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Google reviews rank Surrey Memorial Hospital worst in BC As politicians on the campaign trail promise a new hospital for Surrey, Google reviews of the current one on King George Boulevard are not glowing. Research by the company SEO Backlinks says Surrey Memorial Hospital, love or hate it, is rated lowest among B.C. hospitals and third-worst in all of Canada. Stats are based on Google Maps listings for Canadian hospitals and emergency departments on Oct. 5, 2026. Included in the study were 177 hospitals and health centres with an emergency department and at least 200 Google reviews, 135,074 reviews in all, a news release says. Continued on Page 4..

Indian High Commissioner ‘confident’ trade deal will be reached by November

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Indian gangster Amritpal Singh Bath has been arrested in Surrey and is expected to be extradited to India due to be wanted on charges of murder, extortion, and drug trafficking

An Indian gangster that is wanted by INTERPOL for murder has been arrested by police in Surrey after he was pulled over while being the passenger in a car that was seen driving erratically. Amritpal Singh Bath is wanted on an INTERPOL Red Notice for murder and has been implicated in nearly 20 criminal cases in the Punjab region of India. These cases involve murder, attempted murder, drug trafficking, and extortion. The arrest came on the evening of October 8 in the neighbourhood of Whalley, which is more or less the downtown core of Surrey. Continued on Page 10...

Police in B.C. are investigating an apparent arson attack outside the home of a Sikh independence activist who was previously warned by officers that his life was under threat. Surrey police say officers found a car engulfed in flames and a bus vandalized after the attack

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What to expect from the new BC Conservative government

Indian gangster wanted by INTERPOL arrested during traffic stop in Surrey

The incoming B.C. Conservative government ran its campaign on promises to rein in B.C.'s ballooning deficit and reversing many of the B.C. NDP's policies over the last nine years. According to the Conservatives' platform, the party plans to reduce the province's deficit to $10.8 billion by 2030. The party is also promising to freeze outside hiring, cut consultants and review spending across ministries to find billions in savings. Here are some of the promises being made by the new Conservative government under premier-designate Lorne Doerkson. No PST on Canadian booze The Conservatives said they will raise B.C.’s basic personal income tax exemption from $13,216 to $32,000, which it says would cut provincial taxes by on average $1,000 per person. The incoming government says it will not raise existing taxes or introduce new ones, and remove much of the "red tape" brought in by the NDP since 2017, including around

Apparent arson attack outside home of Sikh independence activist prompts police investigation India’s High Commissioner to Canada Dinesh K. Patnaik says he is “confident” a trade deal between Canada and India will be reached before Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Canada in December. “We have got most of it worked out. A few nicks here and there. Some legal scrubbing. But I’m extremely confident that we will be able to achieve (a deal) much before the prime minister’s visit,” Patnaik said in an exclusive interview with CTV Question Period airing Sunday. Prime Minister Mark Carney confirmed earlier this month that Modi will visit Canada Dec. 11 and 12 before the G20 Leaders’ Summit in Miami. Continued on Page 4...

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in the Surrey Central neighbourhood, where officers were called to the scene at 11:45 p.m. PT Wednesday. Investigators say they believe a suspect fled on foot and no motive has been determined. The Sikhs For Justice group says in a separate news release that the attack occurred at the home of Narinder Singh Randhawa, who was given a "duty to warn" notice by Surrey police in April and told there was an imminent threat to his life. Randhawa has organized rallies for the Khalistan movement that seeks the formation of an independent Sikh state in the Punjab region within India. Continued on Page 10...

building housing. In addition, the Conservatives say they will remove the provincial sales tax (PST) on Canadian beer, wine and spirits — as well as on certain machinery, industrial equipment and software. They also want to implement a first job tax credit for businesses on the first $5,000 of payroll for a young British Columbian's first job. Continued on Page 10...

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2026

Jennifer Whiteside chosen as new interim BC NDP leader after David Eby resigned

Jennifer Whiteside has been chosen as the new interim leader of the BC NDP after David Eby resigned the position following the B.C. election. Mike Farnworth will be House Leader and Niki Sharma will serve as Caucus Chair. Speaking after the meeting at the legislature on Thursday, Whiteside said they understand that British Columbians sent them an important message after Saturday’s result. “We have an incredible team who stand up for their communities every single day and we are ready to get to work to do the same thing across the province,” she said. The caucus has been reduced to 28 members after

going into Saturday’s election numbering 47, while the BC Conservatives have a crushing two-thirds majority with 63 seats. Whiteside was first elected as the MLA for New Westminster in October 2024 and was re-elected in 2024 and 2026. She is the Minister of Labour and previously served as the Minister of Mental Health and Addictions and Minister of Education and Child Care. Previously, Geoff Meggs, who was chief of staff for the late former NDP premier John Horgan, said the next leader faces the “reputational challenge” of proving the party can be trusted with taxpayers’ money.

Eby called BC’s snap election the day after 2020 class of MLAs secured pensions at taxpayer's expense By waiting until Oct. 24 to hold the B.C. snap provincial election, NDP Leader David Eby saved several of his party’s MLAs from losing their pensions. Had the election been called sooner — and there was plenty of pressure for Eby to do so as the Conservative Party floundered — several outgoing MLAs would have received no pension. Any member of the B.C. legislature first elected on Oct. 24, 2020, and re-elected in 2024 had their pensions vested on Oct. 23, 2026. NDP caucus communications director Edward May says that, from his understanding, pensions were not considered “at all” in timing the election call. Nine NDP MLAs and three Conservative MLAs had their pensions secured the day before the election, including former Finance minister Brenda Bailey and former Emergency Management minister Kelly Greene, both of whom chose not to run for re-election, as well as Susie Chant and Harwinder

Sandhu, both of whom lost. Also passing the threshold were Brittny Anderson, Jennifer Whiteside, Niki Sharma, Josie Osborne and Grace Lore from the NDP, and Lorne Doerkson, Bruce Banman and Trevor Halford from the Conservative Party, all of whom were re-elected. They can take the full amount after turning 65, or a reduced amount at 60. But they are only eligible after six years of service. If they miss the mark, they have their contributions returned, with interest. Some pundits and politicians have openly wondered why Eby did not call the 2026 snap election sooner, while Kerry-Lynne Findlay still led the Conservative Party. In August and September, the NDP led the Conservatives in several polls by margins of four to 10 per cent. Former B.C. Conservative leader John Rustad says he hopes the pension question didn’t guide Eby on when he called the snap vote. But he speculates it likely did.

Pedestrian struck and killed crossing Vancouver street: police A 45-year-old woman has died after being hit by a vehicle in Vancouver just after midnight on Sunday, according to police. The woman was struck by an SUV travelling southbound as she crossed at a marked crosswalk at Main Street at National Avenue, according to a Tuesday news release from the Vancouver Police Department (VPD). The driver remained at the scene, and police do not believe alcohol or substance use were factors, the release said. "It was dark and raining heavily at the time," VPD said in the release. "Police are once again calling for additional caution on the roads this season as visibility becomes more challenging for both pedestrians

Guilty verdict issued in 2024 Surrey home-invasion murder of Tori Dunn

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The man accused of killing Surrey, B.C., resident Tori Dunn during a home invasion two years ago has been convicted of second-degree murder. Adam Mann was found guilty by a jury in New Westminster, B.C., on Wednesday. His sentencing date will scheduled next week. The murder happened on June 16, 2024, at Dunn's home in the Port Kells neighbourhood. Dunn's father said the 30-year-old was stabbed as she lay on a couch after she and her fiancé had returned home from a birthday dinner. She later died in hospital. Mann's DNA was found on the handle of a knife that also carried Dunn's blood, but Mann told the court he had picked up the knife on the side of the road before police arrived and arrested him. Dun's murder happened three weeks after Mann was accused of stabbing another woman in Surrey. According to court records obtained by CBC News, Mann was the subject of two probation orders for previous offences and had recently been released after being found guilty of violating one of those orders by possessing knives. The revelations sparked a "Justice for Tori" campaign and debate around B.C.'s bail and probation system, and the degree to which dangerous offenders are released from custody despite repeated breaches of terms meant to protect the public. Dunn's family launched a petition asking for a legal review of Mann's release and calling for changes to prevent similar tragedies in the future. NDP

Leader David Eby said in his capacity as premier in July that he had asked his team to reach out to the Dunn family to discuss the case and find ways to support their calls for reform. Court records in B.C., Ontario and New Brunswick show Mann has a criminal history dating back decades.

In 2009, he was sentenced to 12 years in prison for robbery and weapons offences in a home invasion. He unsuccessfully appealed that conviction. The Ontario Court of Appeal ruling in 2010 said Mann had racked up 22 previous convictions by the age of 25, including violent offences involving firearms and robberies. In December 2014, Mann was convicted of assault after spitting on two employees of the Atlantic Institution in Renous, N.B., where he was incarcerated.

