Six stories in the news today, May 7

Six stories in the news today, May 7, from The Canadian Press:

———

OMAR KHADR TO LEARN TODAY IF HE’LL BE FREED ON BAIL

This could be a momentous day for Omar Khadr. An Alberta justice will rule this morning on whether to block the former Guantanamo Bay prisoner’s bid for bail. If bail goes ahead, Khadr, 28, will get his first taste of freedom in almost 13 years.

———

ANTI-TERROR BILL PASSES IN HOUSE OF COMMONS

The federal government’s controversial anti-terrorism bill has won approval in the House of Commons by a vote of 183 to 96. A key element of the Anti-Terrorism Act gives the Canadian Security Intelligence Service more power to thwart suspected terrorist plots — not just gather information about them.

———

BURYING SOME NUCLEAR WASTE NEAR LAKE HURON SAFEST OPTION, SAYS PANEL

A Canadian environmental assessment concludes burying some nuclear waste near the shore of Lake Huron in a deep underground bunker is the best way to deal with it. Ontario Power Generation wants to bury low and intermediate level nuclear waste 680 metres underground in the bedrock at the Bruce nuclear plant near Kincardine, Ont. The federal environment minister now has four months to approve or block the plan.

———

VICTORIA COUNCIL SET TO DEBATE POT REPORT

Victoria council is set to debate a staff report today that recommends getting tough on the city’s 18 marijuana-related businesses, of which only seven have licences to sell drug paraphernalia. The debate comes as Vancouver considers a plan to regulate its more than 80 medical marijuana dispensaries, which are illegal under federal law but have been generally tolerated by police.

———

FINAL DAY OF VOTING FOR ONTARIO PC LEADER

This is the final day for Progressive Conservatives across Ontario to vote for a new party leader. It’s a two-person battle between deputy PC leader Christine Elliott, the widow of former finance minister Jim Flaherty, and Barrie MP Patrick Brown, a federal Conservative backbencher. The winner will be announced on Saturday.

———

BLACKBERRY LEAP ARRIVES IN CANADA, BUT THERE’S NO KEYBOARD

BlackBerry is dropping its famous keyboard in its newest smartphone. The BlackBerry Leap launches in Canada today, a lower-priced phone aimed at consumers who want a touchscreen. It’s the first touchscreen phone from Waterloo, Ont.-based BlackBerry since the Z30 more than a year and a half ago.

———

ALSO IN THE NEWS TODAY …

— Canaport LNG of Saint John is due in court on three charges related to a bird kill in September 2013.

— The case of Christopher Phillips, who has pleaded not guilty to uttering threats and possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose, is due in Halifax court to determine whether trial dates in June are suitable.