.
The meeting of the Central Committee, held at the party office in Kathmandu on Thursday evening, unanimously agreed to appoint the former Kathmandu Mayor, a structural engineer and rapper, as the parliamentary leader. Shah is set to take oath tomorrow at the President's Office from President Ram Chandra Paudel amid a special function.
As per the RSP charter, only the parliamentary party leader can become the Prime Minister.
As per the agreement between RSP President Rabi Lamichanne and Shah on December 28, the party is going to officially prepare Shah for the role with the vote of its 182 House members.
Former TV host and Home Minister Rabi Lamichhane will continue to serve as the Rastriya Swatantra Party's central chairperson, and Balendra Shah will be the parliamentary party leader and future prime minister candidate following the House of Representatives election, reads Point 4 of their agreement.
24 dead after bus plunges into river in Bangladesh
At least 24 people were killed and several others remain missing after a bus plunged into a river in Bangladesh while attempting to board a transport ferry, officials said on Thursday.
The accident occurred in the southwestern district of Rajbari at the Dauladia terminal when the bus fell into the Padma River at about 5.15 pm on Wednesday, officials said.
They estimate that the Dhaka-bound bus was carrying around 40 passengers, including several children, most of whom were returning to the capital after their Eid holidays.
According to local fire service officials, 24 bodies have been recovered.
Twenty-two bodies were recovered from inside the bus, including 11 women, six men and five children.
Nepal's new parliament session convenes
meeting, newly elected MP's take oath
Kathmandu [Nepal], March 26 (ANI): The first meeting of Nepal's new Parliament after the elections early this month convened on Thursday, with newly elected members taking the oath of office and secrecy. The previous Parliament was dissolved in September 2025 after the Gen-Z protest.
The new lawmakers, elected through the election held on March 5, arrived at the underconstruction Parliament building inside Singhadurbar, the administrative capital of the Himalayan nation, in traditional attire.
The Parliament Secretariat had requested the newly elected members of the House of Representatives to wear traditional attire while
taking the oath. Nepali Congress parliamentarian Arjun Narsingh KC, the senior-most member of the House of Representatives, administered the oath to the MPs. The ceremony was held at the underconstruction multipurpose hall of the Federal Parliament at Singha Durbar. Necessary arrangements, including seating, rostrum, Speaker's chair, and designated spaces for the General Secretary, Secretaries, and other Secretariat officials, had been completed at the venue.
As per constitutional provisions, the oath-taking is mandated under Article 99 and Article 91(5) of the Constitution of Nepal, along with Section 75 of the House of Representatives Election Act, 2017.
Viral video shows ‘intoxicated’ delivery boy standing at same spot for hours in Chandigarh
An unverified video of an e-commerce delivery executive surfaced on social media, with users claiming the person appeared to be in a disoriented and intoxicated state and kept standing for around “two hours” in the same position at a residential area. An Instagram user claimed that the video was from Chandigarh’s Sector 33, shot on Tuesday.
The short video, which gained a lot of traction on social media, showed the delivery agent standing outside a house with the delivery bag on his shoulders. He was standing behind a car with a ‘bidi’ in his mouth and appeared disoriented and unable to maintain balance. However, the authenticity of the internet users’ claims and the purported video could not be independently verified. When contacted on Wednesday, Sector 34 Police Station SHO, Inspector Satinder, said he didn’t have details about the video.
He, however, claimed that police had rounded up one man from Sector 33 on Tuesday, who is a resident of Dhanas here in Chandigarh.
About the viral video from Sector 33 here, he said, “We do not know about the authenticity of the video or when it was shot. However, a man, aged 27, who was roaming in the area in a suspicious manner on Tuesday was taken into preventive custody for questioning.”
The SHO said there was no complaint from area residents, and a police patrol vehicle had spotted him.
“His medical examination was conducted, but it did not confirm consumption of alcohol or any substance,” he said when asked if the man whom the police had detained was under any intoxication.
“He was produced before a magistrate and released on bail,” the SHO said.
The Punjab Police’s counter-intelligence wing in Jalandhar on Thursday busted an inter-state illegal weapons supply module with the arrest of two persons from Uttar Pradesh and recovered 10 country-made pistols and 20 magazines from them. The accused were identified as Dalesh Kumar, alias Saurav Kumar, alias Nannu, a resident of Paindapur village in Aligarh, and Amit Chahar, a resident of Baseri Chahar village in Agra.
