A cafe owned by Indian comedian Kapil Sharma in Surrey, British Columbia, has expressed gratitude to supporters and local authorities after unknown assailants fired multiple gunshots into the premises on Thursday.
“We opened Kap's Cafe with hopes of bringing warmth, community and joy through delicious coffee and friendly conversation. To have violence intersect with that dream is heartbreaking,” the cafe posted on Instagram hours after the incident.
“We are processing this shock but we are not giving up. Thank you for your support. Your kind words, prayers and memories shared via DM mean more than you know. Let's stand firm against violence and ensure Kap's Cafe remains a place of warmth and community.”
The post also thanked Surrey Police Service and Delta Police Department “for their prompt response and efforts in ensuring everyone's safety during this difficult time”.
Photos and videos shared on social media show the windows of the cafe riddled with gunshot holes and shattered window panes.
Sharma, a massive star in India, opened Kap's Cafe only a week ago.
Surrey police said they are investigating the incident.
“On Thursday, July 10, at 1:50am, Surrey Police Service was called to a business located in the 8400 block of 120 Street for a report of shots fired. Upon police arrival, it was quickly determined that the shots were fired towards the business, damaging the property, while staff members were still present inside,” Surrey Police Service posted on social media. “There were no injuries to anyone at the business. SPS officers gathered evidence and canvassed the area for witnesses and surveillance video.
“This investigation is continuing and connections to other incidents and potential motives are being examined. There is currently no suspect information available to share,” they added, urging anyone with information about the incident to contact them.
Meanwhile, Indian media have reported that a man associated with the militant Babbar Khalsa International group has claimed responsibility for the attack by posting a viral video reportedly filmed from inside a vehicle, which showed someone firing a gun repeatedly at the restaurant.
The BKI are a secessionist group calling for a separate homeland, Khalistan, in India's Punjab region.
Speaking to news agency The Canadian Press, Surrey Police's staff sergeant Lindsey Houghton acknowledged that the widely shared video appeared to be connected to the incident, but warned of people “jumping to conclusions based on social media chatter”.
“We are aware of many of the posts online, including some conflicting information about people taking credit and association to certain groups,” Houghton said, adding that the video and other posts and claims are being examined and that “they'll be evidence that moves the investigation forward”.
Sharma, who rose to prominence after winning a comedy competition in 2007, launched his Comedy Nights with Kapil show in 2013, which became one of India's highest-rated shows. The show has undergone several iterations and network changes, and now streams on Netflix as The Great Indian Kapil Show.
Sharma has not yet responded to the incident.
What sanctions would be reimposed?
Under ‘snapback’, measures imposed on Iran by the UN Security Council in six resolutions would be restored, including:
- An arms embargo
- A ban on uranium enrichment and reprocessing
- A ban on launches and other activities with ballistic missiles capable of delivering nuclear weapons, as well as ballistic missile technology transfer and technical assistance
- A targeted global asset freeze and travel ban on Iranian individuals and entities
- Authorisation for countries to inspect Iran Air Cargo and Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines cargoes for banned goods
Mercer, the investment consulting arm of US services company Marsh & McLennan, expects its wealth division to at least double its assets under management (AUM) in the Middle East as wealth in the region continues to grow despite economic headwinds, a company official said.
Mercer Wealth, which globally has $160 billion in AUM, plans to boost its AUM in the region to $2-$3bn in the next 2-3 years from the present $1bn, said Yasir AbuShaban, a Dubai-based principal with Mercer Wealth.
“Within the next two to three years, we are looking at reaching $2 to $3 billion as a conservative estimate and we do see an opportunity to do so,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Mercer does not directly make investments, but allocates clients’ money they have discretion to, to professional asset managers. They also provide advice to clients.
“We have buying power. We can negotiate on their (client’s) behalf with asset managers to provide them lower fees than they otherwise would have to get on their own,” he added.
Mercer Wealth’s clients include sovereign wealth funds, family offices, and insurance companies among others.
From its office in Dubai, Mercer also looks after Africa, India and Turkey, where they also see opportunity for growth.
Wealth creation in Middle East and Africa (MEA) grew 8.5 per cent to $8.1 trillion last year from $7.5tn in 2015, higher than last year’s global average of 6 per cent and the second-highest growth in a region after Asia-Pacific which grew 9.9 per cent, according to consultancy Boston Consulting Group (BCG). In the region, where wealth grew just 1.9 per cent in 2015 compared with 2014, a pickup in oil prices has helped in wealth generation.
BCG is forecasting MEA wealth will rise to $12tn by 2021, growing at an annual average of 8 per cent.
Drivers of wealth generation in the region will be split evenly between new wealth creation and growth of performance of existing assets, according to BCG.
Another general trend in the region is clients’ looking for a comprehensive approach to investing, according to Mr AbuShaban.
“Institutional investors or some of the families are seeing a slowdown in the available capital they have to invest and in that sense they are looking at optimizing the way they manage their portfolios and making sure they are not investing haphazardly and different parts of their investment are working together,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Some clients also have a higher appetite for risk, given the low interest-rate environment that does not provide enough yield for some institutional investors. These clients are keen to invest in illiquid assets, such as private equity and infrastructure.
“What we have seen is a desire for higher returns in what has been a low-return environment specifically in various fixed income or bonds,” he said.
“In this environment, we have seen a de facto increase in the risk that clients are taking in things like illiquid investments, private equity investments, infrastructure and private debt, those kind of investments were higher illiquidity results in incrementally higher returns.”
The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, said in its 2016 report that has gradually increased its exposure in direct private equity and private credit transactions, mainly in Asian markets and especially in China and India. The authority’s private equity department focused on structured equities owing to “their defensive characteristics.”
What vitamins do we know are beneficial for living in the UAE
Vitamin D: Highly relevant in the UAE due to limited sun exposure; supports bone health, immunity and mood.
Vitamin B12: Important for nerve health and energy production, especially for vegetarians, vegans and individuals with absorption issues.
Iron: Useful only when deficiency or anaemia is confirmed; helps reduce fatigue and support immunity.
Omega-3 (EPA/DHA): Supports heart health and reduces inflammation, especially for those who consume little fish.
Who's who in Yemen conflict
Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government
Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council
Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south
Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory
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Transmission: Six-speed automatic
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Director: Christopher McQuarrie
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