The Asian Star November 17 2018

www.theasianstar.com Vol 17 - Issue 46

Saturday, November 17, 2018

South Asian real estate agent suspended for faking ‘sick grandmother’ doctor’s note

India masters rocket science Why the new ISRO launch is special India put a communication satellite in the orbit with its heaviest rocket and the new space mission is expected to serve the communication needs of people in the remote areas of the country. The rocket lifted off with a 3,423 kg GSAT-29 satellite, heaviest satellite in Indian history. Indian Space Research Organisation(ISRO) chief K Sivan said “It is an important milestone for the Indian Space Programme towards achieving self-reliance in launching heavier satellites.� Here’s why this launch is special: The Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV-Mk III) is India’s most advanced and powerful rocket. With its second successful flight, GSLV Mk III will be declared “operational�. The big tech increment in GSLV is its cryogenic engine, which uses liquefied gases to extract powerful thrust, and its S200 solid core engine which is the world’s third largest.

Continued on page 6

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It’s the old “my grandmother died� excuse.

And it’s normally a slam dunk when it comes to handing in late homework.

Except when an instructor asks for proof.

In a sequence of events worthy of a sitcom, the Real Estate Council of B.C. has given 120 days suspension to a Vancouver real estate agent who penned a note for an intern trying to explain his way out of a missed deadline.

According to a disciplinary notice posted on the council’s website, the intern — KB — was gaining experience as a prospective licensee by volunteering for licensed agent Jaideep Singh Puri. But when he handed in the penultimate paper for his B.C. Real Estate Association course a day late in July 2016, KB told the administrator his “grandmother has not been doing well since Thursday evening & has since passed.� “This is an extraordinary circumstance and we want to be as lenient as possible, but we do need documentation in a

Indian Ice-Capade:

Women’s hockey team creates history in Canada

Of all the places where you can expect an Indian team across any sport to line up, an ice rink would probably be among the last. That comes as little surprise for a country which did not have any ice hockey team until 1989, and is a virtual non-existent Continued on page 7

situation such as this,� the administrator wrote back. A chain of emails contained in the RECBC decision suggests that KB understood very well. He texted to Puri. “I need a note somehow saying I was in the hospital.� The drama played out via text and email over the next few days. The Real Estate Council of B.C. has suspended Jaideep Singh Puri’s licence for four months for helping a prospective agent forge a doctor’s note. “We gotta think on our toes and get creative. Maybe a note just saying I was the one taking care of her meds prior,�

KB wrote. “And legally they can’t ask anything because it’s confidentiality.�

Puri asked KB if he knew the name of his grandmother’s doctor. “No clue at all bro,�

KB wrote Continued on page 6

Air India pilot suspended after failing booze test hour before Delhi-London flight India’s aviation regulator pulled a pilot scheduled to fly the Delhi-London route for the nation’s flag carrier after he failed an alcohol test about an hour before the flight. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation said in a statement Monday that the Air India pilot tested positive on a breath analyzer test on Sunday, following which it suspended his license for three years “as per the provisions of applicable regulations.� Arvind Kathpalia, the pilot, also serves on the board of directors of the state-owned airline and is in charge of its overall flight operations. A representative for Air India declined to comment. Airlines around the world routinely battle the issue of inebriated pilots. The New York Times reported this month that Japan Airlines apologized after one of its pilots admitted to having consumed two bottles of wine and five cans of beer — almost 10 times over Britain’s legal limit for pilots — before he was about to operate a flight from London to Tokyo. In January, a British Airways pilot was hauled out of the cockpit by armed police for reporting to work drunk, the Telegraph reported.

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www.theasianstar.com Vol 17 - Issue 46

Saturday, November 17, 2018

BC NDP to introduce ride-hailing legislation in November The provincial government is expected to introduce long awaited ride-hailing legislation this month. Premier John Horgan said Tuesday he expects to have it before the House and passed before MLAs rise for their Christmas break. “Within the next two weeks it will be introduced and I expect that with the amount of support that we have in the legislature that it will be passed,” Horgan said.

‘There really isn’t a delay,’ transportation minister says of ride-hailing hold ups Premier John Horgan says beyond legislation, there’s a lot of work to do before ride-hailing comes to B.C. While a ride-hailing bill may be passed into law by the end of 2018, don’t expect to see Uber and Lyft on the roads by January.

Horgan said the government has to look

into changes to insurance packages and a requirement for criminal record checks for drivers. B.C. has 4 people enforcing ridehailing ban for entire province He says the government wants to make sure the playing field is level for new entrants and those already in the sector. “A lot of work to do, but we’re confident that we’re well on our way, and the legislation will set the table for that into the new year,” said Horgan.

A Lyft spokesperson said in an emailed statement the company was looking forward to reviewing the upcoming legislation “with the hope of bringing Lyft to B.C. as soon as possible.”

Missing man who survived truck crash may have been trapped in vehicle for days The uncle of a Vancouver Island man says his nephew is lucky to be alive after he was trapped in his smashed vehicle for what may have been days off the side of a remote road. Duncan Moffat, 23, was found badly injured in his truck, 12 metres down a steep embankment, by a hunter. Emergency crews were called and Moffat was extracted from the vehicle using the Jaws of Life.

Canine companions and ‘mental toughness’ helped dog walker survive wilderness ordeal His family believes he had been trapped there for as long as five days — and that some apples he had recently picked may have kept him alive. In a release, Sayward RCMP confirmed that a man had been rescued

from his truck down a steep embankment off Highway 19, 11 kilometres south of Sayward, B.C. Police said the rescued man told rescuers he was unsure how long he had been trapped. “It is believed the male could have been trapped for more than 12 hours, possibly up to a few days,” the release said. May have been trapped for 5 days Moffat’s uncle, Bill Macnab, said the last time he saw his nephew was Nov. 3, when he had just finished picking apples in his dad’s backyard in Sayward, a remote North Island community.

Moffat headed off to visit friends in Campbell River, and the family believes he likely left there five days before he was found on Nov. 12.

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Federal MPs denounce controversial Facebook post targeting Sajjan Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan says he was heartened to see Conservative MPs denouncing a hateful Facebook post that targeted him.

The “Okanagan Conservatives” posted a photo and a link to a critical news article about Sajjan on their page, along with the comment: “This is what happens when you have a cabinet based on affirmative action.”

Sajjan said when he saw the post he was surprised and disappointed.

“This type of language has no place in Canada. I was heartened also at the same time to see that Conservative MPs have

stepped forward, apologized and denounced this type of wording and discussion,” Sajjan said in Halifax Friday morning.

Manitoba Conservative MP James Bezan, the party’s defence critic, tweeted that he was disgusted. Bezan said Sajjan is a respected veteran who proudly served Canada and deserves nothing less than gratitude for his service as a soldier and as defence minister, even if the two don’t always agree on policy.

Conservative MP Dan Albas, who represents Central Okanagan-SimilkameenNicola, wrote on Continued on page 9

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OPINION

Saturday, November 17, 2018 stricter bail rules – including denying bail to repeat gang offenders and mandating stiffer sentences for gang members and leaders. He should include harsher sentences for those who sell guns to criminals.

But going after gang members directly, as Scheer suggests, and giving prosecutors more tools to put and keep violent thugs behind bars is a good start to actually curb gang

Target gangs, not just guns to curb gang violence

Growing gun and gang violence across Canada in 2018 left in its swath a trail of victims, broken families and ineffectual calls for gun bans. However, gun bans won’t deter street gangs from violence. Gang members consider themselves at war with police, society and each other. They don’t care about the victims of their war. Guns are the tools they use to sustain their business – drug trafficking, prostitution, theft, extortion and fraud. In Canada’s largest city, Toronto, some 75% of shootings in what’s promising to be a record year of violence are gang related. In Calgary last year, half of all homicides were linked to drugs, gangs or organized crime according to officials. All our cities face rising gang violence. With a federal election coming in 2019, the Liberals and Conservatives this week offered two distinctively different perspectives on how to address growing gang violence. Liberal cabinet ministers Ralph Goodale and Bill Blair announced an $86 million plan to combat gun and gang violence

at the border – $51.5 million to expand dog training facilities, x-ray machines at postal centres and air cargo facilities and training for border officials. The rest will be used to enhance RCMP capacity for investigations, training, inspections and intelligence. That will help reduce gun trafficking, but doesn’t directly address gang violence. The bad guys will respond with increasingly devious attempts to smuggle guns into this country, authorities seized 30 guns concealed inside the gas tank of a rented Nissan Rogue crossing the Peace Bridge at Niagara Falls. And short of a nation-wide ban on all guns, bans in Toronto or other major cities simply inconveniences those who buy guns legally to sell to criminals to travel outside the city for locally-sourced weapons. Meanwhile, Conservative leader Andrew Scheer is proposing to impact street gangs directly. Scheer plans to address gangrelated violence with tougher sentences and

A kilogram isn’t what it used to be In a historic vote, more than 50 nations unanimously approved an overhaul of the international measurement system that underpins global trade and other human endeavours, uniting Friday behind new definitions for metric units such as the kilogram in a way they fail to do on many other issues. Scientists, for whom the update represented decades of work, clapped, cheered and even wept as delegates gathered in Versailles one by one said “yes” or “oui” to the change, hailed as a revolution in how humanity measures and quantifies its world.

The redefinition of the kilogram, the globally approved unit of mass, was the mostly hotly anticipated change. For more than a century, the kilogram has been defined as the mass of a cylinder of platinum-iridium alloy kept in a high-security vault in France.

That artefact, nicknamed “Le Grand K,” has been the world’s sole true kilogram since 1889 . Now, with the vote, the kilogram and all the other main measurement units will be defined using numerical values that fit handily onto a wallet card. Those numbers were read to the national delegates before they voted. The update will take effect May 20. Scientists at the meeting were giddy with excitement: some even sported tattoos on their forearms that celebrated the science.

Nobel Prize winner William Phillips called the update “the greatest revolution in measurement since the French Revolution,” which ushered in the metric system of metres and kilograms. Continued on page 6

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Saturday, November 17, 2018 From page 1

India masters rocket science Why the new ISRO launch is special It was a cryogenic engine that powered Nasa’s Saturn V rocket, which took Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin to the moon.

The GSLV Mk-III will be used as the launch vehicle for India’s first spaceflight programme scheduled for 2022.

The launch took place amid a threat of worsening weather conditions, due to Cyclone Gaja. But the cyclone changed course, allowing the launch to go ahead.

The GSLV carried satellite GSAT-29, which was released into the orbit roughly 16 minutes after take-off. The satellite is equipped with powerful transponders intended to meet the communication requirements of users in remote areas in the Northeast and Jammu and Kashmir.India Space ‘s Journey

A kilogram isn’t what it used to be From page 4 Retired but not forgottenThe Grand K and its six official copies, kept together in the same safe on the outskirts of Paris and collectively known as the “heir and the spares,” will be retired but not forgotten. Scientists want to keep studying them to see whether their masses change.

The update will have no discernable impact for most people. Bathroom scales won’t suddenly get kinder, and kilos and grams won’t change in supermarkets.

But the new formula-based definition for the kilogram will have multiple advantages over the precision-crafted metal lump that

NDP South Fraser MLAs organized Diwali event in Surrey, a large number of people from South Asian community participated, the event took place in Surrey on Thursday. Pictured above are MLA Rachna Singh from Surrey-Green Timbers, MLA Raj Chouhan from Burnaby–Edmonds, MLA Harry Bains from Surrey-Newton, MLA Hari Lali from Fraser Nicola, former MLA Sue Hammell, MLA Bruce Ralston from Surrey-Whalley, MLA Jinny Sims from Surrey-Panorama, MLA Jagrup Brar from Surrey-Fleetwood and MLA Ravi Kahlon from Delta North with South Asian community members and guests.

set the standard from the 19th century to the 21st, through periods of stunning human achievement and stunning follies, including two world wars.

A replica of the International Prototype Kilogram stands at BIPM on Wednesday. The kilo and other key measurements have new definitions following a meeting of countries in Versailles. (Benoit Tessier/Reuters) Unlike a physical object, the formula for the kilogram, now also known as “the electric

kilo,” cannot pick up particles of dust, decay or be dropped and damaged, but will be easier to share.

“If we stay where we are, and someone did accidentally drop the kilogram or if there was a contamination that we couldn’t control, then the whole system has got no head. We’re in chaos,” said Barry Inglis, a scientist from Australia. “That’s the thing that’s really been worrying us, I think, for maybe 15 years or more is just how vulnerable the system is,

by depending just on that one little piece of platinum-iridium.”

The redefined kilogram is expected to allow for more accurate measurements of very, very small or very, very large masses and help usher in innovations in science, industry, climate study and other fields. In humankind’s efforts to quantify and understand the world, stretching back centuries to when ancient Babylonians measured mass with stones, the vote marked a major milestone, enthused scientists agreed.

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Saturday, November 17, 2018

South Asian real estate agent suspended for faking ‘sick grandmother’ doctor’s note From page 1 at all bro,” KB wrote back. “Can’t really tell the fam I need (something) either lol” As the text exchanges continued, Puri attempted to reassure his intern.

“We will make it work,” he wrote. “My (family member by marriage) said he could do letter np.” ‘Upon further investigation ...’

According to the decision, Puri sent KB an email containing the text of the proposed doctor’s note: “This note is to confirm that KB was attending to his ill grandmother mid to late June 2016 who was a patient under my care ... I understand this was a tough time for the family and KB’s personal and professional life may have been affected in a negative way.”

The email and text chain between Jaideep Singh Puri and his volunteer —

India’s women’s hockey team creates history in Canada From page 1 force when it comes to winter sport.

Which is why it was nothing short of historic when the Indian women’s ice hockey team – officially formed only in 2016 – played on Canadian soil (read: ice) for the first time on Tuesday, 13 November. It may not have attracted many – or any – eyeballs back home, but it was considered iconic enough by CBC British Columbia, who decided to do a feature on the Indian team in Canada.

From not knowing women play hockey to actually playing it in Canada.

After its first game just three years ago, India’s women’s national ice hockey team is playing in Surrey. Team India featured in an exhibition match in Vancouver against the Surrey Falcons, and are now headed to Calgary to compete at the Wickenheiser Female World Hockey Festival, or Wickfest. For a team barely known to its own country, and until now used to honing their skills in the almostalien confines of the Ladakh region, it was a surreal experience. It’s like a dream come true. We’d never thought that we would come to Canada as ice hockey players.

The Indian women’s tour of Canada is owed to a special invite from Hayley Wickenheiser – a six-time Olympian from Canada, and the winner of four Olympic golds in ice hockey.

Earlier this year, they even met Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who lauded their exemplary spirit.

India’s national women’s ice hockey team is breaking barriers, taking on challengers, and showing girls that anything is possible.

Politics aside, today a gathering to show the love of our country, the beautiful game and belief sport can break down barriers and change lives.

The attention the Indian ice hockey players get in their own part of the world is barely a fraction of what they’re receiving on this tour to Canada. The team’s trip to Surrey, where they played the Falcons, was aided by a fundraising effort led by local residents Neeru Schippel, Julie Sanghera and Bindy Dulay. Some of the team’s equipment was donated by Wickenheiser. We really feel lucky. Countries like Canada, they are looking up to us and taking the initiative to let us know about this sport that is not encouraged in our own country.

KB — was detailed in the disciplinary order.

Not all of the text made it into the final version, which was prepared by a relative of Puri’s who “had the computer skills to prepare the forged note.”

KB sent the note to the BCREA administrator at 11:17 a.m. on July 5, 2016. A little more than nine hours later, the administrator wrote back. They had made a call. “Upon further investigation and in consultation with the ... medical clinic, it has come to our attention that the letter sent to the BCREA ... from you was not written or signed by Dr. (S). We are

treating this situation as a forgery.” Ordered to take ethics course KB was suspended indefinitely from the real estate course and will have to go through a suitability hearing, if he ever tries to get a licence. Puri has no prior disciplinary record and didn’t derive any financial gain from the situation. In addition to the suspension, he also has to pay a fine of $5,000. Regulator’s investigation into New Coast Realty ends without discipline When the suspension ends, he won’t be able to supervise prospective licensees for two years. And he is also required to take a course on ethics in business practice. Part of his punishment includes a requirement to write a statement on what he has learned from the ethics course. It’s due within 30 days of the course completion.

Provincial Liberal Opposition leader Andrew Wilkinson speaking at a press conference in Surrey-Delta last week to condemn the process involved in the proportional representation referendum.

An attempt to replace the first past the post system.

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Saturday, November 17, 2018

India’s economic growth held back due to demonetisation,GST: Raghuram Rajan Demonetisation and the Goods and Services Tax (GST) are the two major headwinds that held back India’s economic growth last year, former RBI Governor Raghuram Rajan has said, asserting that the current seven per cent growth rate is not enough to meet the country’s needs. Addressing an audience at the University of California in Berkley on Friday, Rajan said for four years -- 2012 to 2016 -- India was growing at a faster pace before it was hit by two major headwinds.

“The two successive shocks of demonetisation and the GST had a serious impact on growth in India. Growth has fallen off interestingly at a time when growth in

the global economy has been peaking up,” he said delivering the second Bhattacharya Lectureship on the Future of India.

