KOLKATA: A 20-year-old college student was gang-raped and murdered in West Bengal’s North24 Parganas district. Three people have been arrested, police said on Saturday.
“Following a complaint of gang rape and murder, we have arrested three people,” an officer of Barasat police station said.
The body has been sent for postmortem examination.
The crime occurred on Friday in Barasat, some 25km from Kolkata.
According to police, the victim, who had earlier been harassed by the men, had gone missing since Friday afternoon. Later that night, her body was found near Kirtipur in the area.
Hundreds of people have been protesting, demanding death penalty for the culprits.
The protests, which started with the recovery of the body, continued into Saturday.
“We will continue protesting until (chief minister) Mamata Banerjee intervenes and ensures that the culprits are hanged to death,” one angry protestor said. –IANS
Dubai –As part of the Saudi Arabian government’s crackdown on people making unauthorised cheap calls on the internet, five Indians have been arrested in that country for selling internet telephone cards, Arab News reported.
Sulaiman Kardan, Naushad Kardan, Jalil Kardan, Shakeer Noramochi and Ashraf Noramochi were arrested after police raided their house in Jeddah where they were running a voice-over internet protocol (VoIP) calling business. Cards valued at 23,000 Saudi riyals were seized in the raid, the Arab News reported.
The move comes a week after Saudi Arabia’s Communications and Information Technology Commission (CITC) banned VoIP firm Viber in the country.
Expatriates in that Gulf nation prefer using VoIP for making calls to their home countries as it is cheaper than making calls through services offered by telecom operators.
As a result, the three major telecom operators in Saudi Arabia – STP, Zain and Mobily – were losing millions in revenue.
Most expatriates from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka and the Philippines prefer using VoIP to call their families back home. This, despite the Saudi telecom operators offering big discounts on calls to these Asian countries, sometimes up to 50 percent.
Telecom operators and internet service providers in that country are now resorting to using VoIP blocking software to protect their revenues.—IANS
There are around two million expatriate Indians in Saudi Arabia, many of them blue collar workers.
FINDLAY (Ohio): India’s Apollo Tyres Ltd is buying Ohio’sCooper Tire & Rubber Co for about $2.22 billion.
Apollo says the combined company will be one of the world’s largest tire makers, with a strong presence across four continents and combined 2012 sales of $6.6 billion.
Under the terms of the deal, Cooper shareholders will receive $35 per share in cash. The price represents a 42 per cent premium over Cooper’s Tuesday closing stock price.
Cooper shares jumped 40 per cent in Wednesday pre-market trading.
Ohio-based Cooper says the deal is in the best interests of its shareholders.
The sale, which remains subject to Cooper shareholder and regulatory approvals, is expected to close in the second half of this year.
Last week The Voice had carried a strongly-worded front page article denouncing the Quebec Soccer Federation for banning players with turbans and patkas (Banning Turbans & Patkas Is Racist on June 8). Now even the world governing body of soccer –FIFA– has come down heavily on the Quebec Federation.
Soccer’s world body has struck a blow against Quebec’s turban ban, saying such headwear is perfectly acceptable on the pitch.
FIFA said in a statement on Friday it is authorizing the wearing of male head covers at all levels of Canadian soccer. Quebec had said earlier, if FIFA clarifies its position they will lift their ban. Now Quebec has been left with no excuse to keep this ban in place.
The Voice had also criticised local politicians for not speaking openly against this prejudiced ban. This week we got many statements from all local MPs and leaders of NDP and Liberals speaking out strongly against the ban.
The Quebec Soccer Federation has welcomed this clarification from FIFA on this issue but has still not said that it is lifting the ban. But they have no choice now. This was a no-brainer from the start. And they have to lift this ban because everyone is equal. And those who play with turbans and patkas are just like everybody else.
The FIFA statement on Friday says the headwear must be the same colour as the jersey, look professional, must not be attached to the jersey and not pose any danger to players.
FIFA’s statement has come just four days after the Canadian Soccer Association suspended Quebec’s soccer federation for imposing this controversial ban.
The World Sikh Organization welcomed FIFA’s declaration.
