LOCAL
The police officer accused of beating Adam Nobody at the G20 had to pause his defence in court since he was crying too hard. He told the court that he was acting in compliance with his training, a one-day seminar on how to wear protective equipment like a gas mask and helmet and how to wield a police baton in crowd-control situations. [Toronto Star]
Councillor Jaye Robinson, who called for Mayor Ford to step aside while he dealed with allegations that he used crack cocaine, is off his cabinet-like executive committee. Robinson, who was the only female member of Ford’s executive committee, will be replaced by Councillor Perruzza. [Globe and Mail]
City manager Joe Panachetti said Toronto’s casino discussion cost the city at least $370,000. Council voted against the downtown casino, but there were charges for Ernst & Young’s reports and for advertising public consultations, among others. [Globe and Mail]
NATIONAL
Justin Trudeau vowed to welcome back embattled Senator Mac Harb back into the party once the woes associated with his spending scandal are resolved. Trudeau explained that this spending scandal is more of an “honest mistake” than former Conservative Patrick Brazeau’s. [National Post]
The famous Canadian astronaut and devoted Leaf fan Chris Hadfield announced he is retiring from the Canadian Space Agency next month. He will live in Canada for the first time since living in the United States ever since he was a figher pilot in the ’80s. [Toronto Star]
The Conservative government plans to curb rampant absenteeism in the public service, which is 2 1/2 times greater than that of the private sector. Treasury Board President Tony Clement wants to replace the existing rules, which haven’t been changed since 1970, with two new programs. [Globe and Mail]
INTERNATIONAL
Edward Snowden, the 29-year-old ex CIA employee who over the weekend came forth as the source who leaked top secret American documents, hopes Hong Kong won’t deport him. But a former top-ranking security force member thinks it’s unwise for him to remain, saying, “it’s actually in his best interest to leave Hong Kong.” [National Post]
The Syrian Army is preparing to launch an assault on Aleppo to drive the rebels out of the northern city and surrounding province. This comes days after the regime’s army and its ally Hezbollah’s crucial takeover of Qusair, a year after the strategic region fell to the rebels. [The Guardian]
Turkey’s Prime Minister, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, will meet a group of protestors occupying Istanbul’s central Taksim Square this week. The Prime Minister is looking to end the hundreds of riots in dozens of cities that have taken place across Turkey in the last week, but the government has warned that it will no longer tolerate “illegal acts,” implying the occupation of Taksim Square and the accompanying Gezi Park will be over by the weekend. [The Guardian]
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