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2026

B.C. and federal government are ‘aligned’ on priorities, Premier elect Doerkson says B.C.’s incoming premier has spoken with Canada’s prime minister about how they can work together to boost the economy. Premier-designate Lorne Doerkson shared photos on social media following his call with Prime Minister Mark Carney on Tuesday. In the post, Doerkson said B.C. and the federal government are “aligned on the need to supercharge our economy, attract investment, and create goodpaying jobs. In a readout shared in the message, Doerkson said he and Carney discussed how they can attract capital to B.C., and when it comes to natural gas and LNG, there is a “joint desire” to ensure the right investable and competitive conditions are created to maximize private sector investment. Doerkson said that overall, the B.C. government and the federal government want a strong partnership that includes all British Columbians

Appeals court upholds sentence for South Asian supervisor who sexually exploited teen

and can supercharge hope and opportunities for the province. “The Premier Designate offered his commitment to work together on various challenges including managing trade risks and opportunities to ensure prosperity for the country from coast, to coast to coast,” the readout states. “There was also alignment on the need for progressing improved infrastructure and services in B.C. and to work these issues further through the transition and establishment of B.C.’s new government.” He said he believes in cutting red tape, doubling natural gas production by 2032 and tripling it by 2035. “A $1,000 tax cut is just the start, with no new taxes in British Columbia,” Doerkson added. “I believe in health care that is fully and publicly funded. I believe in rural ERs and maternity wards that are actually open.”

Loss of Canadian shoppers a $64M hit to Washington State Businesses just over the U.S. border in Whatcom County say the loss of Canadian shoppers continues to hit them hard. “There’s been a little bit of ups and downs, but right now we’re actually at a little bit more than 20 per cent of a loss of business,” Echo Mae, owner of the Northwest Yarns in Bellingham, told Global News. The loss of business has meant difficult decisions, including cutting staff hours and shifting away from luxury products. “A lasting impact, and if this continues, would be that we’d have to shut down the business, and we desperately don’t want to do that,” Mae said. The drop in business is not unique to Northwest Yarns.

A new report from Western Washington University estimates Whatcom County lost around U.S. $64 million in Canadian spending between 2024 and 2025. In early 2025, the Donald Trump administration began levying steep trade tariffs against Canada and made threats of taking over the nation — prompting a backlash that included scaling back cross-border travel and spending on American goods. The report shows Canadian shopping visits have dropped 71 per cent compared to 2019 — largely driven by the strained political and economic climate between the two countries and a weak Canadian dollar. Mae said that the familiar Canadian shoppers can’t come back soon enough.

For the second time, an Armstrong fast food manager has lost an appeal related to his sexual exploitation of a 16-year-old employee. Surjit Singh was 26 years old at the time of the offences, for which he was sentenced to 13 months jail in 2024. After losing an appeal of the conviction back in April, he requested that the B.C. Court of Appeal replace the jail sentence with a conditional sentence served in the community. An appeal court panel dismissed this second

appeal, according to a decision released Oct. 2, having found the trial judge made no error in landing on a 13-month jail sentence. Singh became the temporary manager at the fast food restaurant in the summer of 2021. The victim in the case had already worked there for several years and was 15 at the time. Singh knew her age and had researched the age of consent in Canada online. He brought a cake to her home on her 16th birthday. The relationship became sexual, and sexual contact occurred over a two month period at the restaurant, in Singh’s car and in his apartment. The relationship ended when a friend of the victim discovered text messages between her and Singh. The girl’s mother approached restaurant

managers and Singh was suspended. He then left the province and was later arrested and brought back to B.C., where he spent eight days in presentence custody. Singh was convicted of sexual exploitation in May 2024. He was acquitted of other charges including sexual assault, as the judge accepted that the relationship was mutual and there was no evidence of grooming. Consent was not at issue in the case; instead it was about Singh’s position of authority. In the April ruling, the court noted Singh held enough control over the victim that “when he wanted to be able to access her cellphone and delete text messages, she let him do that.” It found he had significant control over shift schedules and quantities, and other aspects of the victim’s working life. He also reported to the franchise owner and was the one in charge of taking corrective action on employees. Singh launched his sentence appeal on three grounds: that the sentence was inconsistent with parity; that it failed to account for collateral consequences; and that it also failed to account for mitigating factors such as the depression and loneliness he was feeling at the time of the offences. On the first ground, the appeal court panel said it “cannot find that the judge violated the parity principle by relying upon sentences imposed in more aggravated circumstances, or that his analysis resulted in a demonstrably unfit sentence.” Singh is a permanent resident who came to Canada from India in 2016, and as such, he argued that a sentence of more than six months would eliminate his statutory right to appeal a removal order and would likely result in his removal back to India.

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SATURDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2026

Google reviews rank Surrey Memorial Hospital worst in B.C. with 2.19 stars

Continued from Page 1... Surrey Memorial Hospital averages 2.19 stars from 2,052 reviews, and only Brampton Civic Hospital and Lakeridge Health Ajax Pickering Hospital in Ontario score lower in Canada, according to the research. Another said that month: “Probably the worst run hospital I’ve ever been to in my life.” Oliver Weston, SEO Backlinks founder said a hospital’s Google rating is one of the first things people see when they search for the nearest emergency department, so it shapes how they feel before they’ve even walked in. “Nobody should put off getting help because of a star rating. If it’s an emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest hospital,” Weston says. “But the reviews are worth reading because they show where the pressure is. At the bottom of this list, the complaint that comes up again and again is the wait, people

sitting for 10 or 15 hours before they see a doctor. Even some of the angriest reviews go out of their way to say the staff were kind. To me, the scores say more about how stretched these hospitals are than about the people working in them.” Dedicated children’s hospitals, specialist institutes, urgent care centres and hospitals without an emergency department were not included in the research. Reviews cover each hospital as a whole, not only its emergency department. Every hospital in British Columbia in the ranking, from lowest to highest rated: Surrey Memorial Hospital, Surrey, BC: 2.19 (2,052 reviews) Abbotsford Regional Hospital, Abbotsford, BC: 2.48 (920 reviews) Burnaby Hospital, Burnaby, BC: 2.57 (1,314 reviews) Langley Memorial Hospital, Langley, BC: 2.63

(913 reviews) Eagle Ridge Hospital, Port Moody, BC: 2.77 (911 reviews) University Hospital of Northern British Columbia, Prince George, BC: 2.85 (211 reviews) Peace Arch Hospital, White Rock, BC: 2.89 (653 reviews) Richmond Hospital, Richmond, BC: 2.90 (730 reviews) Ridge Meadows Hospital, Maple Ridge, BC: 2.94 (636 reviews) Royal Inland Hospital, Kamloops, BC: 2.96 (476 reviews) Delta Hospital, Delta, BC: 3.01 (372 reviews) Royal Columbian Hospital, New Westminster, BC: 3.09 (1,279 reviews) Victoria General Hospital, Victoria, BC: 3.14 (527 reviews) Nanaimo Regional General Hospital, Nanaimo,

BC: 3.16 (476 reviews) Chilliwack General Hospital, Chilliwack, BC: 3.19 (413 reviews) Penticton Regional Hospital, Penticton, BC: 3.22 (267 reviews) Royal Jubilee Hospital, Victoria, BC: 3.31 (559 reviews) Kelowna General Hospital, Kelowna, BC: 3.31 (675 reviews) Lions Gate Hospital, North Vancouver, BC: 3.32 (679 reviews) Vancouver General Hospital, Vancouver, BC: 3.37 (1,007 reviews) North Island Hospital Comox Valley, Courtenay, BC: 3.45 (233 reviews) Vernon Jubilee Hospital, Vernon, BC: 3.62 (343 reviews) St. Paul’s Hospital, Vancouver, BC: 3.74 (1,004 reviews)

These B.C. Conservatives won both their provincial and municipal races Two B.C. Conservatives have been elected as MLAs after Saturday's provincial vote — even though they won their respective municipal election races just a week earlier. Kevin Acton was re-elected mayor of Lumby on Oct. 17, and beat out B.C. NDP incumbent Harwinder Sandhu in the provincial vote for the Vernon-Lumby riding on Oct. 24. Garry Thind, who was re-elected as a Surrey school trustee, also beat an NDP incumbent in Garry Begg in the Surrey-Guildford riding on Saturday. Both will have to resign their municipal roles under a law passed last year by the previous NDP government, called the Eligibility to Hold Public Office Act. The law was passed after the Conservatives' Misty Van Popta was elected as the MLA for Langley-Walnut Grove in 2024, after serving as a councillor for the Township of Langley for two years. At the time the law was passed, Van Popta called it a "targeted attack" and

said her municipal role was part-time in nature. The NDP had argued that MLAs who also held a municipal role were collecting two taxpayerfunded salaries at once and splitting their attention between two jobs. Acton and Thind's wins were part of a big night for the Conservatives, who toppled the NDP and will form a majority government. It is unclear exactly when byelections would occur for the Lumby mayoral seat and Thind's school trustee seat. CBC News has reached out to the MLA-elects for this story.

