By Canadian Press

In the news today: Israeli troops launch brief ground raid into Gaza

Oct 26, 2023 | 2:16 AM

Here is a roundup of stories from The Canadian Press designed to bring you up to speed on what you need to know today…

Israeli troops launch brief ground raid into Gaza ahead of expected wider incursion

Israeli troops and tanks launched a brief ground raid into northern Gaza overnight into Thursday, the military said, striking several militant targets in order to “prepare the battlefield” ahead of a widely expected ground invasion after more than two weeks of devastating air raids.

The raid came after the U.N. warned it is on the verge of running out of fuel in the Gaza Strip, forcing it to sharply curtail relief efforts in the territory, which has also been under a complete siege since Hamas’ bloody rampage across southern Israel ignited the war earlier this month.

The war is the deadliest of five Gaza wars for both sides. 

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The Hamas-run Health Ministry said Wednesday that at least 6,546 Palestinians have been killed and 17,439 others wounded following Hamas’ surprise rampage on Oct. 7 in southern Israel.

The fighting has killed more than 1,400 people in Israel, according to Israeli officials, mostly civilians who died in the initial Hamas attack. 

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Here’s what else we’re watching …

Defence argues for more disclosure in convoy trial

The criminal trial of two “Freedom Convoy” organizers is expected to resume with legal sparring between the defence and Ottawa police in an attempt to gain access to internal police communications. 

The trial was stalled last week when the lawyers for Tamara Lich and Chris Barber asked for internal emails about the evidence that police disclosed in the case.

The defence teams received heavily redacted copies of the emails, the details of which the Ottawa Police Service says are protected by solicitor-client privilege. 

Lich and Barber are accused of mischief and counselling others to commit mischief, among other charges, for their role in organizing and prolonging the demonstrations that gridlocked downtown Ottawa for three weeks early last year.

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Investigation continues in Sault Ste. Marie deaths

Investigators are working to piece together what led a man to kill four people – including three children – before turning a gun on himself in the northern Ontario city of Sault Ste. Marie. 

Police have called what happened a case of intimate partner violence and have not released the identities of those involved. 

Chief Hugh Stevenson has said police got a domestic violence call from one of two homes involved in the gunman’s rampage a day before the shootings took place.

Stevenson has not released further details but has said the shooter was involved in intimate partner investigations in the past. 

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Peter Nygard to continue testifying at his trial

Former fashion mogul Peter Nygard is expected to continue testifying in his own defence today at his sexual assault trial in Toronto.

Nygard, the founder of a now-defunct international women’s clothing company, is accused of using his position in the fashion industry to lure women and girls.

The 82-year-old has pleaded not guilty to five counts of sexual assault and one count of forcible confinement in alleged incidents ranging from the 1980s to mid-2000s.

Multiple complainants in the trial have alleged they were taken to Nygard’s Toronto headquarters under pretences ranging from tours to job interviews, with encounters ending in a top-floor bedroom suite where they allege they were sexually assaulted. 

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N.S. chief welcomes plan for Mi’kmaq council seat

The chief of Millbrook First Nation says he’s encouraged by Halifax taking the first step toward creating a designated Mi’kmaq seat on its regional council. 

Bob Gloade says the inclusion of a Mi’kmaq representative would improve the council’s understanding of the needs and perspective of Mi’kmaq Haligonians.

Halifax Regional Municipality’s executive standing committee on Monday recommended that council vote on a proposal to ask the provincial government for a change to its charter to allow for a new designated seat. 

Gloade says this is a positive step that will help strengthen the relationship between the municipality and the Mi’kmaq communities living within the municipal boundaries.

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Major brands launch more non-alcoholic drinks

As interest in non-alcoholic drinks grows, big alcohol brands are taking the leap into the space, which experts say is a sign there’s still plenty of room for growth in the industry. 

In recent years, non-alcoholic versions of well-known products have launched including Guinness, Captain Morgan, Tanqueray gin and Asahi beer. 

Joel Gregoire at market research company Mintel says around 38 per cent of U.S. consumers consider themselves ‘sober curious.’

Gregoire says it’s a big risk for a company to try and replicate a well-known drink like Guinness without alcohol.

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This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 26, 2023.

The Canadian Press