LOCAL
A man was rushed to hospital after sustaining a gunshot wound in the city’s east end. He was conscious and breathing, and police are looking for suspects. [CBC]
Local residents say a nearby slaughterhouse makes the neighbourhood smell disgusting, but have no recourse to do anything about it. Quality Meat Packers Ltd. has been around for 80 years, since a time when Bathurst and King was primarily an industrial area. [Toronto Star]
Two Toronto councillors are questioning whether MP Olivia Chow is using her position as federal transit and infrastructure critic to begin campaigning early for a 2014 mayoralty run. Denzil Minnan-Wong and Doug Ford are suspicious about her telephone town hall meetings, but Chow’s spokesman said the Federal NDP paid for them. [National Post]
NATIONAL
The Parti Quebecois is preparing to introduce a “Charter of Quebec Values” after the summer break. The document is expected to limit religious accomodation, such as restricting Muslim headware in public institutions. [National Post]
Stephen Harper spoke at the foot of the Peace Tower at the annual Canada Day Party on Parliament Hill, praising Albertans’ resolve in the face of flooding. “…communities dug deep, neighbours helped neighbours, and people sheltered complete strangers. That’s the spirit that makes Canada the best country in the world. The best, bar none.” [National Post]
Statisticians were piqued upon noticing that more Canadians are idenfying themselves as First Nations, Inuit, or Metis. Aboriginal leaders attribute this to growing pride in the heritage of Canada’s original people. [Globe and Mail]
INTERNATIONAL
Jennifer Lopez serenaded Turkmenistan’s authoritarian ruler in celebration of his 56th birthday. “It was my pleasure, and we wish you the happiest, happiest birthday,” the 43-year-old singer told the leader of what Human Rights Watch calls “among the most regressive governments in the world.” [National Post]
Egyptian’s President Mohamed Morsi refused to give in to the military’s demand that within two days he placate the millions of demonstrators calling for his departure. The army denied it was capable of a military coup, saying that it acted only in the will of the people. [The Guardian]
Russian President Vladmir Putin said American whistleblower Edward Snowden cannot remain receiving political asylum in Russia unless he stops publishing top-secret documents. He also made it clear he would not comply with America’s request to extradite Snowden. [New York Times]
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