Five stories in the news Monday, Nov. 7

Five stories in the news for Monday, Nov. 7

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SCENE FROM A CARNIVALESQUE U.S. ELECTION

Tuesday’s U.S. election will conclude a campaign where Hillary Clinton’s history-seeking bid to become the first female president was overshadowed by a carnival of cringe-inducing moments. There have been sordid sex allegations, FBI investigations, emails, Russian hackers and a billionaire showman who turned American democracy into a reality-TV contest. Canadian Press Washington Correspondent Alexander Panetta talked to Americans about their long, and often torturous road to the polls.

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CROWN EXPECTED TO WRAP CASE IN PYTHON TRIAL

Prosecutors are expected to call their final witness today in the criminal negligence trial involving two young New Brunswick brothers who were killed by a python.Noah Barthe, 4, and his brother Connor, 6, were killed by the snake in 2013 after it escaped an enclosure in the apartment where the boys were visiting for a sleepover. The snake’s owner, Jean-Claude Savoie, faces a criminal negligence charge. The case is expected to go to the jury by midweek.

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RETRIAL BEGINS OF CASE THAT LANDED ALTA JUDGE IN HOT WATER

A second trial begins in Calgary today of a sexual assault case that prompted a judicial review of a judge. Justice Robin Camp acquitted Alexander Scott Wagar of sexual assault in 2014. Court transcripts show Camp questioned the 19-year-old female complainant’s morals and suggested her attempts to fight off her attacker were feeble.The verdict was overturned on appeal and a new trial was ordered. The Canadian Judicial Council held a hearing over Camp’s remarks. It has not yet issued a recommendation on whether he should remain on the bench.

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TRUDEAU EXPECTED TO ADDRESS TANKER SPILL THREAT

Justin Trudeau is expected to reveal today the safeguards the federal government will take against tanker and fuel spills on the West Coast.The prime minister is scheduled to make an announcement after he takes a tour of Vancouver harbour aboard a Coast Guard vessel. The B.C. government wants a coast guard base in Prince Rupert, monitoring systems to manage vessel traffic, and three new salvage ships that could arrive at a spill site within three hours.

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GREAT WAR ARTIFACTS NEED MORE SPACE

A Montreal businessman has accumulated a considerable treasure trove of artifacts from the First World War. Some of Mark Cahill’s 5,000 strong collection is on public display on the second floor of his company’s offices in a refurbished factory. However, the curator of the Canadian Centre for the Great War is hoping a larger space will be created in Montreal where the entire collection can be displayed and where people with stories about the First World War can visit.

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