The UK and India have agreed a trade deal that will make it easier for UK firms to export whisky, cars and other products to India, and cut taxes on India's clothing and footwear exports.
The British government said the "landmark" agreement, which took three years to reach, did not include any change in immigration policy, including towards Indian students studying in the UK. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said the deal would boost the economy and "deliver
South Asian man accused of repeatedly sexually assaulting 14 year old girl in Ontario
A 30-year-old man is accused of drugging and confining a young teenage girl while sexually assaulting her over a period of days in Ajax.
Durham Regional Police say Special Victims Unit officers launched an investigation on Wednesday after receiving information from Hamilton Police that a 14-year-old girl had allegedly been sexually assaulted and forcibly confined in Ajax.
It’s alleged that a man picked up the teen in Hamilton and drove her to Ajax where “she was confined and sexually assaulted over a period of days.” A suspect was subsequently identified and arrested “without incident” on Friday.
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for British people and business".
Last year, trade between the UK and India totalled £42.6bn and was already forecast to grow, but the government said the deal would boost that trade by an additional £25.5bn a year by 2040.
India's prime minister, Narendra Modi, described the agreement as an historic milestone that was "ambitious and mutually beneficial".
The pact would help "catalyse trade, investment, growth, job creation, and innovation in both our economies", he said in a post on social media platform X.
Once it comes into force, which could take up to a year, UK consumers are likely to benefit from the reduction in tariffs on goods coming into the country from India, the Department for Business and Trade said.
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The premier of Canada’s oil-rich province of Alberta said Monday she will hold a referendum on separation from Canada next year if a citizenled petition reaches the required number of signatures.
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Mother’s Day without my mother
By Umendra Singh Editor, The Asian Star
I never imagined this day would ever come. It is a day like no other.
But here it is – Mother’s Day without my mother. This Sunday would be my very first Mother’s Day which I will not spend with my mother or, at least, speak to her.
My mother passed away last November 7 after a brief illness. And life has not been the same for
me or my family since then. She was a rock like support for me for as long as I can remember – and supported me in all my ventures, business, political and social. She was the number one fan of The Asian Star, every Saturday going through of each edition of the newspaper diligently and questioning me about stories and headlines that piqued her interest.
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India lodges strong protest with Canada over parade by Khalistani extremists
India on Monday lodged a strong protest with Canadian High Commission in New Delhi over a parade held by Khalistani elements and sympathisers in Canada. The parade called for the deportation of 8 lakh Hindus to India and featured a truck with a mock jail containing effigies of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar.
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NDP votes to cancel $1,000 grocery rebate, it election promised during elections
John Rustad, Leader of the Conservative Party of BC and the Official Opposition, slammed the BC NDP Government today for voting against their own election campaign promise to deliver a $1,000 grocery rebate for British Columbians.
"Yesterday, the BC NDP had a chance to stand by their word and provide real relief for families struggling with soaring grocery prices. Instead, they voted down their own campaign promise," Rustad said. "This betrayal shows once again that Premier Eby and the NDP say one thing during elections but do the exact opposite in government."
During Second Reading of Bill 5 yesterday in the Legislature, the NDP Government voted against implementing the $1,000 grocery rebate—an explicit promise Premier David
Eby made repeatedly during last year’s election campaign.
"British Columbians are feeling the pressure of high living costs every single day," Rustad continued. "Families were counting on this rebate to help ease their financial burden, only to be let down by the NDP’s broken promise."
Rustad emphasized the Conservative Party of BC’s ongoing commitment to affordability and transparency.
"People deserve leadership that keeps promises and respects taxpayers' hardearned money," Rustad concluded. "The Conservative Party of BC will continue fighting for accountability and real solutions to the affordability crisis."
Courtesy: The Globe and Mail:
A B.C. physician has launched legal action over Ottawa’s decision to deny him a securityclearance when he was in the running for a Canadian diplomatic posting in Australia.
Gulzar Singh Cheema says the federal government rejected his clearance after raisingmultiple questions about his interactions over the years with foreign officials, both as amedical doctor and an elected politician.
Dr. Cheema, whose career includes stints as a minister of state in British Columbia andan MLA in Manitoba, has applied to the Federal Court for judicial review of a Februarydecision by the Privy Council Office, the bureaucratic agency that provides non-partisansupport to the Prime Minister.
The Indian-born physician argues the government’s decision to deny him clearance was“procedurally unfair” because it did not provide him with sufficient information oropportunity to respond to “allegedly adverse information” in its possession.
“From approximately May, 2024, to February, 2025, the applicant was a candidate for aposting as consul-general to Australia, a governor-in-council appointment whichrequires a security clearance,” Dr. Cheema‘s legal filing said.
He said he applied for clearance in May, 2024, and took part in an initial interview witha Privy Council Office security screening analyst shortly after. Dr. Cheema then spoke toa Canadian Security Intelligence Service official in August.
In October, 2024, however, he received a letter asking him to participate in a “securityinterview to resolve doubt,” and which said the top security clearance he required forthe consul-general posting included not only a security clearance but also a screeningfor “reliability status.”
Dr. Cheema participated in this additional interview and followed up numerous timeson the status of his candidacy and security screening. According to the court filing, atleast four new allegations were listed when his security clearance was finally rejected.
On Feb. 15 this year, he received a letter saying he was being denied “reliability status.”Among the reasons the government provided Dr. Cheema, according to the court filing,was that he was allegedly “not initially forthcoming about your interactions with foreign officials when those interactions were numerous, sustained over many years,well documented and part of your livelihood as a physician and political figure.”
Dr. Cheema‘s legal action does not identify the foreign officials or the country theyrepresented.
Dr. Cheema was a Liberal MLA in Manitoba from 1988 to 1993 and a Liberal MLA inBritish
Surrey Centre Liberal MP Randeep Sarai as last week re-elected for a fourth term.
And he thanked the voters for their faith in him.
“Thank You, Surrey Centre. This election campaign was an incredible journey. I want to thank everyone who played a part—whether you voted, volunteered, donated, opened your door to a canvasser, or simply took time to engage., he said in a statement.
“ I’m grateful for the trust and participation of so many people across our community.
Campaigns are demanding, but they’re also a chance to listen,” he added.
“At the doors, I heard a clear message: people are feeling squeezed. Housing is unaffordable. Groceries and everyday costs keep climbing. There’s real concern about where we’re headed— and a desire for governments to step up and do big things again. I heard calls for national-building projects, bold leadership, and urgency around Canada’s relationship with the United States. We’re
Columbia, where he still resides, between 2001 and 2004. He works as a familydoctor in Surrey, B.C., today.
In his legal filing, Dr. Cheema said his interactions with foreign officials “are not ameaningful part of the applicant’s livelihood as a physician.” And, he said, he “wasforthcoming about interactions with foreign officials as a physician and when he was apolitical figure.”
The request for judicial review argues the Privy Council Office (PCO) did not followgovernment standards for carrying out security screenings. “The Chief Security Officerfor PCO failed to provide the applicant with an opportunity to respond to the specifics ofthe new allegations and yet then relied on the new allegations as the basis for hisdecision.”
Dr. Cheema, reached by phone, said he was recommended by the Prime Minister’s Officefor the consul-general job in Sydney, Australia, “and the rest is all history and now is infront of the court.” He declined further comment.
The federal Department of Justice referred queries to the Privy Council Office. PCOspokesman Daniel Savoie said: “As this application for judicial review is an ongoinglegal matter, it would be inappropriate for us to comment at this time.”
