Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has unveiled his cabinet, promising "decisive action" on his ambitious economic agenda, amid a trade war with the US.
The new cabinet of 28 ministers and 10 secretaries of state heralds some significant
changes, including a new foreign minister to handle the US-Canada relationship.
The reshuffle, two weeks after the election, brings some familiar names as well as political newcomers - a team "purpose-built for this hinge moment", Carney told reporters.
Punjabi businessman shot dead in Mississauga - assailants fire 15 rounds
A 50-year-old Punjabi businessman was shot dead outside his office in Mississauga, Canada, officials said on Thursday.
According to sources, Harjit Singh Dhadda was shot dead near the intersection of Telford Way and Derry Road.
The incident has sent shockwaves through the local community, marking the sixth murder in the city since the beginning of the year. The Peel Regional Police have yet to officially confirm the victim's identity.
According to eyewitness accounts, Dhadda was near his car when unidentified assailants, believed to have been lying in wait, approached and fired 15-16 rounds before fleeing the scene. People in the parking lot ran for cover during the gunfire.
An eyewitness said the gunmen exited a parked car, fired several shots at close range, and fled in the same vehicle. Continued on Page 2...
There are 24 new faces in cabinet, including 13 firsttime MPs. Several veterans of former PM Justin Trudeau's government, such as Melanie Joly and Chrystia Freeland, return to cabinet. Other holdovers from the Trudeau era include Anita Anand, Gary Anandasangaree, Sean Fraser and Dominic LeBlanc.
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A 36-year-old man has plead guilty to two charges in connection with Canada’s “largest terrorism financing scheme” in history, according to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP).
On Wednesday, the RCMP said Toronto resident Khalilullah Yousuf pleaded guilty to financing terrorist acts overseas by sending cryptocurrency and money transfers from September 2019 to December 2022.
As part of a plea deal, Yousuf admitted to raising $15,000 through GoFundMe and contributed $35,000 to several people in connection with Daesh, also known as the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL). “This is the largest terrorism financing conviction to date in Canada in terms of monetary value. Continued on Page 6...
Surrey man wins $80 million jackpot
The winner of what the B.C. Lottery Corp. says is the biggest jackpot ever awarded to a single person in Canada says the $80 million prize is "lifechanging."
Justin Simporios from Surrey, B.C., says his priority is to give back to the community, pay off his sister's medical school debt
and help his mother retire early. Simporios, who fought back tears of joy at a news conference on Thursday, says he has already resigned from his job at a logistics company and is thinking about buying a "dream home" in Metro Vancouver as his first purchase.
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Anita Anand, first Hindu and South Asian foreign minister: Will she resolve the 'K' issue amid strained India relations
Following Kash Patel’s swearing-in as FBI Director with the Bhagavad Gita, Anita Indira Anand, a Canadian of Indian descent, assumed office as Canada’s new Foreign Minister with the holy book in her hands. This moment marked a historic milestone in Mark Carney’s cabinet reshuffle. As the first Hindu woman to hold this position, Anita Anand’s appointment has been celebrated by Hindu groups across Canada,
including the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) Canada and the Canada Hindu Advocacy Coalition, who regard her as a source of inspiration for the Canadian Hindu community.
Anand’s appointment has sparked significant interest, particularly in the context of strained Canada-India relations following the 2023 assassination of Khalistani activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
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Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney with his new cabinet
Justin Simporios
Following a months-long Global News investigation into the City of Richmond’s purchase of restaurant gift cards, there are bombshell new developments.
The city has confirmed that $295,000 worth of gift cards remain unreconciled. Also, it says an employee has been terminated, and the RCMP is investigating as a forensic audit continues.
Richmond previously claimed most of the restaurant gift cards were for service awards, retirement or volunteer recognition. Richmond said the cards cost taxpayers $32,800 in 2022, $71,550 in 2023 and $71,300 in 2024.
But results from a Global News freedom of information request produced 493 pages showing the cards totalled $156,000 in 2022, $218,000 in 2023 and $124,000 in 2024. One employee we
interviewed, who we agreed not to identify, said he had concerns about the cards.
“Why are we getting these? We are very well paid to do our jobs, and we’re not a private organization, so these are all tax dollars,” they said in a previous interview. When asked about the lack of financial accountability, Mayor Malcolm Brodie told CKNW radio, “There are internal controls on everything at City Hall and and how this could have, whatever happened, how it could have gone on for a number of years. I cannot, at this point, comment on.”‘ “I can say there are controls on. I only assume that there’s been some kind of a breakdown.” Another $31,000 worth of cards is being held by the city’s human resources department. At this stage, it’s unclear if criminal charges will be laid.
The United States Drug Enforcement Administration’s latest threat assessment says fentanyl “super laboratories” in Canada are a growing source of concern -- after U.S. President Donald Trump used cross-border traffic in the deadly drug to justify hitting imports of Canadian goods with tariffs.
The annual report released this week says that while the estimated volume of fentanyl coming from Canada is substantially lower than the amount entering the U.S. from Mexico, “these operations have the potential to expand and fill any supply void created by disruptions to Mexico-sourced fentanyl production and trafficking.”
The DEA pointed out that the RCMP dismantled a sophisticated drug lab in British Columbia last October.
“This year’s report indicates progress in the fight against fentanyl and also outlines the increasing challenges we face with the changing landscape of the synthetic drug crisis,” said DEA acting administrator Robert Murphy in a news release Thursday.
“The adulterating of fentanyl with highly potent, dangerous chemicals reminds us that this fight is far from over.”
Trump used the International Economic Emergency Powers Act, also called IEEPA, to declare an emergency over fentanyl trafficking in order to hit Canada with tariffs in March. He partially paused the tariffs a few days later for imports that comply with the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement on trade.
Canada is also being hit with duties on steel, aluminum and automobiles through a different presidential authority to impose tariffs. Canada took swift action after Trump issued his initial tariff
threat late last year by introducing a $1.3 billion border plan and appointing a “fentanyl czar.” Ottawa announced a Canada-U.S. Joint Strike Force and deployed additional helicopters and drones along the border.
The DEA report says that as of spring 2025, about 50 pounds of “Canada-sourced” fentanyl had been seized at the U.S.-Canada border over 2024, while 20,622 pounds were seized at the U.S.-Mexico border.
It’s not clear if the DEA used U.S. Customs and Border Protection data for its analysis. The agency did not respond when asked whether all of the fentanyl cited in the report originated in Canada or why it chose to include Canada in its most recent report.
Canada was not mentioned once in the DEA’s 2024 drug threat assessment. A March report from the Office of the Director of National Intelligence also did not mention Canada in its information about the fentanyl threat.