On the second anniversary of demonetisation on November 8, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley staunchly defended the demonetisation drive, saying ‘prophets of doom’ have been proven wrong as

hard data of two years shows an increase in tax base, greater formalisation of the economy and India retaining the fastest growing economy tag for the fifth year in a row. “By the time the first five years of this government are over, we will be close to doubling the assessee base,” he said in a Facebook blog

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‘Impact of Demonetisation’.

Jaitley said India clocking the fastest growth rate has proved “prophets of doom”, who had predicted that demonetisation will shave off 2 per cent of growth rate, conclusively wrong.

Rajan, in his address, said a growth rate of seven per cent per year for 25 years is “very very strong” growth, but in some sense this has become the new Hindu rate of growth, which earlier used to be threeand-a-half per cent, Rajan said.

“The reality is that seven is not enough for the kind of people coming into the labour market and we need jobs for them, So, we need more and cannot be satisfied at this level,” he said.

Observing that India is sensitive to global growth, he said India has become a much more open economy, and if the world grows, it also grows more.

“What happened in 2017 is that even as the world picked up, India went down.

That reflects the fact that these blows (demonetisation and GST) have really really been hard blows. Because of these headwinds, we have been held back,” he said.

While India’s growth is picking up again, there is the issue of oil prices, the economist noted referring to the huge reliance of India on the import of oil for its energy needs.

With the oil prices going up, Rajan said things are going to be little tougher for the Indian economy, even though the country is recovering from the headwinds of demonetisation and initial hurdles in the implementation of the GST. Commenting on the rising NonPerforming Assets (NPA), he said the best thing to do in such a situation is to “clean up”. It is essential to “deal up with the bad stuff ” so that with clean balance sheets, banks can be put back on the track.

“It has taken India far long to clean up the banks, partly because the system did not have instruments to deal with bad debts,” Rajan said.

The bankruptcy code, he asserted, cannot be the only way to clean up the banks.

It is the only one element of the larger cleanup plan, he said and called for a multiprong approach to address the challenge of NPAs in India.

India, he asserted, is capable of a strong growth. As such the seven per cent growth is now being taken granted.

“If we go below seven per cent, then we must be doing something wrong,” he said adding that that is the base on which India has to grow at least for next 10-15 years.

India, he said, needs to create one million jobs a month for the people joining the labour force.

The country today is facing three major bottlenecks.

One is the torn infrastructure, he said, observing that construction is the one industry that drives the economy in early stages. “Infrastructure creates growth,” he said. Second, short-term target should be to clean up the power sector and to make sure that the electricity produced actually goes to the people who want the power, he said. Cleaning up the banks is the third major bottleneck in India’s growth, he said.

Part of the problem in India is that there is an excessive centralisation of power in the political decision making, he said.

“India can’t work from the centre. India

Continued on next page

Saturday, November 17, 2018

Federal MPs denounce controversial Facebook post targeting Sajjan

From page 3

from another riding association’s account and he asked that it be removed.

He said although he did not authorize it, he would like to apologize to Sajjan.

The group says it deleted the post, that it was inappropriate and that it does not reflect the views of the party or any of the riding associations in the Okanagan.

“At the end of the day this is not about me or cabinet, it’s about what type of message are

we sending young Canadians,” Sajjan said.

Sajjan also pointed out that he will be having dinner Friday night at Pier 21, the very place that welcomed people from around the world.

When asked how Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer should respond to the group’s post, Sajjan said all leaders should work to promote inclusiveness and make sure Canadians feel safe.

India’s economic growth held back due to From page 8 demonetisation,GST: Raghuram Rajan works when you have many people taking up the burden. And today the central government is excessively centralised,” Rajan said.

An example of this is the quantum of decisions that require the assent of the Prime Minister’s Office, Rajan said as he highlighted the recent unveiling of the ‘Statue of Unity’ of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel as an example of a massive project that required the approval of

the PMO. On the 143rd birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel on October 31, Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled the ‘Statue of Unity’ in Gujarat’s Narmada district Touted to be the tallest statue in the world, the 182-metre tall statue was built at a cost of Rs 2,989 crore. The concrete and brass-clad statue is the quickest to be completed in 33 months.

Thieves arrested in ‘bait car’ at restaurant’s drive-thru Auto crimes police have shared more video this week from a “bait car” program, the latest footage showing the arrest of three car thieves at a McDonald’s drivethru.

A bait car is a vehicle intended to be stolen, fitted with interior video surveillance and an engine that can be switched off at the click of a button when police are in position. The program has been effective, said Inspector Brian MacDonald, the officer in charge of the program. Abbotsford Police confirmed that car theft is down for a fourth straight week in the region. “It keeps people looking over their shoulders,” said MacDonald.

A promotional photo for B.C.’s “bait car” program. In the 2014 video posted online Thursday by the Integrated Municipal Provincial Auto Crime Team (IMPACT), a male driver in his mid-20s and two female passengers speed down a street in a bait car, searching for a McDonald’s drive-thru.

“We look good in this one, baby!” says a woman in the passenger seat. “I’m so excited right now. Like, my life just got so much better.”

They complain about the lack of tinted windows and pull up to the McDonald’s drive-thru, ordering two Junior Chickens, three McDoubles and a root beer. “This is gangster,” says the woman before reaching to turn the radio on.

Suddenly, the car stops running. “Oh yeah, we’re in a bait car,” the driver says. “Are we?

You’re lying,” says the passenger. “We should just get out,” the driver suggests. “Tell them our car died.” But police swoop in quickly and the trio are arrested. Before she is placed under arrest, the woman in the passenger seat asks the driver for a kiss and they lock lips for a few seconds as police yell “Get out of the vehicle!” The three were later convicted on charges of possession of stolen property.

The bait car program operated by IMPACT is the largest of its kind in North America.

Though online message boards will debate ethics and liken the practice to entrapment, bait cars are completely legal in Canada, says MacDonald. “No one is forcing them to do it.

It’s there and if they decide to steal the car it’s at their own peril,” he said.

LOCAL

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LOCAL / NATIONAL

Saturday, November 17, 2018

2 arrested following rash of butter thefts Two Vancouver men are facing charges of theft after RCMP in Coquitlam, B.C., say they arrested the pair for allegedly stealing a shopping cart loaded with $1,400 worth of butter.Police say the men, aged 23 and 25, were arrested outside a supermarket on Wednesday.

Thieves nab large number of waffle cones from ice cream truck: OPP Cpl. Michael McLaughlin says while the theft of a large amount of butter is a little unusual, police do see these sort of thefts with other food products like meat, cheese

and baby formula that is easily sold on black markets.

Police say the 23-year-old man is also a suspect in at least three other butter thefts around Metro Vancouver in recent months.

Thieves steal $45K worth of lettuce in east Hamilton.

McLaughlin says a store employee recognized one of the suspects because of previous incidents of theft.

Because the charges haven’t been officially laid, the names of the accused haven’t been released.

Sav Dhaliwal elected new Metro Vancouver board chair Longtime Burnaby city councillor Sav Dhaliwal is the new head of the board of directors for Metro Vancouver.

Members of the board, which is made up of 40 elected officials from 21 municipalities, Electoral Area A and Tsawwassen First Nation, met on Friday for the first time since last month’s civic elections.

The board of directors makes decisions involving drinking water, waste-water treatment, solid waste, air quality, urban growth, regional parks and affordable housing.

The 2019 budget is more than $800 million.

The directors, more than half of whom are new to the board, elected their chair and vice chair in a secret ballot. The positions are held for a oneyear term.

Dhaliwal, who was nominated by Burnaby Mayor Mike Hurley, was up against Richmond Mayor Malcolm Brodie and Delta Coun. Lois Jackson.

Dhaliwal has been a councillor for 16 years, served on the Metro Vancouver board as a director and been a member of the culture and parks committees. He is the first councillor to serve as chair of the board since Surrey’s Marvin Hunt, who held the position in 2004 and 2005. The mayors of Delta and then Port Coquitlam were chair from 2006 until 2018.

Metro Vancouver board directors vote on chair and vice chair positions at their inaugural meeting.

As chair, Dhaliwal will be responsible for leading board meetings, as well as determining the structure and membership for the regional district’s committees. He said he doesn’t have

any plans to shake up that structure at this point.

His priorities include fostering relationships with federal and provincial governments to work on big issues like affordable housing, mental health and addictions.

“I think the day-to-day service operations we’re doing have been wonderful — it’s working great there’s nothing we need to do.

We just need to continue that good work that’s

happening now,” he said.

City of North Vancouver Mayor Linda Buchanan, who served two terms on council before her election as mayor in October, was chosen as vice chair. She beat out Anmore Mayor John McEwen, Surrey Coun. Doug Elford, Coquitlam Mayor Richard Stewart and Township of Langley Coun. Kim Richter.

The board chair makes $77,474 per year, and the board vice chair makes $38,737. This is on top of their pay as a member of local government and any other committees or boards of which they are members.

Board and committee members make $387 for meetings up to four hours long, and $775 for meetings longer than four hours.

LOCAL / NATIONAL

Saturday, November 17, 2018 The federal government is Federal expected to lay out fresh plans next week to support Canada’s struggling news industry. The measures, expected in Finance Minister Bill Morneau’s fall economic statement Wednesday, will be designed to help journalism remain viable after years of shrinking advertising revenues.

The decline has already shuttered newsrooms, led to job cuts in many others, and eroded coverage of key democratic institutions across Canada — everything from municipal councils to provincial legislatures to Parliament.

In last winter’s federal budget, Ottawa

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fall update expected to offer more support for struggling news industry committed $50 million over five years for local journalism in “underserved communities.”

The government also pledged in the budget to search for additional ways of supporting Canadian journalism.

Internal federal documents obtained by The Canadian Press under access-to-information legislation say the government assembled a working group of officials from the finance

and heritage departments following the February budget. Their goal, the memo said, was “to identify options to address the issues affecting journalism in Canada ahead of the fall economic statement.” The fall statement will be one of the last opportunities in the current fiscal year to announce the new measures.

“A range of options to ensure the continued

viability of the journalism industry in Canada are being considered,” reads the briefing note prepared for deputy finance minister Paul Rochon ahead of his meeting last July with the president and the publisher of Montreal’s La Presse newspaper.

In the budget, Ottawa promised to take a closer look at potential models to enable private donations and philanthropic support for “trusted, professional, non-profit journalism and local news.” The government said eventual steps could include new ways for Canadian newspapers to innovate and receive charitable status for “not-for-profit” journalism.

ICBC says concussions and mental health injuries fall under new claims cap Concussions and mental health problems caused by an automobile crash will be considered a “minor injury” and fall under the new $5,500 cap on pain and suffering, according to new rules set by the provincial government.

Attorney General David Eby signed a cabinet order that declared sprains, strains, aches, cuts, bruises, minor whiplash (including forms called TMJ and WAD), concussions and mental health issues caused by vehicle crashes to be designated minor injuries under new caps that begin April 1, 2019.

The inclusion of concussions and mental health has worried some lawyers and health care practitioners opposed to the cap, who say it can take a long time for symptoms of brain damage, depression or post-traumatic stress to show and that the long-lasting effects are not minor for those suffering.

In response, the Insurance Corp. of B.C. said it has set special rules for concussions and mental health injuries. ICBC will consider them to become major injuries not limited

to the $5,500 pain and suffering cap if they persist for more than four months, said the president and CEO, Nicolas Jimenez.

“The advice we got from the medical community is they are trickier to diagnose and trickier to, quite frankly, treat, so we are better to proceed cautiously and put them on a short time frame,” Jimenez said.

Other minor injuries — whiplash, sprains, etc. — will only be considered major if they are still problems after 12 months.

ICBC cites medical research that indicates approximately 85 per cent of people with mild concussions fully recover within three months.

Doctors of B.C., which represents physicians, was consulted on the timeline and agrees with ICBC, said president Dr. Eric Cadesky.

“When we look at things like concussions, pain and the emotional consequences of a car accident, four months is a good

indicator of whether those conditions are going to improve or not,” he said.

The NDP government passed legislation to set the insurance caps earlier this year in an attempt to save more than $1 billion annually from the cash-strapped public auto insurer, reduce the rising costs of claims and prevent ICBC rate hikes.

Broken bones and other more serious injuries do not fall under the $5,500 pain and suffering cap.

B.C. was the last province in Canada to have a fully tort-based insurance claims system, frequently leading to lengthy and costly court cases. Disputes over the new caps on pain and suffering claims will first go to a new civil resolution tribunal process that’s mainly been used for strata disputes. People can still sue for such things as the cost of future care and loss of wages.

To compensate for the cap, the government has raised significantly raised the fees ICBC pays for medical treatment, and added kinesiology, acupuncture, massage therapy and counselling to the list of approved services. Drivers at fault in a crash will also get full medical care costs, instead of lesser benefits outlined in the old rules.

But B.C.’s Trial Lawyers Association, which has opposed the cap, said the latest details remain troubling. Even with a fourmonth time frame for concussions and mental health, the new regulations set a steep definition of “incapacity” that a person will need to suffer to be considered as having a major injury, said lawyer Ron Nairne, the incoming president of the association.

That incapacity definition includes being unable to work, go to school or complete the “activities of daily living” defined in the rules as preparing your own meals, managing finances, shopping, using public transportation, cleaning your home and managing your medication.

“That is so narrowly defined that it will be very difficult for people to escape the definition of minor injury based on that particular provision,” said Nairne.

He said it appears government is trying to set rules that “capture the majority of claims” as minor, and concussions along with mental health should be excluded.

“There’s no such thing as a minor concussion because concussions are a form of brain injury,” said Nairne. “The government is doing the exact opposite, and deeming these to minor injuries.”

The Physiotherapy Association of B.C. said Tuesday the changes are a positive step because ICBC is expanding the list of treatment providers and fees to enhance psychotherapy recovery.

But ROAD B.C., an organization that represents some other types of health care providers, said the new definition of minor injury is beyond what most British Columbians would consider fair.

One other change in the new rules set

by Eby is that government has dropped a proposal to allow motorists to spend an extra $1,300 a year for additional insurance to get a cap of $75,000 on minor injuries.

“It was an idea,” said Jimenez. “But it’s not something that was embraced and put into our policy framework.

“These are really complicated changes, and I think quite frankly we are proceeding on the basis of get the system change in, and we’ll monitor and evaluate as we go.”

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LOCAL / NATIONAL

Saturday, November 17, 2018

Arbitrator orders immediate freeze to ‘unreasonable’ Interior Health addictions policy Interior Health’s policy for handling hospital employees with addiction problems is discriminatory and must be suspended immediately, a labour arbitrator has ruled.

Arbitrator John Hall ordered Interior Health to amend several sections of the current substance use disorder policy, describing them as serious flaws in a ruling Tuesday. “When the policy as a whole is scrutinized more closely — and especially as its practical application was explained and examined in general terms at arbitration — there are a number of shortcomings. Suffice it to say that several elements of the policy have been found to be unreasonable,� Hall wrote.

The ruling was issued in response to a grievance filed by the Hospital Employees’ Union (HEU), which represents about 8,000 workers in hospitals, clinics and care homes in

the Interior Health region.

The workers include clerical, housekeeping, laundry and food services staff.

Mal Griffin, Interior Health’s vice president of human resources, mental health and substance use, said he was pleased that the ruling upheld most elements of the policy. “From time to time, it’s appropriate for us to review our policies, and he’s identified some really good opportunities for us to look at how we’ve been implementing the policy and some of the aspects of the policy,� Griffin said.

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He said, however, that health authority officials are still reviewing the ruling to decide if they should appeal.

Several changes mandated Nonetheless, the arbitrator’s ruling amounts to a major overhaul of the current policy and a hopeful sign for other healthcare workers pushing for change in how addictions are handled at work.

Hall said Interior Health can no longer automatically put employees on leave when someone is suspected of having a substance use problem.

Right now, people are taken off the job even if their work hasn’t been affected and no matter where the allegations come from.

And Hall said employees shouldn’t be forced to see the addictions specialists chosen by their bosses — if an independent medical exam is needed, the workers must be able to choose from a list of acceptable doctors.

Hospital employees must have a choice in which addictions specialist they see, the arbitrator said. (Shutterstock)

Other necessary amendments include ensuring the policy only applies to employees with severe addictions, new measures to protect workers’ private medical information from their bosses, and restrictions on when a worker’s belongings can be searched.

Hall went on to say that if an employee returns to work after treatment, the health authority can only demand drug testing if there is reasonable suspicion of a relapse.

He said the health authority must consult in good faith with the union for at least 90 days to resolve the problems with the current policy.

Similar grievances filed across B.C. The HEU said it has filed grievances against every single health authority in the province over similar addiction policies. Those grievances were put on hold pending the outcome of the dispute with Interior Health, and the union said it’s ready to proceed with them if similar changes aren’t made across the board.

HEU’s complaints closely mirror that of Byron Wood, a former Vancouver nurse who has been battling a similar policy that cost him his job five years ago.

Byron Wood lost his job as a nurse after refusing to continue with daily Alcoholics Anonymous meetings.

Two police officers detained in Cuba acquitted on sexual assault charges A pair of Metro Vancouver police officers detained in Cuba for eight months over sexual assault allegations have been acquitted, according to reports.

The two officers, Vancouver Police Department Const. Mark Simms and Port Moody Police Department Const. Jordan Long, have been in Cuba since March.