Since 2023, Canada’s consul-general post in Sydney, Australia, has been filled by actingconsulgeneral Sarah Quigley, the department of Global Affairs said. Ottawa lawyer Paul Champ, who has worked on many national security cases for twodecades, said Dr. Cheema‘s experience is “unfortunately typical.” For Canadians bornabroad, “government security officials often scrutinize them much more closely, tryingto trip them up based on perceived or nitpicky contradictions from events years earlier,”Mr. Champ said. “And with someone like Dr. Cheema, his decades of responsible positions and publicservice aren’t given any weight whatsoever,” Mr. Champ said.
“In my experience, the security clearance system is broken and unfair to many.”
facing real challenges—ones that require focus, not delay. Surrey is one of the fastest-growing cities in the country, and Ottawa should treat it that way. To those who supported me with your vote, thank you. And to those who didn’t, or chose a different candidate, let me say this clearly: while you may not have voted for me on Monday, I will do my best to represent you and to fight for Surrey’s fair share in Ottawa. Being your Member of Parliament means showing up for everyone in this community—not just those who supported me—and I won’t take that responsibility lightly.I’m committed to pushing for affordable housing, investing in infrastructure, and making sure Surrey Centre gets the federal support it needs. I was proud to stand with Mark Carney and the Liberal team during this campaign, and I believe we now have an opportunity to deliver results rooted in competence, credibility, and real-world priorities.
“I’m ready to get to work. Let’s make sure Surrey Centre’s voice is heard,” Sarai said.
Dr. Cheema's old picture with Former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau
Carney capping immigration further to ease lack of housing in Canada
The nation’s new prime minister, Mark Carney, has announced the Liberal government’s plan to cap the number of international students and temporary foreign workers further.
This step will help “ease strains” on housing in Canada.
for these projects, not an impediment, and we’ll always be guided by our condition.”
Many housing initiatives were also announced, including establishing a plan called “Build Canada Homes,” which will give private developers $25 billion to build more housing.
Carney shared several updates during a press conference on Friday morning.
Federal barriers to internal trade will be removed by July 1 to “unleash the full potential of Canada.”
“We will work with provinces, territories and indigenous groups to identify projects that are in the national interest, projects that will connect Canada, deepen our ties with the world, and grow our economy for generations,” he said.
“We’ll make the Canadian government a catalyst
Additionally, the Government of Canada will eliminate the Goods and Services Tax (GST) for first-time homebuyers on homes at or under $1 million.
Multi-unit housing development charges will also see cost reductions.
“That’s about $40,000 off the cost of a two-bedroom apartment in Toronto,” said Carney.
The Liberal government will create an entirely new Canadian housing industry in modular and pre-fabricated housing using Canadian technology, Canadian skilled workers and Canadian lumber.
“We will build houses faster at lower costs, with a smaller environmental footprint in construction and greater efficiency once families move in,” the PM added.
To further shape the housing situation, the government will also return immigration to Canada to “sustainable levels.” This means capping the number of international students and temporary workers to less than 5 per cent of Canada’s population by 2027.
Homicide police seek help in finding Navdeep Dhaliwal
Homicide investigators are renewing their plea for information following the disappearance of a 25-year-old man in Surrey.
Police say Navdeep Dhaliwal was last seen at a Surrey residence at around 10:45 p.m. on April 30. Two days later, the Surrey police handed off the investigation to the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team, saying in a statement that Dhaliwal “maintained regular contact with friends and family” and “therefore even this seemingly brief period without contact was highly unusual.”
Investigators have been scouring the area where Dhaliwal was last seen, canvassing the neighbourhood and speaking with his family, friends and coworkers, IHIT spokesperson Sgt. Freda Fong said in an update Monday.
“We are working diligently to follow the evidence and it is crucial that those with information about Mr. Dhaliwal to come forward to speak to investigators,” Fong added.
The spokesperson declined to identify the missing man’s last known location or where the search was focused.
“Dhaliwal did not have a criminal record and was not previously known to police,” Fong said in a statement to CTV News.
Anyone with information related to the investigation is asked to call the IHIT information line at 1-877-551-IHIT (4448) or email the agency at ihitinfo@rcmp-grc.gc.ca.
“Investigators remain in contact with Mr. Dhaliwal’s family and continue to work tirelessly to get to the truth of what happened.”
Canada’s housing market is ‘cracking’ under Trump’s trade war
Canada’s housing market is “cracking” under the weight of U.S. President Donald Trump’s trade war, with housing resales down in markets across the country, a new report said.
The Royal Bank of Canada report looked at the data from the MLS Home Price Index, which is essentially the median price of a house in a market.
The sharpest pullback in people getting into the housing markets has been in southern Ontario and British Columbia, RBC economist Robert Hogue said. The pressure from Trump’s trade war is keeping buyers from making a big financial commitment, such as buying a house.
“The trade war is taking an increasing toll on Canada’s housing markets as potential economic
fallout weighs heavily on the minds of prospective homebuyers,” Hogue said in his report.
Home prices have been falling and inventories rising as houses go unsold in Vancouver, B.C.’s Fraser Valley and Toronto, putting buyers in the driver’s seat. Other Ontario markets that saw property values decline are Hamilton, Kitchener-Waterloo and Cambridge. Even previously hot markets are cooling down quickly. Calgary, for example, saw annual home prices decline for the first time in five years.
“Prairie markets such as Edmonton, Saskatoon, Regina, and some in Quebec, including Quebec City, and the Atlantic region like St. John’s seem to be holding up at this point. But they aren’t immune to trade-induced anxiety,” Hogue said in his report.
Carney did well in Washington, but he must realize Canada’s only choice is compromise
By Jeff Mahon
There’s a dramatic tragedy playing out on the world stage. With the return of U.S. President Donald Trump, the international order is decaying, particularly in trade and security arrangements. In this new world, Canada’s path forward is starting to take shape, with Prime Minister Mark Carney’s visit to Washington on Tuesday.
It was a trip with low expectations, given we’re at the absolute nadir of bilateral relations. Just days before, Canadians voted in an election defined by nationalism, and Mr. Trump renewed talk of annexation.
But Tuesday’s meeting was a good start. Leading up to the date, Mr. Trump had called Mr. Carney a “very nice gentleman” and talked about making a “deal.” Experts had predicted that Mr. Carney would put forth the outlines of a new agreement, laying the groundwork for more talks.
During Tuesday’s meeting, Mr. Trump repeated old talking points, but he also said he wants no concession from Canada other than “friendship.” The leaders set the stage for further talks, with Mr. Carney saying he was prepared for a “step-change in our investment in Canadian security and our partnership.”
We must seize the moment to find a new bargain with the U.S. on security and economics. And we must make peace with the uncomfortable prospect of finding common cause with our southern neighbour. The harsh truth is that we have no choice but to compromise.
Whether we like it or not, the U.S. is destined to be Canada’s closest economic and security partner. Canada will fare better when it understands how the U.S. is changing its terms of engagement. Rather than entering into hysterics, deflecting or dreaming up retaliation attacks, this country should focus instead on increasing its value proposition to the U.S.
We need to zoom out and recognize how geopolitical ruptures can be set in motion. This
often comes down to shifts involving both security and economic considerations.
As the pre-eminent superpower, the U.S. has anchored the global system that attempts to govern these two domains since the Second World War. And the world has been made better for it. However, providing these global public goods, in the form of an open market policy and extensive security agreements and enforcement, involves costs as well as benefits. Material conditions have shifted in a manner that the U.S. no longer accepts the terms of this bargain. Through fits and starts, the U.S. is altering the term sheet for their participation in these collective action problems.
One constant will remain in this new era of geopolitics: the U.S. will continue to be the central foreign-policy question in Canada’s economic and security affairs. For Canada to get the best deal in its relationship with the U.S., it needs to clearly understand and accept the motivations behind Mr. Trump‘s actions – we can’t wish them away. Only with a clear analysis of what the U.S. wants can Canada protect its sovereignty, and benefit from trade and security arrangements with its southern neighbour.
