LOCAL
Rob Ford’s occasional driver Alessandro Lisi was arrested on drug charges, and when he was released on bail led reporters on a wild goose chase through downtown. He dodged journalists trying to ask him questions by running away, aimlessly crisscrossing, backtracking, running in circles, then crossed the street, halting lanes of traffic, and finally entered a cab. [Now Magazine]
The route for a subway extension in Toronto’s east end will be left up to the city and its transit agency after all. Metrolinx is backing down from the contentious decision. [Globe and Mail]
Toronto police are asking the public to help stop a man they say is revving up to be a “serial robber.” A white man between ages 25-30 and about 6 feet tall was armed with a semi-automatic handgun when he approached two TTC booth collectors asking for money and Metropasses. [National Post]
NATIONAL
For a project framed by its authors as an important step to bring equality to the sexes, the Quebec Charter of Values has upset a lot of women. A provincial womens’ group, R des centres des femmes du Québec, representing 97 centres across the province, says the charter has created a surge in attacks against Muslim women. [National Post]
The two Canadians in an Egyptian jail have ended their hunger strike. John Greyson, a Toronto filmmaker and university professor, and Tarek Loubani, an emergency room doctor, have been detained without charge for weeks in brutal conditions. [Globe and Mail]
Stephen Harper plans to appeal a decision that allows war veterans to fight for benefits. A group of ex-soldiers is taking Ottawa to court, alleging the new system of compensating veterans violates the Charter of rights and freedoms. [Globe and Mail]
INTERNATIONAL
US Secretary of State John Kerry said they’d be committing “diplomatic malpractice” by not trying to engage Iran. In the first public comments since Israel’s President warned the west not to trust Iran, Kerry said they wouldn’t be played for “suckers.” [Globe and Mail]
President Obama summoned the four top leaders in Congress to the White House to discuss the government shutdown, but it yielded no solution. It was called ” a nice conversation,” and “worthwhile,” but nobody confused it with results. [Globe and Mail]
Silvio Berlusconi made a humiliating climb down from Italy’s parliament. Italian Prime Minister Enrico Letta won a confidence vote, which saw many of Berlusconi’s MPs turn their back on their old leader. [The Guardian]
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