Former finance minister Jim Flaherty dead at 64

Ottawa, ON - Former finance minister Jim Flaherty has died at the age 64, nearly a month after he stepped down from cabinet ahead of a planned move to the private sector.

The cause of death was not immediately available. Paramedics were called to Flaherty’s Ottawa condominium shortly after noon Thursday, and he was pronounced dead not long after, police said.

Flaherty’s wife, Ontario Progressive Conservative MPP Christine Elliott, and the couple’s triplet sons, John, Galen and Quinn, issued a brief statement asking for privacy. The statement said Flaherty “passed away peacefully.”

The House of Commons was suspended after the news of Flaherty’s death broke Thursday afternoon. The Ontario legislature was also adjourned for the day.

The flag on the Peace Tower at Parliament Hill was lowered to half-mast.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper said “today is a very sad day for me, for our government and for all of our country.”

“Jim will be sorely missed, not only by his many friends on both side of the House, I know particularly his friends in this caucus, among whom he was held unanimously in a combination of great respect and affection,” Harper said in a statement to the Conservative caucus.

“But he will also be missed by the countless thousands of Canadians that he devoted himself to and whom he helped during his long and successful career in public life.”

Harper said that he will speak more about Flaherty’s legacy and “the special relationship I shared with Jim” in the days ahead. Harper appeared with his wife Laureen, who was wiping tears from her eyes.

Former and current MPs and MPPs of all political stripes paid tribute to Canada’s longest-serving finance minister.

Joe Oliver, who succeeded Flaherty in the finance post, said he was “shocked and very saddened” to learn of Flaherty’s death.

“He was an honourable, dedicated and exceptional man who loved Canada,” Oliver said.

NDP Leader Thomas Mulcair said he and his wife, Catherine, “are very, very sad at the loss of a great Canadian.”

Mulcair, near tears, made a brief statement outside the House of Commons. He paid tribute to Flaherty, calling him an “extraordinarily dedicated public servant.”

Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau issued a statement, saying he learned of Flaherty's death "with great shock and sadness."

"Jim was a dedicated Parliamentarian with a strong social conscience and fundamentally committed to the ideal of public service," Trudeau said. "He was a proud Canadian and showed continued devotion and commitment to his country over many years. This is a loss to the entire family in the House of Commons."

Green Party Leader Elizabeth May issued a statement offering her “deepest condolences” to Flaherty’s family.

“He was a rare partisan, able to extend a mischievous twinkle to a rejoinder in Question Period,” May said. “He was a dedicated public servant and a genuinely kind man. He will be missed.”

NDP MP and finance critic Peggy Nash tweeted: “Oh so sorry to learn news about Jim Flaherty. Very very sad.”

Former Ontario premier Mike Harris said Flaherty will be remembered for his political and finance skills. However, Harris told CTV News Channel: “He was an honest, genuine good guy…I loved him because he was an honest, good guy.”

Current Ontario Finance Minister Charles Sousa tweeted that Flaherty “was a man of great integrity. My thoughts & prayers are with Christine & family. He was a champion for Canada. We’ll miss him.”

Flaherty stepped down from his post as finance minister last month, citing plans to eventually take a job in the private sector.  At the time, Flaherty said he and his family came to the decision that he would resign from cabinet, but did not say whether he would remain an MP until the 2015 election.

He denied that his health had anything to do with the move.

He had been coping with a painful skin condition, Bullous Pemphigoid. The condition required him to take powerful medications that left him appearing bloated, and looking and sounding at times extremely fatigued.

In a statement announcing his resignation from cabinet, Flaherty said that he was “on the road to a full recovery.”

Flaherty was born in Lachine, Que. on Dec. 30, 1949 and, after growing up in Quebec, went on to earn a BA from Princeton University and a law degree from York University’s Osgoode Hall Law School.

He helped found law firm Flaherty Dow Elliott before jumping into provincial politics in the early 1990s.

He lost his first time out, but won the Whitby-Ajax riding in 1995 and held several cabinet posts over the next decade, including labour, finance and deputy premier.

After two unsuccessful attempts to win the leadership of the Ontario Conservatives, he made a successful leap to the federal scene in 2006, winning in Whitby-Oshawa.

As federal finance minister, Flaherty made tax cuts a priority, starting with a one-per-cent cut to the GST, followed by another cut in 2008.

In 2007, Flaherty introduced the Registered Disability Savings Plan to help Canadians with disabilities save for retirement, and in 2008 introduced the Tax-Free Savings Account.

He also raised the base deduction rate, cut a point from the lowest personal tax rate and raised the limits of the two lowest tax categories.

Flaherty wasn’t afraid to spend, however, once the 2009 recession hit, pouring billions of stimulus into the economy via the Economic Action Plan.

When he stepped down last month, Flaherty thanked his constituents, his House colleagues, his wife, who represents her husband’s former provincial riding, and their sons.

“We live in the greatest country in the world, and I want Canadians to know that it has been my honour and my privilege to serve them,” Flaherty said.