It’s not surprising Canadians have a difficult time comprehending Mr. Trump‘s actions. He speaks with many voices and deals in expletive language akin to pro-wrestling rather than explicit articulation of his policy intentions. While many point to Mr. Trump‘s own actions as evidence of irrationality, beneath the contradictions and chaos lurks a rational actor – albeit bounded by complexity.
Commentators note that tariffs will lead to inflation and hurt affordability, surely something any politician would seek to avoid. But Mr. Trump‘s actions are based on a different set of assumptions than those Canadians are judging him by. We don’t have to agree, but we should consider them if we want to understand and predict his behaviour.
How the India-Pakistan conflict has affected one Canadian family
With fears that the conflict between India and Pakistan will turn into a full-scale war, a Canadian couple from the two countries is on edge.
Harman Singh and Sadaf Iqbal, who live in Brampton, Ont., with their three children, say they’ve been calling their families in India and Pakistan. This comes after fighting between the two nuclear-armed countries intensified, following the mass killing of 26 tourists, mostly Indian, in Indian-controlled Kashmir last April, The Associated Press reported.
India blamed Pakistan for the killings, but Pakistan denied the allegations.
“We both have families back home and to be honest we’re worried about them,” Singh, a Sikh originally from India, said in a video interview with CTV News on Wednesday, noting his family lives in the northern state of Punjab near Pakistan. “The situation right now is not too good, pretty tense, especially where my family is. They’re not too far from where these attacks were happening.”
Iqbal, a Muslim whose parents, relatives and close friends are in Pakistan, said she told Singh she thinks his parents should come to Canada immediately, but the idea became impossible shortly after, when flight operations at some Indian airports closed because of the conflict.
Iqbal says she spoke with her loved ones Tuesday night.
“They said right now, the situation is a bit under control but again it can escalate,” Iqbal told CTV News. “They are stressed about the situation because they are not far away from the border, they are close to Punjab.”
Iqbal said she heard people in Pakistan are practicing drills in case war breaks out, with Singh
adding he hopes the conflict won’t escalate to that point.
The Canadian couple says they feel fortunate to live in Canada, away from the conflict in their homelands and where they have the opportunity to build their life together.
Iqbal said if they were back in their homelands, they would not be together because of their religious and cultural differences. A high percentage of Indians say it is “very important” to stop women and men in their community from marrying outside their religion, according to a Pew Research Center survey published in 2021.
“It’s all about love,” Iqbal said, noting she and her husband are teaching their children to embrace people regardless of their background. “At end of the day we all are human beings. … you have to be with the person who you love.”
The couple hopes the lessons they’re sharing can extend to their home countries.
“Right now, we pray both neighbour countries will come to the table,” Singh said. “We’re both pretty sad about the people who lost their innocent lives in both countries.”
Amid the desire for peace, one expert is raising alarm about the conflict getting worse as both India and Pakistan have nuclear capabilities.
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OPINION
Canada’s election is over and now the real work begins
By David Leis
Now that the election is behind us and Mark Carney has been handed the reins of government, it’s time to focus on what matters most: fixing the policy failures that have held Canada back for the past decade.
I recently had the privilege of speaking with three thoughtful policy experts—economist and Financial Post editor William Watson, Frontier Centre’s Vice President of Research and Policy Dr. Marco Navarro-Génie, and Catherine Swift, president of the Coalition of Concerned Manufacturers and Businesses of Canada. Our wide-ranging discussion focused on the economic and institutional challenges that threaten Canada’s long-term prosperity. The insights they shared— grounded in experience, data and a deep concern for the country—made one thing clear: the new government faces an urgent to-do list. Canadians didn’t vote for more political theatre—they voted for results. But the economic problems haven’t gone away. Weak growth, declining productivity and investor flight are all signs of a country adrift. The new government must course-correct, starting with the economy.
Canada’s economic performance over the past 10 years has been dismal. It’s no wonder many are calling it “the Lost Decade.” GDP per capita—a key measure of how much economic output is created per person—has barely budged while our international peers have surged ahead. This isn’t just an abstract economic metric. It means Canadians are falling behind in real terms—earning less, struggling more and seeing fewer opportunities for themselves and their children.
A key cause is poor policy: excessive regulation, unpredictable tax frameworks and government-heavy industrial strategies that have failed to produce meaningful results. Capital is fleeing the country, productivity is slumping and even Canadian firms are investing elsewhere. The solution is not more central planning. It’s restoring the conditions for Canadians to thrive through work, innovation and enterprise.
Canada has what the world wants: abundant natural resources, a highly educated workforce and some of the highest environmental standards on the planet. But unclear energy policy—and an aversion to critical infrastructure like pipelines—has stalled progress.
If the Carney government is serious about turning Canada into an “energy and clean energy superpower,” it must acknowledge the role of oil and gas alongside renewables and nuclear power. Anything less is wishful thinking.
A woman charged with forgery and impersonation for allegedly misrepresenting herself as a nurse has been arrested in the U.S., according to police in Central Saanich.
In a news release, the Central Saanich Police Department said Charrybelle Talaue was taken into custody with help from the U.S. Secret Service and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), after she fled the province while awaiting trial.
Talaue, who was found in Idaho, is now in custody in Canada. She is scheduled to appear in Victoria court on May 12.
Police say they believe her offences began in December 2023 and happened throughout the region. Talaue is not and has never been registered as a nurse.
Talaue as charged in 2023 with multiple counts of fraud, forgery and impersonation after she allegedly used fake documents to apply for a nursing job.
Advisories from both the B.C. College of Nurses and Midwives and College of Registered Nurses of Alberta in 2023 warned she may be posing as a nurse to get work in hospitals.
Police said they believe Talaue has applied for and worked in other health-care jobs in B.C. and Alberta under a number of aliases, which include Charrybelle Perez Talaue, Charrybelle Talaue Baldesancho, Belle Talaue, Belle Marie, Charrybelle Baldesancho, Charie Talaue, Yves Anglehart, Belle Yves Talaue Anglehart and Yves Belle Anglehart.
Canada traded significantly less with the United States in March but made up for it at the start of a trade war between neighbours with increased overseas shipments, official data showed Tuesday.
The fresh trade figures come as Prime Minister Mark Carney was to meet with U.S. President Donald Trump in Washington to discuss strained trade and security ties.
The United States imposed broad tariffs on imports of Canadian goods at the beginning of March before announcing several reductions and exemptions, while Canada hit back with counter measures.
As a result, Statistics Canada said, exports to the United States “were down significantly for the month,” about 6.6 percent.
As a result, Canada’s trade deficit went from Can$1.4 billion (US$1.0 billion) in February to Can$506 million (US$367 million) in March.
Canada’s trade surplus with the United States, meanwhile, narrowed to Can$8.4 billion (US$6.1 billion).
The month saw higher exports of gold to the United Kingdom, crude oil to the Netherlands and various products to Germany.
“But this decrease was almost entirely offset by a strong increase in exports to countries other than the United States,” the national statistical agency said, pointing to a 24.8-percent surge in shipments overseas.
The jump in exports to those other countries fueled the second-largest percentage increase on record, it added.
Imports from the United States, meanwhile, fell 2.9 percent amid souring public sentiment toward Canada’s historical ally and largest trading partner.
Carney last week won reelection on a pledge to stand up to the US president’s tariffs and threats to annex Canada.
He said Friday “our old relationship (with the US) based on steadily increasing integration is over” and vowed to diversify trade ties.
