What you need to know
John Woods / The Canadian Press filesThe Supreme Court of Canada struck down the mandatory federal victim surcharge, which added $713,000 annually to the total federal and provincial victim-support funds.
No reductions despite ruling: Manitoba Justice says neither provincial funding nor services will be reduced in the wake of a Supreme Court decision that struck down mandatory victim surcharges as unconstitutional. Katie May reports. READ MORE
Seasonal spike in crime: Between Christmas Eve and New Year’s Day, city police were bombarded with more than 10,000 calls. Ryan Thorpe reports. READ MORE
Weather
Your forecast: There will be a mix of sun and cloud with a relatively balmy high of 2 C, wind from the west at 20 km/h gusting to 40 and wind chill of about -7. The average high for Jan.3 is -12.7 C.
What’s happening today
House Democratic leader Rep. Nancy Pelosi of California, and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., walk to speak with reporters after a meeting with President Donald Trump on border security at the White House, Wednesday, Jan. 2, 2019, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
Congress convenes: The new U.S. Congress will be sworn in, with the Democrats now in charge. Nancy Pelosi, who will likely be elected as Speaker of the House of Representatives, says her party will quickly pass legislation to end a partial government shutdown, but the Senate’s Republican majority leader says his chamber won’t vote on it. READ MORE
In case you missed it
PHIL HOSSACK / WINNIPEG FREE PRESSWinnipeg Jets’ Nikolaj Ehlers blasts his way around the ice Wednesday to win the speed event starting off the annual Skills Competition.
Friendly competition: More than 11,000 Jets fans filled Bell MTS Place last night for the team’s annual skills competition. “Seeing all those people out there today, it’s special,” forward Nikolaj Ehlers said. Jeff Hamilton reports. READ MORE
Ousted in OT: Team Canada lost to Finland in overtime at the World Junior Hockey Championship in Vancouver last night and was eliminated from medal contention. READ MORE
Going dark: China has become the first country to land a spacecraft on the far side of the moon. The China National Space Administration says it has “opened up a new chapter in human lunar exploration.” READ MORE
On this date
On Jan. 3, 1991: The Winnipeg Free Press reported that scientists feared a war in the Persian Gulf could turn Kuwaiti oil fields into a vast inferno, saying that pollution from blazing oil installations and oil spillages could threaten the world’s ecology. In Manitoba, a provincewide nurses’ strike that began on New Year’s Day continued. Hospital operating engineers also threatened to go on strike. Winnipeg shoppers and businesses adjusted to the new Goods and Services Tax, which took effect Jan. 1.
Today’s front page
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