LOCAL
Thunder Bay police have charged an Ottawa man for the 2016 first-degree murder of Justin Duncan, 23. The 22-month investigation required collaboration between Thunder Bay, Ottawa, provincial and federal police.
Johnathan Ranger, 35, is said to have fled from Thunder Bay after he allegedly murdered his crime partner, Duncan, despite no body having been found. Noel Perez, 22, Emreh Ahmeti, 22, and Muhamed Alhasi, 28, have also been charged with first degree murder in the case. These four have been dubbed the “Ottawa crew.”
NATIONAL
The prosecution has withdrawn charges against the infamous Paul Bernardo. The explanation for the withdrawal was that it was unlikely to yield a conviction for the “shank” discovered in his cell. Bernardo’s lawyer claims that the weapon was planted by another inmate or even a guard.
The withdrawal comes just weeks before Bernardo is set to appear for a parole hearing. Bernardo has spent much of his time in prison in solitary confinement.
Bernardo, known as the “Scarborough rapist,” has been in prison since 1995.
INTERNATIONAL
China has taken issue with a clause in the new trade deal USMCA. The controversial clause China has taken issue with requires the member countries to report if they enter trade talks with a “non-market” economy.
China feels this clause has given the United States dominance over the markets. It feels the clause is being used specifically to allow the United States to exclude China from trading with Canada and Mexico.
China claims this will not stop it from engaging in trade talks and disputes the claim that it exists as a “non-market” economy, using its good standing with the World Trade Organization as proof.