According to Statistics Canada, total exports in March fell 0.2 percent mainly on lower prices, while total imports were down 1.5 percent.
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Gowryshankar Kathirkamanathan, 30, of Ajax, is charged with five counts of sexual assault, five counts of sexual interference, as well as one count each of forcible confinement, uttering threats and assault, and two counts of overcome resistance to the commission of an offence/administer drug.
The accused remained in custody while
Exports of motor vehicles and parts also surged ahead of US tariffs on the auto sector implemented in April.
There were, however, fewer shipments of pharmaceuticals and uranium to the United States, and pork to Asian countries.
Natural gas exports also decreased.
Trade in steel and aluminum was mixed in the face of 25 percent US tariffs and Canadian counter levies. Exports of steel products fell, but exports of aluminum products rose for a fourth consecutive month. Imports of steel products were also down while imports of aluminum products increased.
Analysts expect the full impacts of the tariffs are still to be felt.
Canada should “brace for increasing headwinds to trade as the worst of the trade conflict is expected to take place over the coming quarters,” TD Economics analyst Marc Ercolao said in a research note.
awaiting a bail hearing.
“The victim and accused were known to each other through a mutual connection,” Const. Emily Mitchell said in a statement released Saturday. Anyone with information regarding this investigation, including any other possible victims, is urged to call the Special Victims Unit at 1-888-579-1520, ext. 5316, or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).
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The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) sources stated, “We have conveyed our concerns in the strongest terms to Canadian High Commission in New Delhi regarding the parade held in Toronto where unacceptable imagery and threatening language were used against our leadership and Indian citizens residing in Canada.” They added, “We once again call on the Canadian authorities to act against anti-India elements who spread hatred and advocate extremism and separatist agendas.”
Earlier, an anti-Hindu parade was held at Malton Gurdwara in Toronto. A
video of the parade went viral on social media, prompting criticism from the Hindu community. The incident follows recent vandalism of a Sikh gurdwara and a Hindu temple with proKhalistan graffiti.
The parade occurred shortly after Justin Trudeau’s Liberal Party won the elections in Canada, with many expecting improved ties with India under his leadership. This incident is not isolated, as Khalistan flags and anti-India visuals were also seen at the annual Khalsa Day Baisakhi Parade in Surrey earlier this year.
The event drew criticism for featuring “wanted” posters of PM Modi and Amit Shah.
Mother’s Day without my mother
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I always imagined my mother to be with me. That is impractical as no one is in the world forever but whoever thinks that one day one will have to go on with life without our mother (s)?
Well, that day has come for me – unexpectedly and suddenly.
Her favorite sofa where she used to sit is now empty. The dining chair occupied by her is empty. Her bedroom is empty. She is no longer cooking in the kitchen. Her favorite radio station is silent. She no longer waves at me as she went for her daily walk around the neighborhood.
My years-long routine of driving my mother to her local temple is broken. I never thought I would miss driving her to the mall every weekend – but I do miss those trips now.
And Saturday mornings, she no longer asks for a copy of the Asian Star to scrutinize.
And this is my first Mother’s Day without my mother. My life will never be the same again.
I would urge those of you who are fortunate enough to have your mother with you to please hold them close this Sunday and every day.
For there will come a day that the rocking chair your mother occupies now will be empty
UK and India agree trade deal after three years of talks
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That includes lower tariffs on:
• clothing and footwear
• cars
• foodstuffs including frozen prawns
• jewellery and gems
The government also emphasised the benefit to economic growth and job creation from UK firms expanding exports to India.
UK exports that will see levies fall include:
• gin and whisky
• aerospace, electricals and medical devices
• cosmetics
• lamb, salmon, chocolates and biscuits
• higher value cars
The British government said the deal was the "biggest and most economically significant" bilateral trade agreement the UK had signed since leaving the European Union in 2020.
UK Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds said the benefits for UK businesses and consumers were "massive".
Tariffs on gin and whisky, a key sticking point in negotiations previously, will be halved to 75%, with further reductions taking effect in
later years. Tariffs of 100% on more expensive UK-made cars exported to India will fall to 10%, subject to a quota limiting the total number.
The deal also includes provisions on the services sector and procurement allowing British firms to compete for more contracts.
The UK is also a high priority trading partner for Prime Minister Modi's government, which has an ambitious target to increase exports by $1 trillion by 2030.
The deal is a win for free trade at a time when US President Donald Trump's sweeping tariff campaign has put the idea on the defensive and raised fears of tit-for-tat trade wars.
Rain Newton-Smith, chief executive of business lobby group, the CBI, welcomed the deal saying it provided a "beacon of hope amidst the spectre of protectionism" following Trump's wave of tariffs.
Allie Renison, from communications firm SEC Newgate, and a former government trade adviser, said the deal was potentially "transformational" due to India's size, growth rate and relatively high existing barriers to accessing its market.
The British Columbia government has appointed a former chief justice of the B.C. Supreme Court to report on safety measures for event organizers and police after 11 people were killed when a driver rammed into a crowded street festival in Vancouver.
Premier David Eby said Christopher Hinkson has agreed to serve as commissioner to conduct the review "in a very short period of time."
Eby said Hinkson is expected to report back by June 30 to help guide event organizers across B.C. to "maximize safety," while not retreating from the fact that people want to get together and celebrate.
The premier said he knows there is a lot of anxiety from organizers and those planning to attend events this summer, and that they have questions about security, so he's glad that Hinkson
is willing to take on the job.
Elenore Sturko, public safety critic for the B.C. Conservatives, accused the premier of scrambling for a solution that fails to address the underlying mental health concerns.
"Even bollards, even concrete blocks, even dump trucks cannot protect everyone if there is someone with a severe mental illness and violence," Sturko said. Meanwhile, B.C. Attorney General Niki Sharma said Hinkson will speak with experts to understand what the best safety practices for events might be.
"I have every confidence in him that he has the tools and skills available to be discerning and to use his best judgment to understand how we can produce a really good product for British Columbia," said Sharma.
APPLIANCES REPAIR SERVICE
Yukon Premier Ranj Pillai stepping down, won’t run in next election
Before he decided to run in the 2022 leadership campaign to become premier of the Yukon, Ranj Pillai says he had a conversation with his son on the shores of the Yukon River. Pillai said they discussed what it would mean to take on the job.
“He told me that it is important that people understand that someone who looks like us can do this job, can represent Yukoners,” said Pillai, whose father is from India.
“What neither of us appreciated was the extent to which doing this work impacts all aspects of one’s life. There are some very positive memories and many difficult ones. But ask any elected official, anyone who lives in service to the public, nothing you do is possible without the support of those closest to you.” Pillai announced Wednesday that he was stepping down as the leader of the territorial Liberal party and will not be running for re-election in his Whitehorse riding of Porter Creek South. He said he’s asked the party to immediately begin the process of selecting a new leader who will then become premier.
Pillai said being premier has been the greatest honour of his life and he is proud of what the
Former
City of Surrey finance clerk suspected of defrauding city of $2.5 million
government accomplished.
He told reporters he will work until an election is called and hopes to continue in his role as minister of economic development focused on issues such as the ongoing tariff threat from the United States and continued recruitment of more doctors and nurses.
He joked about possibly joining the Canadian Armed Forces when he leaves politics.
“I’ve been looking at that. I’m 52 when we finish this, you have until 53. So, I’ve got a small window to maybe serve in uniform in some fashion,” he said. He said he wants to “breathe and take some time” before deciding what’s next.
Pillai was elected in 2009 to Whitehorse city council, becoming “the first elected councillor north of 60 who looked like me,” he said.