The RCMP said in March that “there is limited to no evidence or data from law enforcement agencies in the U.S. or Canada to support the claim that Canadian produced fentanyl is an increasing threat to the U.S.”
A semi-truck believed to have been stolen in Langley ended up in the Fraser River Thursday following a high-speed police chase.
Mounties say they first made note of the semitruck around 7:35 p.m. PT Wednesday when officers saw it bearing mismatched licence plates in the area of 24 Avenue and 206 Street in Langley
A few hours later, shortly after midnight, officers attempted a vehicle stop on the truck, but say the driver tried to ram into their vehicles as soon as they activated their lights, striking one.
Police say officers tried to disengage, but say the suspect — later confirmed to be a 40-year-old man — continued to ram their vehicles before fleeing. Officers managed to deflate the semitruck's front-right tire with a spike belt, but the suspect continued to speed away.
They say the man's driving posed a significant risk to public and police safety, so officers initiated a chase "to stop the threat." The chase led police into Surrey and through multiple residential neighbourhoods.
Police say they deployed a second spike belt and disabled the semi-truck's rear tires, but the suspect continued to drive "dangerously at high speeds," disregarding red lights and overtaking multiple vehicles. The pursuit continued northbound
on 176 St. to Highway 17, then westbound into Surrey's Bridgeview area.
Police say in a "final reckless manoeuvre," the suspect drove the semi-truck into a public dock area with several dozen people, continued off an embankment and into the Fraser River — then fled the submerged vehicle before being arrested nearby.
"This was an incredibly dangerous situation involving a suspect who showed zero regard for public safety or the lives of our officers," Sgt. Zynal Sharoom with the Langley RCMP said in a statement. He said the suspect was taken into custody and remains there pending further investigation. Anyone with information on the incident is asked to get in touch with the Langley RCMP.
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A nearby law firm employee reported that a stray bullet entered their office and hit an empty chair—just moments after he had stood up, narrowly avoiding injury. Dhadda was rushed to the hospital in critical condition but later succumbed to his injuries. Police spokesperson Michael Stafford confirmed that the case has been handed over to investigators and that nearby CCTV footage is being reviewed
in an effort to identify the suspects.
Dhadda, originally from Bajpur district in Uttarakhand, had migrated to Canada nearly 30 years ago. Close associates, speaking on condition of anonymity, revealed that Dhadda had recently received threats from Indian phone numbers.
The threats had deeply unsettled him, and Peel Police had reportedly issued prior warnings concerning his safety.
Freedom 25 - Anita Anand's wins big Canadian real estate market entering a ‘transition period,’ says CREA
Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand takes part in the cabinet swearing-in ceremony at Rideau Hall on Tuesday.
A few months ago, Sean Fraser and Anita Anand
were both planning to leave political life. Now they both have major new cabinet portfolios.
Anand, the new foreign affairs minister, and Fraser, the new justice minister, had both announced they would not run again as MPs. But they changed their minds with Carney’s arrival.
(Anand during the Liberal leadership race and Fraser afterward.)
CBC's David Cochrane dubbed them the "Freedom 25" caucus on special, quipping that when the Liberals were down 25 points, they were out, but when the party's fortunes were revived, they decided to run again.
Both held multiple cabinet roles under Justin Trudeau.
3 men face charges over stolen beer, food and toilet paper, say
Mounties in Burnaby, B.C., have recovered pallets of beer, food and enough toilet paper and paper towels to supply a town in an investigation into the theft of shipping containers.
RCMP say in a news release that three containers that held merchandise worth about $125,000 were stolen last August from a business in the city.
They say the empty containers were found on a property in nearby Port Coquitlam a week later, but no arrests were made. Then, in November, police say another container was stolen from the same business with about $60,000 worth of goods.
Police say they used a warrant to search a warehouse in Surrey in February and found a semi-truck, forklift, 51 pallets of toilet paper, 42 pallets of paper towels,
Burnaby RCMP
two pallets of beer and five more of food.
The RCMP says three men, ranging in age from 40 to 54 and all from the Lower Mainland, face numerous potential charges, including theft, trafficking in property obtained by crime and possession of property obtained by crime.
The latest data suggests Canada’s housing market may be showing a sense of calm amid an uncertain trade war, and that things may be starting to slowly pick up.
According to the latest report from the Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA), April saw actual home sales fall 9.8 per cent compared to the same period in 2024. “Actual” in this sense means the data counts the total number of sales recorded in the month. However, on a seasonally-adjusted basis, the report for April showed national home sales were virtually unchanged from March of this year, with a drop of 0.1 per cent.
This “seasonally-adjusted” method of analysis is preferred by most economists because it eliminates seasonal variations and highlights the underlying economic picture.
“Sales have been falling rapidly, really since January 20th, when the tariffs were first announced, we could see it in daily data,” says senior economist Shaun Cathcart at CREA.
“And so as of March, we were 20 per cent down from just November, and that’s huge. What stood out in April was that we didn’t fall at all, just sort of paused. So in that sense, I guess flat is the new up.” The report also shows the number of new properties added to the real estate market fell by one per cent in April compared to March, and the MLS Home Price Index (the average listing price) fell 1.2 per cent.
Compared to 2024, listing prices fell an average of 3.6 per cent across Canada, and the actual sale price was down 3.9 per cent compared to April of last year.
Anita Anand’s appointment as Foreign Affairs Minister draws praise from Ukrainian officials
About three weeks before the start of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Canada’s thendefence minister, Anita Anand, was in Kyiv, trying to warn her Ukrainian counterparts that war was coming.
At the time, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s government was still insisting that the possibility of a full-scale Russian invasion was remote.
But Ms. Anand told reporters on Jan. 31, 2022, that “it’s generally well-known to be the case that there is Russian aggression at the Ukrainian border.”
Western intelligence, of course, proved to be correct, and Russian President Vladimir Putinsent his troops across the border on Feb. 24, 2022.
Carney’s new cabinet adds several rookies, moves Anand to Foreign Affairs
This spring, the Ukrainian government was careful not to take sides in Canada’s federal election, believing both the Liberals and Conservatives would continue to support Ukraine.
But Kyiv will nonetheless be comforted to see the return of a familiar face to Canada’s cabinet in Ms. Anand, who on Tuesday was appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs by Prime Minister Mark Carney.
Ms. Anand replaces Mélanie Joly, who had served as Foreign Minister since October, 2021.
Ms. Joly was named Tuesday to Ms. Anand’s previous post of Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry.
Ms. Anand, who has also served as minister of transport, internal trade and head of the Treasury Board since leaving the defence portfolio, made support for Ukraine the centrepiece of her 21-month stint as the civilian head of Canada’s military.