While visiting the resort town of Varadero for a personal vacation, they were arrested after a 17-year-old Ontario woman told

Cuban police she had been sexually assaulted.

The pair were prevented from leaving the country.

A jury of five, all women, reached a not guilty decision on the officers last week, Global News has reported. The two men remain in Cuba, however, due to visa issues.

Neither the Vancouver nor Port Moody police departments has commented on the reported verdict at this time.

LOCAL

Saturday, November 17, 2018 Punjabi University Patiala Alumni Association-BC Chapter’s reunion event

Punjabi University Alumni BC Chapter Society (Non-Profit) presents 2018 annual reunion event at Grand Taj banqeat hall 8388- 128 St., Surrey on November 23 at 6:30 pm For mor info: Mandeep Dhaliwal 604-765-1111 / Parminder Bhatia 604-657-7750

ICBC execs made tens of thousands in bonuses last year, but David Eby says amount decreasing Despite the financial mess at ICBC, several top executives have received tens of thousands of dollars in bonuses.

The public auto insurer lost more than $1 billion last year, leading Attorney General David Eby to call the situation a “dumpster fire.” On Thursday, he acknowledged that executive compensation is a concern but laid the blame at the feet of the previous government. Bad drivers to face higher fines in B.C. starting Nov. 1 “When you inherit the situation like we did at ICBC, you inherit contracts that were signed previously, contracts that included bonuses, contracts that included additional compensation,” Eby said. The corporation’s chief investment officer received a bonus of nearly $50,000 in the last fiscal year. David Eby said that bonus was paid because the corporation’s

investments were a bright spot in its otherwise dismal finances. Wait times for ICBC road tests soar as new drivers show up unprepared= Several other ICBC executives received bonuses that exceeded $40,000 on top of salaries of at least $250,000. Eby said the government has reduced the number of executives and taken aim at bonuses in new contracts. “I can tell you that executive compensation is now lower than it was in 2016,” he said.

“The executive complement is smaller than it was.”

ICBC proposes annual $50 fee for unlisted drivers Executive salaries only make up a small portion of ICBC’s costs. The massive shortfall has been largely attributed to a rise in injury and accident claims.

Complete information on ICBC executive pay and bonuses are posted online.

Canucks owners building Washington State winery The Canucks owners have paid out in Washington. Local officials say there are about $16 million to secure the 670-acre no environmental risks associated with the property just west of the Columbia River in project, but that before construction can begin, a number of permits southeastern Washington state. must be secured and plans The property, which the filed.According to the Aquilinis bought at auction five website Great Northwest years ago, is a former gravel pit.

Wine, the Aquilinis used They bid $8.3 million in the same team that runs the auction, which featured their vineyards in northern another two-dozen bidders.

Italy to plant their first Auctions fees and fees to the American crop in 2015. local irrigation district which They planted mostly will bring water to the site from Cabernet Sauvignon the Yakima River added up to grapes, but also Merlot, roughly the same amount.

Cabernet Franc, Malbec, Aquilini Red Mountain Francesco Aquilini Petit Verdot and Sauvignon Vineyards plans to build a Blanc.

170,000-square-foot wine According to the Herald, wine produced production facility, tasting room and a home at Red Mountain has been sold under the near Benton City, Wash The proposed winery is in the Red Aquilini name in the Seattle market.

The Aquilinis also produce wine at Mountain American Viticultural Area, which the Herald reports is one of the smallest but another property in the area, in the nearby most productive wine grape growing areas Horse Heaven Hills.

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More extreme weather causing more power outages, BC Hydro report says A report from BC Hydro says storms and extreme weather events have both tripled over the past five years, leading to an increase in damaged electrical systems and more power outages for customers. In 2017, 148 storm events caused power outages for 1.18 million hydro customers, up from the 323,000 customers affected by 52 storms in 2013.

Meteorologists with the company say the outages are bound to continue as extreme weather events become more frequent and severe. Province launches 2 reviews into BC Hydro over costs, future of energy sector BC Hydro says while storms are becoming more common, their crews are managing to keep up with customer demand. “We do have a team of meteorologists that track these weather systems so we do know about them before they hit, and that definitely allows us to ramp up our BC Hydro crews, call centre crews, and all our operations staff as well,” said BC Hydro spokesperson Kevin Aquino.

BC Hydro says in 95 per cent of cases of adverse weather power is restored within 24 hours, but the company still urges people to be prepared for the worst case scenario.

“A recent survey we commissioned found that nearly half of British Columbians aren’t

prepared for power outages, and what we would like to recommend is that customers should have an emergency kit with a flashlight, batteries, first aid kit, and water and [readyto-eat, non-perishable] food,” said Aquino.

A firefighter setting up a roadblock in October 2016 after a storm knocked down trees and power lines in B.C.’s South Coast.

Aquino says during adverse weather, nearly 60 per cent of outages are caused by falling trees and branches — largely because B.C. has three times more trees per kilometre of transmission line than any other utility area in North America. Power usage hits record summer high in B.C. Other causes of power outages include motor vehicle accidents, birds and animals, equipment failure and planned outages. BC Hydro says it spends $50 million each year to remove vegetation that is too close to the electrical system, and annually replaces around 10,000 of its nearly one million power poles.

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LOCAL

Saturday, November 17, 2018

Surrey Board of Trade ‘disappointed’ with switch to SkyTrain, says delay imminent The Surrey Board of Trade is not pleased that Mayor Doug McCallum’s SkyTrain vision received regional support on Nov. 15, effectively bringing the former council’s fully funded light rail vision to a screeching halt.

In a release, the business group says it’s “disappointed that Surrey transportation investments are delayed — again.”

SBOT has long been in favour of LRT, and ahead of the Nov. 15 decision, CEO Anita Huberman spoke as a delegation at the Mayors’ Council on Regional Tr a n s p o r t a t i o n .

She proposed that TransLink build LRT in phase one, as planned, and work towards planning a SkyTrain on Fraser Highway in phase two, “as a compromise.”

But that wasn’t to be.

After a four-hour meeting, the region’s mayors voted to halt the LRT plan, and instead begin work on a SkyTrain extension down Fraser Highway.

See more: Metro Vancouver mayors cancel Surrey LRT in favour of SkyTrain “What was clear at today’s meeting is that Surrey will again be delayed in transportation investments. It took nearly 10 years to develop the current transportation plan,” Huberman said in a release after the decision.

“I doubt very much that it will take a couple of Mayors’ Council meetings to develop and approve what will likely be a completely re-worked plan,” she added. “I am also very doubtful that the costing details of SkyTrain construction or property tax impacts on businesses, will be ready in one month.”

SBOT says without the $1.65 billion Surrey-Newton-Guildford LRT line

being built – which would have connected Newton to City Centre via King George Boulevard, and City Centre to Guildford via 104th Avenue – Newton will become more gridlocked.

The business group also says it will take longer to build SkyTrain to Langley, than it would have to build LRT, and expressed concern about whether business property taxes would increase to subsidize the S k y Tr a i n project.

S B O T stated that the current funding will only t a k e S k y Tr a i n to 160th S t r e e t in Fleetwood, something Langley Councillor Nathan Pachal has expressed concern about as well.

Further, the business group says it’s “misleading” to say SkyTrain will “replace” LRT “as the proposed SkyTrain route down the Fraser Highway does nothing for the Newton and Guildford Town Centres – in fact LRT was to also add vibrancy to Downtown Surrey.”

SBOT is also critical of the money being “thrown away” as a result of the decision, pointing to the “$20 million already invested in LRT by the City of Surrey, and the $50 million spent by TransLink, when there is no evidence that Skytrain is better than LRT.” In recent months, Fleetwood BIA expressed staunch opposition to LRT along Fraser Highway, and has advocated strongly for LRT. In September, the executive director of the business group told the NowLeader SkyTrain would be a “noisy monstrosity” and is the wrong choice for the area’s businesses and residents.

BC advocate’s report recommends drug sites for youth and children B.C.’s representative for children and youth is urging the provincial government to create harm reduction services for young people, including supervised consumption sites, so that they don’t continue to overdose and die.

Jennifer Charlesworth makes five recommendations in her report on substance use released Thursday. She calls for the Ministry of Mental Health and Addictions and the Ministry of Health to provide youth-specific harm-reduction services with supervised consumption spaces embedded within other services and supports.

Her report, called “Time to Listen,” comes after a year in which 24 of the 1,452 people who died of an illicit-drug drug overdose in B.C. were between the ages of 10 and 18. She recommends a full spectrum of harm-reduction services for youth by March 31, 2020.

“It is the first time we’ve heard this recommendation, obviously, and we’ll be looking closely at it,” Addictions Minister Judy Darcy said Thursday.

“I think our goal for youth and for everyone living with substance-use disorder is to try and connect people with treatment and recovery as soon as possible.”

Darcy responded positively to the report and said her ministry wants to ensure that youth suffering from addiction are able to access a wide array of barrier-free services, where there is a focus on prevention and early intervention.

“I totally appreciate that the harmreduction piece is the piece that will garner the most attention out of this report but the representative spoke to a wide array of services that are needed in order to support youth living with substance-use issues, and that’s really where our focus is as a government,” she said.

Darcy said the ministry is working to rapidly expand its network of Foundry hubs for at-risk youth ages 12 to 24.

The seven sites cater to their mental health and substance use issues and help them access counselling and treatment.

Four more hubs have been announced.

BC has several supervised-consumption

and overdose-prevention sites where drug users can inject and in some cases snort or ingest substances in the presence of people trained to reverse overdoses.

None cater to youth, however, some will let them in. In the Vancouver Coastal Health region, for example, youth 16 to 19 can use the sites but must agree to be assessed by a nurse who may defer access and instead make referrals to other supports based on their history, education needs and medical and social supports.

But “people may be politely denied admittance” to an ove rd o s e - pre ve nt i on site if they are under 16 years old, according to a Vancouver Coastal Health manual describing policies for the sites.

Charlesworth’s report found that focusgroup participants saw value in the sites but found them inaccessible due to their age.

“Some female youth also expressed concerns about their safety as a barrier to accessing services that served adults, were accessed by older males, or were in neighbourhoods with high rates of substance use,” according to the report.

Sarah Blyth, Overdose Prevention Society in Vancouver, said only about a dozen youth use her society’s Downtown Eastside trailer each year. Workers at the site have connected youth with Covenant House and other service providers in hopes they will find a different path.

“Obviously, we’ll do everything we can to protect people,” she said.

“That’s the most important thing.”

But at the same time, workers at the site don’t want youth to use alone and overdose without a peer to help them or call for help. She believes there is an urgent need for a place specifically for youth to access harm-reduction services but also access resources for treatment and recovery.

“Seeing young people that are using drugs is, I would say, the most challenging thing for workers down here,” she said. “You want every young person to have a great, exciting life with hope.”

Overall, the report says B.C. must establish prevention, early intervention, care, treatment and post-treatment services for youth and that harm reduction is a necessary part of this care.

Reconstructive lower surgery for transgenders will be available soon Health Minister Adrian Dix says the trangenders community advocated for a number of years for improved access to care for the complex surgeries in BC. Up until now, those wanting the surgery had to travel to Montreal or the United States, which Dix says resulted in additional medical risks associated with travelling long distances after surgery and with follow-up care.

The Health Ministry says genderaffirming surgery will be available at Vancouver Coastal Health starting next year and trans people will also have improved access to publicly funded chest and breast surgeries throughout the province.

Adrian Dix says B.C. is the first province in Western Canada to provide the surgeries.

The government says about 100 people travel out of the province for the lower surgeries every year and about 200 chest and breast surgeries are expected to take place in B.C. in the coming year.

Saturday, November 17, 2018 Canada is experimenting Canada giving cash directly to poor people in other countries as foreign with a new method of aid consultants, shipping costs and some of right amount or too much on foreign aid. spending millions of dollars in foreign aid: the bureaucracy. A Syrian refugee, right, in Only 28 per cent support an increase. handing cash directly to people in povertyLebanon signs documents after she received a Still, aid groups said the new tactic stricken or war-torn countries, two senior new bank card through which all aid agencies has been well received. “I haven’t come officials with Global Affairs Canada said. transfer their aid. Supporters of this type of across any political blowback over cash Global Affairs, the government department aid said that recipients, especially women, disbursements,” said Gregory Queyranne, responsible for Canada’s $5.6 billion annual know what they need more than outside manager of Oxfam Canada’s humanitarian aid budget, couldn’t provide a breakdown experts. And giving people — particularly unit. “If you are dispersing cash, you save of how much money Canada is spending refugees — cash to buy their own food, on the overhead … The reality is if you on direct cash transfers. But interviews clothing and other essentials helps stimulate with experts, including charities that receive local economies in host money from Global Affairs countries. It also has for unconditional cash the potential to reduce transfer programs, as well local animus toward the as a review of funding new arrivals.

Critics commitments to the UN said there isn’t enough and aid groups show the data on this strategy to government has been properly gauge its longspending tens of millions term effectiveness in of dollars annually on reducing poverty and these programs. “Direct helping poor countries cash transfers have to develop. “This type become a key element of of a thing is good as humanitarian response and development in a kickstart, almost like a jump, but not as a the last two to three years,” said one of two ladder to fundamentally lift people out of senior aid officials with Global Affairs who poverty,” said Aniket Bhushan, a Carleton spoke with CBC by phone on condition they University professor who leads the Canadian not be quoted by name. “It is much more International Development Platform, a efficient to deliver assistance this way. There research group focused on aid policy. “The is no middleman to decide what the needs real question is sustainability: What happens are. In humanitarian projects, it is being after the fact?” As for reduced bureaucracy considered the default approach now.” The and overhead, Bhushan said, governments officials said the money is being spent in and large aid agencies still need to send their around three dozen countries, although they experts to set up, administer and evaluate the could not provide a full breakdown, as direct programs. cash transfers are usually intertwined with Cash transfers don’t “offer enough of a other aid programs. short-circuit to drive up efficiency,” said Refugees in Jordan and Ethiopia are Bhushan. Others question whether more some of the people receiving cash aid from Canadian tax dollars should be given away Canadians, officials said. Supporters of overseas. According to an Angus-Reid poll giving cash directly to poor people overseas released in March, 72 per cent of Canadians said the transfers help reduce overhead believe the country is spending either the expenses by cutting out high-priced foreign

Surrey / White Rock MLAs criticize, defend referendum on ‘most important question’ A Surrey BC Liberal MLA says the level of response to the ongoing provincial referendum to date is “really scary” – on an issue she describes as “the most important question the electorate can be asked.”

Surrey South MLA Stephanie Cadieux said she puts a caveat on her proportionalrepresentation turnout opinion, noting the ongoing postal strike meant some residents received their voting packages after Nov. 2.

“It’s still very concerning at this stage of the game, halfway into the referendum, we have two per cent of ballots returned,” Cadieux told Peace Arch News Wednesday.

NDP MLA Jinny Sims (Surrey-Panorama), however, said it is premature to worry about turnout. She said she, too, is among those who have yet to return their ballot.

“It’s early,” she said. “I’ll be voting this weekend. Those who want to vote will vote.”

Residents across B.C. have until Nov. 30 to choose either to stay with the first-pastthe-post system or transition to proportional representation. On the ballot, those who vote yes to a switch may also choose from three types of proportional representation: dual-member proportional, mixed-member proportional or rural-urban proportional.

PAN reached out to Cadieux and Simms, after Surrey-White Rock BC Liberal MLA Tracy Redies Redies distributed her opinion on the referendum by email.

In last week’s email, Redies describes the issue as “complex with significant implications,” and says the decision to draft the questions – rather than have an independent citizens assembly do so – is one that left the process open to political influence.

But Sims said the criticism – which includes the suggestion that proportional representation allows “special-interest parties to be elected with very little support” – is “fear-mongering.”

LOCAL / NATIONAL

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aid experiment want impact, you need to include cash in your approaches.”

Nyatlak Nyiet, 30, a South Sudanese refugee living in a camp in western Ethiopia, is one of the people receiving direct cash transfers under a program run by Oxfam and partially financed by the Canadian government. Nyiet ran a tea shop in South Sudan before she was forced to flee last year amid civil conflict.

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Saturday, November 17, 2018

Fraser Institute suggests ICBC charges more to young drivers to cover financial loss The Fraser Institute has released a report suggesting there are multiple areas where ICBC could make policy changes to address growing losses at the public insurer.

The report, authored by John Chant, points to increasing rates for young drivers as one of the ways the insurer can cut into $1.3 billion in losses last year. “It is ICBC’s policy to charge

drivers the same rates regardless of their age.

Yet, much evidence shows that the incidence of accidents differs markedly among drivers of different ages. The costs of personal injury and property damage caused by drivers from 16 to 20 years old are estimated to be $900 more than for average drivers,” reads the report.

“The costs for drivers between 21 and 34 are

Company owner whose truck involved in Broncos bus crash appears in court The owner of a trucking company involved in the fatal Humboldt Broncos bus crash appeared without a lawyer at his first court appearance on Friday.

Sukhmander Singh of Adesh Deol Trucking was represented by duty counsel, who asked the matter be set over to Sukhmander Singh November 30.

Sukhmander Singh, 36, did not speak to anyone on his way into court in Calgary.