In 2016 he was part of the Liberal team that swept to power under then-premier Sandy Silver, going from one seat in the legislature to a majority government. The Liberals currently have a minority government and are operating with a confidence and supply agreement in place with the NDP.
Surrey police and RCMP financial crimes officers are investigating allegations that a former City of Surrey finance clerk defrauded the city of more than $2.5 million by cutting hundreds of cheques to accounts associated with herself and her boutique cake baking business.
According to a search warrant obtained, the woman — who is not named as she has not been charged — quit her job in the finance department in January 2024 after she was questioned about what appeared to be a forged signature on some
Quebec border sees asylum claims double between March and April
Asylum claims doubled at a Quebec border crossing in April as the Trump administration seeks to strip legal protections from hundreds of thousands of migrants in the United States.
There were 2,733 asylum claims last month at the Saint-Bernard-de-Lacolle port of entry, south of Montreal. That's up from 1,356 claims in March and 755 in February, according to data from the Canada Border Services Agency.
The April total represents a fourfold increase over the same month last year, when there were 670 asylum claims at the Quebec border crossing. The numbers run counter to the trend in refugee claims across Canada, which have declined dramatically since last year.
"To address this situation, additional resources have been put in place to ensure safe and secure border management," said Guillaume Bérubé, a spokesperson for the border agency, in an email. He mentioned the agency has been working to lease a new space at the border crossing to use as a processing centre.
The steady increase in asylum claims at the Quebec border crossing coincides with
paperwork.
That irregularity allegedly led to the discovery of 183 fraudulent cheques written out to the woman's former legal name, her mother and her side business — drawing on funds kept in accounts that had been dormant for years.
'Committing fraud since 2017'
The court documents say the city's chief financial officer called RCMP last January "to report that his staff within the finance department had uncovered a fraud."
A warrant issued in March to search
U.S. President Donald Trump's efforts to revoke temporary protected status for 600,000 Venezuelans and 500,000 Haitians living in the U.S., first made public in February. That status allows people already in the U.S. to live and work legally because their native countries are deemed unsafe for return due to natural disaster or civil strife. Its withdrawal could lead to them being deported.
Abdulla Daoud, executive director of the Montreal-based Refugee Centre, said many asylum seekers entering at Saint-Bernard-deLacolle are from Haiti, Venezuela and Colombia. Still, he pointed out that the increase to date is a far cry from the "massive influx of immigrants" that Quebec Premier François Legault warned about after Trump's November re-election. At the time, Parti Québécois Leader Paul St-Pierre Plamondon said millions of people might consider moving north to Canada.
"There is a fearmongering narrative around the numbers coming into Canada," Daoud said. "Trump is threatening Canada in a lot of different ways, and this is not one of them."
the woman's work computer claims
Surrey city CFO Kam Grewal told police the woman "had been committing fraud since 2017, by exploiting her position and had defrauded the city of more than $2 million." The woman did not respond to messages left Wednesday and Thursday on a cell phone associated with her business, which identifies her by name.
The business appears to have folded and its website has been taken down.
"The City collects deposits from developers, construction companies and individuals. The deposits are then returned to them once they complete their projects and/or meet certain conditions set by the City," the search warrant says.
"The City collects thousands of deposits every year and some deposits have been with the city for over 20 to 40 years, as projects can be delayed, abandoned or the company has some other issues."
The court documents give an overview of the civic deposit process the woman is suspected of manipulating to reward herself.
Alberta’s premier would allow a citizen-led referendum on separation from Canada
Continued from Page 1...
Speaking on a livestream address, Danielle Smith said she personally does not support the province leaving Canada and expressed hope of a “path forward” for a strong and sovereign Alberta within a united Canada.
“Should Ottawa, for whatever reason, continue to attack our province as they have done over the last decade, ultimately that will be for Albertans to decide,” she said. “I will accept their judgement.”
Smith’s announcement comes just one week after Prime Minister Mark Carney led the Liberal Party to a fourth consecutive federal government. It also comes as U.S. President Donald Trump continues to threaten Canada with tariffs and talk of the country becoming the 51st state.
Carney and Trump are scheduled to meet in the White House Tuesday.
Smith’s United Conservative government recently introduced legislation that, if passed,
would reduce the bar petitioners need to meet to trigger a provincial referendum. The bill would change citizen-initiated referendum rules to require a petition signed by 10 percent of eligible voters in a previous general election — down from 20 percent of total registered voters. Applicants would also get 120 days, rather than 90, to collect the required 177,000 signatures.
Smith accused previous federal Liberal governments of introducing different legislations that hamstring Alberta’s ability to produce and export oil, which she said has cost the province billions of dollars. She also said she doesn’t want the federal government meddling in provincial issues. Smith said her government will appoint a negotiation team to try to bring an end to federal policies that have long irritated the province. She also will chair an “Alberta Next” panel hosting a series of town halls to hear ideas and grievances from Albertans.
Play about India's First female teacher
A short play on the life and contributions of India's First Female Teacher, Savitribai Phule, was staged on April 29 at LA Matheson School in Surrey. The play was written, directed, and acted by Surrey-based artist, Simran 'Kranti". The play was arranged by the Chetna Association of Canada and coordinated by the teacher, Ms. Gurpreet Bains. On April 28, another play (I Will Rise) by Simran Kranti was staged at the same venue. I will Rise depicts the societal expectations of women to look "pretty" and behave as content, obedient, and compliant irrespective of how she feels. Both plays were staged as a part of the Dalit History Month celebrations.
Savitribai Phule is honored for being the woman who "helped set up the first school for women in India".
Bulk of Metro Vancouver presale condos sold in 2022 and 2023 now appraised below original price
Thousands of presale buyers in Metro Vancouver face completing their purchase of condos that are now worth less than they were in 2022 and 2023 when they signed the contracts to buy them. More than half of the appraisals required by mortgage lenders to complete sales are now coming in at values lower than original sale prices.
As a result, lenders will only write smaller mortgages. That means condo buyers have to satisfy lenders by ponying up the difference between the unit’s value in 2022 or 2023 and what it is worth now, either by putting in more cash or refinancing.
A Vancouver appraiser who works with banks, law firms and mortgage brokers is raising the alarm because the buildings are now built and developers are trying to finalize sales. “Presales don’t always go up. There was that mindset where if it happened before, it’s going to happen again,” said Adam Lawrenson, owner of Vancouverbased Adlaw Appraisals. “I can’t say an exact number, but over half (of appraisals) are now coming in below their sale price.”
He estimates condo values have dropped between five and 20 per cent below what buyers originally promised to pay when they put down a non-refundable deposit.
That’s one reason why a growing number of
buyers are looking to sell these new or barely used properties. This market glut and a lack of demand is helping drive down prices.
“You can easily get a brand new unit or a oneor two-year (old) unit at a cheaper price point than these presales, so that comes into play when we are doing our appraisal and looking at current market values.”
With sellers dropping prices to speed up sales, that sets a new base for future, lower, appraisals. No area in the Lower Mainland is immune, but there are some buildings and areas that are more susceptible to having units “being underwater.” There are “areas of Langley that got overbuilt and developers were leaving them vacant for six to 12 months, in hopes the market would turn around. But you can only hold for so long before you have to start selling them,” Lawrenson said.
Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum’s bail review declined again
High Court Judge, Justice Daniel Goundar has declined a review of former Attorney General, Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum’s bail conditions as the judge says that he is not convinced that SayedKhaiyum’s condition is severe enough to prevent him from participating in his trial on May 26th this year.
Justice Goundar says Sayed-Khaiyum has not been hospitalized due to his medical conditions and continues to practice law and manage his law firm.
The judge says given the trial’s proximity, it is not in the interest of justice to allow Sayed-Khaiyum to travel overseas at this time.