“It’s been our position from the outset that the accommodation of the turban shouldn’t hinge on FIFA rules but instead on Canadian tradition on diversity and acceptance and also on Canadian rules and law,” said spokesman Balpreet Singh.
“This announcement is certainly good news, it’s absolutely clear now that any restriction on the wearing of the turban is illegitimate and we’re hopeful the Quebec Soccer Federation will now immediately lift its ban.
“The children should really be allowed to play as soon as possible.”
A community event planned for Montreal on Saturday will go ahead as scheduled, although under a different tone given Friday’s announcement.
Mukhbir Singh, vice-president for Quebec and the Atlantic region for the World Sikh Organization, says he’s thankful for FIFA’s stance.
He said the public support has been uplifting and refreshing.
He hopes the Quebec federation moves quickly to change its position.
“Whoever is affected by these recent developments, I hope they are all back on the field and no one misses another soccer game,” Singh said.
The community event in the city’s west end will go on as scheduled.
“Our goal was to rally together in a positive manner, to open a dialogue with the community,” Singh said.
“We didn’t want it to be a protest or a statement, we want it to be a positive event where we could explain that Sikhs are part of Quebec, we speak French and English and we’ve been here for a very long time.”
The Quebec Soccer Federation has said it is maintaining its ban on turbans, patkas and keskis while hoping to hammer out a compromise on the controversial topic, according to The Canadian Press.
The Canadian Soccer Association suspended the provincial body on Monday after it showed no sign of overturning its decision to prohibit Sikh religious headwear on the pitch.
Quebec federation officials issued a short statement Wednesday saying the controversial ban remains in effect for the time being, but that they will do everything it can to re-establish dialogue with the CSA.
The CSA has said the ban will remain in place until the Quebec federation lifts its restrictions.
Earlier this month, the provincial body decided to uphold the ban despite a CSA directive in April that called for provincial associations to extend an existing rule that allows Islamic hijabs for girls.
Quebec is the only province that has balked at the directive and says it wants soccer’s governing body, the Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA), to issue a ruling on turbans.
The Quebec federation has said it made its decision with player safety in mind, although it has no evidence that shows turbans pose a risk.
Quebec referees began cracking down in the last year on turbans, patkas and keskis — the religious headgear worn by Sikh men and boys.
A provincial soccer official suggested that kids who wear the banned items can “play in their backyard. But not with official referees, not in the official rules of soccer.”
The Sikh community says the ban means 100 to 200 children must either ditch a religious requirement or quit playing organized soccer.
Quebec Premier Pauline Marois said this week that it’s unacceptable for the Canadian body to suspend the provincial organization.
The province’s sports minister, Marie Malavoy, repeated that line on Wednesday, saying the government supports the provincial federation to do what it thinks is right.
Malavoy said the neither the government nor any of its arm’s-length bodies were involved in the soccer federation’s operations.
The Quebec federation said Wednesday it wouldn’t grant any interviews.
“To give every possible opportunity for discussion, we do not wish to comment further on the situation, whether in the media or in public,” the statement said.
“We hope for the fastest possible resolution to this impasse.”
“I am announcing my intention to contest the proposed federal riding of Cloverdale – West Langley for the Conservative Party of Canada in 2015,” said Dave S. Hayer, former MLA for Surrey – Tynehead . Hayer was MLA from May 2001 to May 2013.
“Over the past few years I have been approached many times, by many people, to seek a seat as a Member of Parliament.
“I have considered those suggestions carefully and, after having discussed this with family, friends and community members, have decided that I will pursue nomination as a candidate in the new proposed Cloverdale – West Langley riding for the Conservative Party of Canada in the next federal election.
“I announced on July 7, 2012 that I would not be seeking re-election as a Surrey MLA in the May 2013 Provincial Election. Part of that decision was that if re-elected as MLA in May 2013, and then leave to run as an MP in 2015, I would have triggered an expensive by-election which would be costly for my constituents. I believe this would have been the wrong thing to do for my community.
