In the news today, May 8

Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer says he will move Canada’s Embassy in Israel to Jerusalem from Tel Aviv if he becomes prime minister. The promise to recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital reaffirmed a pledge Scheer first made more than a year ago but that pledge was silent on what that would mean for the Canadian Embassy there. It would put Canada in line with the Trump administration, which has already moved its embassy to Jerusalem, angering Palestinians. Jerusalem is disputed territory between Israel and Palestinians and its status is a pivotal question in any peace talks.

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NEXT B.C. COURT DATE FOR HUAWEI EXECUTIVE

The British Columbia Supreme Court is expected to set key court dates today for the extradition case of Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou. The Department of Justice says in a statement the appearance is also an opportunity for Meng’s lawyers to discuss the scheduling of any pre-hearing applications they want to bring forward. It says they may also review administrative matters like Meng’s bail conditions. Meng was arrested in December at Vancouver’s airport at the request of the United States, which is seeking her extradition on fraud charges.

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SENTENCING HEARING FOR MAN WHO KILLED WIFE

A Toronto man who killed his wife, stuffed her body in a suitcase and dumped it in a river is scheduled to have a sentencing hearing today. Neurosurgeon Mohammed Shamji, 43, pleaded guilty last month to second-degree murder in the death of his physician wife, Elana Fric Shamji. Court heard Fric Shamji served her husband with divorce papers two days before he attacked her, broke her neck and ribs, and choked her to death as their three children slept nearby. Fric Shamji’s body was found a day after she was last seen on Nov. 30, 2016, and police arrested Shamji 24 hours later.

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LAWYERS MAKE CLOSING ARGUMENTS IN SEX DOLL TRIAL

A judge hearing an unusual child pornography trial says his verdict will hinge on whether a Newfoundland man knew the sex doll he ordered online was designed to resemble a child. Judge Mark Pike heard closing arguments Tuesday in what’s believed to be the first trial in Canada dealing with child pornography charges involving a sex doll. It’s poised to set a precedent around what constitutes child pornography if no real child is involved. Fifty-four-year-old Kenneth Harrisson faces charges of possessing child pornography, mailing obscene matter, and two charges under the federal Customs Act of smuggling and possession of prohibited goods. Crown lawyers argued that the doll is a three-dimensional form of child pornography and questioned Harrisson’s testimony that he did not order it to have sex with.

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LAB TURNING GREENHOUSE GASES INTO CARBON FIBRE

A researcher at the University of Calgary says she has developed a method of turning greenhouse gases into valuable carbon nanofibres. Mina Zarabian came up with the concept while completing her doctorate in chemical and petroleum engineering at the university’s Schulich School of Engineering. Zarabian and her professor, Pedro Pereira Almao, worked together to come up with the technique. The nanofibres have multiple industrial uses that included replacing metal in cars and airplanes, wind turbines, battery manufacturing and construction.

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ALSO IN THE NEWS:

— Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard Jonathan Wilkinson and MP Sean Fraser will make an announcement related to the restoration of coastal habitats in Eastern Nova Scotia.

— Dean Del Mastro, former Member of Parliament for Peterborough, will be holding a press conference on Wednesday May 8th, 2019 at 10am. to address the “seemingly biased and inequitable treatment of SNC Lavalin and others by the Commissioner of Canada Elections.”

— Gov.-Gen. Julie Payette invests three Companions, nine Officers and 27 Members into the Order of Canada at a ceremony. Among those being honoured are former chief justice Beverley McLachlin and former auditor general Sheila Fraser.

— Cannabis conference with agricultural, scientific, health and wellness, retail, finance and manufacturing leaders.

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The Canadian Press

by Canadian Press

In the news today, May 8

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