Justice Goundar says SayedKhaiyum is facing multiple charges in three separate cases, with trials pending in the Magistrates Court.
The new application for bail review said that according to medical evidence, Sayed-Khaiyum has recently experienced palpitations, chest heaviness and syncopal episodes.
It says that following a consultation with another cardiologist, the doctor concluded that Sayed-Khaiyum is likely suffering from cardiac arrhythmia which requires diagnosis and treatment by a Cardiac Electrophysiologist. They say this treatment is not available locally.
Bail has been granted in all three cases as part of the bail conditions but his passport remains with the court, preventing him from travelling overseas.
Sayed-Khaiyum again detailed why he is not a flight risk, citing his immediate family ties, his current employment as a legal practitioner, and his commitment to returning to face the charges against him.
However the State opposed the bail review, arguing that Sayed-Khaiyum’s trial is scheduled to be held from May 26th to 30th this year in the Magistrates Court and the status quo should remain unchanged.
Minister for Justice investigates “altercation” involving acting Corrections boss
A certain level of decorum is expected at all times—particularly when in uniform, whether that be Bula Friday wear or your official work attire, said Minister for Justice, Siromi Turaga. He made the comments in relation to a video showing an altercation involving acting Fiji Corrections Services (FCS) Commissioner, Sevuloni Naucukidi.
Mr Turaga said preliminary investigations indicate that the footage is from an earlier date.
“We have contacted the owners of the establishment, who have confirmed that the video likely dates back to early March 2025,” he said.
“While we are yet to determine the exact date, we have sought verification from the relevant parties.”
“This serves as a reminder to all public office holders and civil servants that a certain level of decorum is expected at all times—particularly when in uniform, whether that be Bula Friday wear or your official work attire.”
“All officers are expected to behave responsibly during official hours and outside of official hours.”
The Minister has been in touch with the Commissioner and staff of the FCS.
“Decorum is expected of all officers, especially when in uniform—whether it is Bula Friday wear or the official uniform of the Fiji Corrections Services.”
“While social interaction is part of our way of life, I urge everyone to remain mindful of their conduct and to uphold discipline at all times.”
Daughter claims plea for help silenced by loud music from nearby church
Sainimere Tuinasakea was a single mother for 13 years who found love last year, married last month and died at the weekend, allegedly stabbed to death. Her death at the Public Rental Board housing in Jittu Estate, Suva, on Sunday morning could have been avoided, her eldest daughter, Maryanne Tuinasakea said, as she blamed the loud music from a nearby church which drowned her cry for help.
“From 11.46am to 12.10pm that Sunday morning I was yelling out from the house, crying and running outside the flat to call for help but no one heard me,” she said.
“The instruments played from the nearby
church and the loud singing drowned my voice and every time I ran out and cried loudly while asking for help, someone would walk out from that church and tell me to keep quiet because they were praising.
“Mum and my stepdad just had a short argument and when she went to ask for his forgiveness, the incident then happened.
“I miss her so much, she could have lived if only someone heard me while that loud music played from the church,” she said.
Her aunty Seini Tuinasakea (Sainimere’s younger sister) said she spoke to Sainimere at about 9.15 that morning and they planned to have lunch as a family.
Sayed-Khaiyum says Bainimarama for election could stand in 2026
Convicted former Fijian Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama could contest the general election next year, his right-hand man claims.
Bainimarama, who originally seized power in a military revolt in 2006, now wants his corruption conviction quashed by the Court of Appeal.
Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum told RNZ Pacific this would allow the former military leader to contest the 2026 general election.
“Many Fijian people want him back,” SayedKhaiyum, who was widely regarded as the brains behind Bainimarama’s 16-year leadership, said.
“There is a groundswell of support. Whenever
we walk down the street, people reach out and say the country needs him,” he said.
The coalition government was putting its political survival ahead of the people, he said.
“Sitiveni Rabuka’s administration knows it is not going to win the 2026 election, because the country is in such a mess.”
“So, it is making underhanded moves to try and change the 2013 Constitution, with a view to changing the electoral system,” he said.
Sayed-Khaiyum, labelled by critics as the architect of the Constitution, said the country’s economic and social problems are more urgent than constitutional change.
Militant group chief says relatives killed in India strike
The Pakistan-based leader of a militant group has said 10 of his relatives have been killed in a missile strike by India.
Masood Azhar, chief of Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), said his older sister and her husband, his nephew and his nephew's wife, his niece and five children from his family were killed in a strike on a mosque in Bahawalpur, Pakistan.
India launched strikes on sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir on Tuesday night. Islamabad called the strikes a "heinous act of aggression".
India said it acted in response to a militant
Pakistan said six locations have been hit, but denies India's allegations of these being terrorist infrastructure.
India said JeM's headquarters in Bahawalpur, 100km inside Pakistan, was hit.
Video footage of the mosque, assessed by BBC Verify, showed one of its domes had collapsed and extensive damage occurred inside, including two holes in the roof and one in the ground.
In Bahawalpur on Wednesday, crowds were mourning those killed in the strikes overnight in funeral processions through the streets.
attack in Indian-administered Kashmir two weeks ago that killed 25 Indians and one Nepali. Pakistan has denied involvement in the attack.
Indian police alleged that two of the attackers were Pakistani nationals, with Delhi accusing Pakistan of supporting militants - a charge Islamabad denies.
India said it targeted sites on Tuesday night "from where terrorist attacks against India have been planned and directed".
Local residents told the BBC they were angry about the attack, but also worried about Pakistan's potential response. Azhar founded JeM in 1999 upon his release from prison in India. JeM has been linked to al Qaeda and the Taliban, the UN Security Council has said. The UN designated Azhar as a terrorist in 2019.
India blamed an attack on Indian parliament in 2001 on JeM - a claim JeM denies. Pakistan banned the group soon after that.
JeM said it carried out a bomb attack in February 2019 that killed 40 paramilitary police in Indian-administered Kashmir.
Pakistani authorities said India's strikes on Tuesday night killed 31 people. Indian authorities said at least 15 civilians were killed by Pakistani shelling.
The escalation between the nuclear-armed neighbours has prompted urgent calls for restraint from the international community.
Pakistan Air Force pilot captured in Jaisalmer after ejecting from fighter jet
A Pakistan Air Force pilot has been captured by Indian security forces after ejecting from his fighter jet over Jaisalmer. The pilot’s identity has not been disclosed. Sources confirmed to The Tribune that the pilot was taken into custody after ejecting from the aircraft.
CNN Anchor Baffled After Pakistan's
Defence
Minister Cites Social Media As Proof Of Downing IAF Jets
Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khwaja Asif embarrassed his country again before the world when he cited social media videos as evidence about his army downing five Indian Air Force (IAF) jets on Wednesday. Several pro-Pakistan handles started spreading fake reports about Pakistan retaliating to Indian army’s Operation Sindoor launched to dismantle terror outposts in Pakistan and PoK. The operation was a result of the pahalgam terror attack where 26 civilians were killed by Pakistan-backed terrorists.
Shortly after the air strikes launched by India, pro-Pakistanis swung into action, spreading fake news about missile strikes on IAF bases and even downing Rafale jets. When asked about evidence for the claims, Asif told CNN during an interview that it is "all over social media."
"The debris of these jets fell into Kashmir and it's all over Indian media. And their media has admitted," he said.
"You're the Defence Minister. The reason to talk to you today is not to talk about content all over social media," the CNN anchor responded. The pictures and videos Asif was talking about dates back to September 2024 when a MiG-29 fighter aircraft crashed in Barmer, Rajasthan. The Press Information Bureau (PIB) has fact-checked this claim along with reports of Pakistan intercepting a drone in Gujranwala, which is also false.