Former fighter pilot Stephen Fuhr in charge of overhauling defence contracting in new cabinet
She returned to wartime Kyiv in January, 2023, to announce that Ottawa would provide Ukraine’s military with 200 additional armoured personnel carriers and to salute the country as the “frontier of freedom.”
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha was the first foreign diplomat to cheer the announcement Tuesday of Ms. Anand’s new post.
“Sincere congratulations to Anita Anand on her appointment as Canada’s new Foreign Minister,” Mr. Sybiha wrote on X. “I look forward to continuing our close cooperation and strengthening the Ukrainian-Canadian special partnership.”
Carney unveils smaller, focused cabinet with mix of veteran MPs, new faces, and several role changes
Prime Minister Mark Carney overhauled his cabinet Tuesday in the wake of last month's election. The Liberals increased their seat count to 170, falling just short of a majority. The larger caucus gave the prime minister plenty of fresh faces and veteran MPs to choose from.
While a majority of Carney's ministers had been part of Justin Trudeau's Liberal caucus, 13 of them are first-time MPs. Ten former ministers were also dropped from their roles. Here is a look at the new faces joining the Liberal front bench.
Julie Dabrusin- A woman gestures with her hand as she speaks in the House of Commons. In his first, albeit brief, cabinet.
Evan Solomon - The former broadcaster joins cabinet in his first foray into elected politics. Solomon, who had previously worked for both CBC and CTV, is taking on the new role of minister of artificial intelligence.
Eleanor Olszewski - Carney tapped Olszewski to be minister of emergency management and community resilience.
Mandy Gull-Masty - Mandy Gull-Masty, former grand chief of the Grand Council of the Crees, is the new minister of Indigenous services.
Shafqat Ali - The MP for BramptonChinguacousy Park enters cabinet for the first time as president of the Treasury Board.
Tim Hodgson - Tim Hodgson is new to elected politics, but has some familiarity with government and with the prime minister himself.
Joël Lightbound - The representative for the Quebec riding of Louis-Hébert is another MP making the jump to cabinet after nearly a decade on the backbench.
Rebecca Chartrand - Rebecca Chartrand, who identifies as Anishinaabe, Inninew, Dakota and Métis from Pine Creek First Nation, is one of three Indigenous members of Carney's cabinet.
Rebecca Alty - The new MP for the Northwest Territories is the only territorial member of cabinet, having been sworn in as the minister of Crown-Indigenous relations.
Gregor Robertson- The former Vancouver mayor will take on a cabinet position after notching his first federal electoral win.
be the cabinet representative from P.E.I., taking on the role of agriculture minister.
Jill McKnight-McKnight is another rookie MP who Carney has immediately put in his cabinet. She will be taking on the role of veteran affairs minister and associate minister of national defence.
Lena Metlege Diab - Like Dabrusin, Diab had endorsed Freeland in the Liberal leadership race. Despite that, Carney named the Nova Scotia MP the new minister of immigration, refugees and citizenship.
Marjorie Michel - The new minister of health is also a rookie MP. Marjorie Michel won her seat last month in the Montreal riding of Papineau — the same riding that former prime minister Justin Trudeau represented.
Maninder Sidhu - An MP since 2019, Sidhu gets his first cabinet role as minister of international trade — likely to be a key portfolio given the ongoing U.S. trade war.
Buckley Belanger - A former Saskatchewan Liberal and NDP MLA, Belanger will be the secretary of state for rural development.
Stephen Fuhr- Fuhr was an MP from 2015 to 2019, before losing his B.C. seat to Conservative Tracy Gray. Fuhr was able to take the seat back from Gray in last month's election.
Anna Gainey- The Montreal MP will be Carney's secretary of state for children and youth.
Wayne Long - First elected in 2015, Long now gets his first cabinet role. He will be the secretary of state responsible for the Canada Revenue Agency and financial institutions.
Nathalie Provost- Provost, a survivor of the 1989 Montreal massacre and longtime gun control advocate, is taking on the role of secretary of state for nature.
Randeep Sarai- Sarai has been an MP since 2015, but this will be his first time at the cabinet table. Carney named the Surrey Centre MP as the secretary of state for international development.
Adam van Koeverden - The former Olympian turned politician is now the secretary of state for sport.
Stephanie McLean - McLean is now the secretary of state for seniors.
John Zerucelli - Zerucelli is a rookie MP taking on the role of secretary of state for labour. Monday-Friday - 12:00pm - 9:30pm & Saturday-Sunday - 12:00pm - 10:00pm
Heath MacDonald - Heath MacDonald will
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OPINION
Kashmir isn’t Pakistan’s jugular vein: Indian river waters are
By Patial RC
“The Indian River Waters can be the future Brahmāstra.” ‘Brahmāstra’ is a term from ancient Hindu scriptures, referring to a powerful celestial weapon said to have been created by Lord Brahma. It’s considered one of the most destructive and potent weapons in Hindu mythology due to its sheer destructive power and ability to annihilate entire regions. It was wielded by epic characters like Arjuna, Ashwatthama, and Rama in the Mahabharata and Ramayana. “Mythological belief is that it could cause drought, famine, and the drying up of rivers”.
Pakistan says, “Kashmir is Pakistan’s Jugular Vein” but I now strongly differ on this so far Pakistan’s popularphrase and would like to amend to “Indian Waters are Pakistan’s Jugular Vein” and “Kashmir is NOT Pakistan’s Jugular Vein”. So, it is a geopolitical metaphor that underscores Pakistan’s strategic vulnerability due to its dependence on rivers that flow through India and then enter Pakistan.
The Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) of 1960 a water-sharing agreement between India and Pakistan was brokered with the help of the World Bank. Under the treaty, Pakistan receives over 80% of the water from the Indus River system. India’s major rivers-Indus, Jhelum, Chenab flow through India and then flow into Pakistan. The revised metaphor implies that India holds a strategic lever over Pakistan by controlling the upstream flow of rivers critical to Pakistan’s agriculture and water security.
Prime Minister Modi said in his message to the nation during which he warned Pakistan that India has only paused its action, and its next move will depend on Pakistan’s actions; “Terror and talk cannot take place together. Terror and trade cannot take place together and Water and Blood also cannot flow together.”
India has not yet suspended the Indus Waters Treaty, it has hinted at using water as a pressure tool, particularly in times of political tension. International law though discourages weaponizing water. Pakistan often raises objections to any new Indian dam or hydropower project as a potential threat. The phrase “Kashmir is Pakistan’s Jugular Vein” has been a longstanding metaphor in Pakistani political discourse, symbolizing the nation’s deep-seated claim over the region. This expression has been reiterated by various Pakistani leaders over the years, including Prime Ministers Nawaz Sharif and Yousuf Raza Gilani and their Army Chiefs.
