An expensive government jet has quickly become a political headache in Ontario.Canadian Premier Doug Ford says the province will sell a recently purchased $28.9 million private plane “as quickly as possible” after facing public and political backlash over the costly decision.The aircraft is a Bombardier Challenger 650 and was purchased for government use and was expected to be operational by the end of July. However, the purchase became tense immediately after it was made public, drawing criticism from opposition leaders and taxpayer groups.Ford acknowledged the issue in a statement Sunday. “Despite good intentions, I hear and agree that now is not the right time for government aircraft spending,” he said. He said Ontario is now working with Bombardier and other partners to sell the aircraft.According to government sources cited by CBC News, the province had been working on the purchase for several months. The jet was built in 2016 and was previously owned in South America. It was safety and mechanically checked by the Ontario Provincial Police and Bombardier. Officials said no upgrades were needed and the aircraft would provide “more assured, flexible, secure and confidential travel” for government use.But opposition leaders say the move was inappropriate, especially at a time when many residents are struggling with rising costs of living.Interim Ontario Liberal leader John Fraser said the prime minister only acted after facing pressure. He said, “Doug Ford didn’t see the lights. He felt the heat. Now, after the intense reaction, he’s struggling to sell his gravy plane.” Fraser also warned that a quick turnaround could cost taxpayers and suggested the jet could be sold at a loss and remain a financial burden.New Democratic Party leader Marit Stiles also criticized the purchase, calling the aircraft a “gravy plane” and saying the Prime Minister should be “flying economy like the rest of us”.The Canadian Taxpayers Federation had previously opposed the deal, pointing to Ontario’s growing debt. The province’s latest budget estimates the cost of loan repayment at $17.2 billion, more than the cost of post-secondary education.Ford’s office had previously defended the purchase by comparing it to greater spending on similar aircraft by other governments, including Quebec and the federal government.

A Punjabi TV host in Canada has been sentenced to 5.5 years in jail for importing drugs from the US.

A 47-year-old woman, who has worked as a Punjabi radio and TV host in Canada for the past 10 years, has been sentenced to 5.5 years in jail after she was caught red-handed smuggling meth from the US in 2021. The verdict was handed down recently after Sukhwinder Kaur Sangha pleaded guilty to importing drugs, which police estimate were worth between $1 million and $10 million. Her lawyer said she was forced to commit the crime in order to pay someone who was threatening to kill or harm her then-teenage son if she did not pay $150,000, the Vancouver Sun reports. Sangha’s lawyer asked for two years or less of house arrest and three years of probation, while the prosecutor was seeking 10 to 12 years in prison.

Attempt to import medicines in 2021

On October 18, 2021, Sangha drove a rental car with Florida license plates through the US-Canada border in Surrey. She showed her Canadian passport and told officers she had gone to Washington for her aunt’s funeral. A Canada Border Services Agency officer asked her to stop so his car could be searched, but she sped away.Another border officer chased him and honked at him, forcing him to eventually slow down. Officers found a dirty duffel bag with drugs and two iPhones and a wiped iPad. Sangha made three similar trips to America in August, September and October that year. It is not known whether he imported drugs on those trips as well.

Who is Sukhwinder Kaur Sangha?

Sangha was born in Prince George. He was trained as a pharmacy technician and worked in that role for some time. He then worked as a producer and broadcaster of the Punjabi language for a decade. She interviewed politicians, police officers and celebrities as a host, and was an active community member, outspoken against youth crime and drug use. A single mother of three, Sangha also takes care of her ailing 78-year-old mother. The prosecutor stressed that if such crimes are not adequately punished, gangs will use individuals like Sangha with the promise that they will not receive long sentences if caught.

