RICHMOND, B.C. — A serial property flipper in British Columbia has been convicted of tax evasion and fined more than $2 million for failing to report nearly $7.5 million in earnings. The Canada Revenue Agency says in a statement that Balkar Bhullar of Richmond, B.C., was given a conditional sentence of two years less a day on Dec. 19 and fined about $2.15 million, matching the amount of unpaid federal income tax. The agency says Bhullar pleaded guilty on Aug. 3 last year to one count of tax evasion, relating to undeclared income of about $7.49 million from transferring assignment fees on 14 properties from 2011 to 2014. Assignment fees are paid for the right to purchase a property, in which a contract's rights and obligations are transferred from one buyer to another. The CRA says in a statement that it has made "significant progress" uncovering and addressing tax cheating in the real estate sector. A new home flipping tax will come into effect in B.C. on Jan. 1, with the tax of up to 20 per cent applying to homeowners who sell properties within two years of buying. A statement from the Ministry of Finance says it’s estimated about 4,000 properties will be subject to the tax in 2025 and all revenue collected from the tax will go toward housing programs. B.C.'s Finance Minister Brenda Bailey says in the statement that measures like the home-flipping tax aim to ensure there are more affordable homes for buyers and renters and discourage speculative investors from buying houses for a quick profit. The B.C. Real Estate Association has criticized the tax, saying there is a "significant risk" it will cause sellers to delay listing their homes, lowering resale housing supply and tightening market conditions. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 27, 2024. The Canadian Press
NoneSummit for sustainable growthDouble-shift schools: Students losing out on teaching hours
Wander Franco's sex abuse trial has been postponed 5 months PUERTO PLATA, Dominican Republic (AP) — The trial against Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco, who has been charged with sexually abusing a minor, sexual and commercial exploitation against a minor, and human trafficking, has been postponed until June 2, 2025. Dominican judge Yacaira Veras postponed the hearing Thursday at the request of prosecutors because of the absence of several key witnesses in the case. Franco’s lawyers asked the court to reconsider the postponement, arguing Franco must report to spring training in mid-February. The judge replied that Franco is obligated to continue with the trial schedule and his conditional release from detainment. Rape investigation that Swedish media say focused on Kylian Mbappé has been closed STOCKHOLM (AP) — Swedish prosecutors say they have dropped a rape investigation that was launched in connection with soccer star Kylian Mbappé’s visit to Stockholm in October. In a statement, lead investigator Marina Chirakova says there is not enough evidence to continue the investigation into the allegation at a hotel. Prosecutors never publicly named the suspect in the investigation but some Swedish media reported it was Mbappé. The Real Madrid striker visited Stockholm in October during a break in the Spanish league. At the time, Mbappé’s legal team dismissed those reports as false. 2034 World Cup visitors will live in 'a bubble' and not see real life, Saudi rights activist says LONDON (AP) — A Saudi human rights activist says soccer fans visiting Saudi Arabia for the 2034 World Cup will live in a “bubble” that doesn't reflect real life there. Lina al-Hathloul is a London-based activist whose sister was jailed in Saudi Arabia then banned from travel after campaigning to end a ban on women driving. When FIFA confirmed the kingdom as the 2034 tournament host on Wednesday its president Gianni Infantino acknowledged “the world will be watching” for positive social change. Al-Hathloul says western people “will be very safe” at the World Cup but "will see a bubble of what Saudi Arabia is.” Chelsea teenager Marc Guiu scores twice in 3-1 win over Astana in Conference League A youthful Chelsea lineup made the most of a long trip to Kazakhstan by beating Astana 3-1 to stay perfect in the UEFA Conference League. Eighteen-year-old Marc Guiu struck twice within five minutes early in the first half in freezing conditions in the Kazakh capital. Renato Veiga, who is 21, headed home the third off a corner. Chelsea has 15 points atop the standings of the third-tier competition with one more game to play in the league phase. More games including those in the second-tier Europa League were scheduled later Thursday. Among them unbeaten Manchester United is at Viktoria Plzen while Rangers host Tottenham. Travis Hunter, the 2-way standout for Colorado, is the AP college football player of the year BOULDER, Colo. (AP) — Colorado two-way standout Travis Hunter is The Associated Press college football player of the year. Hunter received 26 of the 43 votes from a panel of AP Top 25 voters. Boise State tailback Ashton Jeanty finished second with 16 votes, and Arizona State running back Cameron Skattebo received one vote. A throwback player who rarely left the field, Hunter had 92 catches for 1,152 yards