About Jim Flaherty, 

James Michael foundly known as Jim Flaherty (Born December 30, 1949) was Canada's federal Minister of Finance (2006–2014) and also a former provincial Minister of Finance for Ontario (2001–2002). From 1995 until 2005, he was the Member of Provincial Parliament for Whitby—Ajax, and a member of the Ontario Progressive Conservative Party caucus and unsuccessfully sought the leadership of the provincial party on two occasions.

Flaherty won the riding of Whitby—Oshawa in the federal election held January 23, 2006 as a member of the Conservative Party of Canada narrowly beating Liberalincumbent Judi Longfield. He was re-elected in 2008 and 2011. Flaherty's widow, Christine Elliott, represents Whitby—Oshawa in the Ontario legislature.

Facebook user base crosses 100m in India

New Delhi, April 8 - Social media giant Facebook has crossed 100 million active users in India, its largest base outside the US. "Today, we have more than 100 million people who access Facebook actively in India each month," Facebook India Head of Growth & Mobile Partnerships Kevin D'Souza said. Facebook's mission is to give people the power to share and to make the world more open and connected, he said. On the outlook, D'Souza said: "We recently announced Internet.org, a global partnership with the goal of connecting the next 5 billion people around the world, to make the same access and opportunity available to everyone."

Wal-Mart to expand business in India

New Delhi, April 8 - The world’s biggest retailer, Wal-Mart, today announced that it will expand its business of wholesale or cash and carry stores in India but there was no mention of an entry into the multi-brand retail segment. The Wal-Mart announcement comes just a day after the BJP released its manifesto opposing FDI into multi-brand retail.

After facing corruption allegations in India, Wal-Mart also said it would strengthen its systems. It will also launch an online platform to sell to traders.

Wal-Mart is now going solo in India after its joint venture with Bharti Enterprises broke six months ago.

Wal-Mart India will continue to invest and expand this established business of cash and carry. As part of the growth plans, it plans to open 50 cash-and-carry outlets in the next four to five years even as it continues to invest in its supply chain infrastructure and supplier development.

Wal-Mart India is also extending the B2B e-commerce platform to its Best Price Modern Wholesale store members, providing them with a convenient online shopping opportunity. As an exclusive virtual store for its members, the e-commerce platform will provide a similar assortment of products, as well as special items.

Scott Price, president & CEO, Wal-Mart Asia, said, “Wal-Mart is committed to India and we are excited about our growth plans. We will continue to focus on the Cash and Carry format as we are very happy with the way it has shaped up in the past few years. The format is also poised to grow in India and we would like to serve the growing customer base by opening 50 new cash-and-carry stores over the next four-five years and extend the e-commerce platform to our Cash and Carry members with a virtual shopping opportunity”.

Wal-Mart, which had investigated violations of the US Foreign Corrupt Practices Act in its Indian arm, is ensuring they are not repeated.

Price emphasised that Wal-Mart was committed to follow compliance norms. “Along with our growth, we are taking a number of important steps to strengthen compliance so that we do the right thing everyday. We are evaluating and reinforcing procedures and programs relating to all compliance areas, including licensing and permits, food safety, and responsible sourcing among others”, he said.

ਸਿਡਨੀ 'ਚ ਪੰਜਾਬਣ ਦੀ ਲਾਸ਼ ਬਰਾਮਦ

ਸਿਡਨੀ, 8 ਅਪ੍ਰੈਲ - ਪਿਛਲੇ ਦਿਨੀਂ ਰਾਈਡਮੇਅਰ ਲਾਗਿਓਾ ਮਿਲੀ ਲੜਕੀ ਦੀ ਲਾਸ਼ ਦੀ ਪੰਜਾਬਣ ਕੁੜੀ ਵਜੋਂ ਸ਼ਨਾਖਤ ਹੋਈ ਹੈ | ਪੈਰਾਮੈਂਟਾ ਦੇ ਵਸਨੀਕ ਪ੍ਰਦੀਪ ਕੁਮਾਰ ਨੇ ਲਾਸ਼ ਦੀ ਸ਼ਨਾਖਤ ਕਰਦਿਆਂ ਕਿਹਾ ਕਿ ਇਹ ਉਸ ਦੀ ਪਤਨੀ ਅਮਨ ਦੀ ਲਾਸ਼ ਹੈ | ਪ੍ਰਦੀਪ ਨੇ ਦੱਸਿਆ ਕਿ ਅਸੀਂ ਜ਼ਿਲ੍ਹਾ ਲੁਧਿਆਣਾ ਤੋਂ ਸੰਬੰਧਿਤ ਹਾਂ ਅਤੇ ਵਿਦਿਆਰਥੀ ਵੀਜ਼ੇ 'ਤੇ ਇਥੇ ਰਹਿ ਰਹੇ ਹਾਂ | ਜਾਣਕਾਰੀ ਮੁਤਾਬਿਕ ਪ੍ਰਦੀਪ ਭਾਰਤ ਗਿਆ ਸੀ, ਜਿਸ ਦੌਰਾਨ ਉਸ ਦੀ ਪਤਨੀ ਦੀ ਮੌਤ ਹੋ ਗਈ | ਅਸਲੀ ਕਾਰਨਾਂ ਦਾ ਅਜੇ ਕੁਝ ਪਤਾ ਨਹੀਂ ਲੱਗ ਸਕਿਆ | ਪੁਲਿਸ ਇਸ ਪ੍ਰਤੀ ਹੋਰ ਤਫਤੀਸ਼ ਕਰ ਰਹੀ ਹੈ | ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਕਿਹਾ ਕਿ ਇਹ ਕਹਿਣਾ ਮੁਸ਼ਕਿਲ ਹੈ ਕਿ ਇਹ ਖੁਦਕੁਸ਼ੀ ਹੈ ਜਾਂ ਕਤਲ | ਇਸ ਮਾਮਲੇ 'ਚ ਲੋਕਾਂ ਤੋਂ ਸਹਿਯੋਗ ਦੀ ਮੰਗ ਕੀਤੀ ਹੈ |

