Dental Implants Dental Crowns
The real cost of tariffs on India
On August 27, President Donald Trump’s 50 percent tariffs on India, some of the steepest he has imposed on any country in the world, went into effect. The levies mark an astounding rupture between the world’s two largest democracies—and a setback for a partnership whose geopolitical significance had been growing.
The cooperation that took root between India and the United States at the turn of the 21st century centered on shared values. Continued on Page 6...
B.C. Premier David Eby is doubling down on his criticism of the temporary foreign worker program, calling out a Vancouver Starbucks and a Boston Pizza outlet in Richmond for seeking to use the scheme to hire managers. But Eby’s criticism of the program, which he says needs to be shut down or significantly reformed, comes as federal data show approvals under the scheme have fallen almost twice as fast in B.C. as the rest of Canada. The data show that in the first three months of 2025, there were about 11,000 temporary foreign worker positions approved in B.C., down about
Indian-American Baiju Bhatt among Forbes youngest US billionaires
Indian-American entrepreneur Baiju Bhatt, co-founder of commission-free trading platform Robinhood, has been recognised among the 10 youngest billionaires in the United States in the 2025 Forbes 400 list.
At 40, Bhatt is the only person of Indian origin in this elite group, joining tech leaders such as Meta's Mark Zuckerberg. His estimated net worth is around USD 6 billion–7 billion, largely derived from his roughly 6 per cent stake in Robinhood. Bhatt, who grew up in Virginia after his parents
37 per cent from the same period last year, while the rest of Canada has declined by 20.5 per cent.
The declines came after the federal government tightened access to the scheme last September.
Employers who want temporary foreign workers must pay for a positive labour market impact assessment, and the government data show there were more than 51,000 positions approved nationally in the first quarter of this year.
Continued on Page 7...
Fugitive BC killer Robby Alkhalil arrested in Qatar
migrated from Gujarat, studied physics and mathematics at Stanford University before launching Robinhood in 2013 with Vlad Tenev.
The platform has transformed retail investing in the US, offering commission-free trades and expanding into retirement accounts and high-yield savings. His inclusion in the Forbes 400 highlights the rise of young tech entrepreneurs and the increasing prominence of Indian-origin leaders in America's financial and technology sectors.
Trump & Modi agree to talk in bid to resolve trade impasse
President Donald Trump and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi pledged to talk and resume trade negotiations, signaling a possible thaw after weeks of a blistering fight over tariffs and Russian oil purchases.
“I am pleased to announce that India, and the United States of America, are continuing negotiations to address the Trade Barriers between our two Nations,” Trump wrote on social media. “I look forward to speaking with my very good friend, Prime Minister Modi, in the upcoming weeks. I feel certain that there will be no difficulty in coming to a successful conclusion for both of our Great Countries!,” he added.
Modi responded shortly after with a post on X, saying that he was looking forward to speaking with Trump and that the U.S. and India are “close friends and natural partners.” Continued on Page 15...
Getting a fugitive returned to Canada when there is no extradition treaty is possible, though more challenging, legal experts say.
Wolfpack gang killer Rabih Alkhalil was arrested in Qatar last week, according to several Postmedia sources. None of the Gulf States have bilateral extradition treaties with Canada.
The RCMP is neither confirming nor commenting publicly on the arrest of the 38-year-old, who broke out of a B.C. jail on July 21, 2022. Criminologist Yvon Dandurand, a professor emeritus at the University of the Fraser Valley, said the RCMP would have to remain silent while negotiations were underway between Canada and Qatar, or any country. Continued on Page 10...
Prime Minister Mark Carney announced the first five of his government’s major nation-building projects on Thursday morning and two of them are in B.C.
The projects, part of the Major Projects Office, include LNG Canada Phase 2 in Kitimat and the expansion of the Red Chris Mine in Northwestern B.C.
They also include the Darlington New Nuclear Project in Clarington, Ontario, the Terminal Container Project to expand the Port of Montreal, and the he McIlvenna Bay Foreign Copper Mine Project in Saskatchewan.
Carney said that combined, these five projects will generate more than $60 billion for the Canadian economy and create tens of thousands of highpaying careers for workers.
He also said they continue to work on ways to ensure that Canada is growing its economy while promoting its energy sector, but also focused on securing an environmental future. This project would double LNG Canada’s production of
liquefied natural gas, making it the second-largest facility of its kind in the world, according to the Canadian government.
The project is expected to attract $33B in privatesector capital to the country and support jobs and economic growth in Kitimat.
It will also deliver low-carbon intensity Canadian energy to global markets and strengthen trading partners.
This project is set to expand the mine’s lifespan and increase Canada’s annual copper production by more than 15 per cent, employ about 1,500 workers during operations and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by more than 70 per cent while operational.
$527K spent on security detail for Vancouver mayor
The Vancouver Police Department continues to spend hundreds of thousands of dollars on Mayor Ken Sim’s security detail. According to the VPD, from January through August 2025, $339,063 in staffing costs were incurred by the VPD. In 2024, the department says it spent $188,608, bringing the total to $527,671.
On Thursday, Chief Const. Steve Rai confirmed the department was still providing this service to the mayor.
“As long as there is a potential for risk in a very politically active city, we’ll take all precautions,” he said. The VPD began providing the security detail to Sim after he was targeted with threats, vandalism, and protests. In March, then- police chief Adam Palmer said the detail began last November but did not specify an exact date.
Sim has previously spoken out about some of the threats he’s faced, including when his home was spray-painted with graffiti on Halloween.
Federal government to sign pharmacare deals with provinces, Carney says
The federal Liberal government is committed to signing pharmacare deals with all provinces and territories, Prime Minister Mark Carney said Thursday, ending months of speculation about the program being cut short.
Carney said those deals will be finalized “as quickly and as equitably as possible.”
“Those are clear commitments and we will keep them,” he said at a press conference in Edmonton on Thursday. The government launched the first phase of the pharmacare program last year, which provides what it calls “universal, single-payer, firstdollar coverage” of contraceptives and some diabetes medications at little or no cost to patients.
The pharmacare law was passed last fall as part of the supply-and-confidence agreement the minority government struck with the NDP.
As a starting point, it required the federal government to negotiate funding deals with provinces and territories to cover those two categories of medications. It also called for a study exploring the best way to create a universal pharmacare program to
cover all medications.
Manitoba, B.C., P.E.I. and Yukon are the only jurisdictions to sign deals so far. Those four agreements account for more than 60 per cent of the $1.5 billion set aside in the last budget to get the program up and running.
Earlier this summer, Health Minister Marjorie Michel said the government was “in a new context” and did not commit to negotiating more agreements. The Prime Minister’s Office said the Liberals committed during the election campaign to protecting the existing deals.
Carney’s office at the time refused to say whether the government would negotiate deals with the remaining provinces and territories.
Pharmacare advocates voiced concern about that lack of commitment and reproductive health advocates warned that a patchwork system would be unfair. Protesters set up outside this week’s Liberal caucus meeting in Edmonton to call on the government to commit to the remaining deals, and put up a billboard near the Edmonton airport.
Police ID victim of suspected gang-related shooting in Burnaby parking lot
Authorities have publicly identified the man gunned down this week in a Burnaby, B.C., parking lot, in an incident investigators suspect was gangrelated.
The victim of Wednesday’s shooting was 34-yearold Shahaib Abasi, the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team said Thursday.
Abasi was shot in a busy business district during the dinner hour, near a McDonald’s drive-thru, in what IHIT has described as a targeted killing.
“The gang landscape is complex and fluid,” said Cpl. Sukhi Dhesi, in a statement. “Those responsible for this homicide showed a complete disregard for public safety and as a result of gang violence, tragically, a man’s life was lost.”
Authorities said they shared Abasi’s name and
picture in an effort to further their investigation, as IHIT members work to piece together a timeline of events leading up to his killing.