Goa Feni/Image: TOI File

Traditional Indian spirits Mahua and Goan Feni have entered the UK market this week, as demand for heritage and craft beverages grows.The launch is led by UK-based retailer Maharaja Drinks, which has introduced a new range featuring three feni variants and one Mahua spirit.Feni, a Goan spirit made from cashew apple or coconut palm juice, is represented through the offerings of Goenchi Feni and Goa Heritage Distillery, which also includes a spicy version, Oro de Goa. Products are made using small-batch distillation methods and natural ingredients.Mahua, a flower-based spirit traditionally associated with tribal communities in central India, is being introduced in Andhra Pradesh through a version produced by Desmondji.“India is home to spirits with extraordinary heritage, each rooted in centuries of craftsmanship and storytelling,” Maharaja Drinks CEO Annabel Jamieson was quoted as saying by news agency PTI. He said there is a growing interest in authentic country flavors among UK consumers.The producers said the move was aimed at attracting Indian expatriates to the UK as well as bringing the sentiment of Indian heritage to a wider audience. Yash Savardekar, co-founder of Goenchi Feni, said the expansion will help establish Feni as a globally recognized spirit.Desmond Nazareth, founder of Desmondji Mahua, described the drink as a long-overlooked product with deep cultural roots. “Mahua is a national treasure of India which has been hidden,” he said as quoted by PTI.Maharaja Drinks said the launch coincides with the expansion of its wider portfolio in the UK, which includes Indian vermouth and liquors made from botanicals, spices and fruits.The company, founded by Ipay and Adam Jacob, has been focusing on curated Indian wines, beers and spirits in the UK for the past two years.The move reflects a broader trend of increasing global interest in traditional and craft spirits.

An attempted arson was reported at the Kenton United Synagogue in north-west London, in a series of incidents targeting the Jewish community. According to the Community Safety Trust (CST), the attack on Saturday night caused minor smoke damage to an interior room, but there were no injuries or significant structural damage, the BBC reports.The building, located near a school and children’s playground, was cordoned off as police and fire teams investigated.Forensic officers, fire detection dogs and multiple police units were deployed to the scene, with a strong security presence continuing in the area.

What did the Mayor of London say?

London Mayor Sadiq Khan said the perpetrators would face “the full force of the law” and reiterated that anti-Semitism has no place in the city.Responding to the incident, Efraim Mirvis branded the attack “cowardly” and warned of a “continued campaign of violence and intimidation” against Jewish communities in Britain.

Series of anti-Semitic attacks

The latest incident comes amid a string of suspected anti-Semitic attacks across north-west London.On Friday, a building belonging to the First Jewish Charity in Hendon was targeted when a man attempted to burn plastic bags filled with liquid bottles outside the premises before fleeing. The attack caused minor damage and is also being treated as a hate crime.Police are also investigating incidents in Finchley, where bottles filled with petrol were allegedly thrown at a synagogue, with arrests being made earlier this week. There is no news of any arrest so far in the Canton case.

Earlier attack on Jewish ambulance

The increase follows a major arson attack in Golders Green last month. In the early hours of 23 March four ambulances belonging to a Jewish volunteer emergency service were set on fire.The explosions, caused by oxygen and gas canisters inside the vehicles, damaged nearby properties and forced residents to evacuate.

Saudi Arabia arrested 14,487 illegal residents in a week, deported thousands and prosecuted others.

Saudi Arabia has arrested 14,487 illegal residents during a week-long nationwide crackdown, the interior ministry said.The arrests were made between April 9 and April 15 as part of a joint surveillance operation conducted by security forces in coordination with other government agencies.Of those detained, 7,911 were found to be violating residency laws, 3,588 were found to be violating border security regulations, and 2,988 were linked to labor law violations.Officials said 21,127 individuals have been sent to their diplomatic missions to secure travel documents, while 11,240 people are completing travel arrangements. So far 12,554 people have been deported.Security forces also stopped 1,382 persons attempting to enter the state illegally. Officials said 38 percent were Yemeni nationals, 61 percent were Ethiopians, and the remaining one percent were of other nationalities. Additionally, 43 people were caught trying to leave the country illegally.The ministry said 23 individuals were arrested for assisting the violators by providing transportation, shelter or employment.A total of 39,258 migrants – including 35,460 men and 3,798 women – are currently undergoing legal procedures.The Interior Ministry warned that anyone involved in illegal entry, transportation or helping to harbor criminals could face up to 15 years in prison and a fine of up to SR1 million. Vehicles and properties used in such activities can also be confiscated.Authorities urged the public to report violations by calling 911 in Mecca, Riyadh and the Eastern Province, and 999 or 996 in other areas.