Punjab Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav said the two suspects were arrested in Mathura, where five pistols and 10 magazines were initially recovered from Dalesh Kumar's car. Following his disclosure, an additional five pistols and 10 magazines were recovered from the Mathura-Palwal Highway.
The development came almost a month after two Babbar Khalsa International operatives -Sukhwinder alias Sunny and Rawal -- were arrested for procuring and further placing three grenades and one IED near Balachaur on the directions of their foreign-based handler Jassi Kulam. The same IED was later used in the blast at the Nalagarh police station in Himachal Pradesh.
In touch with ‘Punjabi Kuri’ in Karachi: HC grants bail, says mere suspicion of links to Pakistan not enough
Holding that mere suspicion of sharing sensitive information with a person in Pakistan cannot justify prolonged incarceration, the Punjab and Haryana High Court has granted regular bail to an accused booked under provisions relating to national security and the Official Secrets Act. He was allegedly in telephonic contact with Karachibased “Punjabi Kuri”.
Directing his release, Justice HS Grewal ruled that in the absence of any material indicating actual transmission of confidential information, continued custody would not serve the ends of justice. The court asserted: “Mere presumption or suspicion raised by the prosecution regarding transmission of secret information to a person in a neighbouring country does not, at this stage, substantiate the commission of the alleged offence.”
The case has its genesis in an FIR registered at the Bhadson police station in Patiala district under provisions of the BNS and Official Secrets
Act, 1923, on allegations that the petitioner was in contact with a woman identified through a social media profile purportedly based in Karachi, Pakistan, and had shared secret information.
During the hearing, the defence contended that the allegations rested solely on the fact of communication with a person in Pakistan, without any material to indicate that sensitive information was ever passed on. It was further argued that the petitioner had been in custody for over seven months, was not involved in any other case, and the trial was likely to take time as only the challan had been filed. The court, during the course of hearing, noted the prosecution’s inability to substantiate its claims at the current stage. Recording this aspect, the bench observed that the Investigating Officer (IO) present in court could not point to any material showing that the petitioner had actually transmitted sensitive or confidential information to anyone in Pakistan.
Taking into account the period of custody and the stage of the trial, the court concluded: “The continuous detention of the petitioner would not serve the ends of justice.”
Allowing the petition, the court ordered his release on regular bail subject to furnishing requisite bonds to the satisfaction of the trial court. It, however, clarified that the state would be at liberty to seek cancellation of bail in case of misuse of the concession.
Punjab plans glass bridge over Nangal Dam lake to boost tourism
To boost tourism and enhance the region's recreational appeal, the Punjab government plans to construct an ambitious glass bridge over the Nangal Dam lake.
Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann is scheduled to lay the foundation stone of the project on March 31 during his visit to Nangal. It was the first of its kind project in the state where a glass bridge has been planned over the lake.
According to sources, the proposed glass bridge, estimated to cost around Rs 10 crore, is envisioned as a major tourist
attraction that could significantly elevate the profile of Nangal and the surrounding areas on Punjab’s tourism map.
The project is expected to draw visitors from across the state as well as neighbouring regions, providing a new vantage point to experience the scenic beauty of the Sutlej River and the Nangal Dam lake.
Punjab Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains, who represents the Anandpur Sahib constituency, confirmed the development. He stated that the CM would formally inaugurate the project by laying its foundation stone on March 31.
SAD's Punjab Bachao rally held in Phillaur; Sukhbir Badal targets AAP government
Phillaur witnessed a large political gathering on Thursday as the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) organised its ‘Punjab Bachao’ rally, drawing the presence of senior party leadership, including Sukhbir Singh Badal and Bikram Singh Majithia.
Addressing the rally, Badal launched a sharp attack on both the Congress and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), accusing the current government of administrative failures and financial mismanagement.
In his speech, Badal alleged that the condition of roads across Punjab has deteriorated significantly, claiming that most roads are in a broken state and that no substantial development has taken place over the past decade.
He further accused the AAP government of spending Rs 4,500 crore on advertisements over the past four years. He also alleged that expenses related to travel by Arvind Kejriwal are being borne by the Punjab government.