Indian High Commissioner ‘confident’ trade deal will be reached by November

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Continued from Page 1... Last November, the two leaders committed to reviving trade negotiations with the goal of working towards a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA). Since then, Carney visited India in March, and most recently, International Trade Minister Maninder Sidhu led a nearly 300-delegate trade mission to India in October. Both countries are aiming to double bilateral trade to $70 billion annually by 2030. In 2025, two-way goods and services trade between Canada and India reached $30.4 billion. Pointing to last November’s meeting between Carney and Modi at the G20 in Johannesburg and the agreement to reach a deal in one year, Patnaik says, “I think we’ll be able to meet the deadline.” Trade talks between Canada and India were abruptly put on pause back in 2023 just weeks before former prime minister Justin Trudeau said there were “credible allegations” that agents of the Indian government were involved in the assassination of Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Surrey, B.C. That accusation then led to years of tension between the two countries, but the tone has shifted as Carney seeks to diversify trade away from the United States. India, meanwhile, has continued to deny any involvement. India has maintained a high tariff wall on agricultural imports in order, the government says, to protect its own domestic farming sector. A 10 per cent levy is currently imposed on Canadian

lentils, while a 30 per cent tariff on yellow peas took effect last November. Asked by host Vassy Kapelos whether there will be movement on those tariffs as part of the deal, Patnaik said India “will require a lot of lentils and pulses” as India’s population grows. “We will always see Canada as a partner from where we can get more of lentils and pulses. And I think we will have a deal,” he said. Pressed if tariffs will be reduced or eliminated, India’s envoy said the two countries are working on a tariff rate quota. “What we are trying to work out is some sort of a tariff rate quota. There is a certain quota which Canada can sell every year, which will be without tariffs,” Patnaik said. “And as it grows beyond that quota, there will be tariffs.” Patnaik also described a quota system as a way to ensure stability. “What we are looking at is how can we make the base stable so that farmers in Canada can predict what is going to happen next year and produce accordingly,” Patnaik said. “But what I’ve been telling farmers here, our consumption is on the up. We will consume much more in the future. So even if one year there is tariffs and one year there is not, in the long run, we are going to be a huge consumer of food grains from Canada.” Saskatchewan is Canada’s largest provincial exporter to India, driven by shipments of agricultural products and resources like potash, lentils, and dry peas.

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2026

Both BC NDP and Conservatives promise extension of SkyTrain to Surrey's Newton

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Both the B.C. Conservatives and the New Democrats have promised to extend the SkyTrain transit line in Surrey, B.C., in an attempt to sway support in the vote-rich city, just days before the Oct. 24 provincial election. The campaigns issued news releases within minutes of each other Tuesday, pledging to develop a SkyTrain extension along the King George Boulevard corridor. NDP Leader David Eby said his party has earmarked $250 million in its costed platform for a transit expansion to Surrey's Newton neighbourhood. His party had previously committed the amount for bus rapid transit along the corridor, stretching from Surrey to White Rock. But he said Tuesday that the New Democrats had worked with Surrey's mayor-elect, Doug McCallum, on the ongoing project to extend the SkyTrain to Langley and they're committed to partnering again for the spur along King George Boulevard. "There's actually a massive factory that's producing the giant concrete components for these things. It's already up and running," Eby added, saying it would help save money in the Newton expansion compared with starting from scratch. The Conservatives also committed to working with Ottawa to fund and build rapid transit along the King George corridor with a SkyTrain extension to Newton. The party issued a statement saying the area had been left at the back of the line for rapid transit for years. It said when plans for light rail to Newton were scrapped in 2018, residents were told transit would come, but eight years later they are still waiting. Speaking at an unrelated campaign announcement in Kelowna on Tuesday, Eby acknowledged there had been an initial proposal for light rail. But he said McCallum, the mayor at the time, wanted the SkyTrain, and the NDP worked with him. Eby was in Kelowna to announce his party was committing $30 million to build an in-patient unit on the unused sixth floor of the Kelowna General Hospital.

The plan had been in place before the snap election call, but Eby said he was now able to confirm how much money a re-elected NDP government would contribute. NDP says Tories' plan not costed Eby said the Conservative platform lacked costing for major campaign promises. The Conservative platform does not contain specific mention or costing of the party's pledge to bring the SkyTrain to Newton, only saying the party would support transit expansion where communities demonstrate the need. The platform commits to "future corridors, rail capacity and grade separations," with capital costs "set project by project through business cases" to be paid for through a new capital plan with federal, municipal and private cost-sharing. Eby was also asked about the results of the referendum in Alberta on Monday that resulted in resounding support for the province to remain in Canada. "It feels like a no-brainer to me, but I am glad to see [that] was

confirmed by the people of Alberta," he said. "I thank the people of Alberta for standing strong for Canada, and we'll stand strong with Alberta. We won't agree on everything, but we will work together to make this country strong." Eby used the opportunity to say the referendum result illustrates "how out of touch" several Conservative candidates are with public sentiment. He pointed to three who had apparently joined a Facebook group linked to Alberta's separatist movement. B.C. Conservative Leader Lorne Doerkson didn't directly answer a question about potential separatist views in his party when he was asked on Monday, but he said the B.C. Conservatives stand for a strong and united Canada. Doerkson said Eby's attempts to impugn his patriotism were "disgusting." That represents about 15 per cent of registered voters. Early voting continues at hundreds of places across the province until 8 p.m. Wednesday ahead of final voting day on Saturday.

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2026

Former SFU manager given conditional sentence after stealing over $180K A former manager at Simon Fraser University (SFU) has been given a conditional sentence of two years less a day, to be served in the community, after pleading guilty to theft. Kristen Tanya Schiefke received the sentence for stealing just over $180,000 from the university, according to an agreed statement of facts read out in court. Schiefke, who was the manager of academic and administrative service at SFU’s School for the Contemporary Arts, committed the thefts in three ways, according to Crown prosecutor Kevin Marks.

Over a five-year period between 2018 and 2023, Schiefke created false invoices for a company known as KTS Kreations, which she then paid into accounts she controlled, Marks said. She also put her then-husband and stepson on SFU's payroll, when neither of them worked at the university. In September 2023, a colleague noticed some unexplained credit card transactions authorized by Schiefke, which triggered an internal audit. That same month, Schiefke went on medical leave,

according to the agreed statement of facts. The audit uncovered the payments to KTS Kreations and Scheifke's family members, and in the fall of 2024, the university turned the findings over to the Burnaby RCMP, Marks said. Schiefke was charged with one count each of fraud and theft over $5,000. She resigned from SFU in August 2025 but remained on the university's long-term disability plan, according to the agreed statement of facts. The following month, the university filed a lawsuit against Schiefke, which is still before the courts. During sentencing, the court heard Schiefke had struggled with mental health and addiction challenges for many years and that her marriage had been tumultuous. Crown and defense lawyers jointly requested the conditional sentence served in the community. During sentencing, Vancouver Provincial Court Judge Reginald Harris noted the aggravating factors were the breach of trust with Schiefke's employer and coworkers, the amount of money stolen and the time period over which the theft occurred. He also noted the victim impact statements in which Schiefke's colleagues reflected on how the incident had shaken them. The mitigating factors were Schiefke's guilty plea, her commitment to immediately pay back just over $50,000 to SFU out of proceeds from the sale of her residence, and her remorse, which Harris said he found to be genuine.

Port strike in Prince Rupert set to impact B.C. propane exports AltaGas Ltd. is preparing for a slowdown in operations at its propane export facility in northern British Columbia as a strike by workers at the Port of Prince Rupert drags on. Members of the International Longshore & Warehouse Union employed by Trigon Pacific Terminals walked off the job on Oct. 2. Trigon provides rail logistics and berthing services for the Ridley Island Propane Export Terminal that AltaGas operates. Up until a few days ago, there has been minimal impact on the Calgary-based energy infrastructure company. But on Tuesday, the Canada Industrial Relations Board ordered Trigon, which also operates northern B.C.'s largest bulk export terminal, to stop using contractors for some duties, including handling the petroleum products that AltaGas exports to high-demand Asian markets. "We're obviously very disappointed about this ruling because we don't believe that the ruling takes into account all case law in Canada and we're going to vigorously take all legal actions we can to reverse its decision," AltaGas chief

executive Vern Yu told analysts on a conference call to discuss third-quarter results. Yu said the Trigon labour dispute gets at a broader problem that the governing federal Liberals are seeking to address in legislation now winding its way through Parliament. Among a raft of other items aimed at speeding along infrastructure projects, Bill C-39 includes changes to the Canada Labour Code to clarify a minister's power to end a work stoppage in some cases.

B.C. man killed in Ukraine while rescuing animals remembered by friends as compassionate B.C.'s animal rescue community is grieving the death of a Sooke man who was killed in Ukraine Sunday. Jesse Adams, co-founder of RainCoast Dog Rescue Society, was evacuating animals from Kramatorsk, a city in eastern Ukraine, when he was killed, according to Animal Rescue Kharkiv (ARK). "An enemy FPV [first-person view] drone attacked our vehicle, which had just been loaded with rescued animals," ARK said in a post on Facebook. Adams, who volunteered with ARK as an animal rescue mission worker, was severely injured and taken to a local hospital. "Tragically, despite their best efforts, they were unable to save his life," ARK said. The organization said Adams had rescued hundreds of animals with them, calling him kind and compassionate. "When someone travels halfway around the world and chooses to work beside you in some of the most difficult conditions, it means more than words can say." Langford resident Chadalee Howie got her dog Winston from Adams in 2024, and said he was an amazing, kind-hearted person. "He's like a puppy angel on earth." She said Adams paid for the first bag of puppy food and gave her a gift certificate for groceries. "To just run away to one of the world's most dangerous places and start rescuing animals, that's who he is." Penny Stone, executive director of the Victoria Humane Society, said Adams was a "go-to guy" if they needed help. Even while in Ukraine, Adams was still doing adoptions and taking calls for RainCoast, Stone said.

