Five stories in the news today from The Canadian Press

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VERDICT TODAY IN TRAVIS VADER’S TRIAL

More than six years after Lyle and Marie McCann vanished without a trace while on a summer road trip to visit family in British Columbia, a judge will deliver his verdict today in the trial of the man accused of killing them. Travis Vader, 44, had pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder. The defence contends that without human remains or a murder weapon, the Crown’s case is little more than theories and circumstantial evidence.

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CLOSING ARGUMENTS EXPECTED IN CASE AGAINST CALGARY PARENTS

The Crown’s closing argument is expected today in the case of a Calgary couple charged with first-degree murder for the death of their 15-year-old son. In 2013, Alexandru Radita died of starvation and complications from untreated diabetes. His parents, Emil and Rodica Radita, have pleaded not guilty.

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TRADE MINISTER FREELAND TO HIT THE ROAD TO CLOSE EU DEAL

Trade Minister Chrystia Freeland will meet with European politicians in Montreal today before heading to Germany and Slovakia over the coming days in an attempt to save a trade agreement with the European Union. The pact is imperilled by anti-globalization sentiment and faces opposition in Europe from the left and right.

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MARCUS GARVEY’S SON TO SPEAK IN HALIFAX TODAY:

The son of well-known civil rights leader Marcus Garvey will be speaking in Halifax today as part of a speaker series for the Decade for People of African Descent. Julius Garvey visited Cape Breton yesterday, where his father delivered a speech in 1937 that helped inspire Bob Marley lyrics.

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MOTION TO BE FILED IN QUEBEC TO HAVE RIDING NAMED AFTER MAURICE RICHARD

Quebec politician Marie Montpetit is expected to file a motion in the national assembly today to have the Montreal riding of Cremazie bear the name of former NHL great Maurice (Rocket) Richard. Montpetit says the initiative follows moves by Richard’s family and a local minor hockey association the Montreal Canadiens legend helped found.

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ALSO IN THE NEWS TODAY:

— Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will attend Canada 2020’s Global Progress 2016 gathering in Montreal.

— Alberta hosts the annual meeting of federal, provincial and territorial ministers responsible for the Status of Women.

— Statistics Canada will release the national balance sheet and financial flow accounts for the second quarter.

— B.C. Finance Minister Mike de Jong will release his quarterly report and forecast for the current fiscal year.

— Health Canada officials will hold a briefing regarding acetaminophen.