Sixteen people were killed and 13 were injured in rural Saskatchewan when the Broncos junior hockey team bus and a semi-truck owned by Singh collided at an intersection last spring. Sukhmander Singh faces eight charges relating to non-compliance with federal and provincial safety regulations.

There are seven charges under the federal Motor Vehicle Transport Act: two counts of

failing to maintain logs for drivers hours of service, three counts of failing to monitor the compliance of a driver under safety regulations, and two counts of having more than one daily log for any day. The eighth charge under the Alberta Traffic Safety Act alleges failure to have or follow a written safety program. Court documents allege the offences occurred between January 1 and March 31 — prior to the fatal accident on April 6. The maximum penalty for a federal hours of service failing is $5,000 per offence.

The provincial charge carries a $310 penalty.

A court can, however, use discretion to impose a penalty up to $2,000.

A l b e r t a Driver Jaskirat Singh Transportation said Adesh Deol Trucking remains suspended.

Surrey RCMP investigate fraudulent credit card operation In October 2018 the Surrey RCMP’s Property Crime Target Team (PCTT) and Economic Crime Unit (ECU) began an investigation into mail theft and fraud associated to a residence in the 6100 block of 175A Street in Surrey.

On November 9th PCTT and ECU executed a search warrant at the residence and uncovered what is believed to be a sophisticated operation. During the investigation at the residence investigators located and seized high powered computers, embossers, laminators, and other equipment associated to the manufacturing of fraudulent

credit cards. They also seized a significant quantity of keys, locks, key cutters, and a large quantity of stolen mail. Two men and one woman have been arrested in conjunction with this investigation however, charges have not yet been laid as the investigation is on-going. “The impacts of identity theft and fraud go beyond financial complications,” says Cpl. Elenore Sturko. “For victims, there often comes a lot of personal stress. We are pleased that this investigation has effectively shut down this criminal operation which has likely impacted hundreds of people.”

also higher. This rate structure requires safer drivers to pay higher premiums to subsidize riskier drivers. ICBC’s plans to add $100 to its premiums for inexperienced drivers will reduce only a small portion of the differences in costs.”

The provincial government is in the midst of overhauling rates and insurance payouts.

Attorney General David Eby signed off on regulation changes last week that will come into effect April 1, 2019, that caps payouts for minor injuries. The B.C. Utilities Commission (BCUC) is expected to approve a rate increase for all drivers next year but it is still unclear how much.

Expect bankruptcy rates to start climbing in 2019, new report warns For years, the number of Canadians defaulting on their loans has remained steady, even as household debt climbed higher. But don’t count on that to last much longer, says a new report by the Canadian Association of Insolvency and Restructuring Professionals (CAIRP). The study, which analyzed 20 years of data from the Office of the Superintendent of Bankruptcy Canada (OSB), found that there is usually a two-year lag between when interest rates start to rise and when consumer insolvency filings begin to increase.

The streak of interest rate hikes that occurred between 1996 and 2000, for example, was followed by a 22 per cent spike in the number of Canadians who filed either a consumer proposal or declared personal bankruptcy every year between 1998 and 2003. Similarly, the interest rate increases from 2004 to 2006 were followed by a 54 per cent jump in annual insolvency filings between 2006 and 2009. That’s why CAIRP

expects to more Canadians resorting to debt restructuring starting in 2019. The middle of next year will mark two years since the Bank of Canada started lifting its trend-setting policy interest rate. Since June 2017, rates have increased from 0.5 per cent to 1.75 per cent, and economists expect more hikes. The association, which represents nearly 1,500 licensed insolvency trustees and associates across the country, found in a survey that more than 70 per cent of its members expect to see insolvency filings rise over the next five years. “For more than a year, the issue of high consumer debt and rising interest rates have been a growing concern but they haven’t been reflected yet in the number of consumer insolvency filings,” said Chantal Gingras, chair of CAIRP, in a statement. “That’s due to the insolvency time lag that occurs between the point trouble begins and the point at which overextended individuals are forced to begin the debt resolution process.”

Canada Post’s positive offers not enough to end rotationg strike Canada Post’s latest contract offers to its workers has positives but not enough to put an end to rotating walkouts that are causing mail and parcel delivery delays across the country, the head of the Canadian Union of Postal Workers said Thursday after reviewing the lengthy proposals. And CUPW national president Mike Palecek won’t say whether tentative deals can be reached before a Saturday deadline imposed by Canada Post. “After a year at the bargaining table, it looks like Canada Post is ready to start negotiating,” Palecek said in an interview. “That being said, these offers don’t address our core issues.”Canada Post issues

‘time-limited’ offer to employees as eBay calls on Ottawa to end strikes. What the union needs is concrete proposals for dealing with an escalating number of work injuries at Canada Post -- and not processes designed to punt worker health and safety concerns down the road, said Palecek.

“We have an injury crisis on our hands.

(Canada Post) finally acknowledged that,” he said. “But they can’t just kick these problems off to a committee and pretend they’re going to do something about it.” The union has cited Labour Canada reports, which have placed postal employees ahead of longshore, transportation and mining workers in reporting disabling workplace injuries -- at a rate more than five times the rest of the federally regulated job sector. Canada Post, in its latest offers to both urban and rural and suburban employees, has proposed a $10-million fund to pay for “jointly identified initiatives” to speed up improvements to the Crown agency’s safety record and to reduce workplace injuries. The money was included in what Canada Post calls “time-limited” offers tabled Wednesday, aimed at ending rotating strikes that have created a historic backlog of undelivered parcels. The walkouts continued Thursday at processing plants in Montreal and Winnipeg, as well as at smaller locations in Ontario, British Columbia, New Brunswick and Newfoundland and Labrador. Canada Post said recent major shutdowns of parcel processing in Toronto and Vancouver have created a backlog of nearly 500 tractor-trailer loads of parcels and packages that need to be sorted -- 375 trailers in Toronto and 120 as of Thursday morning in Vancouver. The backlog has caused substantial delivery delays, said Canada Post, adding there is little hope of catching up to normal delivery times while CUPW members are agreeing to the union’s call for a ban on overtime for those workers not on picket lines.

Deepika & Ranveer Singh are married The hide and seek is over. Bollywood’s much-loved couple Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh, after two days of wedding ceremonies in the far and dreamy Lake Como setting in Italy, unveiled their first look as a married couple to the public on Nov. 15, immensely pleasing their army of fans. Both Deepika and Ranveer shared images – one each from their four-hour-long ceremony

Deepika Padukone married Ranveer Singh in traditional Indian ceremony at Villa Balbianello in Lenno, Como lake, northern Italy.

according to Konkani traditions on Nov. 14 and a North Indian style nuptial on Nov. 15. Sharing a jovial moment during the Konkani wedding, and in and the celebration on Nov. 15, Deepika looks resplendent on both occasions dressed in ensembles rooted in tradition as she chose red and gold as her primary colors.

Ranveer wore pristine white for ceremony and was color coordinated with Deepika.

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Saturday, November 17, 2018

Wedding bells for Kapil Sharma In recent times, Kapil Sharma and his long time girl friend Ginni Chatrath had made a visit to the holy shrine of Shirdi Sai Baba in order to get blessings prior to the release of the comedian’s second movie, Firangi.

A well informed source reveals, “It was the Firangi director Rajiev Dhingra’s wife’s birthday on Monday. Rajiev is Kapil’s childhood friend. So the two couples

decided to visit Shirdi together.”

The flick is also the star comedian’s first project as a movie maker. The well known personality had introduced his lady love to his buffs during the month of March and if the most recent report is anything to pass by, the pair may get married early 2018.

According to a report, “There is a lot of pressure from the two families. Ginni’s parents are keen that the couple makes their relationship official. Kapil’s mother also wants him to marry Ginni, whom she has grown fond of. Ginni had promised to

consider marriage only after Kapil cleaned up his act. Now, that the stand-up comedian is completely off alcohol and in a much more relaxed frame of mind, he too seems to be in the mood to take the plunge.”

The marriage spell in the country has started and the world of showbiz is readying to be present at nuptials of well known comedienne Bharati Singh - Haarsh Limbachiyaa and Aashka Goradia - Brent Goble that will take place by the coming month i.e.

December 2017.

And it is expected that the duo Kapil and Ginni also may tie the nuptial knot shortly.

Ginni was also witnessed along with Kapil at the finale episode of Zee TV’s Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Lil’ Champs 2017 that took place in the Pinkcity, Jaipur.

Kapil’s most popular show, The Kapil Sharma Show got ended a few months back because of Kapil’s worsening physical condition. The stand-up comedian flew to Bengaluru to undergo best cure at an Ayurvedic clinic and restore his body as well as mind.

He came back to Mumbai to finish the remaining parts of his movie Firangi that will hit theaters by November 24.

Firangi directed by Rajiev Dhingra also has sexy babe Ishita Dutta. The promo of the movie was accepted well by the viewers and it will be appealing to witness the king of response it acquires at the ticket booth.

Saturday, November 17, 2018 When I told her that she looks just a week older than in her debut film “Baazigar,” 25 years ago, she was mock-angry. “I am going to take this VERY personally,” she looked daggers at me and addressed me by name.

“That’s NO way to talk to a lady. I look better and younger than in that film!” A hearty, tinkling laugh followed.

Shilpa Shetty Kundra is one of those bubbly girls who are always extroverted, friendly, full

Bollywood

After ‘Baazigar,’ Shilpa makes another debut of warmth and make you feel like some old acquaintance within minutes. We met after almost 13 years, and she did not remember me; I do not blame her, but given her nature, it matters little.

A lot of water has flowed under the bridge.

Shilpa – I cannot possibly refer to her with her surname(s)! – has done a lot of films, won the Britsih television show “Celebrity Big Brother”

(the original of “Bigg Boss”), married a tycoon (Raj Kundra), became a mother, been a judge on television reality shows in India, turned film producer and is now making her web debut with the Reality Dating show, “Hear Me. Love Me’ on Amazon. Another recent debut was on radio, wherein she plays the title role in the play “Draupadi.”

And we cannot forget her other laurels: she

19

owns the Indian Premier League (IPL) cricket team Rajasthan Royals with her hubby. She is endorsing noble causes like PETA, has written fitness books and made DVDs on health, nutrition and Yoga. And she was also honored with a documentary, “The Real Shilpa Shetty,” after her reality show win. We met up at her palatial Juhu mansion for a chat. Excerpts from an interview: Q: Why do you think you were chosen for the show? And why did you choose it too?

20

Bollywood

Saturday, November 17, 2018

Divyanka Tripathi

604-566-3111 7233 - Fraser St., Vancouver, BC

Divyanka Tripathi appears to be confused while returning from a Diwali bash, when she got into another car by mistake.

Press release

Saturday, November 17, 2018

BC Liberals want youth care to encompass full spectrum of treatment BC Liberal MLAs are expressing cautious optimism about the Representative for Children and Youth’s latest report entitled Safety First. The report calls for a full suite of harm reduction measures for youth, after 24 youth died last year from overdoses.

This includes supervised injection sites but falls short of recommending youth-specific treatment, prevention and recovery options.

“The opioid crisis is not slowing down,” said BC Liberal Critic for Mental Health and Addictions Jane Thornthwaite. “The crisis has become so bad that it is actually causing life expectancy in our province to drop. The government’s strategy needs to expand from a sole focus on harm reduction to a full continuum of care that includes prevention and recovery in addition to harm reduction.”

That includes long-term recovery options that help people get well and supports them if they relapse. It should also include an offer of

Forest industry needs help from the province The provincial government is doing very little to help B.C.’s forest industry weather the decline of log prices and timber supply. “There are already hundreds of forestry workers out of work in the Cariboo and I know those who are still working are very worried about their future,” said CaribooChilcotin MLA Donna Barnett.

“The last two wildfire seasons have been devastating and we are in desperate need of an economic recovery program for the whole of rural and northern B.C.” “The current government has virtually ignored the softwood lumber dispute largely because of demand south of the border,” said Nechako Lakes MLA John Rustad. “We are now

Tackling the housing crisis head-on, so people can afford a place to call home

By John Horgan

abstinence-based treatment options when they are ready. Continuing to ignore these options will not curb overdoses.

“Parents, foster parents and professionals also need to be trained in youth mental health and addictions issues, so they can recognize the warning signs early and seek help,” said Laurie Throness, BC Liberal Critic for Children and Family Development.

The root causes of addiction need to be identified and treated so that youth can move on a pathway to get well. Educational, preventative and intervention initiatives integrated into the school system would also help. “I introduced the Safe Care Act earlier this year, which would address many of the gaps in the government’s strategy,” said Thornthwaite. “It’s time for the government to pass the Safe Care Act so that youth get the care they need.”

paying the price in terms of layoffs. While NAFTA was being renegotiated, the steel, aluminum and auto industries had a voice in government but the forest industry was left largely ignored.”

“Punitive tariffs on softwood lumber are a bad recipe for the industry going forward,” said Cariboo North MLA Coralee Oakes. “Workers in my riding have been hit the hardest so far and I am afraid of more to come. We need to stabilize the industry in the interim and have a longterm strategy to deal with the challenges that come from nature including wildfires and beetle infestations.”

21

The tax is also overwhelmingly supported by people in B.C. Recent polls show that public support for the speculation tax is between 77 and 88 per cent. Anyone can avoid the

When our government came into office 15 months ago, we inherited one of the biggest challenges in B.C.’s history: the housing affordability crisis. For young families starting out, seniors, students, and business owners looking to keep talented workers here, the housing crisis hurts everyone.

For too long, the old government refused to act as the crisis spread throughout our province.

They let speculators abuse loopholes and fuel a hot real estate market. The Premier John Horgan, Shane Simpson, Minister of Social Development & housing crisis was left to spiral out of control. Now, Poverty Reduction and Selina Robinson, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, tour a modular home we have near-zero vacancy rates and the most unaffordable housing tax by renting out their home for at least six prices in Canada. months of the year. It is estimated that 99 per We’re tackling the housing crisis cent of British Columbians will not pay the head-on because we believe people tax, and the only ones who will pay are those who live and work in B.C. should be with vacant homes in the areas hardest hit able to afford a place to call home. by the housing crisis. We think it’s fair to Our government is making the largest ask people fortunate enough to own multiple investment in affordable housing in B.C.’s homes to either rent them or pay the history, including affordable rentals for speculation tax to help build more affordable middle-income families, student, social, housing. Most people in B.C. agree. The Indigenous and seniors housing. We’ve housing crisis was not created overnight, also taken strong steps to tackle fraud and it won’t be fixed overnight. People in and speculation in the housing market.

B.C. should be able to afford a place to call The speculation tax is a key part of that home, and the opportunity to build a better plan, and necessary to moderate the life for themselves and their families. We’re housing market. And it’s starting to work. tackling the housing crisis and working hard According to experts, including RBC, the to make life more affordable, improve the Canadian Real Estate Association, and services people count on, and build a strong, Sotheby’s, the speculation and vacancy sustainable economy throughout B.C. It’s tax and other measures introduced by the part of building a better future for everyone Province are helping to cool the housing in B.C. market, and moderate prices and rents.

22

Saturday, November 17, 2018

Saturday, November 17, 2018

Vishwanath Dhiri & Maneka Dhiri’s son Aditya Dhiri married with Ashriya Panesar daughter of Shri Gargi Panesar & Amarpreet Panesar at Burnaby on No. 14, 2018. Congratulation to newlywed couple , families & friends.

Diwali celebration at Gurdwara Nanak Niwas

As part of the Diwali and Bandi Chhore Divas celebration at Gurdwara Nanak Niwas in Richmond, Millicent Mabi, Community Services Librarian from Richmond Public Library joined us to make the Sangat aware of the free services provided by the Library . Pictured here (from left) with Balwant Sanghera, Balbir Jawanda and Sohan Basi .

23

Directors of South Asian business association had a discussion with minister for Citizen Services of British Columbia regarding affordable house and economy during breakfast in Surrey on Nov.14, 2018.

24

Vol. 9 No. 46

Saturday, November 17, 2018

Saturday - November 17, 2018

Tel: 604-591-5423

E-mail: ads@theasianstar.com

Real estate prices may be Prices easing but Canada’s housing market still ‘highly vulnerable’: showing signs of easing but market, like what happened in the 1980s and Canada’s housing market remains “highly Vancouver, Victoria and Hamilton are still early 1990s in Toronto when a housing bubble vulnerable,� according to the Canadian considered to have a “high degree of overall caused real estate prices to skyrocket in a short vulnerability� even though house prices Mortgage and Housing Corporation. span of time. The agency’s report noted that there The federal agency says that stricter are getting more in line with housing market continues to be overbuilding — where rental fundamentals such as income, mortgage rates mortgage rules, rising interest rates and and population. CMHC says it sees vulnerability vacancy rates or inventory of unsold newsmaller growth in inflation-adjusted as imbalances in the housing market, attributed builds are higher than normal — in Edmonton, disposable income has led to less demand to overbuilding, overvaluation, overheating and Calgary, Saskatoon, and Regina. for housing and a decline in prices.

It says Winnipeg is particularly concerning, price acceleration.

Despite these factors, markets in Toronto, It gives an example of a vulnerable housing as inventory of newly completed but

CMHC

unsold units have been accumulating for the past two quarters. Meanwhile, housing prices in Montreal continue to be at levels equal to economic and demographic activity, but nevertheless the resale market “close to overheating� as demand begins to outstrip supply. The agency made the findings in its quarterly Housing Market Assessment report, which is meant to gauge the stability of the national real estate market.