“There is much that I can bring to the Federal Government in terms of issues that are on the minds of British Columbians. During my three terms as MLA for Surrey – Tynehead from May 2001 to May 2013, I listened and worked on constituent issues that encompassed all three levels of government and also had my personal experience in dealing with many issues including the justice system, a strong economy, jobs, increasing international trade, seniors issues and long-term prosperity for everyone. I look forward to the upcoming months.”
“Along with many other community members, I am also supported in this endeavor by the Langley City Mayor Peter Fassbender, MLA for Surrey-Fleetwood and, as of this afternoon, BC’s new Minister of Education,” noted Hayer.
Hayer continued by saying “I look forward to serving you and our community following the 2015 federal election and I assure you that I will work for you with honesty and integrity to ensure that your voice is heard in Ottawa.
“I am committed to serving this riding, and all of British Columbia, on the federal stage and will ensure that our community and our province receive the recognition and support it needs to sustain its growth, future and prosperity.
8“I am humbly asking for your help. If you, your family or friends are residents of the proposed Cloverdale – West Langley electoral district*, please join the Conservative Party of Canada and support me as your candidate for nomination.
I would be very pleased to meet with you and discuss your concerns and suggestions. I encourage you to contact me at 604.833.4000 or Email: [email protected] and I also encourage you to join the Dave Hayer Campaign team.
Surrey`s five-year-old Arshdeep Sidhu who was the victim of a hit-and-run incident in Surrey last week, is still in the ICU in Vancouver Children`s Hospital but there are good signs of recovery as he opened his eyes for the first time on Monday.
Father Amandeep Sidhu, who has been by his son’s bedside since Arshdeep was hit by a car near 161st Street and 92nd Avenue in Fleetwood Friday, said an MRI taken Monday has found some bruising in his brain.
He said it may be why Arshdeep hasn’t been speaking or why he hasn’t been able to move his left arm.
“I don’t even know if he recognizes the family or me,” said the dad. “Doctors said he might start talking tomorrow or it might take weeks.”
Arshdeep was walking home with his grandfather and another boy from kindergarten when he was hit by a Mercedes-Benz, which then sped away.
He sustained extensive injuries, including head trauma, facial fractures and damage to his bladder and spleen.
Witnesses describe the driver as a woman in her ‘20s who later reported to the Police.
According to CTV News, the car’s owner, Jaas Sehra, said her son’s girlfriend had borrowed the vehicle to go to a friend’s funeral.
Sidhu, who also has a one-year-old daughter, said his family is trying their best to get through these tough times.
What would help, he said, is if his son would just say a word: “That’s what our whole family and relatives are praying and hoping for.”
This was something that was waiting to happen. Fresh from an election victory, Premier Christy Clark’s BC Liberal government has significantly increased the maximum salaries it can pay to its top political staff.
A cabinet order signed June 3 boosts the maximum salary that can be handed to Clark’s chief of staff by 18 per cent, up to $230,000 per year.
Clark’s deputy chief of staff can now also make up to $230,000, representing a boost of almost 60 per cent from the position’s previous cap of $144,000.
Passed by Clark’s outgoing cabinet, the executive order also reclassifies the top aides to several ministers, elevating them from ministerial assistants to chiefs of staff, and allowing for a maximum salary of $105,000 — higher than the base salary now given to MLAs.
So far, the government has named 17 chiefs of staff across the various ministries, with two of them making the top allowable salary.
Clark refused to talk about the changes Tuesday, and the government did not say how many people had received increases as part of the restructuring.
A spokesman in the premier’s office said the global budget for staff in ministerial offices has decreased with the restructuring, dropping to $5.711 million from $5.741 million.
He added that Clark’s chief of staff, Dan Doyle, will not be taking a raise as part of the changes.
Clark has now hired her assistant campaign director, Michele Cadario, to be her deputy chief of staff.
Under the new rules, Cadario will make an annual salary of $195,148. Clark’s previous deputy chief of staff, Kim Haakstad, who resigned before the election over the ethnic outreach scandal, had been paid $149,027.
Clark has also hired Nick Facey, the unsuccessful Liberal candidate from North Island, to be chief of staff to Health Minister Terry Lake.
He will make $89,775 per year.