PUNJAB
Expedite wheat lifting in six border districts
In the wake of the escalation of tension between India and Pakistan, a concerted effort has now started to speed up the lifting of wheat from the six border districts of the state.
The debris of a Pakistani missile found in Amritsar district is the trigger for the move.
Amidst apprehension of retaliation by Pakistan, after the precision attack by India on the other side, the state government has asked the Food Corporation of India (FCI) to immediately transfer the wheat that has been bought in the districts of Amritsar, Tarn Taran, Gurdaspur, Pathankot, Ferozepur and Fazilka.
So far, 53 per cent of the wheat remains to be lifted in Tarn Taran district, 50 per cent
in Amritsar and 42 per cent in Gurdaspur. The amount of unlifted wheat in Pathankot, Ferozepur and Fazilka is much less – 27 per cent, 36 per cent and 24 per cent, respectively. So far, 49 per cent of the wheat remains unlifted in Tarn Taran district, 46 per cent is yet to be lifted in Amritsar and 40 per cent in Gurdaspur. The amount of unlifted wheat in Pathankot, Ferozepur and Fazilka is much less – at 24 per cent, 34 per cent and 22 per cent, respectively. According to official figures, 60,822 metric tonnes of wheat has been purchased in Pathankot; 6.30 lakh metric tonnes (LMT) in Gurdaspur, 7.02 LMT in Amritsar; 7.55 LMT in Tarn Taran; 8.56 LMT in Ferozepur and 7.49 LMT in Fazilka.
Punjab schools and colleges closed till May 11
Punjab government has ordered the closure of all educational institutions for the next three days in view of the escalating tensions at IndiaPakistan border.
In the Union Territory of Chandigarh, which is the common capital of Punjab and Haryana, authorities declared closure of all schools till Saturday.
In a post on X, Punjab Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains said, “In view of the evolving situation, it is hereby ordered that all schools, colleges and universities --? government, private and aided --? across entire Punjab shall remain completely closed for the next three days.”
In Haryana, all educational institutions in Panchkula will remain closed on Friday and Saturday, officials said.
has postponed exams scheduled for May 9, 10 and 12. The new dates will be announced later, the university said in a statement. Punjab is in alert mode with schools in border districts closed and leaves of all police personnel cancelled, officials said a day after India struck terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir. A blackout was enforced in several cities including Pathankot, Mohali, Jalandhar, Amritsar, Hoshiarpur and Chandigarh on Thursday evening.
The Faridkot police have registered a case after pro-Khalistan and “SFJ Zindabad” slogans were found painted on a wall of Indian Railways near Dashmesh Public School in Faridkot. It was allegedly painted by supporters of the banned group Sikhs for Justice (SFJ).
The slogans were discovered today, prompting immediate action by police. A case has been registered under Sections 196, 197, and 61(2) of the BNS and Section 3 of the Prevention of
Defacement of Property Act, 1985.
ASI Beant Singh of the Faridkot police has been assigned to investigate the incident. The authorities suspect the act was aimed at inciting fear and disrupting peace in the area amid ongoing national security tensions. Surveillance has been stepped up, and forensic examination of the graffiti is underway.
The FIR was lodged at Kotwali Faridkot police station and further investigation is ongoing.
High Court asks BBMB Chairman to file
Just about two days after the State of Punjab was directed to abide by the decision to release 4500 cusecs of extra water to Haryana and not to interfere in the functioning of Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB), the Punjab and Haryana High Court on Thursday asked Chairman Manoj Tripathi to file an affidavit on his claim that the Punjab Police stopped him from releasing water to Haryana.
Appearing through videoconferencing before the high court Bench of Chief Justice Sheel Nagu and Justice Sumeet Goel, BBMB Chairman Tripathi apprised the court that two BBMB officers directed to release 200 cusecs water to Haryana were restrained by the police agency.
The chairman also claimed he was “gheraoed” at the guest house by some civilians, when the Punjab Police rescued him. Taking a note of his submissions, the Bench asked Tripathi to file his statement on an affidavit.
Additional Solicitor-General of India Satya Pal Jain was also asked to produce minutes of May 2 meeting held under Union Home Secretary’s chairmanship, where it was decided to release 4500 cusecs of extra water to Haryana over a period of eight days to meet its urgent requirement. The matter will now come up for further hearing on
directing the State of Punjab, its instrumentalities and officers to release the chairman and officers from the illegal detention/custody. Directions were also sought for initiation of proceedings for willful disobedience and obstruction in the compliance of high court order dated May 6. The applicants also sought directions for deploying Central Forces/CISF forthwith following “obstruction, hindrance and law and order situation” created by the State of Punjab at Bhakra Nangal Dam and Lohan Control Room Water Regulation
“As per social media reports and news channels, Harjot Singh Bains, Cabinet Minister, Government of Punjab, has released his statement to the effect that they will not allow water from BBMB to the State of Haryana at any cost. As reported today by a large section of the media, he along with his supporters and police detained the BBMB chairman and its officers. Such illegal act and action of the State of Punjab erodes public trust which is sacrosanct right to liberty under Article 21 of the Constitution of India,” the application added.
The application was moved through counsel R.Kartikeya and Ridhi Bansal, senior counsel Gurminder Singh appeared for the State of
No
losses as India neutralises Pakistan’s missile and drone attacks
Pakistan escalated the military skirmish with India on Thursday night, threatening to widen the conflict. Pakistan attempted to hit several locations across north and west India, but these attempts were foiled. The Office of the Chief of Defence Staff posted on X, saying, “Military stations in Jammu, Pathankot, and Udhampur, in proximity to the International Boundary, in Jammu and Kashmir were targeted by Pakistan using missiles and drones. There were no losses, and the threat was neutralised by the Indian armed forces using kinetic and non-kinetic means.” Defence sources said eight missiles from Pakistan directed at Satwari, Samba, RS Pura, and Arnia were
intercepted by integrated air defence units. The visuals over Jammu were compared to a “Hamasstyle attack on Israel”. Indian intelligence agencies have informed the government about a meeting between Hamas and Pakistan’s intelligence agency ISI. Amid the escalating tensions, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio called Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar. The Secretary stressed the need for immediate deescalation and expressed US support for direct dialogue between India and Pakistan. Rubio also reiterated condolences for the Pahalgam terrorist attack and reaffirmed the US commitment to work with India in the fight against terrorism.
25-minute operation targeted 9 terror camps in Pakistan, ready to tackle escalation: Govt
India on Wednesday announced that it had launched military strikes on nine terror camps located in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) during a 25-minute operation, employing a combination of land and air strikes.
The government emphasised that it is fully prepared to respond to any escalation initiated by its western, nuclear-armed neighbor.
Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, referencing the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, stated, “India exercised its right to respond, to pre-empt, and to deter further such cross-border attacks.”
The actions were measured, non-escalatory, proportionate, and responsible. They focused on dismantling the terrorist infrastructure and disabling terrorists likely to be sent across to India, Misri said at the press briefing. Military officials – Col Sophia Qureshi and Wing Commander
Vyomika Singh – were part of the briefing. Col Qureshi said, “no civilian targets or military installations have been hit.”
The operation was carried out between 1:05 am and 1:30 am on Wednesday, Col Qureshi said, while showing videos of the strikes recorded by Indian air-borne surveillance.
Wing Commander Vyomika Singh said, “Indian armed forces are fully prepared to respond to Pakistani misadventures, if any, that will escalate the situation”.
The strikes were undertaken through precision capability, niche technology and a careful selection of warheads was ensured. The point of impact in each of the target was a specific building or a group of buildings, all the targets were neutralised with clinical efficiency, Wing Commander Singh added.