"He loved animals, but he also loved people," she said. "He'll be remembered as an animal rescuer, but he certainly had a lot more good qualities than just that." Emma Hamill, regional manager of animal care services for the B.C. SPCA who worked with Adams in Victoria, described him as collaborative and open-minded.

She said he had a gift for reaching vulnerable people, particularly in remote areas where larger organizations can be limited. "His power to build relationships and help people and animals together was such a big piece of his legacy," Hamill said. Savannah Eanes, a friend of Adams who adopted a dog from RainCoast, said that he would provide spaying and neutering services in rural and remote communities as part of his work. "They do so much good and so much advocacy and fundraising and to lose the beating heart of that ... it's hard to think about, you know, what's next for RainCoast," she said. Lori Kalef, director of programs for SPCA International and Adams' longtime friend, said she first met him in 2013 when rescuing a dog from Iraq.

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2026

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Dawson Creek woman sentenced to 2 years in jail for fatal impaired-driving crash A 21-year-old woman was sentenced to two years in jail for impaired driving causing death in Fort St. John Supreme Court on Thursday. A pickup truck driven by Makenzee Lynn Doonan-Scott rolled over in Hudson's Hope, B.C., on June 30, 2023. Her boyfriend, Ashton Attachie, died at the scene. Both were 18 years old at the time. "The day I lost him was the day I lost my whole heart," wrote Doonan-Scott in a letter read aloud by her lawyer Wednesday during the two-day sentencing hearing. "The world is not as bright and happy for me as it used to be. I spend most days crying and hating every bit of myself, wishing it was me ... my heart is broken for me, for him and his family." Last month, she pleaded guilty to the charge of impaired driving causing death as well as impaired driving causing bodily harm, with an 18-month concurrent sentence for the second charge. A three-year driving ban will follow the jail sentences, once served. Four people were in the vehicle when Doonan-Scott failed to make a turn on Canyon Drive, sliding over an embankment. The court noted her blood alcohol concentration was higher than 100 milligrams per 100 millilitres. The crash seriously injured another passenger. In her letter, Doonan-Scott said she scooped blood out of Attachie's mouth and attempted CPR before paramedics arrived,

holding his head and pieces of his skull. "I still feel the feeling of him in my arms at the end before the paramedics took me away," she wrote. The injured passenger has since recovered after suffering a cut liver, cracked pelvis, and torn knee ligaments that required reconstructive surgery. More than 30 people attended the sentencing hearing, with friends and family there to support Doonan-Scott. Many

offered hugs and shared tears after the proceeding. Wynette Attachie expressed forgiveness toward Doonan-Scott, something Ker said she's never seen in her 19 years as a judge. Justice Kathleen Ker said the sense of grief in the courtroom was palpable while delivering the sentence. Friends and family offered letters of support on behalf of Doonan-Scott, noted Ker, who said she feels the young woman deserves a second chance to be a responsible citizen. "I wish you peace," she said to those in the court gallery. "You can only hope that was the conclusion of these proceedings, that you can find a way to move forward."

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2026

Dave Hayer receives Outstanding Canadian Lifetime Achievement Award for Decades of Public Service and Community Leadership Long-time British Columbia community activist Dave Hayer has received the Outstanding Canadian Lifetime Achievement Award, recognizing his decades of contributions to British Columbia and Canada through public service, community leadership, business, multiculturalism and his commitment to democratic values. Hayer received the prestigious recognition at the Outstanding Canadian Awards ceremony in Toronto on October 24, joining Canadians recognized for their leadership, professional achievements and contributions to their communities and country. Established in 2000, the Outstanding Canadian Awards is a volunteer-run Canadian recognition initiative founded by community leaders and spearheaded by co-founding chairman Ray Alix. Guided by the principle “Canadians Honouring Canadians,” the organization recognizes leaders, professionals and volunteers for exemplary achievement, community service and contributions to Canada's diversity. The organization marked its 25th anniversary in 2025 and has recognized approximately 300 Canadians since its inception. “Dave Hayer represents what this Lifetime Achievement Award is intended to recognize: a sustained commitment to public service, community and country,” said Ray Alix, Co-founding Chairman of the Outstanding Canadian Awards. “His life has been shaped by both tremendous achievement and profound personal adversity, yet throughout it all he has continued to serve others and stand for the values that define Canada. We are proud to recognize his lifetime of contribution.” A Lifetime of Public and Community Service Hayer served for 12 years in the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia, from 2001 to 2013, representing communities in Surrey. During his time in public office, he also served as Parliamentary Secretary for Multiculturalism and Immigration. His commitment to community, however, extends well beyond elected office. Before and throughout his public career, Hayer was active in business, media and community organizations, including the Indo-Canadian Times, the Rotary International District 5050, Surrey Crime Prevention Society, Surrey and White Rock Board of Trade and Kwantlen Polytechnic University. His community involvement has encompassed multiculturalism, public safety, education, business and civic participation. He also helped establish the Surrey Police Officer of the Year Awards, recognizing the work of police officers and community members contributing to public safety. Hayer's commitment to Canada and the justice system has also been shaped by an extraordinary and tragic chapter in his family's history. His father, Tara Singh Hayer, was the founder and publisher of the Indo-Canadian Times and became an outspoken opponent of extremist violence. In the aftermath of the 1985 Air India

bombing, he provided information to Canadian authorities and was expected to be an important witness. He survived a 1988 assassination attempt that left him paralyzed and, a decade later, was murdered outside his Surrey home in 1998. The federal Commission of Inquiry into the Air India bombing subsequently documented the threats and intimidation surrounding Tara Singh Hayer

Fort St. John man charged with sexual assault following home invasion A Fort St. John man is in custody after an alleged violent home invasion and sexual assault on Tuesday. Michael Broad, 34, has been charged with sexual assault with a weapon, breaking and entering, uttering threats and forcible confinement. The offences allegedly happened shortly before midnight Tuesday when RCMP say a man followed a woman into her home on 87 Street in the Matthews Park neighbourhood before being chased out. Police were called to the area but were not able to find the suspect. They say the attacker reportedly returned later that same night and sexually assaulted a different woman living in the home before again fleeing. Police say the suspect was identified and arrested on Wednesday. They had described the attack as "very concerning" due to the suspect possibly reoffending while on

the loose, but now say there's no ongoing risk to the public after the arrest. "We’d like to thank Fort St. John residents for their prompt [co-operation] in providing video

footage and assistance in identifying the suspect," Const. Christian Dreyer said in a statement. "This was an unnerving incident, but I can say there's no ongoing risk to the public." Broad remains in custody and is due back in court next week for a bail hearing.

Vancouver man found guilty of first-degree murder for a 2nd time

and others who spoke out against extremist violence. Those experiences have informed Dave Hayer's continued advocacy for public safety, democratic freedoms and the importance of standing against violence and intimidation. “I am deeply honoured and humbled to receive this Lifetime Achievement Award,” said Dave Hayer. “Canada has given my family and me tremendous opportunities, but our journey has also included profound loss. Those experiences have reinforced for me how important it is to protect our democracy; stand up for our communities and never take the freedoms we enjoy in Canada for granted. I share this recognition with my family and with the many people I have had the privilege of working alongside throughout my life.” The Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes the cumulative impact of Hayer's career rather than any single position or accomplishment. His contributions have crossed public service, business, multiculturalism, education, community development, crime prevention and advocacy for democratic values, reflecting a sustained commitment to building stronger and more inclusive communities. The award also recognizes a distinctly Canadian story: one shaped by immigration, entrepreneurship, public service, personal adversity and an enduring belief in the importance of giving back.

A jury has found a man guilty of first-degree murder for a second time in the shooting death of a Vancouver senior. In January 2019, 69-year-old Zenen Cepeda Silva was gunned down while he was sitting on a porch on Fraser Street in Vancouver with his wife. Alvaro Julio Roche Garcia was arrested shortly after. Silva’s wife suffered a stroke before the first trial and never took the stand. The jury did hear audio recording of her testimony in a preliminary inquiry that her husband’s dying words were “look how Alvaro has killed me.” B.C.’s highest court found the trial judge made an

error by allowing the jury to consider this alleged declaration as fact when the testimony was never cross-examined. That, and a couple other issues, resulted in the conviction being was struck down in 2024 and a new trial was ordered.

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BC RCMP assistant commissioner pleads guilty to assault in off-duty altercation

An RCMP assistant commissioner has pleaded guilty to assault after an off-duty altercation in Abbotsford in July 2025. On Sept. 18 2025, RCMP Assistant Commissioner David Teboul was charged with one count of assault, one count of assault by choking in relation to the same complainant and an additional count of assault in relation to a second complainant. The court has ordered a publication ban in relation to the victims’ identities.

