Free Press Head Start for March 28

Good morning.

Millions of viewers around the world were stunned as Will Smith marched onto the Oscars stage and slapped comedian Chris Rock, then shouted for him to “keep my wife’s name out of your (expletive) mouth.” Rock had made a joke about the appearance of the actor’s wife, actress Jada Pinkett Smith. Smith later won his first Academy Award, for best actor, but did not apologize to Rock. The Los Angeles Police Department said “the individual involved has declined to file a police report.”

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said before more planned talks with Russia that his country could declare neutrality and offer security guarantees to attain peace “without delay.” Russian troops have increasingly focused on forcing Ukraine into surrendering part of the country’s eastern territory. As Russia’s invasion continues, some international students attending Manitoba post-secondary institutions are unable to access funds to pay for tuition and living expenses.

Canada’s men’s soccer team beat Jamaica in a CONCACAF qualifying match on Sunday to clinch a berth in the 2022 World Cup and end a 36-year absence.

— Adam Treusch, assignment editor

What’s happening today

CPMétis National Council president Cassidy Caron speaks to the media in St. Peter's Square after their meeting with Pope Francis. (Gregorio Borgia / The Associated Press)

CPMétis National Council president Cassidy Caron speaks to the media in St. Peter’s Square after their meeting with Pope Francis. (Gregorio Borgia / The Associated Press)

Meeting with Pope: Métis and Inuit delegates met with Pope Francis at the Vatican in separate meetings earlier today. The Métis delegates shared their expectation that the Pope’s upcoming visit to Canada will include an apology to residential school survivors and their families. Free Press faith writer John Longhurst reports from Rome. READ MORE

Mountie on mass shooting: The public inquiry into the deadly mass shooting in Nova Scotia in 2020 resumes with testimony from the first of three RCMP officers. It will be the first time the inquiry has heard from anyone directly involved in the shootings. The Canadian Press reports. READ MORE

Provincial parks: Environment, Climate and Parks Minister Jeff Wharton will hold a news conference at Birds Hill Provincial Park on the parks reservation system opening.

Shanghai shuts down: China began its most extensive COVID-19 lockdown in two years to control a growing outbreak in Shanghai. READ MORE

Weather

Your daytime forecast: A mix of sun and cloud with a high of -2 C, wind chill as low as -20 this morning and wind from the southeast at 15 km/h increasing to 30 km/h and gusting to 50.

In case you missed it

CPWinnipeg Jets' Mark Scheifele (55) celebrates his game-winning goal in overtime against the Arizona Coyotes with goaltender Connor Hellebuyck (37) and Josh Morrissey (44) during NHL action in Winnipeg on Sunday March 27, 2022. (Fred Greenslade / The Canadian Press)

CPWinnipeg Jets’ Mark Scheifele (55) celebrates his game-winning goal in overtime against the Arizona Coyotes with goaltender Connor Hellebuyck (37) and Josh Morrissey (44) during NHL action in Winnipeg on Sunday March 27, 2022. (Fred Greenslade / The Canadian Press)

Scheifele goal nets win: The Winnipeg Jets beat the Arizona Coyotes with only seconds remaining in overtime to finish a home stand with a 3-1-0 record. Jason Bell reports. READ MORE

Hoping some healing happens: Free Press columnist Niigaan Sinclair says there are four things that need to happen after a papal apology for residential schools. READ MORE

Report released: A report by the British Columbia Humanist Association says the City of Winnipeg is violating a Supreme Court ruling on government prayers. The city’s legal department has previously concluded its prayer does not violate the ruling. Joyanne Pursaga reports. READ MORE

Einarson earns bronze: Kerri Einarson’s Gimli-based team won bronze at the women’s world curling championship. READ MORE

One small step: Shelley Cook’s latest column is on how the little things are tiny steps on our paths to progress. READ MORE

On this date

On March 28, 1924: The Manitoba Free Press reported a document seen by a reporter showed Moscow was attempting to stir up trouble in Ireland against Britain, flouting an agreement to abstain from propaganda. The U.S. Senate was likely to pass a bill that would set an immigration quota affecting Canadian citizens not born in the dominion; no quota would apply to native-born Canadians. The first icebergs of the season in the north Atlantic Ocean were seen drifting south from Greenland. READ MORE

Today’s front page

Get the full story: Read today’s e-edition of the Winnipeg Free Press READ MORE

Head Start