Burnaby RCMP officers said they received multiple reports of gunfire in the 4400 block of Still Creek Drive around 5:30 p.m. Wednesday. Officers arrived to find Abasi dead.
In the aftermath of the shooting, authorities set up a white tent on the grass at the edge of the parking lot as dozens of homicide investigators searched the area for evidence.
Just 15 minutes after the shooting, officers were called to a vehicle fire in South Burnaby, near Nursery Street and Lakefield Drive. Investigators are now working to determine whether the burned vehicle is connected to the shooting itself.
$500M bread price fixing settlement now open
for Canadians to claim
Canadian shoppers now have a chance to get their share of a $500-million settlement in a class-action lawsuit related to the alleged industry-wide price fixing of bread.
Strosberg Wingfield Sasso LLP and Orr Taylor LLP said Thursday the claims process is now open in the approved settlement involving Loblaw Cos. Ltd. and its parent company George Weston Ltd.
To claim compensation, eligible Canadian residents who purchased packaged bread for personal use between Jan. 1, 2001 and Dec. 31, 2021 — including bagged bread, buns, rolls, bagels, naan, English muffins, wraps, pita and tortillas — must submit a completed claim form by Dec. 12.
Proof of purchase is not required. Forms can be found online at CanadianBreadSettlement.ca for
those residing anywhere in Canada outside of Quebec as of Dec. 31, 2021, and at QuebecBreadSettlement.ca for those living within that province on that date.
“This resolution provides Canadian consumers with monetary relief they deserve,” said Jim Orr, partner at Orr Taylor LLP.
In May, Ontario Superior Court Judge Ed Morgan approved the $500-million settlement in the case, which includes a combined $404 million to be paid by Loblaw and George Weston after they were accused of engaging in an industry-wide scheme to fix the price of bread. The remaining $96 million is accounted for through a gift card program Loblaw began in 2018 and ran through 2019 in hopes of making amends with customers who paid about $1.50 more per loaf of bread.
Alberta man was ISIS propagandist, police say
Writing under the alias “Sulaiman Dawood al-Kanadie,” he penned fiery propaganda for the Islamic State about attacks that would dwarf Sept. 11, 2001.
In the ISIS magazine Voice of Khurasan, he praised the terror group’s late leader Abu Bakr alBaghdadi, demonized Jews and lectured about fighting jihad.
But the internet wasn’t as anonymous as he thought, according to recently-unsealed court documents that detail the RCMP’s investigation on the case. RCMP counter-terrorism officers tracked al-Kanadie’s email account to a housing co-op in Laval, Que., and a rural property east of Edmonton.
Surveillance officers sent out to put eyes on the suspected ISIS propagandist found a bald 50-yearold smoking outside his building and picking up Subway footlongs in Sherwood Park, Alta.
His real name is Robert Floyd Rendall, according to an RCMP arrest warrant released by
the Quebec court. A former butcher who went to high school in Toronto, he most recently worked for an Edmonton-based trucking company but is listed in police records as unemployed.
Police took him into custody in September 2023, and a judge has now restricted his internet use and ordered him to participate in an Edmonton deradicalization program.
“Rendall advocates and glorifies violence and terrorism,” the RCMP alleged in the warrant that chronicles his alleged stint as an Islamic State (IS) propagandist.
“Through his writings in Voice of Khurasan and his sharing of propaganda, he attempts to influence other individuals to commit criminal offences for the benefit of IS.”
His lawyer did not respond to questions. Nor would the Organization for the Prevention of Violence, where Rendall was required to undergo counseling, comment.
JOURNEY WITHIN
AN EVENING OF MEDITATION, WISDOM & GROWTH
Metro Vancouver lowers population growth forecast due to federal immigration cuts
Metro Vancouver says the region is still growing, but at a slower and less predictable pace than previously forecast.
In a new update released Thursday, the regional district estimates Metro Vancouver will add an average of 42,500 new residents per year, reaching a population of 4.1 million by 2050. That's down from last year's projection of 50,000 annual newcomers and a total population of 4.2 million by
The regional district says the change reflects recent federal immigration policy shifts, including lower immigration targets between 2025 and 2027 and new restrictions on non-permanent residents. Immigration, however, remains the main driver of long-term growth, projected to account for 90 per cent of the region's population increase
to think immigrants immigrate for opportunity. They don't immigrate to be poor." The slowdown comes as B.C.'s overall population also saw a dip by more than 2,300 residents earlier this year. That's the largest quarterly population loss since Statistics Canada started tracking these numbers in 1951. Under Ottawa's 2025-27 Immigration Levels Plan, temporary residents such as international students and foreign workers are being capped, with a goal of reducing their share of the Canadian population to no more than five per cent by 2026. This year, B.C. can accept a maximum of 4,000 skilled workers from abroad, a cut by half compared to last year. And far fewer than the 11,000 skilled workers B.C. had asked Ottawa to approve.
Metro Vancouver says its projections are a critical planning tool for housing, utilities, jobs and transit.
TransLink recently ramped up service on 53 popular Metro Vancouver bus routes in response to growing ridership and population, the transport authority calling the changes its largest service expansion since 2018.
Monday-Friday - 12:00pm - 9:30pm & Saturday-Sunday - 12:00pm - 10:00pm
"This isn't necessarily unanticipated, thinking of those changing policies when it comes to, particularly, international migration," said Andy Yan, director of Simon Fraser University's City Program. "But it's also illustrative, really, how population growth in Metro Vancouver is really going to be tied into migration, but very specifically
Yan said many newcomers are reconsidering their choice after realizing how difficult it has
"Opportunities seem to be drying up and hence people are going to move to where the opportunities are," he said. "A lot of times you have
West Van council upholds demolition order for illegally-built structure on $6.7 million property
The owners of a $6.7-million West Vancouver home say they’re not giving up on saving a 1,500-square foot unpermitted addition to their property, despite district council voting to uphold an earlier demolition order.
“Everything we have done, everything we have achieved until now has been by the book,” Kamran Gerami told councillors at Monday’s meeting.
In making his plea for council to reconsider its July 21 decision ordering the backyard structure be torn down, Gerami said he is part of a hard working family who immigrated to Canada in 1989.
The mining engineer said his father, cardiologist brother, and janitor mother lived in BC Housing until 2020.
All their success has been through hard work, Gerami said, and in 2021 they were able to purchase 1145 Chartwell Crescent.
Gerami said his family later hired the home’s original builder to add a roof and kitchen to an existing deck in order to create an outdoor living space.
“We wouldn’t have spent this much money if we knew that the builder wasn’t getting permits for us,” Gerami told council. “He said he would get us permits.” Gerami and the other three owners, Naib and Omid Gerami and Ayesheh Mansouri, remain locked in litigation with Shahin Construction Ltd. over the project. In court documents filed in April, the builder alleges he is owed more than $148,000 for unpaid work.
Matt Minapour told Global News in August that he was hired to construct a gazebo on the defendants’ property in April 2023, and the written contract included the provision that the owners shall provide the building permit.
New sexual misconduct allegations emerge against disgraced former Vancouver police officer
Less than three weeks after he was punished last May for sexually harassing five women, a disgraced former Vancouver Police officer admitted to sexual misconduct involving another woman whose name he later searched on a police database in violation of police rules.
The stunning new revelations against former sergeant Keiron McConnell were made public by B.C. Police Complaint
Commissioner Prabhu Rajan Wednesday as he announced plans to review the 10-day suspension the now-retired officer received at the previously undisclosed proceeding.
According to Rajan, just over two weeks after the public hearing closed, McConnell reached a deal that saw him admit at the closed-door hearing to having sex with a former student hours after meeting her at a club in 2005 while he was in uniform. The woman involved had claimed he'd sexually assaulted her; however, after an investigation, police did not recommend charges over the incident.
