Image via flickr / alienbeatpoet
LOCAL
Mayor Rob Ford has pulled the downtown casino from next week’s city hall agenda. According to one councillor, casino discussions are likely to take place sometime this month. [Toronto Star]
The Ontario Power Authority has referred to two estimated costs for cancelling a gas plant in Oakville; one at $40 million, the other at $310 million. Either way, Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne flatly denies any involvement in the plant closure. [CP24]
Toronto school bus drivers and Stock Transportation have reached a tentative deal and have successfully avoided strike action for now. The agreement was reached an hour before the strike deadline. [680 News]
NATIONAL
The Harper government is taking a stand on Crown organizations and their employee negotiations on wages and benefits. The main targets are CBC, VIA Rail and Canada Post. [Globe and Mail]
The Bank of Canada made history when they launched their new polymer bills from space with the help of Canadian astronaut Chris Hadfield. According to the bank’s governor, Mark Carney, the new bills are greener, safer and tear resistant. [National Post]
Canada’s auditor general has released a report that says it can’t account for $3.1 billion in anti-terrorism funding. At this stage the Treasury Board have no clear answers. [CBC]
INTERNATIONAL
The US are planning a military intervention of Syria over their use of chemical weapons. Officials say they are toying with the idea of using cruise missiles or fighter jets to destroy the chemical base sites. [CNN]
President Obama vows to close Guantanamo Bay prison, saying he does not want in-mates to die of starvation. More than 100 prisoners are currently involved in an on-going hunger strike. [UK Guardian]
Vietnam could become the first Asian country to legalize same sex marriage. The notion has support from the country’s deputy minister of health Nguyen Viet Tien, who says it should be made legal immediately. [The Atlantic]
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