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is back, as is entertainment on the grand circle stage and expanded Expo! With expanded programming and enhanced
safety, Tour de Concord 2025 promises a vibrant and secure experience for riders, families, and spectators in the heart of the city. The Tour de Concord is now Canada’s largest criterium & integrated family bike festival. For additional information, please visit tourdeconcord.com and concordpacific.com.
Continued from Page 1...
This conviction is also the first successful terrorism financing conviction in Canada where the accused used cryptocurrency and the first where they used online crowdfunding,” the RCMP said in a release on Thursday.
The RCMP says Yousuf also plead guilty to participating in terrorist activities, admitting to disseminating more than 3,800 hyperlinks for the direct purpose of “radicalizing, indoctrinating and recruiting” on behalf of Daesh. The Public Prosecution Service of Canada (PPSC) said he also created propaganda to justify terrorist attacks against foreign nationals located in Afghanistan.
From October 2020 and March 2021, officials said Yousuf spoke with an individual in the U.S., who was soon after convicted in that country for trying to provide some sort of material support to Daesh.
Yousuf has been sentenced to 12 years in prison, minus the time served in pre-trial custody. The PPSC says he will also be required to serve half of his time before being released on full parole.
Premier David Eby is not backing down from two controversial laws that will fast-track infrastructure projects and clean energy projects across BC, despite a tense meeting with First Nations leaders Thursday, where he was urged to "kill" the bills.
The Infrastructure Projects Act, also known as Bill 15, has come under fire for a lack of consultation with Indigenous leaders and the potential impact on Indigenous rights.
If passed, it would allow the province to expedite approval processes to build infrastructure across the province, including schools, hospitals, and bridges. It would also extend this to private projects that are deemed "provincially significant," which could include projects such as critical mineral mines.
Tsartlip Chief Don Tom said First Nations chiefs convened an emergency meeting on Thursday to share their concerns over Bills 15 and 14 with Eby.
"Chiefs were unified in our opposition in demanding that bills 14 and 15 be withdrawn immediately," he said.
Despite the wide-reaching impacts, both Eby and Infrastructure Minister Bowinn Ma admitted they did not consult with First Nations groups.
First Nations leaders say the broad legislation, which one chief called "a gold rush that opens anyone up for business," gives B.C. leeway to steamroll First Nations rights and environmental protections.
Concerns have also been raised around another bill — Bill 14, the Renewable Energy Projects (Streamlined Permitting) Act – which would speed up the approval of clean energy projects.
Tom says the government is breaking its own law under the Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
"It continues to be a power grab, unconstitutional, and First Nations are going to use every legal means to kill the bill." When asked if the government will kill the bill, Eby said no, according to Tom.
"The Province is saying 'trust us' and that they won't misuse the unfettered power these Bills provide," wrote Grand Chief Stewart Phillip, UBCIC president, in a statement released after the meeting.
"However, considering the Bills were created without consultation and cooperation and that the Province continues to refuse any amendments, it is unclear what this trust would be based on."
Eby maintains the bill does not mean the government will skip over First Nations consultation. In fact, he said many First Nations have expressed frustration that resource projects aren't happening fast enough, and this bill responds to that.
Carney unveils cabinet of familiar and fresh faces amid US trade war
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But housing, immigration and energy - key departments for which the Trudeau government was heavily criticised - have been given to first-time ministers. Carney is also continuing Trudeau's policy of maintaining gender parity in his cabinet.
"Canada's new ministry is built to deliver the change Canadians want and deserve," Carney said on Tuesday. He has made a number of changes to the core team of ministers handling the strained relationship with the US. It comes after Carney recently met Trump at the White House, after which he said the US leader was willing to negotiate a new trade deal.
Veteran member of parliament (MP), Dominic LeBlanc, who has overseen a number of cabinet positions, most recently international trade, will now focus on Canada-US trade and breaking down internal trade barriers within the country - a key campaign pledge.
Toronto-area MP Maninder Sidhu, takes over as minister of international trade.
Carney has also named a new foreign minister, Anita Anand, who held a number of top roles in Trudeau's cabinet, including defence.
Melanie Joly was shuffled out of foreign affairs and given the industry portfolio.
Former justice minister Gary Anandasangaree now takes on the role of public safety, a department that will oversee border security, which Trump has cited as a key reason for imposing tariffs on Canada as well as Mexico.
David McGuinty, who previously held that position, now oversees defence.
Two prominent names have been pushed out of the cabinet - Bill Blair, who oversaw defence, and Jonathan Wilkinson, natural resources minister.
Rookie MP Tim Hodgson, first elected in April, is taking over at natural resources.
Carney worked with him at the Bank of Canada, where Hodgson served as a special adviser.
APPLIANCES REPAIR
David Eby to visit Japan, South Korea and Malaysia on trade trip to reduce US reliance
B.C. Premier David Eby said a trade mission to Asia next month will help the province become the “engine of a new Canada,” but an economist says B.C. also needs to take steps at home to become more competitive.
Eby will be visiting Japan, South Korea and Malaysia between June 1 and June 10 as part of a business delegation that will also include B.C. Agriculture Minister Lana Popham and Paul Choi, parliamentary secretary for Asia-Pacific trade.
Eby said the trip is aimed at deepening ties with existing customers buying goods from British Columbia and finding new ones for natural resources in demand around the world.
Eby announced the trade trip with Popham at a Victoria wharf, where crews were unloading almost 300,000 pounds of sablefish, also known as black cod, off the Ocean Pearl.
The 130-foot-long fishing vessel owned by Finest At Sea Ocean Products Ltd. had just returned from sea. About 80 per cent of the catch, frozen and headless, were to be shipped to Japan.
Bruce Hale, captain of the Ocean Pearl, said Japan has been the main buyer of the firm’s premium products.
Maple Ridge city councillor facing criminal charges
Maple Ridge city Councillor Ahmed Yousef is facing six criminal charges, and has stepped away from his duties at city hall, at least temporarily.
Ahmed Antar Yousef Mohamed faces a charge of pointing a firearm, four charges of assault, and one charge of unsafe storage of a firearm.
He was to appear at Port Coquitlam Provincial Court on Monday morning, but that appearance was put over until June 9.
"Effective today, Monday, May 12, I'm going to take leave to focus my time and efforts on some personal matters," wrote Yousef on his Facebook. "I hope to take my seat back at council at the earliest possible opportunity. Thank you for your understanding."
Maple Ridge Mayor Dan Ruimy had no comment on Yousef's legal situation on Monday morning, and explained one councillor being on leave will not impede the mayor and five other councillors from continuing to conduct the city's business. However, in the event of a tied 3-3 vote, a motion before council would be lost.
