What’s happening today
CPSecurity officers stand guard outside a court building in Dandong, China before a trial for Michael Spavor. (Ken Moritsugu / The Associated Press)
Canadian tried in Chinese court: Michael Spavor, one of two Canadian men facing charges for espionage-related crimes in China in apparent retaliation for the arrest of a Huawei executive, was put on trial today. Consular officials were refused permission to attend the proceedings, which lasted for two hours. No verdict was announced. A court hearing for Michael Kovrig, a former diplomat, has been scheduled for Monday. The Canadian Press reports. READ MORE
U.S. nears vaccination goal: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are expected to confirm that 100 million COVID-19 vaccinations have been administered in the U.S., weeks ahead of President Joe Biden’s target date. The Associated Press reports. READ MORE
Conservative convention continues: Erin O’Toole will give a speech to his party’s members for the first time since he won the Conservative leadership last summer. Ideas up for debate on day two of the three-day policy convention include a proposal that the ethics commissioner be given greater power to punish MPs who break conflict-of-interest rules. The Canadian Press reports. READ MORE
Weather
Your forecast: Sunny with a high of 12 C and wind from the south at 20 km/h gusting to 40. The wind is expected to increase to 40 km/h, gusting to 60, this afternoon.
In case you missed it
JOHN WOODS / WINNIPEG FREE PRESSTree stumps are all that remain of diseased trees that were cut down on the 700 block of Sherburn Street in Winnipeg Thursday.
Stuck with stumps: About 80 per cent of the 8,000 American elm trees marked through the city’s Dutch elm disease surveillance program last year have been cut down, and another 700 ash trees are set to be removed. “I almost want to move now,” a Sherburn Street resident said after many elms were cut down on her street recently. “This street is just not the same. Being a senior, by the time they grow back, I’ll probably be dead.” Malak Abas reports. READ MORE
‘They targeted me’: The owner of a Thai restaurant in St. James says she fears vandalism done to her car was motivated by racism. Kevin Rollason reports. READ MORE
Education review’s recommendations: Curriculum-related changes in the wake of Manitoba’s education review would include a renewed focus on fundamental skills to prepare students for standardized tests. Critics say rates of child poverty and children in care must be taken into context with standardized testing. Maggie Macintosh reports. READ MORE
Back behind wheel: Reese Ketler, who was paralyzed while playing in a Manitoba Major Junior Hockey League game in 2019, is now able to drive a modified vehicle. The Canadian Press reports. READ MORE
Road trip starts with loss: The Winnipeg Jets lost to the Oilers in Edmonton as they opened a seven-game road trip out west last night. The two teams play again at 9 p.m. CT Saturday. Jeff Hamilton reports. READ MORE
On this date
On March 19, 2013: The Winnipeg Free Press reported that the temperature on March 18 was -22 C with the wind chill, compared with 20.8 C on the same date the previous year; a winter storm and a delayed spring melt increased the flood risk for southern Manitoba. Twelve shoppers in Portage Place shopping mall were summoned as potential jurors at a nine-day sexual assault trial by sheriff’s officers after the jury came up one member short. Students at Elwick Community School took part in a long-term global music program. A sex offender accused in a random attack at a dental clinic was found to have had more than 30 convictions.
Today’s front page
Get the full story: Read today’s e-edition of the Winnipeg Free Press READ MORE
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