Rajan detailed a criminal investigation and an entirely separate set of Police Act proceedings that played out — unbeknownst to the public — even as McConnell admitted at an open hearing last spring to sending unwelcome sexualized messages to former colleagues and students.
In exchange for a 10-day suspension, he also admitted to exchanging inappropriate messages with the woman in the years that followed — and then querying her name in a police database in May 2023, "without documenting the reason for the query." The deal was the result of a joint submission from McConnell and a discipline representative named by the Metro Vancouver Transit Authority inspector appointed to act as an external disciplinary authority.
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SCO Bonhomie or empty optics? Why India cannot defy the US – OpEd
By Nazish Mehmood:
India has repeatedly claimed the mantle of a rising power, boasting of strategic autonomy and a foreign policy free from outside pressure. Yet every time New Delhi embarks on military adventurism against Pakistan, it exposes not its strength but its deep vulnerabilities. The historical pattern is clear: India launches wars in the ambition of undoing Pakistan, only to discover that it cannot sustain the fight and must run to the United States for a ceasefire. The 1965 war was the first major example of this reality, and Operation Sindoor in 2025 has reaffirmed it in full view of the world.
When Indian forces crossed into Pakistani territory in September 1965, their aim was not merely to retaliate against operations in Kashmir. It was to inflict such damage that Pakistan’s very existence would be weakened. But New Delhi underestimated both Pakistan’s resilience and the broader geopolitical dynamics. Within days, it was the United States, alarmed by the possibility of China entering the conflict, that forced both sides into a ceasefire under the UN umbrella. India’s dreams of a decisive victory evaporated as Washington pulled the brakes. What was exposed was India’s dependency, despite its size, it could not fight without the U.S. deciding when and how the war would end.
Fast forward six decades and Operation Sindoor tells the same story. Modi’s government, emboldened by its toxic mix of Hindutva politics and exaggerated military confidence, sought to crush Pakistan through aggression. The campaign was wrapped in the same old narrative: that India could once and for all demonstrate its dominance and rewrite the balance in South Asia. But just like in 1965, the adventure hit a wall. As the fighting escalated, the U.S. intervened again, warning of dangerous spillovers and pressing New Delhi to step back. The supposed rising superpower was once again reminded that its fate in war is not in its own hands.
The truth is harsh for India. Despite all its boasts of “strategic autonomy” and “multi-alignment,” it cannot afford to antagonize the United States. Washington remains the ultimate referee in South Asia, and India’s dependence on American markets, technology, and political backing means it will always fold when pressure mounts. Operation Sindoor was not ended on Indian terms but on American ones.
Continued from Page 1...
The two countries could together help shore up democracy and human rights in a world where the influence of authoritarian powers, specifically Russia and China, held ever greater sway. Former President Barack Obama described the relationship between the two nations as potentially “one of the defining partnerships of the 21st century.” That was before the politics of both countries began traveling in a more authoritarian direction. Trump has brought new turbulence to relations between the U.S. and India.
Back in May, the president claimed to have brokered a cease-fire between India and Pakistan following a brief conflict between the two nations. Trump then repeated that claim more than 20 times. Any form of mediation in India’s relationship with Pakistan is a delicate subject in New Delhi, understood as an assault on the nation’s sovereignty;
Then, on July 30, Trump announced a 25 percent tariff on India, with additional unspecified penalties on account of India’s purchases of Russian oil and weapons. Modi, in part because he was keen to demonstrate Indian autonomy, showed no inclination to halt those purchases. Trump’s response came a week later, on August 6: He doubled the tariffs to 50 percent.
Before all this, India and the United States had been growing steadily closer for nearly three decades. Pakistan had been America’s Cold War ally on the subcontinent, but during the Global War on Terror,
Washington came to see Islamabad as unreliable and instead drew closer to New Delhi. A partnership between two continent-size democracies seemed to many policy makers organic and necessary—all the more so as competition with China intensified. America cultivated India both as a counterweight to China and in recognition of the country’s growing economic heft.
India is now the world’s fourth-largest economy, and projected to become its third before the end of this decade. Trade between India and the United States stands at about $130 billion annually, making America India’s largest trading partner. India now exports more iPhones to the American market than China does, and its mammoth pharmaceutical industry provides 40 percent of America’s generic drugs. The country has secured an important place in the interconnected web of global commerce. Unpolished gems, sourced from Africa, for instance, might arrive in Surat, a diamond hub in Modi’s home state of Gujarat, before crisscrossing the globe to be shown to buyers in America; after the buyers make their choice, the diamonds are flown back to India to be cut and polished before the final product is shipped to America. Some of Trump’s grievances are legitimate: He has derided India as a “tariff king,” calling some of its trade barriers “obnoxious,” and in fact India imposes higher tariffs than America’s other top trading partners. The country’s protectionism has roots in its colonial history: India was conquered not by the British empire but by the East India Company, perhaps the first multinational corporation in the world.
During a tense phone call a month later, on June 17, Modi told Trump that America’s role had had little bearing on the cease-fire, which was directly negotiated between India and Pakistan. He also said that New Delhi would never accept mediation in its relationship with Islamabad. The next day, Trump met with Asim Munir, the chief of the Pakistani army, in a striking departure from protocol: No American president had previously hosted the leader of Pakistan’s army without a civilian contingent present.
Richmond Mayor disputes BC’s Cowichan Tribes Aboriginal land title decision
One month ago, a landmark decision from the BC Supreme Court granted the Cowichan Tribes Aboriginal title over a large portion of land in Richmond, B.C. Now The Musqueam Indian Band and the City of Richmond are appealing the decision.
The province gave away the land in 1871. Currently, the land in the disputed area is owned by Ottawa, the B.C. government, the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority, the City of Richmond and private third parties.
On Aug. 11, B.C. Attorney General Niki Sharma took to the podium expressing full opposition of the decision saying the province prefers to deal with Indigenous land matters outside of the court system.
“It’s our decision at this point that we disagree with the decision. And that British Columbia will be filing an appeal, and seeking a stay to pause implementation until the appeal is resolved,” said Sharma.
Richmond Mayor Malcolm Brodie describes the
decision as extrodinary. He feels that Aboriginal title and B.C. traditional land title cannot live side by side
“We have just an unbelievable devastating situation on our hands. The judge has dismantled the land title system, thrown the title to a certain area and potentially the whole province up in the
air,” said Brodie.
Last month when the decision was made, the Cowichan Tribes lawyer David Robbins told reporters it was up to the provincial government to reconcile private property rights with the court’s decision.
Metro Vancouver motorists are dealing with a sudden spike in gas prices over the past few days, though there’s no clear reason what is causing it.
The GasBuddy price tracking app and website said the average price of a litre of regular unleaded gasoline was a tick above $1.80 on Sunday.
Prices have been steadily rising since about midweek, when prices were fluctuating around $1.55 to $1.65. In the Fraser Valley — which includes eastern sections like Abbotsford and Mission that aren’t subject to the TransLink tax of 18.5 cents per litre — the average is just under $1.58, while in Greater Victoria it’s at about $1.67. Werner Antweiler, a University of B.C. professor and
energy analyst, said there are no obvious supply issues causing the spike.
“The beginning of September (Labour Day) is the usual end of the ‘driving season’ and refineries may be starting to change their fuel mix,” said Antweiler in an email.
He said “rack prices” — wholesale rates paid by fuel suppliers — are up about seven cents, but “I’m not aware of any upstream issues or disruptions that would raise prices, and there’s no capacity constraint on the Trans Mountain pipeline.
“So my sense at the moment is that this is just the usual seasonal uptick due to the end of the driving season.”
Plans to redevelop the property of 809 West 41st Ave. in Vancouver’s emerging Oakridge Municipal Town Centre have now doubled in height and more than triple the number of homes.
