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Preparations at Keyano College continue for the 47th annual Convocation. Graduation is a moment that encapsulates a student's hard work, dedication, and perseverance. It is a unique milestone in one's life. Keyano will be celebrating this momentous occasion with its students on Saturday, May 18, 2013. The annual celebration of academic success at the College will begin at 2 p.m. on the Alberta Building Trades Field in the Syncrude Sport & Wellness Centre. An estimated 138 graduates, out of 706 this year will cross the aisle to receive their certificates and diplomas.
Prime Minister Harper told a New York business crowd that global warming will only be brought under control by deep international collaboration and intense investment in technology. Harper defended his regulatory approach to emissions reductions as the most effective, practical way to achieve concrete results. Harper also repeated his support for the Keystone X-L pipeline from Alberta to the Gulf coast, which has yet to be OK'd by the Obama administration.
The Opposition says the $90,000 cheque for Conservative Senator Mike Duffy's improper housing expenses isn't a repayment - it's a gift. New Democrat Charlie Angus wants the Senate's ethics officer to investigate after Prime Minister Harper's chief of staff wrote a personal cheque to cover what Duffy owed. Angus - the party's ethics critic - says Senate rules prohibit gifts except those given as part of normal courtesy. He says it goes without saying a cheque that large is far from a customary standard of hospitality.
Canadian astronaut Chris Hadfield may be known for Tweeting from space but he says he has no intention of stopping now that he's back on Earth. Hadfield says the point of using social media was not to gain fame - but to teach people about space exploration. In a video conference from Houston today, Hadfield also discussed some of the physical effects he's dealing with after spending five months in zero gravity. He says his neck and back are sore - and he feels like he's played full-contact hockey.
A survey of adult Canadian consumers finds a majority are putting more thought into how they spend as food prices rise. The Ipsos Reid study done for the Royal Bank suggests the average monthly food bill for the people it surveyed was $411 per household. Ontario had the lowest provincial average at $379 per month and Quebec had the highest at $448.
Where there’s smoke there’s most likely fire, but the fire along Westwood Crescent yesterday was deliberately set and control by Regional Emergency Services. Controlled burns are considered essential in clearing out any undergrowth which could fuel a wildfire.
Premier Redford announced the appointment of 84 community, business and agency leaders to the Premier’s Council on Alberta’s Promise. The appointments are in effect until March 31, 2016. Premier Redford has expanded the Council to include representatives from rural areas and the Aboriginal community. Alberta’s Promise works directly with businesses by providing information and support to facilitate their investments, both financial and in-kind, to agencies and communities at a local level to support children and youth programs and initiatives.
The world's largest retailer is struggling with a sales slump. Wal-Mart Stores Inc. is reporting a slim 1.1 per cent increase in first-quarter profit, amid a 1.4 per cent drop in revenue at stores open at least a year at its namesake business. The results fell short of Wall Street expectations. The company also offered a profit outlook that was below analysts' expectations.
In Sports…
The L.A. Kings scored twice in the final two minutes to stun San Jose 4-3, and take a 2-0 lead in their Western Conference semi-final. Dustin Brown tied the game during a 5-on-3 advantage with 1:43 left and Trevor Lewis rocked the house when he scored 22 seconds later. Los Angeles played without centre Jarret Stoll, who didn't return after a hit from San Jose's Raffi Torres late in the second period of Game 1. Torres was suspended for the rest of the series.
The Boston Bruins and New York Rangers met in the playoffs for the first time in 40 years, so they stretched this one out a bit. Brad Marchand ended the Bruins' third overtime game of the playoffs at 15:40 into the extra session, in a 3-2 win over the New York Rangers. Game Two in the Eastern Conference semi-final takes place on Sunday in Boston.
Canada is returning home earlier than planned from the world hockey championship. The team was eliminated in the quarter-finals for a fourth straight year, with a 3-2 shootout loss to Sweden. Canada's Eric Staal was the recipient of a knee-on-knee hit by Alex Edler, and was on crutches and wearing a brace on his right knee following the loss.
One of the NBA conference finals is set. San Antonio will open the Western Conference finals at home Sunday against Memphis, after finishing off a six-game series with Golden State, 94-82. New York forced a sixth game in the Eastern Conference semifinal with an 85-75 win over Indiana. The winner of that series goes on to face the Miami Heat. |