Vancouver housing sales fall to six-year low Housing sales in the Vancouver region have fallen to their lowest level in six years as price declines extend beyond singlefamily detached properties to condos and townhouses. “The affordability situation is improving across all segments of the market,� said Josh Gordon, assistant professor at Simon Fraser University’s school of public policy. Greater Vancouver home sales in October Sales volume for detached houses, condos and townhomes While the Vancouver region remains by far the most expensive housing market in Canada, prices for condos and townhomes have slid over the past four months after a five-year rally.

By contrast, prices for detached houses

started their descent in mid-2016, before recovering in early 2017 and then heading down again in October, 2017.

Factors influencing the market include the B.C. government’s plan, unveiled in February, for what it calls a speculation and vacancy tax targeted primarily at out-of-province residents. “That tax announcement has curtailed speculative

buying, as we see in the lower sales totals.

Flipping activity has dropped off,�

Prof.

Gordon said in an interview on Friday.

Phil Moore, president of the Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver, said the number of listings has increased to a fouryear high. With 12,984 properties for sale on the Multiple Listing Service, that’s up 42.1 per cent from a year earlier. “For

home buyers, this means you have more selection to choose from,� Mr. Moore said in a statement. “For sellers, it means your home may face more competition, from other listings, in the marketplace.� Sales volume for all housing types in October decreased to 1,966 transactions, down 34.9 per cent from 3,022 sales in the same month of 2017.

Last month’s sales, the lowest for October since 2012, were 26.8 per cent under the 10year average for the month, according to the board. In Greater Vancouver, the monthover-month benchmark price (an industry representation of the typical home sold in an area) for all residential types has declined for five consecutive months, hitting $1,062,100 in October.

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Saturday, November 17, 2018

Home sales will fall over next 2 years, CMHC

#106 - 7565 132 St. Surrey, BC 604.572.3005

Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp. says the country’s real estate market is expected to moderate over the next two years as the growth in housing prices is expected to slow to more in line with economic fundamentals.In its 2018 housing market outlook released today, the national housing agency projects housing starts and sales are both expected to decline

in 2019 and 2020.It predicts housing starts for single and multi-unit starts will fall to between 193,700 and 204,500 in 2019, while sales are anticipated to be between 478,400 and 497,400 units. Prices are anticipated to range between $501,400 and $521,600.

CMHC says it expects economic indicators

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26

Classifieds / Jobs Change Of Name

I,Nandani Mudaliar presently residing at 9990 124 A Street Surrey BC V3V 4W5 changed my name from Nandani Mudaliar to Nandani Nand

Saturday, November 17, 2018

Workers required Meat shop in Surrey requires full time / part time worker immediately.

Punjbi and English speaking must. Good wages.

Please call: 604-362-6194

27

Saturday, November 17, 2018

South Asian Seniors - Wishing Happy Diwali to All of You & to Your Family Vedic Seniors Parivar Center of Vedic Hindu Cultural Society Surrey wishes a very happy The Festival of Lights ( Diwali ) to you all and to your family.

Please remember we are going to celebrate Diwali get together and group birthday of our 41 senior members on November 18th 2018 (Sunday) at Ultimate Banquet hall 8072 - 120th street Surrey BC at 6.00 pm. There will

be live entertainment program with hilarious jokes, Bollywood music, cake cutting ceremony, mouth watering dinner and desserts. We have invited prominent community Musicians Tejaswita Mohan, Raj Toora & Swaran Dhaliwal and also talented singer members Dr. Birendra Sahu, Mohan Bhojwani and Harmesh Sidher will entertain you all. Prior registration required for participation, please call Surendra Handa Coordinator Tel. 604 507 - 9945 for registration.

For more Updates, Visit our Website

Contact Brent or Wayne

604-377-5429 www.theasianstar.com

Email: fraservalleygolf@shaw.ca Video link: www.cotala.com/28804

28

Saturday, November 17, 2018

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Saturday, November 17, 2018

DREAM CARPET

29 17

30 18

LOCAL / NATIONAL

Saturday, November 17, 2018

BC gangsters busted in Winnipeg have long histories with police The BC gov’t wants a house and several vehicles forfeited after their owners were charged with drug trafficking in Manitoba.

Two BC men — one convicted in a highprofile 1982 slaying and the other as Independent Soldier gangster — have been charged in a major Winnipeg police investigation into a drug trafficking organization.

Allan Ronald Rodney, 70, was convicted of manslaughter in the 1982 death of Sharon Bollivar, the wife of a supermarket manager kidnapped for ransom in Kitsilano and later shot to death.

Mohammad Shakil Khan, 39, is an Independent Soldier member who joined the Wolfpack gang alliance after it formed in 2010.

Both are behind bars in Manitoba after getting arrested there last month, along with Rodney’s Surrey housemate, Shontal Vaupotic, and several people from Alberta and Manitoba.

Winnipeg Police allege that Khan, a Vancouver resident, headed a criminal organization that was moving millions of dollars of drugs from BC to Manitoba and that Rodney was one of the gang’s drivers.

The BC gov’t now wants to seize some of Khan’s and Rodney’s assets as proceeds of their criminal activities.

The director of civil forfeiture filed a suit in B.C. Supreme Court last week, seeking Rodney’s interest in his Surrey house, as well a semi trailer and several

BC Cancer Foundation gala raises $4.3 million As the B.C. Lions readied for a final home game under coach Wally Buono on Nov. 3, no less than four galas kicked off downtown.

Unlike the Leos, all were winners. The first, the B.C. Cancer Foundation’s 14th annual Inspiration gala at the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver, reportedly raised $4.3 million — including two $1-million donations from guests — to support blood cancer research.

Tamara Taggart chaired again. She also MC’d with former CTV News at Six co-anchor Mike Killeen. He had to keep mum for two more days about his return to tube and timeslot Nov. 19 to present CBC Vancouver News with Anita Bathe. Jane Hungerford, who chaired the first Inspiration gala and five predecessor events, attended this one with lawyerhusband George. When mononucleosis

sidelined him from 1964 Olympics rowingeights competition, Hungerford joined Roger Jackson in coxless pairs. They promptly won Canada’s sole gold medal.

Founding and current Inspiration gala chairs Jane Hungerford and Tamara Taggart saw $4.3 million reportedly raised for the B.C. Cancer Foundation.

Crime Stoppers

“Most Wanted” Subject: 1 Name: GEORGE, Jeremy Age: 32 Height: 5’10” (178 cm) Weight: 180 (82 kg) Hair: Black Eyes: Brown Wanted: Canada wide parole.

Conviction for B&E, Sexual Assault. Dangerous Offender.

Warrant in effect: Nov.13, 2018. **************************************** Subject: 2 Name: PLATT, Patrick, Age: 48 Height: 5’11” (180 cm) Weight: 190 (86 kg), Hair: Blonde Eyes: Blue, Wanted: Canada wide parole, Warrant in effect: Nov. 13, 2018 **************** ********************* Subject: 3 Name: WILLMS, Daryl Joel Age: 35 Height: 6’ (183 cm) Weight: 185 (84 kg) Hair: Brown Eyes: Blue Wanted: Fraud x11 Warrant in effect: Nov. 13, 2018. **************************************** Unsolved Crime of the week: Patrick Martin Homicide Date: Jan. 11, 2012, 12800 blk. 92A Ave. Surrey. On Jan.10, 2012, Patrick went shopping for a birthday gift, for one of his daughters. He called his wife around 5:00 PM and said he was on his way home. That was the last time his family would hear from him. At approximately 8:00 AM, the next day, police discovered Patrick lying unconscious, in a Surrey lane, in the 12800 blk. 92A Ave. He was taken to hospital; but, pronounced dead 7 hrs later. IHIT took custody of the case, as it appeared Patrick had sustained injuries consistent with a homicide.

Police believe that Patrick was not attacked at the location, where he was found, but dumped there after he was injured.

If you have any information about the homicide of Patrick Martin, please help the family gain closure and justice, by contacting IHIT. If you wish to remain anonymous, you can contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.

LOCAL / NATIONAL

Saturday, November 17, 2018

Calgarians vote ‘no’ to Olympics — and Notley When Calgarians voted on their city’s Olympic bid this week, they didn’t just say “no” to the Games, they were arguably making a much larger political statement.

They were saying “no” to Alberta’s NDP government.

Not that the NDP was on the ballot, of course.

The actual ballot simply asked voters to mark an X next to one of the following statements: “I am for Calgary hosting.”

“I am against Calgary hosting.”

But on a subconscious level, the ballot was asking beleaguered Calgarians, “I am for more debt,” or “I am against more debt.”

That’s what the vote boiled down to.

It was all about money. The Games had an estimated price tag of $5.1 billion, but even that amount was optimistic, according to some economists who noted every Olympics for the past 50 years or so has gone over budget.

Then there was the public haggling between the province and federal governments over how much they would contribute, with

Alberta offering a relatively austere $700 million and Ottawa putting up $1.4 billion.

The International Olympic Committee would kick in money, too, but the math never seemed to add up to anything but a great big fiscal hole for the city of Calgary.

Never mind the feel-good benefits and upgraded facilities and, in the words of the “yes” campaign, “Telling a new story about Calgary to the world.”

The debate over the Games was in many ways a discussion about debt.

This in a city still reeling from a recession, a city that has the highest unemployment rate outside of Atlantic Canada, a city where 25 per cent of downtown office space sits empty.

This in a province that, just a few years ago, had no debt and is now headed to $70 billion worth of debt next year.

As far as the United Conservative Party (UPC) opposition is concerned, that number might as well be tattooed

Canadian Xiao Hua Gong claims evidence ‘coerced’ in China to freeze his $70 Million in NZ Nearly $70m has been restrained in New Zealand on evidence, Edward Gong claims, that was gathered by coercing witnesses in China.

A wealthy businessman who had nearly $70 million frozen in New Zealand as part of a fraud prosecution in Canada says the evidence against him was gathered by coercion in China.

Xiao Hua Gong built a business empire in Toronto including a hotel chain and television channels, as well as attending fundraisers for Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and donating to the governing Liberal Party.

But the entrepreneur, also known as Edward Gong, was forced to deny his success and influence was gained from a $202 million pyramid scheme selling medicines in China.

He was arrested in Canada and charged with fraud and money laundering last December in connection to the alleged pyramid scheme involving the “fraudulent sale of hundreds of millions of dollars” in shares in China.

In June, the Herald revealed New Zealand’s role in the transnational investigation.

Nine months before Gong’s arrest in Canada, a High Court judge granted freezing orders over Gong’s assets in New

Zealand which include $69.5 held in bank accounts and an Auckland home worth $2m.

Money laundering was the crime committed in New Zealand, the police allege, in order to distance Gong from the alleged pyramid scheme in China.

In a new interview with the Globe and Mail newspaper in Canada, Gong alleged Chinese authorities tried to extort money from him in exchange for dropping the case.

“Canada is accusing me and treating me unfairly, which also harms Canada’s national interest,” Gong told the Globe and Mail.

Gong said the co-operation between China and Canada - as well as New Zealand - would set a dangerous precedent.

“This is just the beginning ... after this case, there will be another Edward Gong and another Edward Gong and another Edward Gong.”

The Canadian fraud charges - and the restraint of his assets in New Zealand stem from police investigations in China.

Gong hired Craig Hannaford - the former head of the Canadian police unit now prosecuting Gong- to investigate the allegations against his client.

31 19

Canadian arrested in plot to smuggle grenade launcher, guns from US to Lebanon A Canadian citizen was arrested in Seattle, Wash. after he was busted trying to hide firearms in a vehicle that he and an associate were planning to ship to Lebanon, according to a criminal complaint released by the U.S. Justice Department.

Nafez El Mir, a Canadian who lives in Lebanon, and Lebanese citizen Hicham Diab were arrested after they stuffed a grenade launcher, assault rifle kit and other weapons into the door panels and bumper spaces of an SUV, all in the presence of undercover agents from Homeland Security Investigations, a division of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

It all started with a 2016 visit to Diab’s firearms store in the northern Lebanese

city of Tripoli by an unidentified U.S. resident. Diab asked whether this person had access to firearms in America and would be willing to sell them.

Upon returning to America, the U.S. resident reached out to authorities to inform them of Diab’s interest in buying weapons from the U.S. The person was enlisted as a confidential informant, and worked with authorities to place a number of phone calls to Diab to discuss the firearm smuggling plot.

In late October, over a year and a half after Diab began speaking with the informant, Canadian citizen El Mir was enlisted in the plot due to his supposed experience

2 men charged with attempted murder & forcible confinement in Dawson Creek attack In their 20s two men have been charged with attempted murder and forcible confinement related to a recent shooting in Dawson Creek.

North District RCMP Cpl. Madonna Saunderson says the attack happened Novovember 2.

She says charges have now been laid against 22-year-old Ghislain Cormier

and 20-year-old Chase Schwab.

Both men remain in custody awaiting further court proceedings.

Saunderson says the investigation began after a 30-year-old man was found suffering from multiple gunshot wounds.

Investigators believe the attack was targeted and the public is not at risk.

20 32

NATIONAL

Saturday, November 17, 2018

BC researcher argues anti-Alberta oil campaigns about protecting US interests, not environment Anti-oil campaigns have called Alberta’s industry “the tar sands,” “Alberta’s dirty oil” and “Canada’s most embarrassing secret.”

But during an interview with Global Edmonton anchor Jennifer Crosby on Monday, a British Columbia researcher said the campaign against Alberta oil is more about American economic interests than protecting the environment.

Vivian Krause has been researching the oilsands for nearly a decade and she told her studies have led her to believe the push against the oilsands is funded by American philanthropists in an effort to land-lock Alberta oil so it cannot reach overseas markets, where it would attain a higher price per barrel.

“About $90 million over the last 10

years has gone towards various efforts to restrict oil and gas development and export from Alberta. The problem that I see with this is that they’re trying to cap and restrict Alberta production, but there’s no such campaign in Texas,” Krause said.

“I’m sure the reason they are doing it is because of the environment and because of climate-related problems, but the trouble is it’s not helping the environment because the oil, if it doesn’t come from Alberta, it’s just coming from some other country.”

Krause said the campaign was originally funded by charitable organizations from California and the philanthropic organization Rockefeller Brothers Fund, which was created with funding from the famous Rockefeller family.

Scotiabank’s StartRight® program helps new Canadians Save and Earn Rewards For many new Canadians, establishing savings goals and plans are lower down on A the list of priorities when settlingAinto life in a new country, and learning how to be rewarded for their spending habits can be left to the unknown. Thankfully, through Scotiabank’s StartRight® Program, both are easily achievable for new Canadians.

Setting Goals and Making a Plan It is important to set short and long-term financial goals once you’ve settled into your new life in Canada.

These goals can include, but are not limited to: -Building good credit by using your credit cards smartly – paying bills on time and limiting yourself to just one or two cards.

-Setting up registered savings plans such as a Registered Education Savings Plan (RESP) that helps students pay tuition fees for post-secondary studies.

-Obtaining and paying a mortgage with a mortgage plan that is best suited for you and your family.

Additionally, one of the simplest things to do as a newcomer is to set up a savings account, which can be used to help fund your short or long-term financial goals.

Scotiabank offers several savings products, including: -The Scotiabank MomentumPLUS Savings Account: With no monthly fee or minimum balance requirement, the MomentumPLUS Savings Account lets you earn various levels of interest on your money. The longer you save, the more interest you earn.

Tax-Free Savings Account (TFSA): A TFSA allows you to save a set amount of funds each year without being taxed, and funds can be withdrawn at any time.

High-Interest Savings Account (HISA): A HISA is a type of account that pays higher interest rates on the money you deposit, keeping your funds secure and allowing you to withdraw at any time.

-Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP): A RRSP allows you to save money for retirement while reducing your taxes – when you invest money in a RRSP you can then deduct that same amount from your taxable income for that year. You will need to wait until after you’ve filed your first year of taxes in Canada to open an RRSP to know how much you are able to contribute.

“Canada’s banking landscape is very accessible to newcomers of Canada, offering many different types of savings

accounts and products,” said Munsif Sheraly, Director of Multicultural Banking A at Scotiabank.

“What’s great about the Scotiabank StartRight® Program is that it offers over $300 in banking benefits when you set up a new account, and our multilingual advisors are committed to helping newcomers to Canada set savings goals as quickly as possible.”

Earning Rewards on Your Spending Using a credit card for purchases in Canada offers you more benefits then building your credit history, by allowing you to earn rewards for everyday purchases.

Rewards can be earned in various forms, such as cash back or points that can be redeemed towards travel or entertainment p u r c h a s e s .

Scotiabank offers more rewards options1 than any other bank in Canada. To learn more about all of the Scotiabank rewards credit cards and to learn more about the resources available to help set you up for financial success, visit www.scotiabank.com/startright.

1.

Calculation of reward options is based on the number of Scotiabank debit cards, credit cards and retail bank accounts associated with the Scotia Rewards® program, Scotia Momentum® Cash Back Program, premium interest on the Scotiabank Momentum Savings Account associated with our bundle offers, auto and retail related rewards program on credit cards and the SCENE† program, compared to the number of reward options publicly offered on similar products by other Canadian Schedule I banks.

