In the news today, Jan. 23

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PRIDE TORONTO VOTES TO KEEP OFFICERS OUT OF PARADE

Members of Pride Toronto have voted against allowing the city’s uniformed police officers from participating in this year’s parade. The vote comes about three months after the organization lifted a ban on uniformed officers taking part in the annual event, saying the force was welcome to apply to be a part of this summer’s festivities. But the decision to keep them out was made by a margin of 163-161 on Tuesday night. Uniformed officers were first banned from the parade in 2017 over concerns of racial profiling, and again in 2018 over criticism the force had not taken the disappearances of several men missing from the city’s gay village seriously.

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CLOSING ARGUMENTS IN CASE OF SLAIN FOOTBALL PLAYER

Final arguments are to be heard today at the trial of a man accused in the fatal shooting of a Calgary Stampeders football player. Nelson Lugela, 21, is charged with second-degree murder in the death of Mylan Hicks outside the Marquee Beer Market in Calgary on Sept. 25, 2016. The final witness was called more than a month ago. A number of Stampeders players, including Hicks from the team’s practice roster, had been celebrating a victory over Winnipeg in a game hours earlier.

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BURNING SHIP HEADED FOR BAHAMAS: EXPERT

A massive container ship that has been burning in international waters off Canada’s east coast since Jan. 3 now appears headed for the Bahamas instead of Halifax, its original destination. Satellite tracking shows the smouldering, 320-metre ship is being slowly towed to the southwest, travelling about 130 kilometres per day. No one was hurt after the fire broke out as the ship sailed about 1,900 kilometres southeast of Halifax, but the vessel’s 22 crew members were evacuated from the ship as the fire grew and the weather turned ugly.

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ENERGY, TRADE ON AGENDA FOR ATLANTIC PREMIERS

Atlantic Canada’s premiers are scheduled to meet today in Charlottetown. Premier Wade MacLauchlan says the premiers’ discussions will focus on four areas of interest including: energy, regulatory alignment, internal trade and health care. MacLauchlan says the talks will also explore clean energy and climate change.

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CANADIAN ILLUSTRATES MCCARTNEY’S KIDS BOOKS

Toronto-based illustrator Kathryn Durst says she’s found a true collaborator in Paul McCartney after working closely with the rock legend to bring his bedtime tale for grandchildren to the page. On Wednesday McCartney revealed the cover of his upcoming children’s book “Hey Grandude!,” which features the Sheridan College alum’s drawings of a ponytailed man surrounded by a brood of kids. Durst, who has been working on the project for about a year, said she still has a hard time believing she’s sharing a cover with one of The Beatles.

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ALSO IN THE NEWS:

— The trial continues today for Dennis Oland, who has been charged with second-degree murder in the death of his father.

— Sentencing is expected today for Christopher Brass, who was convicted of manslaughter in the March 2017 shooting death of Jeanenne Fontaine, Tina Fontaine’s cousin.

— The Toronto Black Film Festival announces its official program, events lineup and special guests.

The Canadian Press

by Canadian Press

In the news today, Jan. 23

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