Ontaro police officers will gain more access to tasers. Image via flickr / Cea.

LOCAL

A month after the death of Sammy Yatim, Ontario police officers will have more access to weapons other than sidearms. All front-line officers in the province will be able to carry a taser if their forces choose to. [Globe and Mail]

A Mississauga neighbourhood is shocked to learn that a second member of the same family has died under unusual circumstances. The death of 41-year-old Caleb Harrison is now being treated as a homicide. [CBC]

Toronto’s city council overruled Mayor Ford and voted to appoint Doug Holyday’s replacement rather than have a by-election. The move means the Etobicoke community council will be considered, while a final decision will be made by city council on October 10. [Globe and Mail]

NATIONAL

Embattled Senator Mac Harb has resigned and paid back $231,000 to the upper chamber. The retirement is effective immediately, but he may still face questions about his expense claims for living expenses. [National Post]

The minority Parti Québécois has gained some opposition support for their controversial Charter of Quebec Values. The Coalition Avenir Quebec says it backs a ban on religious headgear for teachers and some other public servants. [Globe and Mail]

Justin Trudeau appears more likely to become Prime Minister after announcing that he smoked pot, as Canadians support more lax laws on drugs. The Liberals have surged to a 38% support from voters while the Conservatives are at 29%. [National Post]

INTERNATIONAL

A Greenpeace icebreaker that entered Russia without permission to protest offshore energy expansion left after the country’s coastguard would open fire. Russian officials weren’t immediately available for comment. [National Post]

The West seems to be laying the groundwork to attack Syria in the wake of President Bashar al-Assad’s alleged use of chemical weapons against his own people. A White House spokesperson called Assad’s use of chemical weapons “undeniable.” [CBC]

Army private Chelsea Manning, who was previously known as Bradley Manning, has said she’d be willing to pay for estrogen treatment that would promote breast development and other female characteristics while incarcerated in an all-male prison. Manning didn’t announce her desire to live as a woman until the verdict in her WikiLeaks trial was in, saying she didn’t want people to think she was simply out for more attention. [Globe and Mail] 

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