Calculation is current as at March 12, 2018.

About Scotiabank Scotiabank is Canada’s international bank and a leading financial services provider in North America, Latin America, the Caribbean and Central America, Europe and Asia-Pacific. We are dedicated to helping our 25 million customers become better off through a broad range of advice, products and services, including personal and commercial banking, wealth management and private banking, corporate and investment banking, and capital markets. With a team of more than 96,000 employees and assets of over $947 billion (as at July 31, 2018), Scotiabank trades on the Toronto (TSX: BNS) and New York Exchanges (NYSE: BNS).

For more information, please visitwww.scotiabank.com and follow us on Twitter @Scotiabank.

Home prices dip in October, first decline in eight months The TeranetNational Bank Composite House Price Index, which m e a s u r e s changes for repeat sales of single-family homes, showed prices fell 0.4 percent in October from September, says Canadian home prices fell in October for the first time in eight months

as widespread price declines were seen across the country, data showed on Friday.

Prices were down in 10 of the 11 metropolitan markets surveyed, Teranet said. Just Montreal was higher, with a 0.2 percent gain.

basis,

the

index

On a yearo v e r - y e a r climbed 2.8 percent.

Saturday, November 17, 2018 Canada considering sanctions against Saudis over murder of journalist Khashoggi Canada is “actively considering” deploying Magnitsky Act sanctions over the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland said today.

“We are very aware of the U.S. sanctions on certain Saudi individuals and we have been in close contact with the U.S. about those Magnitsky sanctions,” said Freeland, in Port Colborne, Ontario this afternoon for a media availability to discuss the new USMCA trade deal. “Canada welcomes the U.S. action. When it comes to Canada, we also do have Magnitsky legislation in place and that is a tool that we have found very useful in our foreign policy.

And that is certainly something which in the coming days Canada is actively considering.”

Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland says the Canadian government is “actively considering” using a new law designed to target corrupt Russian officials to lay sanctions on Saudi officials involved in the killing of Jamal Khashoggi. 0:53 The U.S. Treasury announced Magnitsky Act sanctions on 17 Saudi officials today in respose to their role in Khashoggi’s murder. It’s the first

policy response by the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump to the journalist’s death. Saudi Arabia is a key American ally in the Middle East. Khashoggi vanished on Oct. 2 after entering the Saudi consulate in Istanbul to obtain paperwork he needed to marry his Turkish fiancée.

Five days later, Turkish officials alleged that he had been tortured, killed and dismembered at the diplomatic outpost.

The Saudi government initially denied any involvement in Khashoggi’s disappearance, but eventually admitted he had died at the consulate. Today, just hours before the U.S. Magnitsky sanctions were announced, Saudi Arabia’s public prosecutor said the death penalty was being sought for five out of 11 suspects charged in Khashoggi’s murder. A spokesman for Saudi Arabia’s public prosecutor office again insisted that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman knew nothing of the operation, in which Khashoggi’s body was dismembered, removed from the building and handed over to an unidentified “local cooperator.”

Canada to work with China on eventual free trade deal despite NAFTA clause This is despite the country being a signatory to the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), which specifies that if one of its partners enters a free trade deal with a “non-market” country such as China, the others can quit in six months and form their own bilateral trade pact. “This clause doesn’t prevent us from doing what we’re already doing which is indeed continuing to negotiate with China on an eventual free trade deal,” Trudeau said in a town hall with students at the National University of Singapore. The clause, which has stirred controversy in Canada, fits in with U.S. President Donald Trump’s efforts to isolate China economically and prevent

Chinese companies from using Canada or Mexico as a “back door” to ship products tariff-free to the United States. “There is an element of transparency.

We have to keep our partners informed on how we’re doing,” Trudeau added. The United States and China are locked in a trade war that has seen them level increasingly severe rounds of tariffs on each other’s imports. Under the clause, the countries in the updated NAFTA, renamed the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), must notify the others three months before entering into negotiations that could lead to a trade deal with an outside country.

Conservative MPs ask Sajjan & Deputy Minister about $337,000 “party flight” Conservative MPs last week peppered Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan with questions about the now infamous December 2017 Canadian Forces “Team Canada” tour. The tour, with VIPs who were supposed to boost the morale of military personnel deployed overseas, turned into a fiasco. Some VIPs on the RCAF flight to Greece and Latvia were drunk and abusive to the crew, in particular the military flight attendants. The VIP civilian passengers, including former NHL player Dave “Tiger” Williams were exempt from security screening before the flight, and some — already drunk — walked on to the Canadian Forces aircraft with open alcoholic drinks in their hands.

Two individuals were so drunk they were reported to have urinated themselves.

Video taken aboard the plane showed people — including a staff member from Chief of the Defence Staff Gen. Jon Vance’s office — dancing in the aisles of the aircraft with their drinks as a rock band played at the back of the plane. Others chewed tobacco, in violation of Canadian Forces rules, spitting the slimy juice into cups for flight attendants to clean up.

The crew felt they couldn’t do anything to put a halt to the antics as these very important people were Vance’s guests.

Some military personnel have labelled the fiasco the “party flight” while some in the

RCAF refer to the Dec. 2-3 2017 incident as the “Mardi Gras at 34,000 feet.”

Williams has been charged with sex assault and assault. He denies the charges.

The alleged victim is a military flight attendant.

The $337,000 taxpayer-funded trip was planned by Vance’s office. Vance okayed the booze on the RCAF aircraft.

Conservative MPs James Bezan and Cheryl Gallant grilled Harjit Sajjan at the Commons defence committee last Thursday about what he knew about the flight and when. They questioned whether his department and the Canadian Forces tried to mislead the public and the news media, namely the Ottawa Citizen, about what happened on the flight.

Sajjan didn’t give a clear answer on when he found out about the problems on the aircraft but said his department and the Canadian Forces don’t mislead journalists.

He noted that the priority for the DND and Canadian military is to ensure a harassment-free environment and helping victims of alleged sexual impropriety.

Jody Thomas, Deputy Minister at the Department of National Defence, told parliamentarians there was no attempt to mislead the Ottawa Citizen. “ Information was released as it became available,” Thomas said.

NATIONAL

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INDIA

Saturday, November 17, 2018

Congress appoints two political generals in battle for Rajasthan In a strategic move to signal preparedness the Congress decides to field its 2 generals, a former Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot and state Chief Sachin Pilot — in Rajasthan election war on December 7.

Appearing together in the capital to welcome the Congress fold Harish Chandra Meena, the sitting BJP Lok Sabha member from Dausa, both Gehlot and Pilot said they will be contesting the upcoming Rajasthan elections for the assembly.

“I will fight elections and so will Mr Sachin Pilot,” Gehlot, Congress General Secretary organisation, announced enthusiastically.

Sachin Pilot, seated close to Ashok Gehlot, Ashok Gehlot first sufficed to smile at his senior’s remarks but later decided to corroborate him.

“On the directions of Congress President Rahul Gandhi and on the request of Shri Ashok Gehlot I will be contesting the upcoming assembly elections,” said the 41 year old Rajasthan Congress President. Known to be daggers drawn in state politics, Gehlot and Pilot wore a semblance of cordiality today denying any kind of rift. But asked which seat Pilot would contest, Gehlot said seats would be declared later but shortly.

“For today it should be enough of news for you that both of us will be contesting,” said Gehlot, known for his political shrewdness.

Notwithstanding happy vibes between the two politicians, Congress insiders today said the move to field both was sure to intensify the race for chief minister ship of the state should Congress win on December 11, as is widely

anticipated. Sources suggest one reason why the Congress continues to hold back the list of state candidates (BJP announced its first list three days ago) was the ongoing debate on whether both Gehlot and Pilot should contest.

In Madhya Pradesh, another election bound state, for instance, none of the senior leaders — state chief Kamal Nath, campaign panel chief Jyotiraditya Scindia or poll coordination committee chief Digvijay Singh — are contesting. Gehlot, a sitting MLA from Sardarpura in Jodhpur, however has never ruled himself out of the CM race and has been clear from the start that Sachin Pilot he would fight state polls. Even today he said “everyone should fight elections.” Meanwhile Pilot, a close friend of Congress Chief Rahul Gandhi, has remained tight lipped about whether he would contest state elections considering he has never contested for assembly earlier.

He was Lok Sabha MP. It’s learnt that the decision to field both Gehlot and Pilot took a while with Pilot throwing his hat in the ring in the very end should he miss out on the race for state CM-ship in case the Congress wins Rajasthan. Gehlot when asked about the CM face of the party today said the Congress had conventionally never named a CM candidate before elections in Rajasthan. “We like to respect that history,” he said keeping his own and other options open. Earlier once he had said in response to a question on Congress’ CM face, “Do you ever know in advance kaun

Modi awards India-Singapore hackathon winning teams PM Modi felicitates six winning teams, including three from India, of the first IndiaSingapore Hackathon, a platform for the youth of the two countries to harness and showcase their innovations. The top six teams, three each from India and Singapore, participated in a 36-hour-long Hackathon Grande Finale here.“PM Narendra Modi met and felicitated the winning teams of India Singapore Hackathon, agreed to during the visit of PM to Singapore in June 2018,” Ministry of External Affairs spokesman Raveesh Kumar tweeted. “Happy to have met innovators who won prizes in the first-ever Singapore-India Hackathon. They talked about their extensive work. I was impressed by their passion and commitment towards solving problems our world faces,” Modi said.

Modi presented the awards to the winning teams at an awards ceremony which was also attended by Education Minister of Singapore Ong Ye Kung. The teams were chosen after a final pitching session. First prize of SGD 10,000, second prize of SGD 6,000 and third prize of SGD 4,000 was announced for each of the three winners from India and Singapore. The winning teams from India were IIT Kharagpur, NIT Trichy and MIT College of Engineering, Pune, the Indian High Commission in Singapore said. The winning teams from Singapore comprised Nanyang Technological University (NTU) and the Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD), it said in a statement.

“Platforms like the Singapore-India

Hackathon serve as excellent opportunities for our youngsters to showcase their work.

They also serve as forums to learn about pioneering innovations by youngsters from other nations and institutes. A win-win for our students!” Modi said in a tweet. During his official visit to Singapore in June, Modi proposed to his Singaporean counterpart Lee Hsien Loong that India and Singapore should organise a joint Hackathon to harness and showcase the innovation potential of their youth. The proposal was welcomed

by Prime Minister Lee. The Nanyang Technological University (NTU) in Singapore and the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) conducted the hackathon that included solving eight problem statements. Twenty teams each from both the countries comprising university and college students selected on nationwide basis participated in the event to harness and showcase the innovation potential of the youth. Each of these teams had three students and one mentor. From India, an 83-member delegation comprising 60 students, 20 mentors and three officials of the AICTE visited Singapore for the event which Modi said is a “boost to technology, innovation and youth power”. The eight ‘Problems Statements’ presented to the participants were in the areas of mapping, synchronised output of diverse social media, shared digital identity verification, effective number estimate, space management and allotment, effective learning and personal security.

Supreme Court reserves order on Rafale deal The Supreme Court reserved its orders on crucial hearing on pleas seeking a courtmonitored probe into the procurement of 36 Rafale fighter jets from France.

Deputy Chief of Air staff, Air Marshal V R Chaudhari and two other from Indian Air Force appeared in the Supreme Court to assist it on the issue of the procurement of 36 Rafale fighter jets from France.

The officers appeared before a bench headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi had sought their assistance in the case.

On Monday, the Centre handed over a 14page document to the Supreme Court came after discussions between Finance Minister Arun

Jaitley, Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and Attorney General KK Venugopal, reports said.

The document -- provided to a bench headed

by Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi in a sealed cover -- has the approval of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, a media agency added.

The petitioners are likely to respond to the contents of the documents in which it has been stated by the government that the deal for 36 Rafale jets were negotiated on “better terms” and the Defence Procurement Procedure laid out in 2013 were “completely followed”.

Hyundai Motor India Ltd to spend about Rs 7,000 crore at Tamil Nadu facility Hyundai Motor India Ltd (HMIL) will spend about Rs 7,000 crore on its Tamil Nadu facility, as India’s second-largest car maker plans to expand its production capacity, make powertrains, launch new models and roll out electric vehicles, said a top company official here.

Officials of HMIL, wholly owned subsidiary of Hyundai Motor Company, Seoul, led by its Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Y.K. Koo on Monday met Tamil Nadu Chief Minister K.Palaniswami here.

Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Koo said the company plans to increase the production capacity by another 100,000 units, of which 50,000 will be completelybuilt units (CBU) and 50,000 will be completely knocked-down (CKD) units for exports. It also plans to make 10 new models between including electric vehicles by 2025.

Currently, HMIL, has a total manufacturing capacity of about 700,000 units a year at its Irungattukottai plant near here.

Koo said the company has requested the

state government to give tax incentives and ensure power and water supplies.

According to him, the company will produce more than 10 models, including electric vehicles, imported in CKD form in the first stage and later start manufacturing the same within three years.

“We have the MoU (Memorandum of Understanding) signing in January (during the Global Investors Meet) with the Tamil Nadu Government,” Koo said.

According to B.C. Dutta, Vice President, Corporate Affairs at HMIL, the fresh investment would create about 700 new jobs.

HMIL currently retails nine models across the country. It also exports its vehicles to around 87 countries, including Africa, Middle East, Latin America, Australia and the Asia Pacific.

According to a Hindu Business Line report, Hyundai will be shipping CKDs, instead of CBUs to a few select markets where the tax is higher for CBUs. As a result of this, CKD exports will increase, enabling the company to produce more to meet domestic market.

PUNJAB

Saturday, November 17, 2018

Teachers forced to take part-time jobs to make ends meet Employed with the state Education Department for the past 15 years, Kartar Chand, a teacher of Gov’t Primary School, Dhangu road, drives the auto after school to make ends meet. As an ETT teacher, his Rs 5,000 salary isn’t enough to sustain his family of five.

As these teachers are given meagre salaries and that too after months, many of them are doing menial side jobs.

Even as the government credited double salaries to many employees including teachers, on Diwali, and then quickly withdrew the money, terming it as a software glitch, over 22,000 teachers of the state were not given their long-pending dues even during the festive season. They include 5,178 teachers of the 5178 Union (who have been without

salaries for nine months), 8,886 SSA/RMSA teachers (without salaries for four months), 7,800 EGS teachers (no salaries for three months) and about 950 volunteers of the Inclusive Education for Disabled (IED) programme (unpaid for two months).

Kartar Chand (MA, ETT), an EGS teacher, said, “I once contemplated suicide but then I thought about my father, wife and two sons who need me. I am the sole breadwinner. I and many others had joined the teaching service in the hope that we will be promoted after three years.

However, even after 15 years, I am merely getting Rs 5,000. I am overworked and at times unable to pay my kids’ mounting fee, but we can’t give up. Even after plying an auto rickshaw, I make just enough money to make both ends meet.”

Man jailed for life for killing sarpanch District and Sessions Court in Moga sentenced Kuldeep Singh, alias Keepa, to life imprisonment after he was found guilty of murdering a sarpanch. His co-accused

Rajinder Kumar, however, has been acquitted from the murder charge. Sarpanch Beant Singh (28) of Manuke village in Nihalsinghwala, who was an ardent supporter of SAD, was killed in a shootout on the outskirts of his village on April

Two convicted of killing two men during 1984 riots A Delhi court on Wednesday convicted two persons of killing two men during the 1984 anti-Sikh riots.

Additional Sessions Judge Ajay Pandey held Naresh Sherawat and Yashpal Singh guilty of killing Hardev Singh and Avtar Singh in Mahipalpur area of south Delhi during the riots.

The case was lodged on a complaint by Santokh Singh, brother of Hardev Singh.

The Delhi Police had closed the case in 1994 for want of evidence.

However, a special investigation team (SIT) on the riots reopened the case.

The court held the accused guilty of murder, attempt to murder, dacoity and voluntarily causing hurt by dangerous weapons or means.

Both convicts were taken into custody.

Illegal de-addiction centre sealed in Amritsar; 8 rescued A team of district health officials today sealed an unauthorised drug de-addiction centre being run from Rajewala village in the Jandiala block and rescued eight admitted patients. The patients were later shifted to government-run Swami Vivekananda Drug De-addiction Centre at Government Medical College here.

The team led by Assistant Civil Surgeon Dr Kirandeep Kaur raided the centre “Ek Parivartan” being run from an old home in the village. The team members found all inmates locked in a room secured with iron grills. Civil Surgeon Dr Hardeep Singh Ghai said as per preliminary investigation they found that the centre was being run

by Sukhwinder Singh Luthra. However, the team was not able to contact him or know about his whereabouts. The team members said only employee at the centre was an aged chowkidar.

5, 2017. Two bullets had pierced him, one in the neck and the other one in his back, which led to his death. During the investigation, it came to light that Beant was murdered as part of gang war.