New Democratic Party House leader John Horgan slammed all the changes, especially given Clark ran an election campaign based on reducing debt and controlling spending.
“To give massive increases to political insiders is just plain wrong. They’re off on the wrong foot. They had an opportunity to do the right thing and they blew it,” said Horgan.
“At the same time we hear the premier and her cabinet talking about austerity and restraint, we see excesses for political insiders,” he continued.
United States District Judge sentenced Janamjot Singh Sodhi, 35, of Fresno, a former investment adviser, to four years and nine months in prison for four counts of mail fraud and one count of wire fraud in connection with a scheme to defraud investors, announced United States Attorney Benjamin B. Wagner on Monday. The court ordered Sodhi to pay $2,386,000 in restitution to victims.
According to court documents, from 2005 through September 2011, Sodhi carried out a scheme to defraud investors through his business Elite Financial Inc. Sodhi solicited investments from individuals using false pretenses, promising various investment opportunities with high rates of return in a relatively short period of time. He did not use the investors’ funds for the stated investment purpose but instead paid returns to other investors and personal expenses for himself and others. To lull investors into believing that their funds were secure and were being used for their intended purpose, Sodhi periodically sent them false financial statements purportedly showing the investments made on their behalf. When investors requested a return of their investments, Sodhi stalled and delayed by using a variety of falsehoods. In some cases, he repaid certain investors with funds from newly acquired investors. In other cases, he provided investors with repayment checks that were insufficient, counterfeit, or drafted on a closed account.
In January 2006, the New York Stock Exchange permanently debarred Sodhi, and in January 2009, the California Department of Corporations ordered Sodhi to cease and desist from engaging in the business of an investment advisor in California. Despite his debarment and lack of state certification, he continued to hold himself out to clients as an investment/financial adviser who could buy and sell securities on behalf of clients.
This case is the product of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Fresno Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kirk Sherriff and Christopher Baker prosecuted the case.
A woman believed to be from the Windsor area is in jail in Michigan for allegedly trying to smuggle tens of thousands 0f dollars across the border by padding her bra with cash.
Moura El-Asmar, 51, will have a bail hearing in Detroit. She was arrested on the American side of the Windsor-Detroit tunnel Sunday after she and her 16-year-old daughter, Jacinta, were patted down during secondary inspection.
Both were found to have cash totaling $59,000 sewn into the linings of their bras.
The mother and daughter had a travel itinerary that showed they were catching a flight to Lebanon later that day to visit relatives.
According to documents filed in U.S. District Court, Moura El-Asma told border officers she was carrying $3,300. When her purse was searched in secondary inspection, officers found more than $15,000.
Moura El-Asmar allegedly told the officers she hadn’t counted the money and didn’t realize she had so much.
The total amount was nearly $73,000.
An officer patted her down and noticed what was described as a “bulky mass” on her bra. She was searched and was found to have four bags sewn into her bra. Three bags contained $10,000 each and the fourth had $9,000.
The daughter was searched and was found to be carrying $20,000 in two bags sewn into her bra.
Moura El-Asmar admitted to officers she had sewn the money into the bras, according to the court document. Her daughter said her mother had asked her to wear the cash-laden bra, but she had no idea how much money was in it.
Moura El-Asmar allegedly told the border officers she didn’t want to declare the money because she didn’t want her driver – her boyfriend Michel Barnaba – to know that she had so much money.
Moura El-Asmar allegedly told the border officers she collects a disability pension and has a paper route. Her daughter babysits and another daughter works at a travel agency.
Border officers say they ran a criminal background check on Moura El-Asmar and found she has been convicted in Canada twice for theft under $1,000, in 1992 and 1993. The convictions would prevent her from entering the United States.
She is charged with four offences related to her border stop Sunday.
Besides the crime of lying to border officials, it’s against the law to bring more than $10,000 into the United States without filing a report.
Moura El-Asmar and her daughter are Canadian citizens believed to reside in the Windsor area, said Gina Balaya, spokeswoman for the U.S. Attorney’s Office. The daughter was released, but Moura El Asmar is in the custody of U.S. Marshals.