and 14 touchdowns as a receiver. He had four interceptions and 11 passes defensed as a shutdown corner. Hunter helped the the 20th-ranked Buffaloes to a 9-3 record and an appearance in the Alamo Bowl against BYU. North Carolina trustees approve Bill Belichick's deal ahead of introductory news conference North Carolina’s trustees have approved terms of the deal to hire Bill Belichick as the Tar Heels’ new football coach. The board met Thursday morning to sign off on the agreement, announced Wednesday night by the school as a five-year deal. Specific terms of that deal have yet to be released. The school is set to hold its introductory news conference for the six-time Super Bowl-winning head coach Thursday afternoon. Belichick has never coached in college football. Indian teen Gukesh Dommaraju becomes the youngest chess world champion after beating Chinese rival NEW DELHI (AP) — Indian teenager Gukesh Dommaraju has become the youngest chess world champion after beating the defending champion Ding Liren of China. Dommaraju, 18, secured 7.5 points against 6.5 of his Chinese rival in Thursday's game which was played in Singapore. He has surpassed the achievement of Russia’s Garry Kasparov who won the title at the age of 22. Dommaraju is now also the second Indian to win the title after five-time world chess champion Viswanathan Anand. The Indian teen prodigy has long been considered a rising star in the chess world after he became a chess grandmaster at 12. He had entered the match as the youngest-ever challenger to the world crown after winning the Candidates tournament earlier this year. Raiders player Charles Snowden facing misdemeanor DUI charge after Las Vegas arrest LAS VEGAS (AP) — Las Vegas Raiders football player Charles Snowden was arrested in Las Vegas on a misdemeanor charge of driving under the influence and released from custody. The NFL, the Raiders and Snowden’s attorneys acknowledged Thursday the 26-year-old first-year defensive end was arrested early Tuesday. He faces a scheduled court date in April. It’s not clear yet whether the arrest will affect Snowden’s status with the team. He has played every game this season, and the Raiders' next game is at home on Monday. Commissioner Roger Goodell can impose a three-game suspension without pay for a first violation of the league's alcohol abuse policy. Juan Soto to be introduced by Mets at Citi Field after striking record $765 million, 15-year deal NEW YORK (AP) — Juan Soto will be introduced by the New York Mets at Citi Field, a day after his record $765 million, 15-year contract was finalized. Soto chose the Mets’ offer on Sunday, deciding to leave the Yankees after helping them reach the World Series in his only season in the Bronx. The 26-year-old’s contract value eclipsed Shohei Ohtani’s $700 million, 10-year deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers last December. Its length topped Fernando Tatis Jr.’s $340 million, 14-year agreement with San Diego that runs through 2034. Team claims NASCAR rescinded approval to buy new charter unless federal antitrust suit is dropped CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — A new court filing says NASCAR rejected Front Row Motorsports’ agreement to purchase a charter from Stewart-Haas Racing unless the team and 23XI Racing dropped their federal antitrust lawsuit against the stock car series. Front Row and 23XI rejected NASCAR's new revenue sharing agreement and have gone to court. NASCAR now says it will move forward in 2025 with 32 chartered teams and eight open spots, with offers on charters for Front Row and 23XI rescinded and the SHR charters in limbo.None
The Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence, Dr Sa’ad Abubakar, on Saturday, urged Sokoto State to borrow a leaf from Kebbi State in view of its unique mode of playing politics. The Monarch was highly elated by the presence of three former governors of Kebbi State seated side-by-side with the incumbent governor for a lecture on Malam Abdullahi Fodio. He disclosed this at the maiden edition of Malam Abdullahi Fodio Annual Public Lecture 2024 held at the Presidential Lodge in Birnin Kebbi. Sultan described the scenario as unique, distinctive and unparallel worthy of commendation, saying that all the governors put aside their political differences and come together for a common goal of promoting Abdullahi Fodio’s legacies. “This is something that we need to borrow from Kebbi State. Today, we see all the three former governors seated together with the incumbent in a very historic event of Mallam Abdullahi Fodio Annual Public Lecture,” he said. The Sultan described Nigeria as a one big family in view of the cordial relationship that exists between different regions of the country, observing: “The event brought together different traditional rulers from across Nigeria.” This, according to him, signifies love, tolerance, understanding and accommodation among Nigerians regardless of culture, tribe or religion. Speaking on leadership, Sultan Abubakar advised Nigerians to stop castigating their leaders, instead, they should pray for them and tell them the truth. “It’s very important that we tell our leaders the truth, if they abide by it, good, if they refused, leave