A rezoning application was previously approved by a previous makeup of Vancouver City Council in June 2022, outlining a plan to build a 194 ft. tall, 18-storey, mixed-use tower with 131 secured purpose-built market rental homes and 6,200 sq. ft. of retail/restaurant space.
But now, the previously approved rezoning and design concept has been withdrawn. A new rezoning application by Westrich Pacific Corp. calls for the construction of a new 388 ft. tall, 39-storey, mixed-use rental housing and commercial tower, including shared indoor amenity spaces for the residents on the entirety of the 38th and 39th floors — with facilities such as
space.
Trump’s boasts opened Prime Minister Narendra Modi to vociferous criticism and boxed him into a defiant, nationalistic position.
Surrey broadcasters raise nearly $3M to support India flood victims
Surrey, B.C., broadcaster RED FM says it has raised more than $2 million in aid for the families and victims affected by deadly floods in the northwestern India state of Punjab and the surrounding region.
Calling it a "radiothon," RED FM news director Harjinder Singh Thind said the Sept. 5 fundraiser — like the station's previous radiothons — spurred an outpouring of generosity from community members in Surrey and across Canada.
"People's excitement was amazing. People were coming here in studio, donating money, children were bringing their piggy banks and big, large amounts from the Punjabi [businesses]," said Thind.
The fundraiser was also on air at RED FM's sister stations in Calgary and Toronto.
All the money is going to Sikhi Awareness Foundation International, which runs humanitarian programs in India. Connect FM, another Surrey broadcaster which also held a radiothon, said it raised around $750,000 dollars in partnership with Guru Nanak's Free Kitchen Society on Monday.
"The levels of water in Punjab are so high that you can't even see the houses that have drowned under the water," said Tejinder Singh, Connect FM's strategy and operations director. Several regions in India are under a heavy rain watch this week according to the country's weather service.
Thousands sign petition to make fibbing parliamentarians pay political price
A Toronto man wants to make honesty the best political policy by passing a bill that would hold members of Parliament more accountable for telling lies.
Federico Sanchez has initiated an electronic petition to the House of Commons proposing legislation that might make politicians think twice about playing fast and loose with the truth. The petition urges federal politicians to put forward a bill "to address the issue of perceived and actual misinformation being presented by MPs to the public."
The petition, which is working its way through the parliamentary process, says misinformation is a growing threat to the democratic process and a mechanism is needed to verify MPs' public statements to maintain trust in Canada's governing body. An e-petition must gather 500 or more signatures to receive certification for presentation to the House, which opens the door to a formal government response.
The petition, which had more than 8,700 signatures as of Tuesday, closes on Nov. 27.
or candidates from public office if they are found guilty of deliberate deception by an independent judicial process.
A Welsh civil society group, the Institute for Constitutional and Democratic Research, subsequently proposed a model based on existing regulatory law.
Under the model, if a court found that a politician had made a false or misleading statement of fact, it could issue a "correction notice" directing the individual to make a public correction.
If the politician refused to comply with the notice within seven days, without a reasonable excuse, the court could issue an order preventing that politician from holding office in the Welsh Parliament for a set period of time.
Sanchez, a physician, once ran unsuccessfully for political office as a Progressive Conservative in Ontario. He said in an interview he doesn't really want to be a politician. Rather, Sanchez said he wants to prevent Canada from heading down the path of the United States, where he sees the unchecked spread of political misinformation eroding public trust.
"We don't have as bad a problem with misinformation coming from elected officials," he said. "But we are headed in that direction, if you ask me." The petition points to a process unfolding in Wales as a possible approach for Canada. The Welsh government has said it will introduce a law that would disqualify politicians
Any registered voter would be allowed to apply for a correction order, but the court would be able to dismiss any application deemed to be trivial, vexatious or lacking a reasonable chance of success.
"This model removes the ambiguity of previous models because there is no requirement to determine intent, and preserves the freedom of expression of politicians because they have an opportunity to correct the misinformation without sanction," the Institute for Constitutional and Democratic Research says. Canadian politics professor Alex Marland said that while the push to hold MPs more accountable will generate welcome discussion, he sees problems with putting such a plan into practice.
The political world can be complicated and distinguishing true from false is not always easy, said Marland, who teaches at Acadia University.
Sometimes a politician might utter a falsehood or decline to reveal information with the greater good in mind, he said.
Continued from Page 1...
Both Eby and federal Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre suggested shutting the program last week, and on Tuesday Eby told the Burnaby Board of Trade about applications by the Starbucks and Boston Pizza outlets.
Eby said in a clip of the speech he posted to social media that he didn’t believe those outlets can’t “find a British Columbian on their team to promote to manager.”
“We need an immigration system that ensures that predatory employers are not able to use the temporary foreign worker program to depress wages or to deny opportunities to other workers, who insist on their rights, that have the opportunity to go somewhere else,” Eby said.
The Richmond Boston Pizza restaurant mentioned by Eby did not return a call requesting comment. Starbucks’ Canadian headquarters said Eby was referring to a cafe owned by Sheraton, and no one answered a call to the outlet in the Sheraton Wall Centre.
Eby’s remarks about the temporary foreign worker program last week were criticized by former NDP cabinet minister Katrina Chen, who said she was “furious” about them.
The premier said at the time that B.C. “can’t have an immigration system that fills up our homeless shelters and our food banks” and “results in high unemployment.”
Criticism has also come from migration expert Irene Bloemraad, the Canadian Federation of Independent Businesses, and the B.C. Greens.
BC judge upholds Lapu Lapu festival attack publication ban
A judge has upheld a ban that prevents media from publishing evidence heard at a mental fitness hearing for the suspect in the Vancouver Lapu Lapu Day festival attack.
Judge Reginald P. Harris had earlier ruled at the provincial court in Vancouver on Wednesday that Adam Kai-Ji Lo is fit to stand trial on 11 counts of second-degree murder and 31 counts of attempted murder, over the April 26 attack in which an SUV plowed through a crowded street.
But Harris has now reaffirmed that the evidence that led to that decision, including the testimony of two forensic psychiatrists in July, will remain under wraps until the end of Lo’s trial. The fitness hearing had also heard legal arguments from defence lawyer Mark Swartz
and Crown prosecutor Michaela Donnelly.
A media consortium that includes Global News and The Canadian Press had challenged the publication ban, but Harris denied the group’s application.
Lo attended Thursday’s ruling by video, wearing a black sweatshirt.
Cruise passenger with $16K gambling debt jumps overboard to avoid repayment
A passenger on a Caribbean cruise who jumped overboard to avoid paying off US$16,000 of gambling debt they had accumulated on the ship is facing federal charges.
According to authorities, while docked in Puerto Rico as other passengers were disembarking, Jey Gonzalez-Diaz flung himself off the Royal Caribbean’s Rhapsody of the Seas in an attempt to evade repaying thousands of dollars he owed the cruise line. The incident occurred at about 9:15 a.m. on Sept. 7, according to reports by CBS News and the New York Times. Gonzalez-Diaz was rescued from the water by two passersby, who pulled him onto a jet ski, the U.S. outlets reported.
He was arrested about 30 minutes later by Customs and Border Protection officers and charged with attempting to evade monetary
reporting requirements. A criminal complaint filed on Sunday in the U.S. District Court for Puerto Rico stated that Gonzalez-Diaz boarded the Rhapsody of the Seas in San Juan on Aug. 31.
Royal Caribbean told authorities that GonzalezDiaz booked the trip under the name Jeremy Diaz, and that he owed the cruise $16,710.24.
The debt was “almost exclusively associated to Casino and Gaming expenses,” the complaint said.
Background checks also revealed that a man named Jeremy Omar Gonzalez-Diaz has been in federal custody in Puerto Rico since January. The accused told investigators that the man in custody was his brother. Gonzalez-Diaz faces up to $250,000 in fines and a maximum prison sentence of five years if convicted, and was released on bail. A lawyer representing him had no comment.
