Morning News for Saturday, December 19
Winnipeg Man Allegedly Stabs Tourist in Peru
A 29-year-old Winnipeg man allegedly stabbed to death a British tourist after the two drank a hallucinogenic brew at a spiritual retreat in the Peruvian Amazon.
Local police chief Normando Marquez says witnesses described a fight breaking out between Joshua Stevens and the victim, 25-year-old Unais Gomes.
Martin Manrique from Iquitos' prosecutors' office says Stevens was arrested and later released but must remain in Peru while the investigation is ongoing.
However, a British newspaper says authorities have concluded that Stevens acted in self-defence. It also quotes his fiancee,
Sarah-Anne Allen, as saying all charges had been dropped and he would be returning to Canada soon.
Manitoba Schools Sign On to Indigenous Education Blueprint
Universities, colleges and public schools across Manitoba have signed a historic agreement to advance indigenous education.
They all put pen to paper yesterday on the first Indigenous Education Blueprint in the province.
The blueprint comes out of recommendations found in the report from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, a group formed to examine the impact of residential schools.
It aims to see schools across the province engage more with indigenous groups, increase the study of indigenous languages and knowledge in schools, increase access to services and programs for First Nations students and eliminate racism in the classroom.
Next Group of Refugees Arrive in Canada
The governor general and his family were on hand to welcome the latest group of Syrians to Canada.
David Johnston said ``welcome'' in Arabic as he greeted the 214 refugees after they landed at Toronto's Pearson Airport.
One man asked for permission to kiss Johnston, and when he agreed, gave the Queen's representative a quick peck on both cheeks.
The latest newcomers are part of the 25-thousand Syrians the federal government plans to re-settle in Canada by the end of February.
Alberta's Credit Rating Downgraded
Standard and Poor's, a U-S bond rating giant, has lowered Alberta's coveted Triple-A credit rating a notch to Double-A-Plus.
S-and-P cites falling energy prices, which has left the provincial government with a budget deficit of about six-billion dollars.
Although Finance Minister Joe Ceci says he's disappointed at the downgrade, he notes Moody's and other credit evaluators have not cut their top grade for the province.