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Sukhbir Badal asks gov’t to spell out dera’s role in Maur Mandi blast Shiromani Akali Dal chief Sukhbir Badal said the state gov’t should declare Dera Sacha Sauda followers guilty in the January 2017 Maur Mandi blast, if SIT probe had established so. Interacting with the media on the sidelines of a rally against the delay in disbursement of SC Post-Matric Scholarships, Sukhbir said: “The police should come out with the truth on the matter. If dera people are involved, the government should say so and arrest the guilty. It seems that there is no will to act.” After being accused of having a role in grant of pardon to dera chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim, Sukhbir has now surprisingly expressed his stance against the dera. Notably, dera chief ’s relative and former Congress MLA Harminder Jassi, outside whose rally the blast had taken place, had claimed that he was the target. Asked as to

why he kept maintaining that the blast was the result of hobnobbing between AAP and Sikh radicals, Sukhbir said: “It was based on the first information that we got. There was a first suspect and then a second. Anything can emerge after preliminary investigation.”

He tried to justify why the police under him as the then Home Minister could not establish the role of the dera.

Similarly, when quizzed on the “foreign hand” that he claimed was behind sacrilege incidents, Sukhbir moved on abruptly without replying. Sukhbir alleged that there was a serious threat to peace in the state. He hit out against the Congress government for denying education to Dalit students by refusing to release Rs 444 crore received from the Centre for the scholarship scheme.

He announced to launch a statewide agitation on the issue.

36

INDIA

Saturday, November 17, 2018

Top India, China officials hold defence and security dialogue ,States in an area also claimed by Bhutan

The dialogue on November 13 was held between the two defence delegations headed

by Defence Secretary Sanjay Mitra and China’s Deputy Chief of Joint Staff Department of the Central Military Commission. At the talks both sides agreed on enhancing defence exchanges and interactions at different levels between the two militaries, a press release by the Indian Embassy in Beijing said on Thursday. After the talks, Mr. Mitra called on Chinese State Councillor and Defence Minister General Wei Fenghe on Wednesday, the release said. Mr. Mitra was accompanied by senior officials of the ministry of defence and Indian Army, Navy and Air Force.

The annual dialogue did not take place last year following the 73-day tense standoff between the two militaries at Doklam, which was triggered by the Chinese PLA’s plan to build a road close to the narrow Chicken’s Neck corridor connecting India’s northeastern

besides China. The standoff ended when Chinese troops stopped the road construction after which both countries stepped up efforts to normalise relations leading to the informal summit between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Xi Jinping at Wuhan in April this year. The defence dialogue was also held ahead of the 21st round of border talks between the Special Representatives of the two countries in the Chinese city of Dujiangyan on November 23-24. National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and Chinese State Councillor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi are the designated Special Representatives for the border talks. Besides efforts to work out a solution to resolve the boundary dispute spanning 3,488 km, the border talks also focussed on discussions on other aspects of India-China relations.

Why Modi & Amit Shah’s ‘politics of fear’ is not good for 2019 election Narendra Modi’s prime ministerial bid in the Lok Sabha polls when it used to contest 2014 was marked by the ‘politics of hope’, with on the core issue Ram temple. In the 1989 the then Gujarat chief minister promising elections when the Ram temple movement everything under the sun to an electorate was picking up steam, the BJP increased its exasperated with the weak, corrupt and tally in the Lok Sabha to 85 — from 2 in the paralytic UPA regime. previous election— at a vote-share of 11.36 The BJP has changed its strategy to secure per cent. The vote share went up to 20.11 Modi for second term in 2019. The party per cent and the seat tally to 120 in the 1991 seems to have zeroed in on the ‘politics of fear’ Lok Sabha elections, held barely months after as its central theme — fear of Hindus being the arrest of L.K. Advani in the middle of his victimised by Bangladeshi “termites” and Myanmarese Rohingyas; fear of the judiciary denying Hindus the right to a Ram temple in Ayodhya; fear of ‘urban naxals’ who the Prime Minister identifies with the Congress; fear of an international conspiracy hatched

by Rahul Gandhi to derail the Rafale fighter jet deal; and, fear of a domestic conspiracy by a bunch of politicians to replace Modi and thus take India into BJP party president Amit Shah (right) and PM Modi an era of darkness. All these fears would be too overwhelming for people to recall the dreams they bought from Modi five years Somnath-Ayodhya Rath Yatra led to the fall ago. It may appear to be a sound strategy for a of the VP Singh government. The Ram temple ruling party facing so many questions on the issue was at the centre of a national political economy, foreign policy, and internal security. discourse, which got further polarised after But here are five reasons that expose the holes the demolition of the controversial structure in this strategy: in Ayodhya in December 1992. It didn’t result First, a return to the Ram temple agenda in any spike in the BJP’s vote-share in 1996 is unlikely to add any new voters to the elections although the party did secure more BJP’s kitty. Look at the party’s vote-share in seats —

PM Modi says financial tech needs to be a ‘movement’ — not a ‘mechanism’ Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Wednesday that the development of financial technology, or fintech, should be a movement that can improve the lives of the world’s most marginalized people. “We are in an age of a historic transition brought about by technology: From desktop to cloud, from internet to social media, from IT services to internet of things, we have come a long way in a short time,” Modi said at the Singapore FinTech Festival on Wednesday morning.

Modi, who is in Singapore for the East Asian Summit and to meet leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, said history has shown that the financial industry is often the first to embrace new technologies and connectivity. “There is daily disruption in businesses, the character of the global economy is changing — Technology is defining competitiveness and power

in the world and it is creating boundless opportunities to transform lives,” he said. The Indian prime minister, along with Singapore Deputy Prime Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam, formally launched on online marketplace that will connect technology startups and financial institutions in Asia and beyond. The platform — known as APIX, or API Exchange — was first announced in September.

One of its aims will be to drive financial inclusion across Asia Pacific, and to create a regulated space for financial institutions and fintech firms to collaborate and experiment on new technologies. It will be developed and operated by a global consortium led by technology company Virtusa.

The online marketplace will act like a bridge between the two sides, according to Varun

Deep in Indian forest, a battle over wood prized in China On a dry, moonless night in October, half a dozen police officers in sweatpants and sneakers crouched behind shoulderhigh brush and put their fingers to their lips.

Chirruping crickets and a faint wind crackled the leaves. Vijay Narasimharao, a towering 37-year-old inspector, heard footsteps in the grass less than 100 yards away.

The crunching sound drew closer, and when another officer flicked on his flashlight, about two dozen gaunt men suddenly came into view through a thicket. They flinched in surprise.

The officers lunged as the men scattered.

Narasimharao got his hands on one, who squirted out from under him and vanished into the dark.

All escaped except a 29-year-old, who was arrested for allegedly trespassing in the protected Seshachalam forest, home to the rare red sandalwood tree. The officers pulled back the collar of the man’s grimy polo shirt to reveal a deep purple bruise — evidence that he’d hauled the contraband timber out of the forest on his shoulder.

Thousands of tons of red sandalwood logs have been spirited illegally out of the vast,

rolling jungles of southern India in recent years, feeding a global trafficking network stretching from the Persian Gulf to China, its most common destination, where the wood is prized for its beauty and believed to possess medicinal qualities, including as an aphrodisiac.

Chinese demand has decimated the population of red sandalwood trees in India, its only natural habitat. In 2016, a decorative folding screen fashioned from red sandalwood sold at an auction in the eastern Chinese city of Nanjing for a record price of $23 million.

Nearly 3,000 miles away, impoverished Indian laborers steal in and out of the dense Seshachalam Hills to chop down the trees for local smuggling bosses. They saw the trunks into logs weighing as much as 65 pounds and carry them out of the forest, earning about $3 per pound.

The illicit trade has placed some of the most marginalized Indians in the crosshairs of police and forest officers, provoking nighttime encounters that have sometimes turned deadly. Dozens of villagers and at least six law enforcement agents have been killed since 2012. Thousands of low-

Saturday, November 17, 2018

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SOUTH ASIA

Saturday, November 17, 2018

117 Indians died for every billion USD remitted from gulf Nearly 10 workers from India died everyday in Gulf countries during the last six years, which translates to 117 deaths for every billion USD remitted to the country from there, a voluntary group said based on analysis of RTI responses. Venkatesh Nayak from Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative had sought data from External Affairs Ministry about the death of Indian workers in Bahrain, Oman, Qatar, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates from January 1, 2012 to about mid-2018. The data was provided by Indian missions in Bahrain, Oman, Qatar and

Saudi Arabia but the Embassy in the UAE refused to give information. The Indian embassy referred to data on their website which was only 2014 onwards.

In order to fill gaps, Nayak used data provided in Parliamentary questions in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha.

“Available data indicates, at least 24,570 Indian Workers died in the six Gulf countries between 2012

and mid-2018. This number could increase if the complete figures for Kuwait and UAE are made available publicly. This amounts to more than 10 deaths per day during this period,” he said. He said Indians working in Gulf countries accounted for more than half of the remittance that India received from all over the world between 2012 and 2017. “While India received a total of USD 410.33 billion in remittances from the world over, remittances from the Gulf countries accounted for USD 209.07 billion,” he said.

Bangladesh confident that Rohingya will return to Myanmar Bangladesh stuck by plans to begin repatriating some of the hundreds of thousands of Rohingyas who fled Myanmar last year, despite UN warnings and trepidation among the refugees themselves.

“All necessary arrangements and preparation have been taken,” Bangladesh’s refugee commissioner Mr Mohammad Abul Kalam told reporters, adding: “Our primary target for tomorrow [Thursday] is 150 [Rohingya refugees] from 30 families.” He said the process would involve Bangladesh handing the refugees, the first among a preliminary 2,260 currently in vast camps in southeastern Bangladesh, over to Myanmar at a transit point on the border between the two countries. “There will be some verification process which is a very regular custom. That will happen there,” Abul said. More than 720,000 mostly Muslim Rohingya sought refuge from a Myanmar military crackdown launched from August last year that UN investigators say amounted

His analysis showed there were more than 187 deaths for every USD billion received from Oman during 2012-17, more than 183 deaths for every USD billion received from Bahrain and 162 deaths for every USD billion received from Saudi Arabia.

Qatar accounted for more than 74 deaths for every USD billion received while the lowest figure of 71 deaths for every USD billion received was from UAE, he said.

“The above comparison is not an attempt to label the remittances from the Gulf as blood money. Instead the purpose of this comparative analysis is to highlight the shockingly large number of deaths of Indian Workers in Gulf countries. This phenomenon requires urgent examination,” he said.

Rajapaksa loses vote of confidence, again, amid brawls in parliament It was another day of brawling at the Sri Lankan parliament, reconvened on Friday. Mahinda Rajapaksa, who was controversially sworn-in as the prime minister of Sri Lanka, once again lost the vote of confidence in the parliament on Friday. A no-confidence motion— the second in last three days—was passed against Rajapaksa, amid chaos.

Parties, including the UNP, the JVP, the TNA and the TPA, voted for the no-confidence motion brought against Rajapaksa. The no-confidence motion passed minus the first clause. The motion was passed even when supporters of Rajapaksa were seen shouting.

Similar to Thursday, chairs were broken and papers thrown inside the Sri Lankan parliament.

State media, quoting the president’s media division, reported that President Maithripala Sirisena will not prorogue parliament under “any circumstances”.

Rohingya refugees to ethnic cleansing, joining some 300,000 already in Bangladesh. Myanmar’s military has denied nearly all wrongdoing, justifying its crackdown as a legitimate means of rooting out Rohingya militants. Bangladesh says only those who volunteer will be returned, but UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Ms Michelle Bachelet said Tuesday that many refugees are panicking at the prospect of being sent back against their will. “With an almost complete lack of accountability — indeed with ongoing violations — returning Rohingya refugees to Myanmar at this point effectively means throwing them back into the cycle of human rights violations that this community has been suffering for decades,” Bachelet said.

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Minutes before the parliament session began, MPs supporting Rajapaksa were seen raising their fists. They climbed near the speaker’s chamber, sat on his chair and demanded that the MP from UNP who came with a knife to the parliament on Thursday be arrested.

The protest by Rajapaksa’s MPs went on for around 40 minutes. As the speaker’s chair was occupied by the MPs, a battalion of police came in with a chair, escorting Speaker Karu Jayasuriya. Soon, the furious MPs started throwing papers and books at the policemen. UPFA MPs were also seen assaulting police officers in the parliament.

The chair brought by the policemen were broken into pieces. By then, the speaker, like on Wednesday, called for a voice vote.

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SOUTH ASIA

Saturday, November 17, 2018 ‘Undeclared war’ between Afghanistan, Pakistan must end: Afghan president Asserting that Islamabad’s support to violence has not benefitted either Pakistan or Afghanistan, Afghan President Ashraf Ghani has said that the “undeclared war” between the two neighbours must end. Ghani said the spectre of violence needs to be removed and that Pakistan needs to support direct discussions between the Afghan government and the Taliban. “The undeclared war between Afghanistan and Pakistan must end,” he told a Washington audience through video conference from Kabul.

“We have not supported any movement

Lankan President suffers setback as Court orders to disolve the parliament

against Pakistan from Afghanistan. The Afghan soil is not being used. We’ve exercised immense restraint and control because we seek a cooperative relationship,” Ghani said in response to a question at the School of Advanced International Studies of the John Hopkins University in USA on Monday. Of the view that there is a need to define “what is a normal relationship” between Afghanistan and Pakistan, he said Kabul can offer a lot in the way of cooperation. “We are the key to Central Asia. How will Pakistan get to Central Asia without a stable Afghanistan?” he asked.

Many Afghans blame US for unending war in their country When US forces and their Afghan allies rode into Kabul in November 2001, they were greeted as liberators. But after 17 years of war, Taliban have retaken half the country, security is worse than it’s ever been, and many Afghans blame squarely on the Americans.

The United States has lost more than 2,400 soldiers in its longest war, and has spent more than $900 billion on everything from military operations to the construction of roads, bridges and power plants. Three US presidents have pledged to bring peace to Afghanistan, either by adding or withdrawing troops, by engaging the Taliban or shunning them. Last year, the US dropped the “mother of all bombs” on a cave complex in Afghanistan.

None of it has worked. After years of frustration, Afghanistan is rife with conspiracy theories, including the idea that Americans didn’t stumble into a forever war, but planned

one all along. a member of Afghanistan’s High Peace Council, Mohammed Ismail Qasimyar wonders how US & NATO forces, which at their peak numbered 150,000 and fought alongside hundreds of thousands of Afghan troops, were unable to vanquish tens of thousands of Taliban.

“Either they did not want to or they could not do it,” he said. He suspects that the US and its ally Pakistan deliberately sowed chaos in Afghanistan to justify the lingering presence of foreign forces, now numbering around 15,000, in order to use the country as a listening post to monitor Iran, Russia and China. “They have made a hell, not a paradise for us,” he said.

After last month’s assassination of Kandahar’s powerful police chief, Gen. Abdul Raziq, social media exploded with pictures and posts suggesting he was the victim of US conspiracy.

Sri Lanka’s parliament descended into chaos with MPs swinging punches and throwing projectiles a day after legislators voted the prime minister out of office.

Speaker of Parliament Karu Jayasuriya said the country had no government as parliament re-convened on Thursday, a day after the no-confidence vote against newly appointed Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa. The motion passed with the backing of 122 MPs in the 225-member legislature.

Jayasuriya said there was no prime minister, neither Rajapaksa nor his rival whose ousting in late October started the crisis.

Sri Lanka parliament ‘votes against newly appointed PM Rajapaksa’. Dozens of MPs fought and some who fell on the floor were kicked by rivals. Some of Rajapaksa’s supporters threw water bottles and rubbish

bins in the parliament. The Speaker then adjourned the proceedings. Rajapaksa said the no-confidence vote should not have been a voice vote, calling for fresh elections.

President Maithripala Sirisena in a letter to the Speaker said he cannot accept the noconfidence vote as the Speaker appeared to have ignored the constitution, parliamentary procedure and traditions.

Sirisena, who triggered the crisis by firing Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and naming Rajapaksa, a controversial former president, to the job late last month, dissolved parliament last week and ordered elections as a way to break the deadlock. Supreme Court overturns decree. However, the Supreme Court overturned that decree on Tuesday until it had heard petitions challenging the move as unconstitutional.

‘India has been and will remain long-term partner of Afghanistan’: Afghan minister Asserting that India has been and will remain a long-term partner of Afghanistan, the Afghan finance minister has said that Kabul has no secret deal with Delhi, while hoping that it can have similar relationship with Pakistan. “India has been a traditional and long-term partner of Afghanistan spanning over a couple of millennia more. Culturally, commercially in so many things, we have so much common heritage, so many common elements. They have been a long-term partner.

They will remain a long-term partner,” Afghan Finance Minister Mohammad Humayon Qayoumi told a Washington audience this week. “Afghanistan has no secret deals with India. All of the relationship that we have is based on trust, based on two countries, based

on two sovereign governments, two people that have a long history,” he said, responding to a question at the School of Advanced International Studies of the Johns Hopkins University.