Driver charged in Ontario daycare crash that killed toddler, injured other children
The Ontario government is proposing measures aimed at boosting safety at child-care facilities, and a man is facing dangerous driving charges after an SUV crashed into a daycare north of Toronto, killing a toddler and injuring six other children.
Three staff members were also hurt in the crash on Wednesday at First Roots Early Education Academy in Richmond Hill, Ont.
The boy who died was just 1 1/2 years old, police said. The other children, aged 18 months to three years old, were brought to hospital with a range of injuries. Police said two of them were still in critical condition as of Thursday afternoon.
Education Minister Paul Calandra said the government was proposing that operators and municipalities must prevent the use of parking spaces immediately adjacent to entryways, windows and exterior walls of classrooms or playgrounds at child-care facilities.
Calandra said accessible spaces and child-care facilities operating out of private homes would be exceptions.
He added that he has directed his ministry to work with service managers, inspectors and service providers to identify "vulnerabilities" to be addressed ahead of upcoming legislative changes.
"Our government will make any necessary legislative or regulatory amendments to municipal or landlord restrictions that currently prevent the installation of protective barriers, such as bollards, planters, elevated curbs and other physical infrastructure, to protect children and workers in these settings," Calandra said in a statement posted on social media.
The First Roots Early Education Academy said it was "in a state of shock" after the crash.
"We wish to share our gratitude for the outpouring of support and sympathy and want to thank the emergency services personnel who
assisted the affected children and their families, as well as our staff members," it said in a statement on social media.
"We ask that our community be given privacy to grieve and recover in this unimaginably difficult time."
Vinay Kumar Gupta, who was arrested at the scene in Richmond Hill, faces one count of dangerous operation causing death and two counts of dangerous driving causing bodily harm. The 70-year-old was granted bail after a brief court appearance on Thursday.
In a statement Thursday afternoon, York Regional Police Chief Jim MacSween said "at this time, there is no reason to believe the collision was deliberate." He called it a "devastating" and "traumatic" event, and one that would be felt across the region. Investigators at the scene had said in the early aftermath of the crash Wednesday that it did not appear to have been intentional. Police confirmed the man was the sole occupant of the vehicle, and they have not yet indicated what could have triggered the incident during the afternoon pickup time.
In a news release on Thursday, police said they continued to gather evidence and more charges could be laid. People with footage of the area were urged to come forward.
Carney recommends 5 'nation-building projects' for approval, including LNG expansion
The initial tranche of major projects the federal government will help get off the ground quickly include expanding liquefied natural gas production in B.C. and upgrading the Port of Montreal, Prime Minister Mark Carney said Thursday.
As CBC News first revealed Wednesday evening, Carney unveiled a list of five "nation-building" projects. The list is being sent to the newly created Major Projects Office (MPO).
"We used to build big things in this country, and we used to build them quickly. It's time to get back at it, and get on with it," Carney said at an event in Edmonton. "That starts with getting out of the way."
The prime minister said that major infrastructure projects in Canada have been stalled by a convoluted approval process rife with red tape — and the days of asking why a project should be built are gone.
"Canada's new government now starts by asking ourselves for major projects: How?" Carney said.
"How can we build? How can we do it bigger? How can we do it faster?"
The first five projects include: Phase two of LNG Canada in Kitimat, B.C., doubling its production of liquefied natural gas.
The Darlington New Nuclear Project in Clarington, Ont., which will make small modular reactors.
Contrecoeur Terminal Container Project to expand the Port of Montreal.
The McIlvenna Bay Foran Copper Mine Project in Saskatchewan.
The expansion of the Red Chris Mine in northwestern B.C.
"Combined, these five projects will generate more than $60 billion for the Canadian economy and create tens of thousands of high-paying careers for our workers," Carney said. "These five projects are just the beginning."
The first major project directly influenced by the prescriptions and stipulations of the City of Vancouver’s newly approved Rupert and Renfrew Station Area Plan calls for the construction of four mixed-use, high-rise residential towers.
As previously reported by Daily Hive Urbanized, Sightline Properties recently acquired the properties
tall, 45-storey tower on the northwest parcel, a 425-ft-tall, 41-storey tower on the northeast parcel, a 404-ft-tall, 41-storey tower on the southwest parcel, and a 411-ft-tall, 39-storey tower on the southeast parcel.
of 2808-2888 East Broadway, 2813-2881 East 10th Ave. and 2528-2580 Kaslo St.
This is a land assembly of 26 single-family houses on a city block framed by East Broadway to the north, Kaslo Street to the west, East 10th Avenue to the south, and the laneway next to Renfrew Street to the east. The developer acquired the properties in deals with a combined total value of $100 million.
The southernmost extent of this three-acre land assembly is only a three-minute walk north of SkyTrain’s Renfrew Station.
Designed by architectural firm Arcadis, the redevelopment of the city block calls for a 462-ft-
There will be a total of 1,959 homes, including 1,386 strata market ownership condominium homes and 573 secured purpose-built rental homes. All of the rental housing will be contained in the northwest tower, and there will be 483 strata condominiums in the northeast tower, 460 strata condominiums in the southwest tower, and 443 strata ownership homes in the southeast tower.
The rental housing component includes 114 below-market units. The overall unit size mix for the rental housing component is 167 studio units, 200 one-bedroom units, 146 twobedroom units, and 60 three-bedroom units.
The condominium component’s unit size mix is 212 studio units, 686 one-bedroom units, and 488 units with two or more bedrooms. Residents will have access to various shared indoor amenity spaces on the lower levels of the complex, as well as outdoor amenity spaces in a landscaped internal courtyard, which includes a mid-block, northsouth pedestrian pathway between East Broadway and East 10th Avenue.
The ground level of the northwest and northeast towers will offer 15,000 sq. ft. of retail/restaurant space, activating the site’s East Broadway frontage.
Fugitive BC killer Robby Alkhalil arrested in Qatar
Continued from Page 1...
“It may well be that something is in development right now, and RCMP and others are not in a position to comment because it might compromise what they’re trying to do in terms of getting that co-operation from Qatar,” he said. “They’re not going to tell us about the conversation.”
He said while the RCMP might be talking to Qatari officials informally, it would be the federal departments of Justice and Global Affairs representing the country in any negotiations about a fugitive.
“I have found that Canada has excellent and wellrespected negotiators with respect to extradition and mutual legal assistance,” Dandurand said. “It may well be that something is in development right now, and RCMP and others are not in a position to comment because it might compromise what they’re trying to do in terms of getting that co-operation from Qatar,” he said. “They’re not going to tell us about the conversation.” He said while the RCMP might be talking to Qatari officials informally, it would be the federal departments of Justice and Global Affairs representing the country in any negotiations about a fugitive. “I have found that Canada has excellent and wellrespected negotiators with respect to extradition and mutual legal assistance,” Dandurand said.
Bangladeshi national with expired work visa caught in Rakiraki
A Bangladeshi national who had gone missing after his work visa expired has been nabbed in Rakiraki by authorities. Rakib (one name) was found hiding in a shack he had made near Naivuvuni village in Rakiraki.
His last place of work was with a construction company in Rakiraki. He vanished about three months ago and was arrested with the assistance
of Fiji Police in the weekend.
It is alleged that that he be-friended a Naivuvuni villager and managed to convince him that he stays on his farm and do farming.
He had established a vegetable farm in the area he was staying and made a living by selling the vegetables. Rakib is now facing deportation. Questions sent to Fiji Police on Monday and yesterday remained un-answered.
Mega-yacht Amadea seized in Fiji, put up for sale by US Government
The United States government has put the luxury mega-yacht Amadea up for sale three years after it was seized in waters near Fiji in one of the most high-profile acts of international sanctions enforcement against Russian oligarchs.