So what Casey Anthony 'America's most hated mom' doin' these days?

Florida - Casey Anthony 26-year-old was forced to come out of seclusion and publicly answer questions for the first time today when she appeared in Florida bankruptcy court.

"I don't pay rent. I don't pay utilities," Anthony said, according to the Associated Press. "I guess you could say I'm living free off the kindness of others."

Anthony, 26, has gone into hiding since 2011 when she was acquitted of murdering her toddler Caylee. She was the victim of a barrage of threats and was dubbed the most hated woman in America. Aside from a few stray photos, Anthony has succeeded in staying out of sight.

Anthony has been unemployed for the past four years and filed for bankruptcy in January. She's almost $800,000 in debt and has less than $1,100 worth of assets, according to her bankruptcy filing.

She said at the meeting that she lives with friends. When a federal bankruptcy trustee asked her if she bought her own food, she said, "I try to contribute when I can."

Anthony also repeated what her lawyers have said since she was acquitted that she has not received any offers for book, movie or television deals.

Anthony spoke calmly in court, the AP reported, and said she has been living off of money given to her by former attorney Jose Baez as well as unsolicited cash and gift cards.

Baez denied that he personally supported Anthony.

"All monies testified to at today's hearing were obtained during the course of legal representation," Baez told ABC News. "The media reports or interpretation that I personally provided financial support to Ms. Anthony are false."

It was the first time Anthony has been forced to answer questions in public. She never took the stand to testify in her own defense during her murder trial. And efforts to get her on the stand in a lawsuit by a woman named Zenaida Gonzales have been delayed be the bankruptcy hearing.

Anthony insisted for months that her daughter Caylee had been stolen by a fictitious nanny named Zenaida Gonzales. The real Zenaida Gonzales has sued claiming she lost her job and her home because of Anthony's lies.

A rattled Casey Anthony tried to hide her face today as she waded through a mob of photographers and reporters when she arrived at federal court in Tampa for a meeting in her bankruptcy case, her first public appearance since she was acquitted of killing her 2-year-old daughter Caylee in 2011.

Anthony clung to attorney Cheney Mason who exited the car with her as someone shouted repeatedly, "Did you get away with murder?"

She clutched a black floppy hat and a pair of sunglasses near her face and looked shaken up as she was surrounded. Her brown hair was loose, just below her shoulders and she wore a long black sweater, black pants and a printed blouse.

The few glimpses of Anthony since her July 2011 release from jail have been a few leaked video diaries and some photos of her in Florida.

Anthony was convicted on four counts of providing false information to law enforcement, stemming from her initial statements to detectives. Two of the lying convictions were overturned in January, the same day she filed for bankruptcy.

The bankruptcy filing includes 15 pages of people who have made claims, including legal consultants, media consultants, authorities, the IRS and Anthony's parents. The most sizeable claim is from Anthony's former defense attorney Jose Baez who says she owes him $500,000.

The filing details Anthony's personal property, which includes some 10-year-old furniture at her family home, a laptop, some clothing, a pearl necklace, family photos, books, a sapphire and opal ring, two digital cameras and a bike. The total value of the items is just over $1,000.

Anthony's attorney Charles Greene did not immediately respond to request for comment today, but told ABCNews.com in January that it will be a while before Anthony can take any kind of job, saying that life will "never be normal" for the woman who still breaks down in tears at times.

"You don't go from the most hated woman in the world, according to some media outlets, to being a normal person or being able to live a normal life," Greene said. "I'm not saying she's not a normal person, but people do not perceive her as a normal person."

Greene said that Anthony still receives threats and lives in hiding, despite the fact that both her prison time and probation have been served.

She is the target of a number of civil lawsuits, which also prevents her from moving, Greene said.

He will not comment on Anthony's whereabouts, but her last known location was in Florida and it is likely she is still in the area, due to her ongoing legal matters.