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SATURDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2026

Man sentenced to 16 years, 8 months for horrifying Surrey bus attack

A man has been sentenced following a horrifying attack on a Surrey transit bus in 2023. Abdul Aziz Kawam, 30, assaulted a man with a knife at a bus stop near Fraser Highway and 156th Street before boarding a bus and slashing another passenger in the throat on April 1, 2023. Both men survived. On Thursday Kawam was sentenced to 16 years and eight months in prison. With credit for time spent in custody since April 2023, he has just over 11 years left to serve. Crown had asked for 20 years in the case, while the defence was suggesting seven. On April 1, 2023, security video obtained by Global News showed Kawam walking onto the bus, followed a few seconds later by his victim, whose identity is protected by a publication ban. Both stood near the rear exit doors of the bus and rode together in silence for approximately three minutes, not speaking or interacting. Kawam then suddenly pulled out a large knife and slashed at the victim’s neck three times, intending to kill

him, according to the admissions submitted at trial. As bus passengers are heard screaming in the video, the victim used his body to push Kawam out of the bus. “He was bleeding out of his neck and he still managed to throw his attacker off the bus,” said Oren Bick, general counsel with the Public Prosecution Service of Canada. The knife nicked the victim’s vocal cords and missed his main artery by a millimetre, his brother-in-law, who cannot be identified as per the publication ban, told Global News days after the attack. When the man replied “No,” Kawam went back to the bus stop, prayed for approximately two minutes, and then returned, taking the large knife out of his jacket and attacking the victim, aiming a slashing motion at his neck without making contact. The victim, who pushed Kawam away and ran, described the blade as being approximately 10 inches, according to the admissions.

Multiple vehicle crashes close highways during B.C. Interior's 1st major snowfall Multiple people have been hospitalized after a series of crashes in B.C.'s Interior, as the region deals with the first major snowfall of the season. The first major crash was reported Tuesday night when a Ford Focus went off the road along Highway 1 near Kamloops, plunging roughly 60 feet (18 metres) down an embankment. Police, fire and rescue crews from the nearby New Afton mine all attended and the five people in the vehicle were taken to hospital, RCMP say. Two

remain in critical condition. "The cause of the crash is still being investigated, however, at this time impairment was not a factor," RCMP Cpl. Dana Napier said in a statement. While it's not clear if weather was a factor in that incident, officials say it likely played a role in many of the incidents that followed Wednesday morning. Highway 97C, both north and east of Merritt, was closed early Wednesday due to vehicle incidents as snow fell.

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What to expect from the new B.C. Conservative government Continued from Page 1... Health care and toxic drugs The B.C. Conservatives say they are standing firm on keeping B.C.'s system universal and publicly funded, despite the NDP warning the Conservatives will move towards health-care privatization. The party has promised to complete the new Surrey Hospital and B.C. Cancer Centre, and build a new women's and children's hospital in Surrey. It has pledged to expand detox and treatment services, along with ending the safe supply of drugs, to deal with the toxic drug crisis. The party says it will amend the Mental Health Act so officers can connect people with severe addiction or mental health challenges incapable of caring for themselves with "mandatory care." Transit and auto insurance The Conservatives have promised to replace the George Massey Tunnel in Delta with a 10lane bridge, and do away with the current tunnel replacement project. They have also pledged to extend the SkyTrain to Surrey's Newton area. In one of the campaign's biggest flashpoints, the Conservatives said their government would scrap the province's no-fault auto insurance model. The party says some vehicle accident victims would be allowed to file lawsuits with capped legal fees. LNG and climate change The Conservatives' energy plan says that it would double liquefied natural gas production by 2032

and triple it by 2035. The party has promised to repeal CleanBC, a B.C. NDP plan to lower climate-changing emissions by 40 per cent by 2030. Expanding trades training The Conservatives have promised to expand dual-credit programs, apprenticeships and paid work experience, make it easier for schools to

hire qualified tradespeople, and develop a Future Mining Jobs Blueprint with industry. The party has also promised to restore letter grades for grades 4 to 9 and repeal SOGI 123, a teaching resource on sexual orientation and gender identity, and include parental notification and opt-out rights. Indigenous rights and reconciliation The Conservatives say they would repeal the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (DRIPA). In his victory speech, Doerkson appealed to First Nations communities as partners in the province’s development, and the party has previously said that scrapping DRIPA would provide more certainty for economic development in B.C.

Apparent arson attack outside home of Sikh independence activist prompts police investigation Continued from Page 1... A former leader of the group, Hardeep Singh Nijjar, was shot dead in Surrey in 2023, in an attack former prime minister Justin Trudeau said was linked to India by credible intelligence. Prime Minister Mark Carney, who visited India earlier this year, has refused to say if he believes the Indian government is involved in acts of foreign interference and transnational repression

in Canada. Randhawa previously told The Canadian Press that police said his activism and participation in protests may be behind threats against his life. The Sikhs For Justice statement says protesters had rallied in Vancouver on the day of the arson attack. The group urged police to investigate the attack as an act of terrorism.

Indian gangster wanted by INTERPOL arrested during traffic stop in Surrey Continued from Page 1... Police stopped a car they said they saw driving erratically for the purpose of conducting an impairment test on the driver. When they pulled the vehicle over, Singh was sitting in the passenger seat and produced a fake ID that made police suspicious. "While he was interacting with the driver and the passenger, the passenger purported to be going by the name of Harpreet Singh and in fact produced ID in that name," said Surrey Police media liaison Ian MacDonald, according to CityNews. "The ID did not look genuine, and it caused our officer to probe additionally and ultimately found out that the individual’s name was Amritpal Singh Bath." After punching Singh's real name into the police database, the officer discovered that he was wanted by INTERPOL for a plethora of crimes and subsequently detained him before handing him over to the Canadian Border Services Agency (CBSA). "For INTERPOL to put a notice, basically a warrant, worldwide, that someone is a danger and

a risk, it is a pretty big deal." "He took custody of that individual, ultimately turned him over to CBSA, and effectively took somebody who was not just a danger potentially to Canadian citizens, but already a danger internationally off the streets of Surrey," MacDonald said of the arrest. MacDonald also stated that authorities were not aware that Singh was in Canada, and it is also not clear if the man driving the car was aware who Singh really was. It is expected that Singh will be deported back to India to face sentencing for his many crimes. Surrey Police have stated that he remains in CBSA custody at the time of writing.

FIJI

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2026

NFP dismisses election doubts THE National Federation Party (NFP) is confident it will be a key player in the next Parliament, despite uncertainty over whether some of its senior members serving in Government will contest the next general election. Party leader Professor Biman Prasad dismissed doubts about the party’s electoral prospects, saying NFP was fully prepared for the election and continued to attract potential candidates. Speaking to this newspaper, Prof Prasad said the party’s nationwide presence, multiracial membership and political history placed it in a strong position ahead of the election. “We are very confident that NFP will be a key player in the next Parliament.” Prof Prasad said the party’s strength was reflected in its established branches and offices throughout the country, as well as the attendance of nearly 1000 people at its annual general meeting

and national convention on September 26. He said the party had demonstrated its willingness to take principled positions on issues, including opposing salary increases for parliamentarians in 2024 despite being part of the coalition Government. He contrasted this with opposition parties that had voted in favour of the increases. “On the proposed Constitution Amendment Bill 2026, NFP supported the Bill proceeding to public consultation at its second reading in Parliament.” He said some opposition members had abstained from the vote but were now serving on the parliamentary committee conducting consultations, which he welcomed as an opportunity for a bipartisan approach. Prof Prasad said NFP’s management board had made the party’s position on the constitutional review process and its timeline clear.

FRCS seizes $65,000 worth of undeclared cigarettes from fishing vessel The Fiji Revenue and Customs Service (FRCS) has seized 8,340 sticks of undeclared cigarettes valued at more than $65,000 from a foreign fishing vessel that arrived in Fiji last week. The cigarettes, valued at $65,230, were intercepted by the FRCS Suva Maritime Compliance Team following the vessel’s arrival on Friday, October 16. According to FRCS, the successful interception followed targeted risk profiling, intelligence sharing with counterpart agencies and thorough searches conducted by Customs officers. The cigarettes were allegedly concealed in difficult-to-access areas of the vessel in an attempt to evade detection. FRCS said officers uncovered the sophisticated concealment methods through their vigilance and

effective search techniques. The authority said the undeclared cigarettes represented a potential loss of government revenue and posed a risk to Fiji’s border security. The operation was carried out with assistance from the Fiji Detector Dogs Unit and other enforcement partners. FRCS said the seizure highlighted the importance of intelligence sharing, effective risk management and cooperation between agencies in combating smuggling. It added that strengthening maritime enforcement remained a priority in preventing illicit goods from entering the country. The authority reaffirmed its commitment to protecting government revenue, combating smuggling and securing Fiji’s borders through continued surveillance and enforcement operations.

Chief calls for return of sovereignty, rights Concerns over government authority and the rights of villagers were raised during public consultations on Fiji’s proposed constitutional amendments, with Tui Wailevu, Ratu Jovesa Maivalili calling for the return of what he described as their sovereignty and individual rights. Mr Maivalili told Parliament’s special committee in Savusavu last Saturday that villagers had raised concerns about gravel being taken after being told someone from the Government had authorised it.