The 348-foot vessel, once valued at over USD $350 million, was detained in Lautoka in 2022 as part of Operation KleptoCapture, a U.S.-led initiative to pressure Russian elites following President Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine.
At the time, the seizure was carried out with cooperation from Fijian authorities and drew global attention to Fiji’s role in supporting international sanctions.
The U.S. Marshals Service had travelled to Fiji to take the yacht back to the USA.
Amadea, which boasts six decks, a helipad, an infinity pool, eight cabins, a cinema, and even a lobster aquarium, is now being auctioned in a closed bidding process managed by National Maritime Services and Fraser Yachts. Interested
buyers must place a USD $10 million deposit.
Legal ownership of the yacht has been at the centre of lengthy court battles in the United States.
Though officially held by Millemarin Investments, a U.S. judge ruled earlier this year that there were “grounds to believe the applicants were fictitious owners” and that the yacht was effectively controlled by sanctioned Russian billionaire Suleiman Kerimov’s family.
Since its seizure, the U.S. Marshals Service has spent approximately USD $32 million maintaining the yacht, now docked in San Diego. The vessel’s extended legal entanglements and upkeep costs have significantly reduced its expected sale price.
Fiji Airways warns against fake ‘Government Subsidy Gifts’ scam circulating online
Fiji Airways has stressed that “Fiji Airways –Government Subsidy Gifts” link circulating on social media is a scam and a fraudulent scheme that has no connection to Fiji Airways.
They are reminding the public that Fiji Airways does not conduct promotions, giveaways, or subsidies through unofficial links, random online messages, or third-party websites.
Fiji Airways says any official promotions or announcements will always be shared through
their verified Fiji Airways website and official communication channels.
They are strongly advising everyone not to click on suspicious links, share personal information, or forward these messages.
If you come across such scams, please report them to the relevant authorities.
Fiji Airways adds they remain committed to ensuring the safety and trust of their customers both in the air and online.
Sayed-Khaiyum and Saneem’s abuse of office trial to begin next Tuesday
The trial for the abuse of office case involving former Attorney General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum and former Supervisor of Elections Mohammed Saneem will begin next Tuesday.
The two appeared before Chief Justice Salesi Temo in the Suva High Court this afternoon.
State Prosecutor Hezekiah Nofaga informed the court that they will be calling 20 witnesses.
Nofaga also says the Master of High Court in Lautoka will also be a witness and they are asking if it could be done in a closed court.
Defence Counsel, Devanesh Sharma told the court that they agree to what the State put forward, and are also ready to go to trial. Chief
Justice Temo advised the State to produce three witnesses a day as well as have one on standby.
Sayed-Khaiyum is charged with abuse of office while former Supervisor of Elections, Mohammed Saneem is charged with receiving a corrupt benefit. It is alleged that Sayed-Khaiyum between June 30th and July 12th in 2022, whilst being the Acting Prime Minister, signed a Deed of Variation and Addendum between the Government and the then Supervisor of Elections, Mohammed Saneem and that the approval for the government to pay the taxes of Mohammed Saneem was done without the proper approval of the Constitutional Offices Commission and the President of Fiji.
63 suicide cases in 9 months – Health Minister
63 suicide cases have been recorded in the past nine months, with 49 of them being male.
While speaking at the World Suicide Prevention Day event held at Shirley Park in Lautoka, Minister for Health, Dr. Ratu Atonio Lalabalavu says the numbers are alarming and stressed the urgent need to change the way suicide is addressed in society. He is urging members of the public to reach out for help when going through difficulties instead of turning to suicide.
Dr Lalabalavu says it is not the end of the road, and that there are organisations out there to help people.
The Minister also acknowledged former Speaker and Health Minister Pita Nacuva, who attended the event and, having lost a loved one to suicide, holds World Suicide Prevention Day close to his heart and continues to actively support awareness efforts.
If you or someone you know is in crisis, please call Empower Pacific’s toll-free helpline 5626 or Lifeline Fiji on 1543 or a trusted medical professional.
SOUTH ASIA
Nepal ministers, family flee clinging to rope on helicopter as protests escalate
Dramatic visuals have surfaced showing top government officials and their families being airlifted from rooftops in Kathmandu.
In one striking video, ministers are seen clinging to a sling beneath an army helicopter, fleeing violent mobs as plumes of smoke rise from the city below. Violent protests erupted on Monday across Nepal following a brief government-imposed ban on major social media platforms, leading to the resignation and reported escape of Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli. The government’s move to restrict platforms like Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), and YouTube ignited widespread unrest, primarily led by angry youth in the capital.
Soldiers have been deployed throughout the capital, enforcing stay-at-home orders in a desperate attempt to restore order after days of escalating chaos. Protesters, many from Generation Z, have vandalised the homes of high-ranking officials and even set fire to the country’s Parliament building.
Among the targets were the residence of Minister for Communication and Information Technology
Prithvi Subba Gurung, which was torched.
The homes of Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Bishnu Paudel, Nepal Rastra Bank Governor Biswo Paudel and former Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak, all of which were attacked with stones and fire. Foreign Affairs Minister Arzu Rana Deuba and her husband, former Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba, were also assaulted. A video shows Deuba bleeding and sitting on the ground before being rescued by authorities.
In another part of the capital, violent prisoners set fire to jail buildings and attempted to escape. However, the army was able to block the jailbreak and transfer inmates to other facilities.
What began as a protest against internet censorship quickly spiraled into a broader uprising, reflecting deep public frustration with government corruption, inequality, and unemployment. Many young Nepalis expressed anger over the privileges enjoyed by the children of politicians, often referred to as “nepo kids, who live in luxury while youth unemployment remains high.
According to the World Bank, roughly 20 per cent of Nepal’s youth were unemployed last year. The government estimates that over 2,000 young people leave the country daily to find work in the other countries, especially Middle East and India.
As of now, the military continues to hold control in key areas of Kathmandu, but the nation remains on edge.
Gen Z group in Nepal wants to dissolve Parliament, amend Constitution
Youth-led Gen Z group, which spearheaded the anti-government protests in Nepal, on Thursday said that Parliament must be dissolved and the Constitution amended to reflect the will of the people, as the death toll from the demonstrations increased to 34.
The Gen Z protesters organised a press meet here to express their views, while some of their representatives were busy holding discussions with President Ramchandra Paudel and Army Chief Ashok Raj Sigdel at the Army Headquarters to find a solution to the current political crisis.
Speaking on the occasion, the Gen Z activists underlined the need to find a solution through dialogue and cooperation.
Diwakar Dangal, Amit Baniya and Junal Dangal - all representatives of the Gen Z group - were among those who spoke at the press meet.
They warned the old political parties not to use them for their vested interests. Another activist said they don't intend to assume leadership of the country, but rather become just a watchdog. “We will not participate in the government, but rather we want to remain as a watchdog.”
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Health said 34 people have died so far during the protests held on Monday and Tuesday.
According to the ministry's data, 1,338 individuals are receiving treatment at hospitals across the country, while 949 have already been discharged.
Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli quit on Tuesday shortly after hundreds of agitators entered his office demanding his resignation for the death of at least 19 people in police action during Monday's protests over corruption and a social media ban.
New Sri Lankan law strips privileges of former presidents, Rajapaksa to vacate official mansion
Mahinda Rajapaksa is set to leave his official residence on Thursday, a day after the enactment of a new Act of Parliament stripped the privileges of former presidents.
Rajapaksa's residence is located in the posh Colombo residential area of Cinnamon Gardens.
Mahinda Rajapaksa, who will turn 80 in November, has been occupying the official residence since 2015. He was president from 2005 to 2015. He was also the prime minister from 2004 to 2005 and again from 2019 to 2022.
