LOCAL
Eight people have been arrested by Toronto police for their alleged role in a series of killings and attempted murders that investigators believe some of the victims were randomly targeted. The homicides and murders they were arrested for took place in 2008, 2011, and 2012. [CBC]
The empty seat on Toronto city is contended for by no less than 45 people. Up for grabs is a one-year job to fill the seat in Ward 3 made vacant after Doug Holyday went to Queen’s Park. [Globe and Mail]
University of Toronto visiting literature professor David Gilmour’s comments about why he doesn’t teach women writers has “appalled and deeply upset” the head of the English department. Gilmour said he only teaches writers that he loves, and added, “unfortunately, none of those happen to be Chinese, or women.” [Globe and Mail]
NATIONAL
Conservative MP Dean Del Mastro has resigned from the Conservative Caucus after he and a campaign worker were charged with filing a false document and failing to report $21,000 in expenses from the 2008 election. The penalty upon conviction is a $5,000 fine and five years in jail. [National Post]
A potentially deadly strain of E. coli was found in two ponds in southern Alberta. The drinking water has been extensively tested and it remains safe. [CBC]
The federal government is downloading billions of dollars worth of health-care costs to the provinces, making the federal budget sustainable but leaving the provincial government staring down severe financial pain. Health care spending is expected to increase by 4.9 per cent annually until 2050, a higher rate than federal funding increases. [National Post]
INTERNATIONAL
The five permanent members of the U.N. Security Council agreed to terms to eliminate Syria’s chemical weapons. A vote on the resolution still depends on how the full council responds to the draft. [Globe and Mail]
European diplomats said they were pleased by a new tone and attitude from Iran regarding their nuclear program. British Foreign Secretary William Hague said there’s been a “big improvement in the tone and spirit” from the previous Iranian administration, but others like the German Foreign Minister are saying, “words are not enough.” [CBC]
An International trade union said the death toll of migrant workers could reach 600 annually unless the Qatar government takes big steps for reform. International pressure grows as they host the 2022 World Cup, as warnings sound that 4,000 could die before the ball is kicked. [The Guardian]
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