“The people in the village told me somebody from government came here and told us to take the gravels,” he said. He questioned whether the Government should reconsider how it exercised its authority over communities and their resources. “The issue is if the government could reconsider giving us our right and our sovereignty back.” Mr Maivalili said he had reflected on the issue and linked his concerns to the legacy of colonialism and the laws introduced under successive systems of governance.

PAP leads national party support with 27.5 per cent – CDD survey The People’s Alliance Party (PAP) leads national party support with 27.5 per cent among decided voters, according to the first wave of the Fiji National Electoral Opinion Survey conducted by the Centre for Democracy and Dialogue (CDD). The September–October 2026 survey, which recorded 1,673 completed interviews, places Unity Fiji in second position with 13.6 per cent, closely followed by the Social Democratic Liberal Party (SODELPA) with 13.1 per cent. The National Federation Party (NFP) received 12.5 per cent support, while People First recorded 10.9 per cent. The Fiji Labour Party (FLP) received eight

per cent, followed by NextGen with 6.7 per cent and One Nation with 5.7 per cent. The figures are based on 1,360 decided voters, excluding respondents who were undecided, non-voters or refused to state their preference. The survey also provides an illustrative allocation of parliamentary seats based on the D’Hondt electoral system and a five per cent party threshold.Under this calculation, PAP would secure 16 of the 55 parliamentary seats, followed by Unity Fiji with eight seats. SODELPA and NFP would each receive seven seats, while People First would secure six. FLP and NextGen would each receive four seats, with One Nation allocated three seats.

2013 Constitution did not reflect people’s voice – Seruiratu Opposition Leader and former Fiji First Minister Inia Seruiratu has acknowledged that the 2013 Constitution did not adequately reflect the voice and participation of the Fijian people. In a statement on Fiji’s constitutional future, Mr Seruiratu said there were legitimate concerns about the process through which the Constitution was introduced. “At the sametime, the 2013 Constitution has its own shortcomings. It did not adequately reflect the voice and participation of the Fijian people, and there are legitimate concerns about the process through which it was introduced,” he said. “These concerns should be acknowledged openly and addressed through a proper constitutional review.”

Mr Seruiratu said Fiji’s constitutional future must be shaped by an honest and balanced assessment of both the 1997 and 2013 Constitutions. He said while the 1997 Constitution contained sound principles and was developed through an inclusive process, it failed to withstand the political crisis that led to the events of 2000. “The 1997 Constitution contained sound principles and was developed through an inclusive process, yet it failed to withstand the political crisis that led to the events of 2000,” he said. “We must carefully examine what went wrong and ensure those lessons are not ignored.” Mr Seruiratu said the focus should not be on defending one Constitution or simply replacing another.

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2026

Pakistan has run out of borders to close and Allies to exploit

Pakistan has finally isolated itself, as its regional isolation has deepened through its deteriorating relations with Afghanistan, India, China, and Iran. It has repeatedly conducted airstrikes in Afghanistan that have reportedly killed civilians, including women and children, while subsequently closing key border crossings at Chaman, Torkham, and other vital locations, further disrupting crossborder trade and movement. Furthermore, it halted trade with India after New Delhi launched Operation Sindoor, an 88-hour, multidomain military campaign in response to the April 2025 Pahalgam terrorist attack, in which 26 civilians were killed by Pakistan-based terrorists after being singled out on the basis of their Hindu religious identity. On its northern front, as winter approaches, the borders with China will automatically close due to harsh seasonal weather. Beijing has also lost trust in Islamabad because Pakistan has been playing geopolitical games on behalf of the United States, thereby undermining the ChinaPakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). CPEC was originally conceived as China’s grand geostrategic initiative to connect its western region of Kashgar directly with the deep-sea port of Gwadar. This corridor was specifically designed to help Beijing overcome critical maritime vulnerabilities, such as its dependence on the Strait of Malacca, which Beijing believes could be weaponized as a geopolitical tool against China in the future. Now, its border with Iran, which was previously open for bilateral trade, has also come under severe restrictions following Islamabad’s

suspension of commercial traffic through key crossings. This move came amid Washington’s intensifying economic pressure on Tehran, with reports indicating that the United States had been working with Pakistan and Türkiye to cut off Iran’s land routes. Maintaining connectivity with Iran was allowing Pakistan to sustain its collapsing ventilator economy by providing crucial access to cheap liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), oil, and other essential supplies obtained through local border trade and pervasive smuggling. However, the state enforced a total closure of the critical Taftan and Gabd-Rimdan crossings on October 17, 2026, and even though the gates have now been declared partially open. Furthermore, the situation has dramatically worsened following the high-profile coordinated attacks on Gwadar Port infrastructure in October 2026 by the Balochistan Liberation Front (BLF) under “Operation Almas”—which featured devastating suicide car bombings targeting logistical camps right at Gwadar Zero Point. Consequently, commercial shipping lines and international cargo vessels will now deeply fear docking at the port due to the total breakdown of security. Meanwhile, Pakistan’s military chief is focused on consolidating even more powers for himself while crushing whatever little opposition remains. There are reports that Field Marshal Asim Munir is now preparing for the 28th and 29th constitutional amendments to become the president of Pakistan and further consolidate his position.

SOUTH ASIA

Lahore is world’s most polluted city as air pollution blamed for cutting life expectancy in Pakistan Lahore attained the unenviable distinction of being named the world’s most polluted city on Thursday, registering an alarming Air Quality Index (AQI) of 419, amid mounting evidence that severe smog and toxic air pollution are reducing life expectancy across Pakistan by an estimated 3.9 years while driving roughly 128,000 premature deaths annually. According to global monitoring metrics provided by IQAir covering the period from 10 am to 11 am on October 29, Lahore secured the top spot globally for hazardous air, followed by Egypt's Cairo, which recorded an AQI of 274. Meanwhile, Karachi placed eighth globally, with an AQI of 165, as documented by Dawn. Simultaneously, data extracted from the Punjab government's air quality monitoring dashboard underscored perilous pollution readings across multiple provincial urban centres, with Kasur emerging at the top of the provincial severity list. Specific AQI figures included Nankana Sahib at 261, Hafizabad at

250, Sahiwal at 210, Sheikhupura at 205, Jhang at 203 and Rajanpur at 201. Additional high pollution readings were recorded in Multan and Gujranwala at 194 each, alongside Bhakkar at 186 and Vehari at 181. In parallel, data published by the Pakistan Air Quality Initiative (PAQI) highlighted that chronic exposure to toxic air imposes a significant economic toll equivalent to 6.5 per cent of Pakistan's Gross Domestic Product (GDP), with long-term exposure threatening to reduce residents' life expectancy in Lahore by as much as seven years.

Former Air Force officer who filmed Sheikh Hasina leaving Bangladesh found dead Bangladesh Police on Thursday said they have recovered the body of former Air Force Flight Lieutenant KM Tahsif Souri from the Turag River in the capital, a day after he went missing. Souri, who was in his late 20s, reportedly filmed a video showing deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina leaving Bangladesh in an Air Force aircraft on August 5, 2024, according to local media. Tongi River Police Outpost officer-in-charge Firoz Uddin said police recovered the body from

the Rajabari Ghat area of the Turag River after receiving information on Wednesday afternoon. The deceased was wearing white trousers and a black shirt. The body was later sent to Shaheed Suhrawardy Medical College Hospital for an autopsy, he said. He evaded a direct answer when asked if there were any injury marks on the body. A phone and a wristwatch found with the body helped establish his identity, the Daily Star newspaper reported.

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2026

PUNJAB

Sunil Jakhar seeks early poll code in Punjab, cites govt admission on law and order Former Punjab BJP president Sunil Jakhar on Thursday urged Governor Gulab Chand Kataria to recommend to the Election Commission the early implementation of the model code of conduct in the state, alleging that the Bhagwant Mann government had itself conceded that law and order had deteriorated. In a letter to the Governor, Jakhar said the state government had denied permission to hold an anti-drug marathon in Abohar, citing an “unsuitable atmosphere and poor law and order situation”. The event was to be organised on November 1. "I request your immediate intervention… so that the forthcoming Assembly elections can be conducted peacefully and fairly, and people can exercise their right to vote without fear or intimidation," he wrote. He said the marathon, organised by the Jakhar Trust run by his family, had been drawing thousands of young participants every year. Jakhar also attached a copy of the administration's reply to his representation for the marathon. "Though I am opposed to this government and its policies, I agree with this admission of the bitter truth (on law and order) by the government for the first time," he wrote. The BJP leader alleged that no one was safe in the state and that those raising their voice against the drug menace were being silenced with bullets. He cited Amritsar, Tarn Taran, Khemkaran,

Gurdaspur, Hargobindpur, Mansa, Abohar, Sangrur and Ludhiana among places where “people were being killed openly”. He further alleged that the police were forcibly taking away the bodies of youths who had died due to drug abuse and that those protesting against the menace either “faced police repression or were driven to suicide”. Jakhar blamed the situation on a “deliberate policy of the Aam Aadmi Party government”. He also referred to a statement by senior AAP leader Manish Sisodia that the party would “use every means to win elections”. He claimed the government had appointed pliant officers in key positions while gangsters were being inducted into the party or enjoying its protection. He alleged that the Chief Minister's Office had become a hub of corruption. Jakhar also alleged that drug and arms trafficking networks were being operated from prisons, and that smugglers and murder accused were being granted parole and helped to flee abroad. He further claimed that cases of sexual assault against women were being suppressed through transactions involving crores of rupees, with the accused allegedly facilitated in leaving the country. He alleged that the Chief Minister's family had been named in one such case involving Rs 5 crore and that the government had not got it investigated despite the High Court orders.