India and Afghanistan will continue to have strong cultural, educational ties as well as commercial ties, he said. “Our hope is that we have a similar relationship with Pakistan. But I think it’s Pakistan that has to decide what they would like to do as part of it in where they would like to be,” the Afghan finance minister said early this week. Noting that Pakistan has the sixth largest population in the world, yet, he said, it has an economy smaller than Israel. So, the conflict is not in the interest of Pakistan, he said. For the betterment of the people of Pakistan, he said

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FIJI

Saturday, November 17, 2018 Wall Street Journal says

Fiji coup leader’s re-election is good news for China Voters in Fiji looked to have re-elected The U.S. and its allies are coordinating to the ruling party of former military leader counter what they see as Beijing’s attempts Frank Bainimarama, an outcome likely to to gain influence over smaller nations via its entrench China’s growing influence in the Belt and Road initiative. In August, Australia South Pacific. outbid China to redevelop a Fijian military Fiji has long been popular with base. Concerns over China’s influence vacationers from the U.S. and Australia. flared last year when Chinese police flew But China’s presence in a region of strategic to Fiji and arrested 77 Chinese nationals competition between Beijing and the West allegedly running a phone and online scam is becoming more visible. targeting victims in mainland China. They When Fiji’s traditional Western partners were hooded, manacled and loaded onto a imposed sanctions after Mr. Bainimarama plane by uniformed Chinese police, leading seized power in a coup in 2006, China opposition lawmakers to question why stepped into the breach. the arrests weren’t handled by local police.

Chinese investors went on a buying China said it sought approval from relevant frenzy, building hotels, opening businesses authorities. While relations with the West and securing coastal real estate. Fiji’s have improved since Fiji restored democracy imports from China soared to in 2014, the experience of $355 million in 2016 from $65 its drift toward China shows million in 2006, according to the the need to “be careful about World Bank’s World Integrated isolating regimes in countries Trade Solution database. At that matter to you,” said the same time, Fiji’s exports to Stewart Firth, a research fellow China rose to $48 million from at the Australian National $2 million. More tourists come University’s College of Asia to Fiji from China than all but and the Pacific. three countries: Australia, New “Bainimarama never tired of Zealand and the U.S. telling people that China stood As the economic relationship alongside Fiji while Australia PM Voreqe Bainimarama blossomed, Mr. Bainimarama and New Zealand abandoned consolidated political ties. it,” he said.

During a forum last year onBeijing’s Belt Fiji’s economic growth has picked up in and Road initiative—a program aimed at recent years against the backdrop of political expanding China’s economic clout through stability, with the exception of 2016 when infrastructure loans—Mr. Bainimarama the country was hit by a severe cyclone. received high-level treatment from his The Asian Development Bank forecasts hosts, including meetings with President growth of 3.6% this year and 3.3% next year, Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang. He outpacing most Pacific nations. thanked China for the “friendship you have This week’s election was the second shown Fiji and the Fijian people for many since Mr. Bainimarama seized power. He years.” stepped down from the military in 2014 and Beijing has diplomatic leverage with contested that year’s elections as a civilian, Fiji because of its close relationship with winning by a landslide. Provisional results the prime minister, said Jonathan Pryke, Wednesday showed that Mr. Bainimarama’s director of the Sydney-based Lowy Institute’s Fiji First party won more than 50% of the Pacific Program. Still, much recent Chinese vote, enough for a majority in the 51-seat investment in Fiji is commercial, meaning legislature. The main opposition group, that Beijing doesn’t have the same “debt trap” Social Democratic Liberal Party of Fiji, was leverage over Fiji as it does in places such as in second place.

Sri Lanka or smaller Pacific countries, Mr. The vote also offered a window on the Pryke said. Fiji hasn’t taken on any new health of Fiji’s democracy. The years of Chinese loans since Western sanctions were military rule were littered with accusations lifted four years ago, according to the Lowy of human-rights abuses and the quashing of Institute. opposition. The Economist Intelligence Unit A Chinese Foreign Ministry ranked Fiji 81st out of 167 nations on its spokeswoman said Wednesday that both annual Democracy Index in 2017, up from countries have the right to choose their 124th in 2013. diplomatic partners and do so on the basis Ahead of the election, Amnesty of not interfering in each other’s affairs. She International said Fiji must correct severe said Beijing wanted Fiji’s elections to go failings in human-rights protections. smoothly.

Hearing of former Fiji Commerce Commission CEO Bobby Maharaj to take place on Feb 2019 he hearing for former CEO of the then Fiji Commerce Commission Bobby Maharaj will take place from 18th to 22nd February next year. He has pleaded not guilty to one count of abuse of office. It is alleged that Maharaj while being employed by the then Fiji Commerce Commission directed an employee of the commission, without conducting an

inspection to fill in false information to indicate an inspection was conducted of a trader and a verbal warning was issued against the trader for breaches under the Commerce Commission Decree. The alleged incident took place between 17th March and 31st December, 2012.

Two lost lives while waiting to cast their vote - Police Police have confirmed that two people have lost their lives whilst waiting to cast their vote yesterday. Police say that a man was found motionless in his vehicle at a polling station at Mokani in Tailevu. The second incident occurred at a polling station at Ratu Sukuna Memorial School in Nabua where a man collapsed at the polling venue.Police say they have yet to confirm when the post mortem will be conducted.

Police Commissioner Sitiveni Qiliho has also confirmed that the two deaths that were reported at separate polling venues are under investigation and it is believed the two victims died of natural causes. Fiji Police Commissioner Sitiveni Qiliho However Qiliho has stated that this is subject to the outcome of the post mortem examinations.

Final 2018 general elections results expected to be ready by Sunday The final results of the 2018 general elections are expected to be ready by Sunday.

Supervisor of Elections Mohammed Saneem has confirmed this saying the preparation of the National Tally is taking time as they have a lot of quality assurance processes in place to make sure the results that are finally loaded on the final national results is proper and accurate as possible. Saneem adds that those voters who could not vote on Wednesday because of the adverse weather conditions will be voting at 22 polling venues tomorrow. Voting at these polling venues will take place from 7.30am till 6pm tomorrow and after 6pm votes will be counted at the same locations. 7,498 voters are expected to vote at these 22 polling venues. =The Polling Venues in the Korovou Area include Delakano FEO Shed, Natadradave FEO Shed, Nasinu Community Hall, Turagabeci Primary School, Lodoni Primary

School and Naivicula District School.

In Rakiraki the venues are Korotale Mandir, Raiwasa Community Hall, Namuaniwaqa Primary School, Mataso Primary School and Rewasasa Community Hall.

In Nausori the venues are Nausori Technical School, Visama Sanatan Dharam Primary School and Naqeledamu Village School.

Nukutocia Village Shed in Levuka and Naisoqo Settlement FEO Ground Shed and Shantiniketan Primary School in the Central Division. Navunividau community Hall, Krishna Janaradhan School, Logani Community Hall, Matacaucau Community Hall, Nausori Community Hall and Gram Sangathan School also in the Central Division.

Saneem adds that the Fijian Elections Office has organised transportation for all these locations and voters who wish to vote can use their transport.

Suspended cops charged with murder of Lalauvaki denied bail The two suspended police officers who were allegedly involved in the death of 26-year-old Josua Lalauvaki have been denied bail. They appeared before Suva Magistrate Asanga Bodaragama who has ordered that the two suspended officers be kept separate from other remand prisoners.

Suspended Police Officers Kelepi Tautaumacala Kolinisau and Selema Tikoenaburevere have been charged with murder. They were charged for allegedly murdering Josua Lalauvaki following an

argument outside a Suva nightclub on 2nd of September this year. Lalauvaki died at CWM Hospital on 11th of last month as a result of injuries sustained following the alleged police assault. Both accused persons are represented by lawyer Litiana Ratidara who has requested that they be granted bail for their protection.

Ratidara had said since the accused are police officers, they are known to most of the remand prisoners. She also stated that the first accused Kelepi Tautaumacala’s wife is pregnant and is about to give birth.

PAKISTAN

Saturday, November 17, 2018 Prime Minister Imran Khan will embark on a twoday official visit to Malaysia on November 20, according to Foreign Office (FO) spokesperson Dr Muhammad Faisal. PM Khan, will become

Prime Minister Khan to visit Malaysia next week the first head of the state to visit the Southeast Asian country since Mahathir Mohammad became the Malaysian Prime Minister for a second time, earlier this year. PM Khan and his

‘‘Pakistan can’t handle its 4 provinces, doesn’t need Kashmir’’ Cricketer Afridi’s comments about Kashmir create new controversy A former cricketer, Shahid Afridi even manage its four provinces... has tossed up a new controversy with What is the big thing is insaaniyat a comment on Kashmir, made on (humanity). People who are dying foreign soil. “Pakistan doesn’t want there, it is painful. Any death, be it Kashmir... Pakistan can’t even manage from any community, is painful,” its four provinces,” former cricketer Afridi was heard saying in a video said in London. 38-year-old cricketer posted on social media. was addressing students at the British He later put out a tweet accusing parliament when he made remarks that the media of misconstruing his are embarrassing to his country and its comments. My comments are new gov’t headed by sports legend Imran Khan.

“I say Pakistan doesn’t want Kashmir. Don’t give being misconstrued by Indian media! I’m it to India either. Let Kashmir be independent. passionate about my country and greatly value At least humanity will be alive. Let people not the struggles of Kashmiris. Humanity must die... Pakistan doesn’t want Kashmir... It can’t prevail and they should get their rights.

Pakistan sets free two more Taliban as US envoy arrives in the region Pakistan authorities released two Taliban officials on Monday during US envoy Zalmay Khalilzad’s latest visit to the region, in what could be part of American efforts to revive peace talks with the insurgent group, which now controls nearly half of Afghanistan.

Abdul Samad Sani, a US-designated terrorist who served as the Afghan Central Bank governor during the militants’ rule in the late 1990s, and a lower-ranking commander named Salahuddin, were released Monday, according to two Taliban officials who spoke on condition

Former PM Sharif says that he had never been the owner of Al-Azizia Steel Mills and also distanced himself from any transaction of money in this regard in the court. Recording his statement in Al-Azizia Steel Mills corruption reference, he said the statements of his sons Hassan and Hussain

of anonymity because they were not authorized to brief media. There was no immediate comment from the Pakistani government.

Khalilzad is on his second regional tour since being appointed, with stops in Pakistan, Afghanistan, the United Arab Emirates as well as Qatar, where the Taliban maintain a political office. The insurgents say they met Khalilzad in Qatar last month. Khalilzad arrived in the region last Thursday and will return to Washington on Nov. 20.

Malaysian counterpart will hold one-on-one talks before the two countries’ delegations delve into detailed discussions. The prime minister’s visit to Malaysia will be the last of his trio of

planned foreign visits since assuming the top office. Prime minister has already been to Saudi Arabia and China, both of whom had assured him of financial assistance.

Missing police officer found dead in Afghanistan Peshawar superintendent of police (SP) for province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa shot dead by the militants across the border in Afghanistan, 18 days aftrer he was abducted, reports claimed. No gov’t officials or police, however, confirmed the news of S.P. Tahir Khan Dawar’s death till late Tuesday. A team of the Peshawar Police headed by Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Operations Javed Iqbal was at the Torkham border late Tuesday night to receive the body of the slain polioce officer. However, they didn’t receive the body and had to return to Peshawar.

“We cannot confirm reports about our missing SP Tahir Dawar. The team we had dispatched to Torkham border returned around 11 pm without receiving the body,” Waqar Ahmad, the

director public relations of the KP Police said.

He added they are still verifying the reports circulating about his death on the mainstream and social media.

No plan to grant India as most favoured nation (MFN) status: Minister Federal gov’t does not have any plans to grant India the status of Most Favoured Nation (MFN), Adviser for Commerce, Textile, Industry and Investments Abdul Razak Dawood said on Tuesday. While addressing a gathering of journalists, Minister Dawood said that Pakistan’s cement exports are rising and are likely to reach 20 million tonnes soon. “There are some petty issues which can be resolved.

Former PM denies Al Azizia Steel Mills ownership Nawaz couldn’t be presented before the court as evidence against him.

National Accountability Court Judge Arshad Malik conducted hearing on Al-Azizia Steel Mills reference against former prime minister filed by National Accountability Bureau (NAB). The accused

continued recording his statement on third consecutive day under section 342. During proceeding, Nawaz told the court that he had never claimed the ownership of Al-Azizia Steel Mills before any forum and always distanced himself from it. Interestingly,

Our current production is 55m tonnes. The volume of our cement-related exports at present is 5m tonnes and is expected to touch 20m tonnes worth $1 billion in future,” he said.

Abdul Razak Dawood said that the government was working on Free-Trade Agreements (FTA) with a number of countries and that an FTA with China would be agreed

by June next year.

Nawaz who disassociated himself with the Qatri Prince’s letters during last day hearing continued giving statement in favor of these letters and said Qatri Prince Hammad Bin Jassim had offered the joint investigation team (JIT) to visit Doha to get these letters verified from him.

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NRI

Saturday, November 17, 2018

Pregnant woman shot dead infront of her five children, new born baby was saved alive

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London Metropolitan Police says 35-yearold woman who was wounded in abdomen during an attack on Monday died in local hospital, where medics delivered her son.

Police arrested 50-year-old man Ramanodge Unmathallegadoo, who they say was known to the victim, although the nature of the relationship was not disclosed.

He appeared in London court on Tuesday charged with murder. The victim’s husband, Imtiaz Muhammad, said that she was shot in front of her five other children, aged between 1 and 17. Muhammad said he found the killer hiding in their shed with a crossbow. He said: “I can’t help thinking she took my arrow.

Maybe it should have hit me.” Ramanodge Unmathallegadoo appeared at Barkingside magistrates court on Tuesday and will appear at the Old Bailey on Thursday. Devi Unmathallegadoo was informally known as Sana Muhammad, after marrying Imtiaz

Muhammad said “The arrow went up into her heart but did not touch the unborn baby. The baby was due in four weeks. They operated with the arrow still in because it would have been too dangerous to take out.

“She was a wonderful mother and wife. We were together seven years. I am heartbroken.

We were inseparable.”

Neighbour Nisa Khan, who had known Devi Unmathallegadoo for eight years, said: “She was kind and caring and was a wonderful mother. She was a very good, lovely lady. She was a close friend of mine, and we would share our problems with each other and could talk for hours. She did everything for her children – they were her world.”

“This is a tragic incident and our sympathies are with the loved ones and friends of the victim.” DCI Gary Holmes, of the Metropolitan police’s homicide and major crime command, said.

Former Tesla worker fcharged with more than $9 million fraud from the company A former Tesla supply manager was indicted on Thursday by federal prosecutors alleging he embezzled more than $9 million from the Palo Alto electric car maker.

Salil Parulekar, 32, is charged with felony wire fraud and aggravated identity theft.

Parulekar oversaw Tesla’s dealings with certain auto parts and services vendors, and used that position to divert to a German auto parts company $9.3 million in payments intended for a Taiwanese supplier, according to the indictment. The indictment does not make clear whether federal authorities believe the German firm had knowledge of the alleged scheme. The U.S. Attorney’s office for Northern California said it could not provide information beyond what is in the indictment.

Parulekar, who was living in San Jose and working for Tesla in 2016 and 2017,

falsified invoices, created fake accountspayable documents, and impersonated an employee of the Taiwanese supplier to trick Tesla’s accountspayable department into switching the bank account information of the Taiwanese and German companies, the indictment alleged.

That Taiwanese firm’s complaints to Tesla about missing money went to Parulekar, who responded by sending fake documents purporting to show the payments were made, the indictment claimed. The German company acknowledged in March that it had received the $9.3 million in payments, the indictment said. That company did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Parulekar had worked for Tesla since 2013, according to the indictment. Tesla declined to comment on the indictment.

NRI arrested in connection with nationwide phone scam targeting elders A 24-year-old Fremont man arrested on Wednesday in connection with phone scam targeting elderly seniors residents across US, Santa Clara police said. Police in Richland, Montana, contacted Santa Clara police on Wednesday to tell them a 77-yearold man had been instructed to send $20,000 in bail money for his Vamshidhar Reddy grandson to a Santa Clara address.

Kotla, 24, Officers set up surveillance at the pickup location and saw Vamshidhar Reddy

Kotla arrive and retrieve the package at 6:04 a.m., police said. Kotla was detained and later arrested. Police identified four other victims during their investigation and retrieved $28,000 in cash from the suspect’s home. Kotla is believed to be a member of a group which targets and runs scams on elderly residents.

Police said residents should be wary of calls demanding money over the phone and call police.

Trump marks Diwali, forgets Hindus in tweet

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US President Donald Trump celebrated Diwali at a White House ceremony but omitted mentioning Hindus in his Twitter greeting, and again in a corrected tweet after the gaffe was pointed out by outraged netizens.

Trump hosted Diwali celebrations in the historic Roosevelt Room of the White House, which was attended by prominent IndianAmericans, Indian-origin administration and diplomatic officials. Diwali was celebrated across the world on November 7. In his first tweet, he forgot to greet the Hindus, for whom Diwali is the biggest festival in the calendar. “Today, we gathered for Diwali, a holiday observed by Buddhists, Sikhs, and Jains throughout the United States & around the world. Hundreds of millions of people

have gathered with family & friends to light the ‘diya’ and to mark the beginning of a New Year,” Trump said in a tweet as he posted along with a YouTube link of the White House event. The alert netizens were quick in identifying that he missed greeting the ‘Hindus’. “It is a major Hindu holiday,” CNN’s Congressional correspondent Manu Raju said in a tweet. Trump soon deleted his first tweet, and replaced it with another one but again repeated the error. “Today, we gathered for Diwali, a holiday observed by Buddhists, Sikhs, and Jains throughout the United States & around the world. Hundreds of millions of people have gathered with family & friends to light the diya and to mark the beginning of a New Year,” Trump said in his second tweet, which again missed mentioning the Hindus.

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