Ruimy noted a former city councillor, Kiersten Duncan, took an extended leave for illness during the last term, and city business continued.
There has been a lot of agreement at the council table this term, he said.
"We've been very good working together, and I don't anticipate any issues," said Ruimy.
“So the first goal here will be to meet with those partners that we have internationally and expand the work that they are doing with us,” Eby said. “The second is to introduce B.C. businesses and connect them to new partnerships and new opportunities through various events that are taking place.”
Vancouver landlord ordered to pay tenant $39K for eviction
“In the last few years, the American market has been growing, but now we are seeing a swing back to Asia, because of the tariffs on American products,” he said. “It’s bringing the Asians back to our products.”
Eby said the trade trip is part of a joint plan with the federal government to make Canada more independent and less reliant on the United States.
Key B.C. exports to Japan include energy, lumber and food products, including fish.
A Vancouver landlord took their attempt to overturn a Residential Tenancy Branch (RTB) arbitrator’s decision to the B.C. Supreme Court to try and avoid paying former tenants over $39,000.
Jianshuang Huang filed a petition for judicial review, asking the B.C. Supreme Court to set aside the earlier RTB decision made in September 2024 in the dispute resolution with Kevin Mathew Stroesser and Mona Lotfizadeh.
According to the Oral Reasons for Judgment, Huang claimed that the
In 2022, the province introduced legislative changes to deal with elected officials who are charged or convicted of crimes. The amendments require an elected official to be put on mandatory paid leave when charged with a criminal offence, until the criminal process is complete, or the charges are resolved.
The changes also disqualify officials convicted of an indictable offence. The charges against Yousef, as serious criminal offences, are proceeding by indictment.
arbitrator misapprehended the evidence, imposed an “excessively high” burden of evidence on her, and failed to provide adequate reasons for the decision against her. Stroesser and Lotfizadeh lived in the unit at 1703-1005 Beach Ave. in Vancouver for over two years before they received a two-month notice to end tenancy for the landlord’s use in May 2023. Their approximate monthly rent was $3,245. Huang bought the unit in August of that year, with Stroesser and Lotfizadeh vacating at the end of July. However,
Yousef, 47, was first elected to city council in 2018, and re-elected in 2022. He received more votes than any other councillor with 6,028 electors choosing him.
He was also a federal election candidate, taking the Liberal nomination and running for Pitt Meadows-Maple Ridge MP in 2021, when Conservative Marc Dalton won the riding. None of the charges against Yousef have been tested in court, and a person accused of a crime is considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
a dispute arose over what occurred afterward.
“The petitioner asserts that she moved into the Unit with her daughter on Aug. 1, 2023,” said the B.C. Supreme Court decision by Justice Hughes. “The respondents say that that was not the case. The Unit remained vacant and was, at one point, listed for rent online with an availability date of Feb. 1, 2024. This was the respondents’ apparent position before the arbitrator.” Stroesser and Lotfizadeh started a
dispute resolution with the RTB seeking compensation based on Huang’s “failure to accomplish the stated purpose on a notice to end tenancy,” which was to occupy the suite. The arbitrator found in their favour and granted a monetary order equal to 12 months’ rent or $39,040.
Huang petitioned the B.C. Supreme Court for a judicial review, claiming that the arbitrator failed to correctly interpret or define “occupancy” in line with the Residential Tenancy Act (RTA) and RTB policy guidelines.
Anita Anand, first Hindu and South Asian foreign minister: Will she resolve the 'K' issue amid strained India relations
Continued from Page 1...
However, there have been no public reactions from Sikh groups regarding her appointment, which may be attributed to the recent events and ongoing tensions between Hindu and pro-Khalistani groups in Canada, as well as her past stance on Nijjar’s killing.
In July 2023, Anand retweeted a statement from then-Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly condemning posters targeting Indian diplomats in the wake of Nijjar’s killing. The statement read, “The materials posted online for a protest on July 8 are unacceptable, and they do not represent Canadians.”
Born in Kentville, Nova Scotia, to Indian immigrant parents from Tamil Nadu and Punjab, Anand has a distinguished political career. She was first elected as a Member of Parliament for Oakville in 2019 and has held several key ministerial
roles, including Minister of Public Services and Procurement, Minister of National Defence, and Minister of Transport. Her appointment as the first Hindu woman foreign minister is a landmark for representation, potentially fostering greater engagement between the Canadian government and diverse communities. However, given the context of the Nijjar case and Sikh groups’ advocacy for justice, her role may be closely scrutinised, particularly in light of her assertion of Hindu identity.
Hopefully, Anand’s appointment will have a positive impact on Indo-Canada relations, given her Indian heritage. While her role could play a key part in addressing the recent tensions between the two countries, the outcomes would largely depend on diplomatic efforts from both sides.
By Vibhooti Vaishnav
Vasant Lakhani’s legacy
Vasant Lakhani founded IACS 15 years ago with few volunteers and a goal of starting medical camps in poor villages of UgandaAfrica and Gujarat-India. Over the years his philanthropic work has benefited hundreds of thousands of poor people who have no access to basics of life. Drinking water, dental hygiene, healthcare, food and shelter to name a few. The organization collaborates with doctors, nurses and students seeking medical profession along with some kind hearted community members to translate every dollar donated to service of the less fortunate.
It is always an honour and humbling to talk to and listen to Mr Vasant Lakhani, a visionary, kind
and humble human being, who is extremely resourceful and eager to help even at the age of 87! What an inspiration to the next generation. His legacy is being carried forward by his son and daughter and are there by his side whole heartedly.
Manasvini hosts poetry session at Laxmi Narayan temple
By Vibhooti Vaishnav
Manasvini is a group of women interested in Hindi literature. Their hobby is writing and express their emotions in poetry. Manasvini hosts poetry recital sessions on various coccasions at Laxmi Narayan temple in Surrey. They are fun loving and enjoy sharing poetry or works of great Hindi writers and poets by hosting monthly sessions. The group’s slogan is “Kitchen se Kalam tak” and emotions fly high when manasvinis come together.
Homebuyers remain hesitant in April
The British Columbia Real Estate Association (BCREA) reports that 6,453 residential unit sales were recorded in Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) Systems in April 2025, down 14.6 per cent from April 2024. The average MLS® residential price in BC in April 2025 was down 6.1 per cent at $942,884 compared to $1,003,638 in April 2024.
The total sales dollar volume was $6.1 billion, a 19.7 per cent decrease from the same time the previous year. BC MLS® unit sales were 27 per cent lower than the ten-year April average.