Post High Court rap, Punjab weighs DA arrears payout After facing judicial scrutiny over the nonpayment of dearness allowance (DA) arrears and protests by employees, the Punjab Government has initiated an exercise to assess the financial implications of releasing the pending dues. The Finance Department on Thursday issued a communication to all heads of departments, including special chief secretaries, additional chief secretaries, financial commissioners, principal secretaries and administrative secretaries, seeking details of the financial burden involved in implementing the Punjab and Haryana High Court's directions in the matter. The department has also sought clarification on instructions issued on August 17, 2026, regarding the implementation of the judgment in the civil writ petition and connected cases, including the subsequent Letters Patent Appeal and issues relating to boards and corporations. This letter

was “misconstrued” by employees as an attempt to stonewall the release of dearness allowance arrears. “The exercise initiated today is aimed at assessing the overall financial burden and making appropriate budgetary provisions,” a Finance Department official said. The total liability towards pending DA and dearness relief (DR) arrears is estimated at around Rs 14,191 crore, covering both state government employees and pensioners. The government has previously cited the financial impact of releasing the entire amount in one go and proposed clearing the arrears in phases over the next five financial years. The move comes close on the heels of Chief Secretary KAP Sinha tending an unconditional and unqualified apology to the high court in the criminal contempt proceedings arising from an affidavit filed in the DA arrears case.

Rahul Gandhi to address ‘Insaaf Rally’ in Sangrur Senior Punjab Congress leader Pargat Singh on Thursday said Rahul Gandhi, Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, would address the party’s “Insaaf Rally” in Sangrur on November 4. The party expects more than one lakh people to attend the rally. Pargat said Punjab Congress leaders had been exempted from attending Rahul Gandhi’s November 1 rally in Delhi as they were busy making arrangements for the Sangrur event. The rally, to be held in Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s home turf, will focus on Punjab’s rights, farmers’ concerns, youth issues and the alleged deterioration in law and order. The Congress is expected to target the state government over its handling of justice, the drug menace and farmers’ issues. Accusing the state government of pushing

Punjab towards a “police state”, Pargat alleged the morale of the police and civil administration had declined and public confidence in the system was eroding. He said he had raised concerns about the government’s functioning in the Assembly and alleged that democratic institutions were being weakened. On sacrilege cases, Pargat questioned the transfer of certain cases outside Punjab and said people were still awaiting justice. He also sought clarity on the provisions of the Dam Safety Act and Punjab’s interests in supplying water to Rajasthan, stressing that the state government must defend Punjab’s rights in the ongoing river water disputes. Questioning the handling of law-and-order cases involving Parminder Singh Jhota and Gulzar Singh, he called for transparent and impartial investigations.

Snapchat romance turns sour, five held over abduction bid in Punjab's Jaito A virtual friendship which began on Snapchat turned sour, leading to an alleged kidnapping attempt in Jaito town of Faridkot district on Wednesday evening, when shopkeepers caught five men accused of trying to abduct a businessman. According to the police, the men were allegedly hired by the businessman’s former girlfriend to carry out the kidnapping. The woman purportedly planned the operation with an accomplice following a relationship dispute, with the alleged payment mentioned as Rs 10 lakh. According to the complaint, Arshdeep Singh met Sukhwinder Kaur on Snapchat around two years ago. Kaur, from Yamunanagar in Haryana, currently lives in Zirakpur. Arshdeep told the police that he ended the relationship in May after discovering that she was allegedly involved

with other people. He further alleged that she demanded Rs 10 lakh and threatened him when he refused to pay. The alleged abduction attempt took place when five men arrived on two motorcycles at the shop where Arshdeep stood. They allegedly manhandled him and tried to force him onto a motorcycle. His cry for help alerted nearby shopkeepers and residents, who surrounded and caught the suspects before handing them over to the police. During preliminary questioning, the suspects told locals that Kaur had hired them for Rs 5 lakh to carry out the abduction, according to the complaint. The arrested men have been identified as Aryan, Pankaj and Aneesh, residents of Chamba in Himachal Pradesh, and Robin and Vineet, residents of Chandigarh.

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SC Collegium recommends 9 advocates for appointment as judges of J&K and Ladakh High Court The Supreme Court Collegium, headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, on Thursday approved the proposal for the appointment of nine advocates as judges of the High Court of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh. The decision was taken at a Collegium meeting held on Thursday.

The Collegium comprises the CJI and justices Vikram Nath and BV Nagarathna. The nine advocates recommended for appointment are Vishal Sharma, Vikram Kumar Sharma, Namgyal Wangchuk, Pawan Kumar Kundal, Tahir Majid Shamsi, Tabasum Zafar, Amit Gupta, Pranav Kohli and Anupam Raina.

‘Don’t worry about lathis, BJP doesn’t have guts’: Rahul Gandhi ahead of Nov 1 rally With the INDIA bloc’s November 1 antiSIR march approaching, Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi on Thursday appealed to students and people across political affiliations to join the gathering at Ramlila Maidan. Separately, Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh questioned the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, saying nearly 10 crore persons had undergone revision in six states to identify around 1,600 foreign nationals. Gandhi described the march as an effort to defend the Constitution and stop alleged ‘vote chori’, saying it transcended party lines and was about protecting the “soul of the country”. In a video message on X, he urged students and other citizens who believed that democracy, freedom of expression and their right to think freely were under threat to join the march in Delhi. Gandhi also sought to allay concerns about possible police action, urging participants not to worry about the police or ‘lathis’. He also urged those dissatisfied with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar to join the gathering.

The November 1 march is part of the Congress-led INDIA bloc’s campaign against alleged electoral irregularities and its demand for accountability from the Election Commission (EC). The Opposition has questioned the SIR exercise and called for the CEC’s removal. Separately, Ramesh questioned the stated objective of the SIR, citing figures from Karnataka, Jharkhand, Meghalaya, Kerala, Goa and Mizoram. He said the exercise had identified around 1,600 foreign nationals despite nearly 10 crore people undergoing the revision across these states. The figures were also reported in a review of the exercise published on Thursday. Ramesh said Shah had described the SIR’s “3D objective” as “detect, delete and deport” infiltrators to “purify” electoral rolls. He questioned what the exercise had achieved in terms of that stated objective, adding that comparable figures were unavailable for other states and Union Territories because the EC had not asked them to collect the data. Ramesh accused Shah of misleading the country and alleged that the exercise was intended to deprive large sections of the population of their constitutional right to vote.

INDIA

Bengal CM threatens to throw back infiltrators into Bangladesh West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Thursday vowed to deport alleged infiltrators to Bangladesh, fast-track citizenship for Hindu refugees under the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and crack down on cow slaughter and alleged anti-national activities in border areas. Addressing a public gathering in Raiganj, in Uttar Dinajpur district bordering Bangladesh, Adhikari said his government would take stringent measures against illegal immigration while ensuring that Hindu refugees eligible under the CAA received citizenship. “We will throw back infiltrators to Bangladesh. We will put them at holding stations and then send them back,” the Chief Minister said, reiterating his government's tough stance on alleged cross-border infiltration. Emphasising his government's commitment to the CAA, Adhikari urged Hindu refugees who had not yet applied for citizenship to do so without delay. He also pledged legal assistance to those facing imprisonment, asserting that no Hindu refugee should be jailed and that steps should be initiated to secure their release and grant them citizenship under the law. “I will ensure that not a single Hindu refugee lands up in jail here,” he said, calling for immediate legal intervention to facilitate their citizenship claims.

Adhikari also issued a strong warning against cow slaughter, invoking the religious significance of cows in Hinduism. “No one should raise a hand against ‘Gau Mata’. No one should harm ‘Gau Mata’. I am making this clear. If it happens, no one will be worse than me,” Adhikari said, warning of a tough response if cow slaughter occurred in the state. Turning his attention to alleged separatist activities, Adhikari said groups raising slogans such as “Kashmir Mange Azaadi” should not be allowed to operate in border areas. He also targeted what he described as “tukde-tukde gangs”, using sharp rhetoric against groups he accused of threatening national unity. On border security, the Chief Minister further called for action against illegal madrassas, stressing that such institutions should not be allowed to facilitate anti-national activities.