“He (Mahinda Rajapaksa) will leave for his house at Tangalle this afternoon”, an aide confirmed. The Carlton House at Tangalle, 190 km south of here, in Hambantota district was where Rajapaksa had
launched his political career in 1970. During the public uprising in 2022, which ousted Mahinda's younger brother Gotabaya Rajapaksa as president, both his Colombo residence and his private home at Tangalle were mobbed by the protesters. They were, however, unable to break into either of the buildings.
On Wednesday, the Sri Lankan parliament voted 151-1 in favour of the Bill to strip privileges for former presidents, one of the popular pre-election pledges by the incumbent National People's Power (NPP) government. The country currently has five living former presidents and a widow of another. Only three of them were availing the facilities when the government introduced the Bill in parliament.
Punjab AAP MLA, 7 others convicted in 12-year-old molestation case
Additional Sessions Judge Prem Kumar on Wednesday convicted Khadoor Sahib AAP MLA Manjinder Singh Lalpura and seven others in a 12-year-old case of molestation and assault involving a local woman belonging to the Scheduled Caste community. The MLA and other accused who were present in the court were arrested and sent to the Patti sub-jail.
The court will announce the quantum of the sentence on September 12.
The victim was attending a wedding function along with her parents on March 3, 2013, at a venue on the Goindwal Sahib road when 12 accused, including six policemen, assaulted the victim and her garments were torn.
The Supreme Court had taken suo motu notice of the incident and ordered paramilitary protection for the victim.
Shiv
Sena
Besides Lalpura, others who have been convicted under Sections 3 (1), (x), and 4 of the SC/ST Act and Sections 354, 148 and 149 of the SC/ST Act are Devinder Kumar, Saraj Singh, Ashwani Kumar, Tarsem Singh, Harjinder Singh (all policemen), Harwinder Singh Shoshi and Kanwaldeep Singh. Three others have been convicted under Section 323, 506, 148 and 149, IPC. They are driver Gagandeep Singh and policemen Narinderjit Singh and Gurdeep Raj. One policeman, Paramjit Singh, died during the pendency of the case.
Expressing satisfaction over the verdict, the victim said the convicted persons must be given the maximum sentence for the crime. She said she could not explain the mental harassment she had faced in the past.
The victim said she got married after the incident and her husband extended all help in getting justice.
leader’s ‘killer’ brutally attacks ex-DSP, 2 other cops in Patiala jail
A former DSP and two ex-inspectors were seriously injured when they were attacked by Sandeep Singh, alias Sunny, the accused in the murder of Shiv Sena leader Sudhir Suri, inside the Central Jail, Patiala. The condition of all three injured police officials, two of whom have been convicted in fake encounter cases, is stated to be critical and they are reportedly admitted to an ICU.
Sunny allegedly attacked former DSP Gurbachan Singh, retired Inspector Subba Singh and dismissed Inspector Inderjit Singh. A senior jail official said the incident took place in the high-security barrack where the accused and the victims were lodged separately, as all of them face threats.
A jail official said Sunny attacked the three former
the other two have also suffered grievous injuries on their heads,” he said.
Punjab IG (Prisons) Roop Kumar Arora said they had ordered a probe into the incident and strict action as per law was being taken. “We will probe the incident in detail,” he said.
In last November, Sunny was shifted to the highsecurity barrack after an alleged threat to his safety by some jail inmates following his argument with them. Sunny had allegedly shot Suri outside Gopal Mandir in Amritsar in November 2022 in broad daylight.
The police have registered a case under Section 109 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita at the Tripuri police station and are likely to procure remand of the accused to question him. “We need to know the
A day after an immigration consultant allegedly shot himself dead inside a bank here, the Mohali police on Wednesday registered an FIR against Assistant Inspector General (AIG) Gurjot Singh Kaler, ASI Rishi Rana and three others on the charges of criminal conspiracy and abetment to suicide. Rajdeep Singh (45), a resident of Sector 80 in Mohali, had allegedly died by suicide using his licensed revolver inside the HDFC bank in Sector 68.
The others booked are Phase 8 residents Sunil Agarwal, a chartered accountant and property dealer; Rinku Krishna, a caterer, and Ferozepur resident Saina Arora.
Rajdeep’s father Paramjeet Singh alleged his son was forcibly taken to the bank to secure a loan for
repaying the money the suspects had invested in the victim’s immigration business when he “died by suicide”. He alleged the AIG and others had been harassing his son and threatening to implicate him and his family in false cases if their money wasn’t returned.
“In February, my son returned Rs 1.60 crore to Kaler. The AIG had also invested Rs 2.4 crore in the business of Rajdeep’s old associate Sunil Aggarwal. Kaler had secured blank cheques from my son,” he said. The suspects were not returning my son’s money and instead threatening him of dire consequences. Kaler used to send policemen to Rajdeep’s office and house and call him to his home,” he alleged in the FIR.
Where’s Rs 12,000-cr disaster fund, Opposition asks Punjab Govt day after PM visit
Opposition parties, including the Congress, BJP and SAD, demanded a central probe on Wednesday into the alleged misuse of Rs 12,000 crore allocated to the state under the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF). The issue came up a day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during a visit to flood-affected areas of Punjab, announced a financial package of Rs 1,600 crore and mentioned the earlier allocation of Rs 12,000 crore for disaster relief.
State BJP Chief Sunil Jakhar accused the AAP government of squandering the disaster fund received from the Centre on publicity stunts and other purposes instead of flood mitigation.
Punjab Congress chief Amrinder Singh Raja Warring claimed the state government had diverted the entire fund to other purposes, such as paying staff salaries, leaving nothing for disaster
PM’s aid package was insufficient and demanded a white paper on the fund’s status. Warring also called for a criminal case against the state government for diverting the disaster relief funds. He also blamed reckless mining for altering river courses and exacerbating flooding.
The SAD also demanded a central investigation, citing contradictory statements from the state government. SAD leaders Harsimrat Kaur Badal and Daljit Singh Cheema said Punjabis deserved to know the whereabouts of the Rs 12,000 crore mentioned by the Prime Minister, which was intended for aiding flood victims.
Responding to the allegations, a senior Finance Department official clarified that the funds were not physically transferred to the state. “Instead, these are recorded as accounting entries. The money is not accumulated with the state
INDIA
CRPF claims security protocol
‘violations’ by Rahul Gandhi; Congress calls it intimidation
The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) has flagged certain security protocol "violations" allegedly by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi during his movements, official sources said on Thursday.
The CRPF VIP security wing provides the top category 'Z plus (ASL)' armed protection to the 55-year-old Gandhi, the Leader of Opposition (LoP) in the Lok Sabha.
Around 10-12 armed CRPF commandos provide a proximate security cover to him whenever he is mobile.
As part of the Advanced Security Liaison (ASL), the force carries out an early reconnaissance of the locations to be visited by Gandhi. Sources said the VIP security unit of the paramilitary force has sent a letter on Wednesday to Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge,
stating certain "unscheduled movements without intimation" by Gandhi during his domestic visits as well as before he left for abroad. A copy of the said communication has also been marked to Gandhi's office, according to the sources.
Sources said such communication was "routine" in nature and had been sent by the CRPF security wing in the context of Gandhi's security in the past too. The Congress party reacted to the development, raising questions over the timing of the communication and wondering whether it was a "veiled attempt" to intimidate its leader after he announced "another imminent disclosure" on "vote chori". The VIP security cover under the central protection list starts from the highest Z-plus (ASL) category, followed by Z-plus, Z, Y, Y-plus and X.
No food & forced to fight say Indians trapped in Russia-Ukraine war
Amid reports that around nine Indian nationals have recently been recruited into the Russian Army to fight in the ongoing Ukraine conflict, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Thursday issued a fresh advisory, warning citizens against such offers and describing the path as “fraught with danger.”