Taking a dig at Chief Minister (CM) Bhagwant Mann, Badal claimed that Mann had occupied the commissioner’s residence in Jalandhar and alleged that the upcoming birthday celebration of Mann’s daughter on March 28 would cost Rs 10 crore, with expenses purportedly being covered by the state government. He further remarked that governance in Punjab is effectively being run by Arvind Kejriwal, while Mann’s role is limited.
BC Helps Parents Boost their Education Savings!
Setback for Nirav Modi as UK court rejects plea to reopen extradition case
The London High Court relied on the “quality of assurances” given by the Government of India in its note verbale while rejecting fugitive diamantaire Nirav Modi's petition to reopen his case against extradition, officials said.
Modi, who is wanted in India in connection with a Rs 13,000-crore Punjab National Bank fraud, had approached the London court to reopen his case on the basis of the judgment in fugitive economic offender Sanjay Bhandari's case, where extradition was dropped on the possibility of torture by Indian agencies.
The London High Court had discharged Bhandari from the extradition order on human rights grounds.
“Refusing” the permission to reopen Modi's case, the Bench Lord Justice Stuart Smith and Justice Jay in the High Court of Justice, King's Bench Division, said they relied on “the quality of assurances” given by the Indian government in its note verbale. “When Mr Modi's case came before us in the autumn of 2022, the material underpinning the decision in Bhandari was either not available
or was not drawn to our attention. This court's judgment in the Bhandari case presents a worrying picture of the use of proscribed treatment to obtain confessions, which was characterised as commonplace and endemic,” the UK court said in its judgment.
“Were it not for the statements made and assurances given by the GoI between September 2025 and February 2026, culminating in the note verbale to which we accord considerable weight, we would be minded to reopen this appeal in the exercise of exceptional power,” the court held.
The Bench rejected the argument that there was a “real risk of torture or other ill-treatment” during the journey from prison to the trial court in Mumbai.
The court said it has considered the assurances very carefully. “On one hand, the mutual confidence and trust that exists between two friendly powers who have entered into binding treaty arrangements must be accorded considerable weight, as well as concomitant solemn assurances proffered within the same framework.
Chinese envoy calls for "actively pursuing mutually beneficial cooperation"
New Delhi [India], March 26 (ANI): Chinese Ambassador Xu Feihong on Thursday stressed that Chinese and Indian youth should "deepen exchanges and cooperation" in emerging fields such as artificial intelligence, digital economy, and green technology."
While speaking at the 4th China-India Youth Dialogue in the national capital, he highlighted the parallel growth trajectories of the two Asian giants, noting that both nations have reached a significant milestone in their developmental journeys.
"In recent decades, both China and India have achieved remarkable development. These achievements are built on the hard work and wisdom of our own people, supported by global cooperation," Ambassador Xu Feihong said.
He emphasised "supporting each other's success," stating, "Today, both our countries are at a critical stage of development and national rejuvenation. We should achieve development through our own efforts while actively pursuing mutually beneficial cooperation and supporting each other's success."
The Ambassador specifically pointed toward the rapidly evolving technological landscape, identifying innovation as a key pillar for future engagement. "Recently, China's innovation has drawn global attention, from humanoid robots performing martial arts to AI video models. India has also made artificial intelligence a national priority through the India AI mission," he noted.
in emerging fields such as artificial intelligence, digital economy, and green technology."
Reflecting on his personal observations since beginning his tenure in India, the envoy spoke about the growing cultural footprints of Chinese digital and lifestyle products. "When I arrived in this incredible land two years ago, I found that China's new trio of cultural products, online games, web series, and online literature, has quietly become part of the daily lives of Indian youth. Trending Chinese products like Labubu are also emerging as new vehicles to express individuality," he said.
Referencing the high-level diplomatic
Encouraging the younger generation to lead this technological shift, he added, "Chinese and Indian youth should deepen exchanges and cooperation
engagements that have paved the way for strengthened bilateral ties, Ambassador Xu stated, "Since the meetings between President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Kazan and Tianjin, China-India relations have moved to a new level of improvement, with positive progress in exchanges and cooperation across various fields."
Amid mounting concerns triggered by the West Asia crisis, the Centre on Thursday asserted that nearly two months of steady fuel supply is available for every Indian citizen regardless of global disruptions, while warning of a “deliberate and coordinated misinformation campaign” aimed at inciting panic.
The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas said India currently has around 60 days of stock cover, backed by a total reserve capacity of 74 days, firmly dismissing claims circulating on social media that the country is running dangerously low on fuel.