them to their creator. “Leaders should bear in mind that one day, they will stand before Almighty Allah to account for their stewardship. “In the affairs of people fear Allah (SWT), in the affairs of Almighty Allah fear no one. Leadership is all about justice, doing the right thing for the good of the people you lead,” he noted. In his speech, the Kebbi State Governor, Comrade Dr Nasir Idris, Kauran Gwandu appreciated Sultan for the accolades showered on the leaders, adding that he had served under all three former governors as a unionist. The governor assured that the lecture and all other cultural festivities in the four emirates of the state would be sustained to promote unity and understanding among different emirates. He used the occasion to officially change the name of the state university to Mallam Abdullahi Fodio. “Today I want to announce in order to keep the name for the younger once. I want to change the name of Kebbi State University of Science and Technology, Aliero to Mallam Abdullahi Fodio University, this is in respect for his efforts. “Kebbi State Government will do the needful by following the due process to actualise this mission,” he said. On their part, the former governors of the state, Sen. Adamu Aleiro, Alhaji Saidu Dakingari, and Sen. Atiku Bagudu, the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, appreciated Gov. Idris for his support to the traditional rulers. They urged leaders at all levels to emulate the virtue and leadership style of compassion, tolerance, equity and transparency of Sheikh Abdullahi Gwandu. Prof. Bello Bada, Prof. Ja’afar Kaura, all from Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto as we all Sheikh Isah Talata-Mafara, presented papers on ,” Mallam Abdullahi Fodiyo on Good Governance; Responsibility of a Citizen to Constituted Authority and Relationship Between Teachers and Leaders among People”.KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Nico Iamaleava threw for 209 yards and four touchdowns to lead No. 10 Tennessee to a 56-0 victory over UTEP on Saturday. The Volunteers (9-2) overcame a sluggish start to roll up the impressive win. Both teams were scoreless in the first quarter, but Tennessee found its rhythm. Grad student receiver Bru McCoy, who hadn't caught a touchdown pass this season, had two. Peyton Lewis also ran for two scores. “Once we settled in and did the ordinary things, we had a real good day,” said Tennessee coach Josh Heupel, whose team scored touchdowns on all eight red zone visits. “We started off cold,” said Iamaleava. "We made too many errors. We picked it up as the game went on. “That first play (of the Vols' first series of the game — a long incomplete pass to Squirrel White) we missed for a touchdown. I really want that one back. All you can do is focus on the next play.” Tennessee's defensive line, which had no sacks in last week's loss to Georgia, had four against the Miners. UTEP (2-9) struggled with two missed field goals and three turnovers. It was the second time in Miners coach Scotty Wallen's seven-year coaching career that his team has been shut out. “I thought we took massive steps forward, even though the results weren't what we wanted,” said Wallen. “(Tennessee) is one of the best teams in the country, right there.” Just before halftime, UTEP lost starting quarterback Skyler Locklear with an injury. Backup JP Pickles had trouble getting anything going. “When Skyler went down, that kind of messed with us,” said Miners center Brennan Smith. Tennessee's offense came alive with 28 points in the second quarter. In the final four drives of the quarter, Iamaleava completed 11 of 12 passes for 146 yards and touchdowns to White, Ethan Davis and McCoy. “(That first touchdown) was special for me,” said McCoy. "I promised my mom I'd get into the end zone. I never worried (this season, about not scoring). You have to have faith. The timing will be right for it to happen.” UTEP was the dominant team in the first quarter. Tennessee managed just 37 offensive yards and, thanks to an interception near the end zone and a missed field goal by the Miners, both teams were scoreless after 15 minutes. POLL IMPLICATIONS Tennessee’s convincing victory, coupled with losses by Mississippi and Indiana, should put the Volunteers in a good position when the next College Football Playoff poll is released. The Vols were ranked No. 11 going into this week’s games. THE TAKEAWAY UTEP: The Miners will head into a very winnable game against New Mexico State having won two of their last five games. First-year coach Scotty Walden will try to build on that success in the offseason to help enhance his roster. Tennessee: Even a lopsided win won’t carry much weight where it means the most — in the College Football Playoff rankings. The Vols will have to rely on a convincing win against Vanderbilt next week, a team that has shown a lot of improvement this season, to help their standing for those coveted spots. UP NEXT UTEP: The Miners will finish their season at New Mexico State Saturday. Tennessee: The Vols will finish their regular season at Vanderbilt next Saturday. Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here . AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-football