“Regional activity continued to diverge in April with more expensive regions experiencing
a larger drop in sales activity,” said BCREA Chief Economist Brendon Ogmundson. “Uncertainty regarding trade and monetary policy has caused trepidation for prospective buyers, largely in the Lower Mainland, prompting overall provincial activity to fall far below historical averages.”
Year-to-date, BC residential sales dollar volume is down 11.7 per cent to $20.7 billion, compared with the same period in 2024.
Residential unit sales are down 7.9 per cent year-over-year at 21,676 units, while the average MLS® residential price is also down 4.1 per cent to $953,674.
Surrey man wins $80 million jackpot
Continued from Page 1...
The B.C. Lottery Corp. says it's the largest jackpot ever won in the province, as well as the largest individual win in Canada.
Simporios, who is married and has a daughter, says he found out he had won the May 9 lottery draw at about 10:30 p.m. that evening, when he
heard the prize-winning ticket had been sold in Surrey. He says he joked with his wife that the family had become millionaires before checking his ticket and realizing he had indeed won.
Simporios says his wife was "a bit mad" for waking up their sick daughter when he learned he had won.
2 men charged with murder of elderly Savusavu resident
Two men will be produced in the Labasa Magistrates Court today charged with murder. They are alleged to have caused the death of an elderly citizen following an aggravated robbery case in Savusavu last month. The duo had originally been charged with aggravated robbery. The two allegedly forcibly entered the home of the victim in Nagigi, Savusavu, assaulted him,
causing injuries, and stole assorted items.
The victim passed away at the end of last month whereby investigators were then tasked to pursue the case as murder.
“Earlier this week the two were released into Police custody by the Labasa High Court to be further interviewed for the victim’s death,” said Fiji Police Force.
Charan questions funding after millions missing
Lautoka City Council received only $5.5million of the promised $12.6m from the Government and had to fork out an additional $1.06m to fund the swimming pool project between 2017 and 2020.
This was revealed by former council horticulturalist, Shri Charan, who has come out expressing concern over the “missing” millions the Government says it spent on the ongoing project.
Mr Charan was LCC’s horticulturalist from 1992 to 2020 before retiring. He returned as a consultant in 2022 and has been working closely with LCC since.
He said when the project started receiving government funds in 2017, he would attend
council meetings where issues and detailed financial accounts of the project were discussed.
He said this week’s announcement in Parliament by Local Government Minister Maciu Nalumisa that the project would be completed in 2026 prompted him to share his experience.
“I think it’s time that people know the truth,” said Mr Charan.
“We only received $5,574,247.13, which is less than half of what they had said they would be paying the council.”
According to financial details provided by Mr Charan, a total of $1,750,000 was received by the council in 2017.
“Capacity constraints” resulted in 32 candidates turned away from army enlistment
The Republic of Fiji Military Forces (RFMF) said an “administrative oversight” resulted in 32 individuals turned away from entering the Basic Recruit Raining Course at the Force Training Group on Saturday.
RFMF said the course can only accommodate 151 recruits while the names of 183 successful applicants were publicised.
“We acknowledge that an administrative oversight led to the announcement and publication of 183 successful applicants, despite FTG having the capacity to accommodate only 151 recruits,” said the RFMF. “This regrettable error has caused confusion and disappointment, particularly for the 32 individuals who reported to camp but were later advised that they could not be accommodated due to capacity constraints.”
The RFMF said it “deeply regrets this situation.”
“We understand the personal sacrifices made, including the long distances travelled — often from outer islands — to attend training, only to be turned away.”
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.
Fiji has been declared an emergency area for Fall Armyworm
The whole of Fiji has been declared as a biosecurity emergency area for Fall Armyworm.
This follows the first case of Fall Armyworm detected at a maize farm in Uciwai, Nadi recently.
The regulation has come into effect on May 1 and approved by the Minister for Agriculture and Waterways, Vatimi Rayalu. The declaration of biosecurity emergency areas for Fall Armyworm has been done under section 77 of the Biosecurity Act 2008.
“Any movement of infested or potentially infested plant materials and associated articles, specifically maize/corn and cobs, rice and associated plant material, vegetables, particularly Brassicas and
any additional host plants identified during delimiting surveys is strictly prohibited unless the Authority provides prior authorisation for the movement,” states the gazette notice. “Any movement of machineries and equipment exposed to infested fields, is subject to mandatory cleaning and decontamination within Fiji and is strictly prohibited unless the Authority provides prior authorisation for the movement.”
“The Authority (BAF) also has the powers to enter any land at any time to ascertain the status of any pest or disease.”
“This Declaration is in force for a period of 6 months from the date of its publication in the Gazette.
HC directs Punjab DGP to probe jail officials’ role in drug smuggling
The Punjab and Haryana High Court has asked Punjab DGP to depute a “very senior officer” to examine all drug cases “where there are allegations of smuggling from various jails of the state”. The direction came after Justice NS Shekhawat rapped the SSP concerned for apparently adopting “a very casual approach” in interrogating the jail officials promoting smuggling from Amritsar Central Jail.
“It is expected that in all such cases, appropriate legal action shall be taken against the senior-most jail officials as well, who are normally spared by the police without any justification,” Justice Shekhawat asserted while directing Amritsar (Rural) SSP to remain present in the court along with the complete investigation record on May 16 — the next date of hearing in the matter.
The admonition came during the hearing
of petitions filed in three connected cases, where the accused were allegedly indulging in smuggling while confined in Central Jail. The bench had earlier noted that such activities could not have been possible without the “active collusion” of senior jail officers and local police.
The bench added clear directions were issued to the SSP to personally examine the investigation file and file an affidavit explaining why jail officials had not been arrayed as an accused. But the officer assigned the task to a DSP. The court minced no words in stating that such conduct was “on the verge of contempt”.
“Once there was a specific direction to the SSP to read the file of the case personally and to take effective steps accordingly; he could not have delegated the matter further to a DSP,” Justice Shekhawat asserted.
1,200 litres of hooch seized from drain in Patiala
Hidden in a sewage drain on the banks of a village pond and stored in jars buried in fiveft-deep pits, over 1,200 litres of 'lahan', distilled and almost ready for sale, were recovered by excise officials. The officials informed the local police, and over 50 personnel cordoned off the village while conducting raids to make further recoveries.
Following intense pressure from the state government after the hooch tragedy in Amritsar’s Majitsa, excise and police teams confiscated over 1,200 litres of illegally brewed hooch from drains and abandoned fields in village Hajipur. “The raid is ongoing, and our teams are searching the entire village and nearby water bodies since the hooch smugglers had
drains or deep pits,” said Patiala Assistant Excise and Taxation Officer (Excise) Rajesh Aery.