Ready to share counter-terror expertise with ASEAN: Rajnath India is ready to share its battle-tested counterterrorism expertise with partner countries to strengthen operational capabilities, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said on Thursday, while reaffirming New Delhi's commitment to a secure, open, inclusive, resilient and rules-based IndoPacific. Addressing the 13th ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting (ADMM)-Plus in Cebu, Philippines, Rajnath Singh said India remained committed to regional security and the eradication of terrorism in all its forms. He stressed that India’s counterterrorism strategies were rooted in decades of practical operational experience rather than theoretical understanding. Offering deeper cooperation, the minister said, “India was prepared to work with ADMM-Plus partners through joint military exercises, capacitybuilding initiatives and intelligence-sharing mechanisms to enhance collective preparedness against terrorist threats. “India’s extensive expertise in counter-

terrorism is not theoretical classroom knowledge. It is experience hard-earned through decades of directly confronting complex cross-border security challenges,” he said. Referring to Operation Sindoor, Rajnath Singh said it reflected India's proactive approach to combating terrorism and underscored the country's resolve to dismantle terrorist infrastructure while drawing a firm red line against state-sponsored terrorism. On the Indo-Pacific, he reiterated India's support for ASEAN centrality and a secure, open, inclusive, resilient and rulesbased regional order, stressing that peace and stability depended on shared responsibility and sustained cooperation. He said India not only advocated adherence to international maritime law but also steadfastly practiced global laws on maritime security. “Our commitment to ensuring freedom of navigation and safeguarding global sea lines of communication is backed by a continuous, decades-long operational legacy,” he said.

Banks must repay digital fraud victims if due diligence fails: Supreme Court The Supreme Court on Thursday said banks must be made accountable to indemnify losses suffered by digital fraud victims, who should receive compensation of at least the amount lost if an investigation establishes that the offence resulted from a failure of due diligence by the financial institutions. Observing that despite the fact that cybercrimes fell by 50 per cent, yet victims lost Rs 800 crore so far this year, a Bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana said the proposed Reserve Bank of India (RBI) regulatory framework must incorporate enforceable provisions for compensation, preventive intervention and institutional accountability. The CJI said the Bench would first examine the proposed RBI Know Your Customer (KYC) Amendment Directions, 2026, before permitting the regulatory process to proceed. The directions are proposed to be notified by November 30 and operationalised by December

31. The Bench emphasised that the framework must go beyond general advisories and establish clear obligations on financial institutions, along with consequences for non-compliance. He drew a distinction between commercial accounts, where transactions worth crores of rupees may be routine, and individual accounts belonging to retired persons or ordinary savers who typically withdraw relatively small amounts. “If that person suddenly seeks to transfer a large amount through the RTGS, why can there not be intervention,” the CJI asked.

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2026

INDIA

No govt job for those involved in regime-change violence: UP The Uttar Pradesh Government on Thursday tightened rules for direct recruitment to state jobs, barring people involved in violent regime change operations. In a new set of rules for character verification of job applicants, the UP Government has said those who protest to change the established systems will not be eligible for direct recruitment to government systems in the state. Issued by UP Principal Secretary (Appointment and Personnel) M Devaraj, the orders will cover all state government departments, public sector corporations, boards and urban and rural local bodies. “Any candidate found to be a member of an organisation that pledges or aims to alter the ‘vidyaman vyavastha’ (established system) through violent methods will be deemed ineligible for state employment. Political ideology won’t serve as a ground for disqualifying anyone from holding government jobs but those associated with organisations whose ‘sankalpit uddeshya’ (avowed objectives) is to force a regime change through violent means will be considered ineligible,” stated the circular. The order adds that if an applicant has participated in violent or established system change-related activities within three years prior to the verification date after attaining 21 years of

age it will be presumed that the person continues to be actively involved. Under the new rules, government jobs have also been barred for those implicated in serious offences such as murder, dacoity, rape, outraging modesty, corruption, acts of terror, recruitment examination paper leaks and organised rackets.

The UP Government said simply lodging an FIR or an ongoing police investigation against anyone would not automatically debar a candidate. “Those who have secured an acquittal, resolved cases through lawful compromises, or whose cases fall under the provisions of the Juvenile Justice Act will not face automatic rejection,” rules say. They added that serving government employees would not require fresh character verifications, though necessary service records might be requisitioned from their previous parent departments.

Stop trolling, reflect on MLC poll losses: Congress hits out at Modi The Congress on Thursday asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi to stop “trolling and sermonising” and focus on inflation, unemployment and the lack of private investment, while challenging him to hold all future elections through ballot papers after the BJP’s defeat in Varanasi and Nagpur. Congress general secretary and Rajya Sabha MP Jairam Ramesh said Modi should reflect on the BJP’s losses in his parliamentary constituency of Varanasi and the RSS stronghold of Nagpur before commenting on the Congress’ performance in the MLC elections. “The Prime Minister needs to introspect, but instead, he’s lecturing others,” Jairam said, asking

Modi to explain the BJP’s defeat before counting the Congress’ seats. Jairam said the results in Varanasi, Nagpur, Lucknow, Prayagraj and Patna amounted to a “no-confidence motion” against the government’s policies. Congress spokesperson Supriya Shrinate also mocked the BJP over the results, pointing out that Varanasi was Modi’s Lok Sabha constituency, Patna was associated with BJP president Nitin Nabin, and Nagpur was a stronghold of Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and the RSS. “The BJP lost everything when elections happened by ballot. All strongholds were destroyed. All heroism fizzled out,” Shrinate said.

BJP dominates MLC elections but loses Modi, RSS turfs to SP, Congress The BJP won six of the 11 seats in the Uttar Pradesh Legislative Council elections while the Samajwadi Party emerged victorious in five, including two seats in Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s parliamentary constituency Varanasi. The elections to 28 seats in Bihar, Karnataka, Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh were held on October 23. NDA partners won 16 seats, the SP five, NCP (SP) two, and the Congress, RJD and the Jan Suraaj Party one each. Two Independent candidates were elected in Bihar.

In Uttar Pradesh, SP candidates Ashutosh Sinha and Lal Bihari Yadav defeated the BJP's Kedarnath Singh and Pramod Mishra in the Varanasi Graduates' and Teachers' constituencies, respectively. The BJP had lost both seats to the SP in 2020 as well. The defeat has revived questions within the BJP over candidate selection, internal

dissent and its outreach to the specialised electorates of graduates and teachers. Sources said Kedarnath Singh remained uncertain about his candidature until the final day of filing nominations. In BJP’s stronghold of Nagpur, the Congress pulled off a surprise as its sitting MLC Abhijit Wanjari defeated the saffron party’s Sudhakar Kohale by 3,271 votes to retain the Graduates’ seat for a second consecutive term. The result came after a marathon counting process that lasted more than 40 hours. Nagpur houses the RSS headquarters, is the home city of Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and the Lok Sabha constituency of Union Minister Nitin Gadkari. The BJP had faced internal dissent over Kohale's candidature, with former MLA Anil Sole threatening to contest as an Independent before eventually withdrawing from the race. Bihar delivered another mixed verdict. The NDA won four of the eight seats, with the BJP securing three and ally JD(U) one. However, the BJP suffered a setback in the Patna Teachers’ constituency where its five-term MLC Nawal Kishore Yadav lost to RJD's Dr Sanjeev Kumar. Jan Suraaj also opened its account in the Legislative Council, with its candidate defeating former Bihar Congress president Madan Mohan Jha in the Darbhanga Teachers' constituency.

Can EU and India work together to secure Indo-Pacific? The European Union is vying for a larger role in Indo-Pacific security as the US finds itself on the back foot in the Eastern Hemisphere. India is among the regional powers looking for new allies. Its rising economy and increasingly global ambitions have pushed it into new forums and partnerships, including ever closer defense ties with the European bloc. In January this year, India and the EU signed a Security and Defense Partnership, followed by their first formal Security and Defense Dialogue in March. More meetings followed throughout the year, including the fifth Maritime Security Dialogue in Brussels last month. However, while both sides want to boost cooperation on maritime security, working together in the Indo-Pacific remains a challenge — India and European countries simply have different defense priorities. "Europe can be a credible defense partner of India, especially in the maritime theater in general and Indo-Pacific in particular," Mohan Kumar, a former Indian ambassador to France, told DW. But Europe's capacity to expand its role is constrained by other security crises. "European distractions such as the conflict in Ukraine, which is of existential importance for it, do detract from this objective and can be a limiting factor," he added. France is a notable exception, given its established military presence in the Indian Ocean. "France, with its presence in Reunion Island and Mayotte, is already cooperating with India in the Indian Ocean theater and this cooperation can be intensified," added Kumar. Javed Ashraf, another Indian diplomat, said that France has been "a strong, trusted and consistent security partner across the full spectrum of defense

cooperation." "What makes the partnership easier is the acceptance that the two may not always agree or be in a position to cooperate," said Ashraf. "France also stands out for India because [France] has currently no defense cooperation with Pakistan or with China." While France remains the EU's only nuclear

power and maintains its strongest military force, a cooperation between Paris and New Delhi does not automatically translate into a coherent European security role across the Indo-Pacific. "Europe as an entity has very little role in the Indo-Pacific security despite the announcement of a strategy in 2025," said Tara Kartha, a former member of India's National Security Council Secretariat. She pointed to political differences among EU members as an obstacle to a coherent security outlook. Those differences were on display during the EU's October 15–16 summit in Brussels, when leaders reaffirmed support for Ukraine, but also signaled disagreements over funding and national priorities. This could also explain why, as India's defense ties with Europe keep expanding, much of that cooperation still takes place between New Delhi and individual European nations. Germany, Spain, Italy and Poland have all emerged as important partners.

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