India worried about Chinese 'dumping' as trade tensions with Trump escalate
The pace at 64-year-old Thirunavkarsu's spinning mill in southern India's Tamil Nadu state has noticeably slowed down.
The viscose yarn – a popular material that goes into making woven garments – he produces, now sits in storage, as orders from local factories have dropped nearly 40% in the last month.
That's because Chinese imports of the material have become cheaper by 15 rupees ($0.18; £0.13) per kilo and flooded Indian ports.
With Donald Trump imposing tariffs of up to 145% on Chinese goods going into the US, manufacturers in China have begun looking for alternative markets.
India's textiles makers say they are bearing the brunt of the trade tensions as Chinese producers are dumping yarn in key production hubs.
While China is the leading producer of viscose yarn, India makes most of the viscose yarn the country needs locally with imports only bridging
supply gaps.
Mill owners like Thirunavkarsu fear their yarn won't survive the onslaught of such competition. "We can't match these rates. Our raw material is not as cheap," he says.
Jagadesh Chandran, of the South India Spinners Association, told the BBC nearly 50 small spinning mills in the textile hubs of Pallipalayam, Karur and Tirupur in southern India are "slowing production". Many say they'll be forced to scale down further if the issue isn't addressed.
China's Ambassador to India, Xu Feihong, has sent assurances to India that his country will not dump products and in fact wants to buy more high-quality Indian products for Chinese consumers. "We will not engage in market dumping or cut-throat competition, nor will we disrupt other countries' industries and economic development," he wrote in an opinion piece for the Indian Express newspaper.
India foils missile, drone attacks in North; neutralises air defence system in Lahore
India thwarted Pakistan’s attempts to hit various locations along western border, including Jammu, Pathankot and Udhampur, with drones and missiles on Thursday night. This came hours after India neutralised an air defence system in Lahore in retaliation to Pakistan’s unsuccessful attacks on 15 military locations across Punjab, Rajasthan, Gujarat and Jammu and Kashmir.
Also, a Pakistan air force pilot was captured by Indian security forces after he ejected from his jet over Jaisalmer.
Eight missiles fired at Satwari, Samba, RS Pura and Arnia in the Jammu region were intercepted ay air defence units, defence sources said, even as a complete blackout was enforced in Jammu.
“Military stations of Jammu, Pathankot and Udhampur in close proximity of the International Border in Jammu and Kashmir were targeted by Pakistan using missiles and drones. No losses. Threat neutralised by Indian armed forces as per standard operating procedures with kinetic and non-kinetic means,” the Ministry of Defence said.
FDA chooses Dr. Vinay Prasad to lead biologics, vaccines division
The US Food and Drug Administration has named Dr. Vinay Prasad, a hematologist oncologist, to lead its Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, the division that oversees vaccines and biologic medicines.
Prasad, a professor at the University of California San Francisco, became a harsh critic of the government’s response and its vaccine policies during the Covid-19 pandemic. He replaces Dr. Peter Marks, who helped lead the division for 13 years and shaped the Operation Warp Speed effort to rapidly develop Covid-19 vaccines and treatments. “It has become clear that truth and transparency are not desired by the Secretary, but rather he wishes subservient confirmation of his misinformation and lies,” Marks wrote.
Prasad has vocally criticized the Warp Speed effort, and Marks’ leadership, on his blog and the social media platform X, where he was often praised by now-FDA Commissioner Dr. Marty Makary for criticizing school shutdowns, mask policies and booster recommendations for the Covid-19 shot.
In an email to FDA staff obtained by CNN, Makary wrote that Prasad has a “long and distinguished history in medicine” and cites his extensive oncology research.
Prasad’s appointment to lead the Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research comes as the FDA says it will impose new requirements for future vaccines to undergo placebo studies.
Public health officials are also weighing a reversal on Covid-19 vaccine recommendations for children. Prasad has vocally questioned authorizing those shots for children, because they are at lower risk of severe infection than older people and those with weakened immune systems. Biotech stocks tumbled more than 5% in the hours after the announcement as industry analysts called Prasad an “anti-establishment” choice and noted that he has also questioned the FDA’s used of accelerated approval processes for certain medicines. Prasad co-wrote a post last year that said, “Despite its high cost and potential toxicity, the clinical benefits of Elevidys remain uncertain.”
Ambani’s 12-Cent Cola Erodes Coke, Pepsi Dominance in India
Asia’s richest man is challenging the decadeslong dominance of Coca-Cola Co. and PepsiCo Inc. in the world’s most populous country, using a playbook he has perfected in other sectors: price disruption.
Investors got a peek at the inroads being made by Campa Cola under Mukesh Ambani-led Reliance Industries Ltd.last month.
The Mumbai-based conglomerate said the fizzy drink achieved double-digit market share in key regions in the year ended March 31 barely two years after it was relaunched in India.
It didn’t disclose exact share numbers or revenue for the brand in the latest quarter.
Reliance’s retail unit, helmed by the billionaire’s daughter, Isha Ambani, acquired Campa Cola a defunct brand that was hugely popular in 1980s for 220 million rupees ($2.6m) in 2022.
It offers 200-milliliter (6.7-fluid ounce) bottles for 10 rupees, or 12 cents, which is about half of
what market leaders Coca-Cola and Pepsi charge consumers for similar-sized bottles.
Reliance’s sweet soda, which tastes similar to its bigger competitors, also is available in orange and lemon flavors.
The refineries-to-retail conglomerate is known for upending any sector it enters, mostly by crashing prices and driving competition out.
The most recent instance was its 2016 move into India’s telecom sector with free calls and dirt-cheap data a shockwave that whittled down competition from a dozen operators to just three today.
Now, Campa Cola’s growth is mostly coming at the expense of Coke and Pepsi, said Arvind Singhal, founder of Indian consumer consultancy Technopak Advisors.
It also has expanded India’s overall soft drink market due to its relatively cheap price, he added.
Coca-Cola and PepsiCo re-entered the country in the 1990s after it took steps to liberalize the economy.
For the two global giants, India’s 1.3 billionplus population has emerged as a promising growth spot overseas, as Bloomberg reported.
They face home-market woes including high input costs, signs of a consumer pullback, the prospect of eroding demand for snacks and soda from experimental GLP-1 pills, and tariffrelated headwinds.
Reliance in January projected that revenue for the brand will increase 150% to 10bn rupees in the year ended March 31.
Trump urges restraint between India and Pakistan
US President Donald Trump on Wednesday (local time) expressed his concern over the escalating situation between India and Pakistan and stated that he would offer any possible help to de-escalate tensions along the India-Pakistan border. Speaking on the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, Trump said that both India and Pakistan should work the crisis out.
"Oh it's so terrible! My position is I get along with both. I know both very well and I want to see them work it out. I want to see them stop and hopefully they can stop now. They've gotten tit for tat, so hopefully they can stop now. But I know we get along with both countries very well. [We have] Good relationships with both. And I want to see it stop," he said. Earlier in the day, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that he is closely monitoring the situation between India and Pakistan, following Indian missile strikes on
multiple sites in Pakistan. His remarks follow those of President Donald Trump, who earlier in the day acknowledged the reports of the Indian strikes and expressed hope that tensions would de-escalate swiftly.
"We just heard about it as we were walking through the doors of the Oval. Just heard about it. I guess people knew something was going to happen based on a little bit of the past. They've been fighting for a long time. They've been fighting for many, many decades. And centuries, actually, if you think about it. I hope it ends very quickly," Trump said. The US State Department also addressed the situation, though it refrained from making a detailed assessment.
"We are aware of the reports, however, we have no assessment to offer at this time. This remains an evolving situation, and we are closely monitoring developments."