By the time the report was filed, around 35 sealed plastic jars had been recovered from the drain and abandoned fields. “I have sought an explanation from the concerned SHO, who is accompanying the raiding party,” said Patiala SSP Varun Sharma. “No laxity will be tolerated in cases involving drugs and illicit liquor, and strict action will be taken,” he added.
Local villagers claimed that the village has many smugglers involved in selling spurious liquor in Sanaur, and there are few complaints against them because they are “connected”. “This recovery is just the tip of the iceberg, as these smugglers continue to sell illicit liquor
Damaged
reconnaissance drone found near in Sri Ganganagar
A reconnaissance drone was found in a damaged condition on Thursday at a government nursery near the International Border (IB) in the Sri Ganganagar district. The police immediately reached the spot after receiving information about a suspicious object reported by a shepherd. Soon, officials from the Border Security Force and intelligence agencies also arrived at the scene.
According to reports, a 7-ft-tall drone was discovered in the Forest Department’s nursery in Chak 12-A (B) village. The drone reportedly had 7-8 cameras and
sensors, with one or two cameras damaged. The location is approximately 15 km from the IB. Police sources said that the bomb disposal unit was called to the scene, and the damaged drone was examined and later removed. Police officials had not made any official statements by the evening.
Locals recalled that on the night of May 8-9, suspected drone movements were spotted near the international border in the Sri Ganganagar district, but no official information was available about any action taken.
Sudanese student killed in Phagwara while defending women from harassment by boys staying in PGs
A 25-year-old Sudanese student was brutally stabbed to death and another critically injured in a violent altercation near a private university in Phagwara in the early hours of Thursday.
Senior Superintendent of Police Gaurav Toora said a Phagwara police team-led by SP Rupinder Bhatti and SP(Investigation) have apprehended all six accused within five hours of the crime, tracking them down in Himachal Pradesh.
The incident occurred before 4 am in the Green Valley locality near Law Gate, in Maheru village —a residential hub for international students, especially from African nations. According to an FIR registered at the Satnampura Police Station and the statement of the injured student, Ahmed Mohammad Nour Ahmed Hussen, he and the deceased, Mohammad
morning prayers (Nawaz) accompanied by two Sudanese female students when they were stopped by a group of Indian men.
The group, allegedly under the influence of alcohol, began harassing the women and demanded their mobile phone numbers. When Mohammad Wada and Ahmed intervened to defuse the situation, the men turned violent. According to Ahmed, two of the assailants were armed with knives and stabbed both Sudanese students in the chest. The attackers fled immediately after the assault. The victims’ cries for help were heard by a local resident, Prabhat Dubey, who rushed them to Johal Hospital in Jalandhar Cantt. Doctors declared Mohammad Wada dead on arrival, while Ahmed was admitted in serious condition and remains
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India disputes Trump claim it is ready to charge US 'no tariffs'
US President Donald Trump's claim that India has offered to drop all tariffs on goods imported from his country has been swiftly disputed by Delhi.
In a statement to local news agencies India's foreign minister S Jaishankar countered the claim saying talks are still going on and "nothing is decided till everything is".
The statement is in stark contrast to comments by Trump to reporters earlier in the day, when he declared Delhi had "offered us a deal where basically they are willing to literally charge us no tariff".
India and the US are currently in talks to negotiate a trade agreement. Jaishankar said on Thursday that any trade deal has to be mutually beneficial and work for both countries.
speaking about Apple's plans to make iPhones in India, saying he had told CEO Tim Cook that he didn't want him to build in India because it was "one of the highest tariff nations in the world".
"They [India] have offered us a deal where basically they have agreed to charge us literally no tariffs. I said 'Tim, we are treating you really good, we put up with all the plants you built in China for years. We are not interested in you building in India. India can take care of themselves'."
In an earnings call earlier this month, Apple had said it was shifting production of most iPhones from China to India while Vietnam would be a major production hub for items such as iPads and Apple watches.
"That would be our expectation from the trade deal. Until that is done, any judgment on it would be premature," he told news agencies.
Trump made the comments when he was speaking at an event with business leaders in Doha where he announced a series of deals between the US and Qatar, including for Boeing jets.
The US president made the comments while
President Trump slapped tariffs of up to 27% on Indian goods in April. Delhi is rushing to negotiate a trade deal during Trump's 90-day pause on higher tariffs, which ends on 9 July.
Just this week, the US and China agreed to lower import taxes on goods being traded between the two countries - US tariffs on Chinese imports will fall to 30% from 145%, while Chinese tariffs on some US imports will fall to 10% from125%.
Supreme Court paves way for Shri Banke Bihari Temple corridor in Vrindavan
The Supreme Court on Thursday paved the way for the Shri Banke Bihari Temple corridor project in Vrindavan for the benefit of millions of devotees. A Bench of Justice Bela M Trivedi and Justice Satish Chandra Sharma allowed the Uttar Pradesh government to utilise the funds of Shri Banke Bihari Temple for the purchase of five-acre land around the temple to create a holding area.
"We permit the state of Uttar Pradesh to implement the scheme in its entirety. The Banke Bihari Ji Trust is having fixed deposits in the name of the deity/temple...the state government is permitted to utilise the amount lying in the fixed deposit to acquire the land proposed," it said.
On an average, the famous Banke Bihari Temple
at Vrindavan registers a footfall of 30,000 to 40,000 devotees a day which touches 1.5 lakh on weekends and goes up to five lakh on special festival days such as Shri Krishna Janmashtami.
Spread over five-acre land -- from the banks of the Yamuna to the Banke Bihari Temple, the project on its completion would accommodate up to 50,000 visitors at a time. The Supreme Court ordered that the acquired land shall be registered in the name of the deity. It modified the order of the Allahabad High Court, which had prohibited the purchase of land around the temple using its funds.
"The State of Uttar Pradesh has undertaken to incur costs of more than Rs 500 crore to develop the corridor.
India appears to have had ‘clear edge’ in targeting Pak's military facilities: NYT report
India appears to have had a "clear edge" in targeting Pakistan's military facilities and airfields during the recent four-day confrontation, the New York Times reported, citing satellite images.
High-resolution satellite imagery, from before and after the strikes, shows "clear damage" to Pakistan's facilities by Indian attacks, according to the report.
"The four-day military clash between India and Pakistan was the most expansive fighting in half a century between the two nuclear-armed countries. As both sides used drones and missiles to test each other's air defences and hit military facilities, they claimed to inflict severe damage,” the report said.
It added that satellite imagery indicates that while the attacks were widespread, the damage was far more contained than claimed — “and appeared mostly inflicted by India on Pakistani facilities”.
