What’s happening today
CPNovak Djokovic practises in Melbourne on Thursday. (Mark Baker / The Associated Press)
Double-fault for Djokovic: Serbian tennis star Novak Djokovic again faces deportation after Australia revoked his visa a second time. Lawyers for the unvaccinated, top-ranked Djokovic — who hopes to play in the Australian Open on Monday — are appealing the immigration minister’s decision. The Associated Press reports. READ MORE
New restrictions in N.B.: New pandemic rules limiting New Brunswick residents to a single-household bubble took effect today. READ MORE
Hong Kong limits passengers: Hong Kong’s airport said it will ban passengers from more than 150 countries and territories for a month to limit the spread of the Omicron COVID-19 variant. The Associated Press reports. READ MORE
Today show turns 70: Today, NBC’s groundbreaking morning show, turns 70. READ MORE
Taiwan adds defence tech: Taiwan has commissioned new minelayers to add to its defences against China, which claims the islands as its own territory. The Associated Press reports. READ MORE
What’s happening this weekend
MIKAELA MACKENZIE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS FilesTrucks line up at the border crossing in Emerson, Manitoba.
Truckers must be vaccinated: A federal mandate requiring truckers crossing into Canada to be fully vaccinated takes effect Saturday. Ottawa said Thursday an earlier statement from the Canada Border Services Agency that Canadian truckers would be exempt was wrong. Martin Cash reports. READ MORE
Burger joint says bye: Blondie’s Burgers on north Main Street will flip its final patties on Saturday. READ MORE
Memorial for musician: A celebration of life for award-winning First Nations musician Vince Fontaine is happening at the Oodena Celebration Circle at The Forks from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday. Alan Small reports on Fontaine’s life and music. READ MORE
Playoffs kick off: The first round of the NFL playoffs begins Saturday and ends with the first-ever Monday night playoff game. READ MORE
Weather
Your forecast: Cloudy with a 30 per cent chance of light snow until the mid-afternoon, then a mix of sun and cloud, a high of -14 C, wind chill as low as -25 and wind from the east at 20 km/h this morning.
In case you missed it
The Jets kick off a four-game road trip tonight. (Paul Sancya / The Associated Press)
Jets clip Wings: The Winnipeg Jets beat the Detroit Red Wings in the visiting team’s only game in an 11-day span. Mike McIntyre reports from Michigan. READ MORE
Puzzled over premier’s vow: The Manitoba Nurses Union says news that more than 90 foreign-trained nurses could soon be licensed comes as a surprise. “The front line wasn’t consulted about the on-boarding of these nurses,” MNU president Darlene Jackson said. READ MORE
‘Actually quite shocking’: The Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs reported 2,504 new COVID-19 infections among First Nations, including probable infections detected with rapid tests, in only a week. Indigenous Services Minister Patty Hajdu pledged to clear red tape for Manitoba chiefs requesting federal help. Dylan Robertson reports. READ MORE
Ice bikes: Spark Rentals has launched what it is calling an “ice cycle” — a bike designed for the frozen water. Sinan Leylek and his partners decided to start their new venture when Manitoba was in a COVID-19 lockdown in January 2021. The Canadian Press reports. READ MORE
Sex offender sentenced: A sex offender who started luring new child victims hours after he was released on parole has been sentenced to 14 years in prison. Dean Pritchard reports. READ MORE
On this date
On Jan. 14, 1963: The Winnipeg Free Press reported that federal Liberal leader Lester B. Pearson surprised political analysts by endorsing nuclear arms for Canada; Conservative prime minister John Diefenbaker said he would make no statement on the government’s policy on the matter until Parliament met the next week. French president Charles de Gaulle said Britain’s economic position, given its ties to the Commonwealth, was incompatible with the European Common Market. U.S. president John F. Kennedy proposed a US$13.5-billion tax cut.
Today’s front page
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