“We have seen reports about Indian nationals having been recruited recently into the Russian Army. The government has, on several occasions over the past year, underlined the risks and dangers inherent in this course of action and cautioned Indian citizens accordingly,” MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said.
He emphasised that India has repeatedly raised the issue with Moscow and urged families to maintain close contact with authorities.
“We have also taken up the matter with Russian
officials, both in Delhi and Moscow, demanding an end to this practice and the release of our nationals. We are also in touch with the families of the affected Indian citizens,” Jaiswal said. Disturbing video messages shared by anguished families show the young men — many from Punjab, Haryana, and Jammu — wearing Russian military uniforms and pleading for urgent intervention.
“We have been caught in the Russian Army. We are 9 boys. We came here on student visas. We are being grossly mistreated. We’re not getting food, and we’re being sent to the frontline daily,” said Samarjeet Singh from Ludhiana, speaking in Punjabi.
Sumeet Sharma from Jammu echoed similar fears, stating: “We have been deceived by agents. We request the BJP government to help us as soon as possible.”
PM Modi announces Rs 1,200 crore aid for disaster-hit areas of Uttarakhand
Prime Minister Narendra Modi here on Thursday announced a financial assistance of Rs 1,200 crore for flood and rain-affected areas of Uttarakhand.
He also announced an ex gratia of Rs 2 lakh for the families of the deceased and Rs 50,000 for those left injured in a series of natural calamities that hit various districts of the hill state this monsoon.
He announced comprehensive support under the PM CARES for Children scheme to children orphaned due to the recent floods and landslides in the state.
The prime minister also met the affected families and offered his condolences. He interacted with NDRF, SDRF personnel and disaster volunteers who lent a helping hand at ground zero during the disasters and praised their efforts.
The central government assures full support for the restoration and rebuilding of infrastructure in the affected regions, he said.
Earlier, Prime Minister Modi on Thursday reached Dehradun, where he was received at the Jolly Grant Airport by Chief Minister Pushkar Dhami.
Dhami said in a social media post soon after receiving the PM at the airport, "The prime minister's presence in the midst of the affected people at this difficult time of disaster shows his sensitivity towards them."
Sachin Tendulkar to be next BCCI president
Former India captain Sachin Tendulkar on Thursday rejected speculation that he is in contention to be the next BCCI President with his management firm describing all such talk as “unfounded”.
Tendulkar’s management firm issued the statement on his behalf to put to rest theories of him being a possible successor to Roger Binny, whose tenure ended after he turned 70 in July.
“It has come to our attention that certain reports and rumours have been circulating regarding Mr Sachin Tendulkar being considered, or nominated, for the position of President of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI),” read a statement from the company.
“We wish to categorically state that no such development has taken place. We urge all concerned to refrain from giving credence to unfounded speculations,” it added.
The world’s richest cricket board is due to hold its elections at its Annual General Meeting on September 28. Binny was appointed as the BCCI president in October 2022 and the Board’s constitution has an age cap of 70 for the post. The BCCI ombudsman and ethics officer will also be appointed during the meeting, along with the Board’s representative to the ICC.
For ‘totka’, Delhi woman wanted to crush lemon with new Thar, SUV lurches out of showroom's
A 29-year-old woman in Delhi accidentally drove her brand-new Mahindra Thar off the first floor of a car showroom during a customary ritual ‘totka’, moments after taking delivery of the vehicle.
The incident took place on Monday evening at the Mahindra showroom in Nirman Vihar.
Maani Pawar, a resident of Indirapuram in Ghaziabad, had arrived at the showroom to collect the Thar. Before taking it onto the road, she chose to perform a traditional ritual, which involved placing a lemon under the front wheel and gently driving over it, a symbolic gesture believed to bring good luck.
However, instead of easing
1st floor
the vehicle forward, Pawar accidentally pressed the accelerator, causing the SUV to move ahead at high speed. The vehicle crashed through the glass wall of the first-floor showroom and plunged onto the pavement below.
A showroom employee, identified as Vikas, was seated in the car with Pawar at the time of the crash. Security footage and bystander videos captured the shocking aftermath, showing the overturned vehicle on the road. Both occupants escaped serious injuries. The Thar’s airbags opened and the two were quickly rushed to Malik Hospital nearby, where they were treated and discharged after receiving first aid.
Jaishankar, Polish FM hold talks on regional security; India stresses "durable solution" on Ukraine conflict
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Thursday spoke to Poland's Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski and conveyed India's concern over recent developments affecting Poland's security. During the conversation, Jaishankar also reiterated India's position on the Ukraine conflict, saying that India continues to support "an early end to hostilities" and a "durable solution" to the crisis.
Taking to X, Jaishankar wrote, "Spoke to Foreign Minister @sikorskiradek of Poland today. He shared his concern about recent developments pertaining to Poland's security. I underlined that India favors an early end to hostilities and a durable solution for the Ukraine conflict." The call came a day after Poland's military confirmed that it had shot down drones which crossed into its airspace during a Russian strike on Ukraine, according to CNN. This marked the first time Poland has taken such action,
raising fears of a wider escalation for Europe and NATO.
Radoslaw Sikorski, who also serves as Poland's Deputy Prime Minister, said the scale of the incident showed it was intentional. Stating that the number of drones that entered Polish airspace makes it a deliberate act by Russia, CNN reported. Poland's Minister of Interior later said that 16 drones had been detected across the country, with debris scattered over a wide area, as per CNN.
Addressing the Polish parliament, Prime Minister Donald Tusk cautioned that while Poland was not at war, the situation was more dangerous than at any time since World War II. It said that "no targets on the territory of Poland were planned for destruction," stressing that the drones used in the attack on Ukraine had a maximum range of 700 kilometres (435 miles), CNN reported. (ANI)
Police attacked during drug raid in Haryana's Taraori; Sub-Inspector injured
Tension prevailed in Taraori late on Wednesday evening after a police party was attacked during a raid in search of narcotics.
The incident left a sub-inspector seriously injured, while the accused managed to flee the scene. As per police officials, a team from the Haryana State Narcotics Control Bureau (HSNCB) conducted a raid at a house suspected of involvement in drugrelated activities.
However, as the police party entered the premises, a group of people, including family members and relatives, allegedly attacked them with sticks and sharp-edged weapons. The attackers reportedly created hurdles to prevent the police from discharging their official duties. Taraori police registered a case against the accused under relevant sections, including attempted murder and obstructing government officials from performing their duty. Soon after the incident, the accused fled the scene.
In the scuffle, Sub-Inspector Rohtash sustained multiple injuries. He was immediately shifted to
the government hospital and later transferred to a private hospital, where he is currently undergoing treatment.
Multiple police teams launched a combing operation across the area. Some suspects have already been detained for questioning, officials confirmed.
Sub-Inspector Karambir of Taraori police said, “We have registered a case against 10–12 people for attempted murder and for creating obstacles in the way of government officials on duty. Several suspects have been rounded up, and further investigation is underway".
Trump, Modi agree to talk in bid to resolve trade impasse
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“I am confident that our trade negotiations will pave the way for unlocking the limitless potential of the India-U.S. partnership,” Modi said. “Our teams are working to conclude these discussions at the earliest.”
As tensions ratchet down, a team of Indian trade negotiators is discussing plans to travel to Washington in coming days, perhaps as early as next week to resume trade talks, a person familiar with the matter said, asking not to be identified as
the details aren’t public. Later in the day, Commerce and Industry
Minister Piyush Goyal said at an event that India is in active dialogue toward a trade deal with the U.S. In order to agree a trade deal, New Delhi wants the U.S. to address the 25% reciprocal tariff on Indian exports to America and the 25% additional levy imposed as a penalty for buying Russian oil, the person said. A spokesperson for the Ministry of Commerce and Industry didn’t immediately respond to an email seeking further information.