In the new age of high-tech warfare, the report said that strikes by both sides, verified by the imagery, appeared to be precisely targeted.
"Where India appears to have had a clear edge is in its targeting of Pakistan's military facilities and airfields, as the latter stretch of fighting shifted from symbolic strikes and shows of force to attacks on each other's defence capabilities,” the report said. High Court orders FIR against MP minister for controversial remarks against Col Sofia Qureshi
At Bholari air base, located less than 100 miles
from the Pakistani port city of Karachi, India's defence officials said they had struck an aircraft hangar with a precision attack. “The visuals showed clear damage to what looks like a hangar,” the NYT report said.
Military operation against India was ‘designed’ under supervision of Nawaz Sharif, claims minister
Further, the Nur Khan air base, within a roughly 15-mile range of both the Pakistani Army's headquarters and the office of the country's prime minister and a short distance from the unit that oversees and protects Pakistan's nuclear arsenal, was “perhaps the most sensitive military target that India struck”.
India revokes ban on Turkiye's ‘TRT World’, China's ‘Global Times’ hours after its imposition
The Indian military said it had particularly targeted the runways and other facilities at some of Pakistan's key air bases and “satellite images showed the damage”, the report said, noting that on May 10, Pakistan issued a notice for the Rahim Yar Khan air base saying that the runway was not operational. ‘It was complete madness, we were crammed into vans’: Mitchell Starc’s wife recalls Dharamsala IPL halt
At Sargodha air base, in Punjab Province in Pakistan, the Indian military said it had used precision weapons to strike two sections of the runway.
Tesla's Indian-Origin VP Shares Work Experience With Elon Musk; 'He Can Predict The Future'
Ashok Elluswamy, Vice President of AI at Tesla, has revealed what it's like working with Elon Musk. In a recent podcast episode with YouTuber Gobinath, Elluswamy said that Musk works 80 to 90 every week and is someone who is not afraid to take risks.
Also labelling him talented and hardworking, the engineer said that Musk can "predict the future way earlier than others." "He is really smart in the sense that he can predict the future very early. Way earlier than other people which is a very big gift for anyone to have. And he works really hard. Easily 80-90 hours every week for many many years, throughout his entire career," Elluswamy revealed.
"I feel fortunate to work for him. He is not
afraid of taking risks," he added.
The engineer also said that he was able to survive and flourish at Tesla because he shares the same traits as Musk. According to his LinkedIn profile, Elluswamy joined Tesla in 2014 as a software engineer and climbed his way up to VP of AI software in 2024.
When asked about Musk's behaviour with his colleagues, Elluswamy said that "he is very casual" and has an "engineering mindset." And despite his towering presence in American politics for the last few months, Elluswamy said that Musk "does not like politics."
"He is a very straightforward. He is a great person to work on a daily basis," adding that Musk also has intensity to achieve great missions.
Turkish ground-handling firm operating at Indian airports loses security clearance
Aviation watchdog Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) on Thursday revoked the security clearance for Turkish ground-handling company Celebi Airport Services India Private Limited in the "interest of national security".
The decision came days after Turkiye backed Pakistan in the recent conflict with India.
"In the exercise of power conferred upon DG, BCAS, the security clearance in respect of Celebi Airport Services India Pvt Ltd is hereby revoked with immediate effect in the interest of national security," an official order by BCAS Joint Director Sunila Yadav read.
The company has been operating in India for more than a decade at key airports such as Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Kochi, Kannur, Goa, Ahmedabad and Chennai, where it provided a range of services, including ramp, passenger, cargo handling, bridge operations, and lounge management.
As per the Turkish firm's website, the company has catered to 5.8 lakh tonnes of cargo and has around 7,800 employees in India. The social media of late has been abuzz
about Turkey's support to Pakistan. The Indian Armed Forces during a media briefing recently had said that Pakistan used advanced weaponry provided by Turkey, which included their drones, to attack India. Since then, the calls for boycotting Turkish goods and tourism surfaced across the country.
Hours before the official order, Minister of Civil Aviation Ram Mohan Naidu had hinted at a possible action against the company. "This is a security aspect and we are talking with the security agencies. It is in our notice. We know what is happening and will take the decision in the interest of the nation," Naidu told reporters in Jammu.
Kashmir Isn’t Pakistan’s Jugular Vein: Indian River Waters Are
Continued from Page 5...
Pahalgam Attack A Shift to Pakistan’s Jugular Vein
In the wake of the April 2025 Pahalgam attack, which resulted in the deaths of 26 Indian tourists, there has been a notable shift in rhetoric from the Indian side. Indian officials have begun to emphasize the strategic importance of water resources originating from India to Pakistan, and I repeatedly have stated in my articles that “Indian River Waters are Pakistan’s Jugular Vein.” This shift should underscore India’s control over the headwaters of the Indus River system, which is vital to Pakistan’s agriculture and economy. Following the Pahalgam incident, India suspended participation in the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty, highlighting the potential leverage India holds over its waters. Indian policymakers and commentators, aiming to counter Pakistan’s longstanding narrative need to highlight India’s strategic advantages in the region with its waters flowing into Pakistan.
China-India Diplomatic Ties
This year marks the 75th anniversary of the establishment of China-India diplomatic ties and relations are currently experiencing a period of warming. As two ancient civilizations, China and India share a history of friendly exchanges that spans thousands of years. The immediate priority for both countries should be to effectively manage their differences, particularly regarding the border issue. As the two largest developing
countries in the world, their primary focus should be on development. A healthy and stable ChinaIndia relationship will undoubtedly provide strong momentum for the growth of both nations.
China to Tunnel River Waters from Tibet?
There have been unconfirmed reports in the past of China mulling to tunnel Indus River waters from Tibet to its northern Xinjiang province which is devoid of water. The Indus River originates in Tibet and flows into India and Pakistan. There appears no credible evidence for the moment to suggest China’s water diversion plans of the Indus River.
However, no one knows the Chinese plans! If China is to divert the Indus, then Kashmir and Pakistan will face the water crunch. Indus provides near 54% of water to Pakistan and irrigates about 71% of the land. Pakistan and China though are long term strong allies but the need of water for life is beyond such relations when it is the question of their own citizens survival.
Dam on the Brahmaputra (Yarlung Tsangpo in Tibet)
China has proposed large-scale water diversion projects involving the Yarlung Tsangpo River (known as the Brahmaputra in India), which originates near Mount Kailash in Tibet. It then enters India’s Arunachal Pradesh and Bangladesh. In 2017, reports emerged about a proposed 1,000-kilometer tunnel to divert water from the Yarlung Tsangpo to the arid Taklamakan Desert in Xinjiang. Chinese officials denied these reports.