“There is no shortage of petrol, diesel or LPG anywhere in the country,” the ministry said, underlining that all retail outlets -- numbering over one lakh -- are fully operational with no rationing in place.
Officials said India’s position as the world’s fourth-largest refiner and fifth-largest exporter of petroleum products provides a structural cushion, ensuring uninterrupted domestic availability even as several countries grapple with rationing and supply disruptions.
days have already been secured," it said, ruling out any immediate or medium-term supply gap.
The ministry attributed isolated instances of panic buying at fuel stations to “mischievous videos and fabricated claims” circulating online. It said depots have been operating round the clock to replenish stocks, while oil companies have extended credit cycles for petrol pumps to ensure seamless supply.
Seeking to allay fears over the Strait of Hormuz situation, the government said crude supplies from more than 40 global sources -- particularly from the western hemisphere -- have more than compensated for any disruption in the region. "All refineries are operating at over 100 per cent utilisation, and crude supplies for the next 60
On cooking gas, the government said domestic production has been ramped up by 40 per cent, now meeting over 60 per cent of daily demand. The remaining requirement is being met through imports, with 800 TMT of LPG cargoes already secured and en route from multiple countries. Daily cylinder deliveries have stabilised at around 50 lakh, after a temporary spike to 89 lakh driven by panic ordering. Authorities have also increased commercial cylinder allocations to curb hoarding.
The Indian Army has rejected the entire consignment of Verka whole milk powder supplied by Punjab Government’s dairy cooperative, Milkfed.
In a letter sent to Ludhiana District Cooperative Milk Producers Union, the Officer Commanding of an Army Service Corps unit based in Jammu stated that nearly 125 metric tonnes of whole milk powder supplied by the Ludhiana unit of Verka were being rejected.
Official sources in the state dairy cooperative told The Tribune that two batches of milk powder—one of 58.338 MT and another of 66.654 MT—were rejected, allegedly due to quality concerns. The samples reportedly failed the Army’s quality checks.
The letter, a copy of which is with The Tribune, has also been sent to the Chief Director of Purchase and Food Inspection Organisation in the Union Defence Ministry.
Rahul Gupta, Managing Director of Milkfed, told The Tribune that the state dairy cooperative is among the best in the country, and the highest priority is given to quality control and checks when milk and milk products are prepared, packaged, and distributed for wholesale or retail sale. “We are setting up a fact-finding committee to determine why the whole milk powder was rejected,” he added.
India among 'friendly nations' allowed through Hormuz passage, says Iran's Foreign Minister
Iran has said it is permitting vessels from select “friendly nations”, including India, to transit the strategically critical Strait of Hormuz, even as restrictions continue for others amid the ongoing West Asia conflict.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Tehran has allowed passage for countries such as China, Russia, India, Iraq and Pakistan, signalling a calibrated approach to maritime
The statement formalises what had earlier emerged through diplomatic channels — that India-bound vessels are being given operational leeway despite heightened tensions in the region.
In recent days, at least four Indian-flagged tankers have successfully transited the strait following high-level engagements between New Delhi and Tehran.
The second phase of the IPL 2026 will begin on April 13 and conclude on May 24, the BCCI announced on Thursday while releasing the full fixtures of the league phase.
The first phase runs from March 28 to April 12, with defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Sunrisers Hyderabad facing off in
Devajit Saikia said in a statement.
"Matches in the second phase will be held in Bengaluru, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Delhi, Ahmedabad, Hyderabad, Lucknow, Jaipur, Dharamshala, Raipur and New Chandigarh," he added.
the league opener at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium on Saturday. The final is slated for May 31 in Bengaluru.
"The remainder of the league stage, comprising 50 matches, will be played from April 13 to May 24, 2026, across 12 venues in India," BCCI secretary
"As the tournament enters a crucial phase, teams will compete across venues for a place in the playoffs, with the race expected to intensify through the latter half of the league stage." The action resumes on April 13 with Sunrisers Hyderabad taking on Rajasthan Royals in Hyderabad, setting the tone for an exciting run of fixtures. The second phase will feature eight double-headers.
Punjab Kings will play their home matches in New Chandigarh and Dharamshala, including three games at the latter venue during this phase.
Rajasthan Royals will host four home games in Jaipur, while Royal Challengers Bengaluru will play three home matches in Bengaluru and two in Raipur.
The venues for the playoffs will be announced at a later date.
