In the news today, May 24

By The Canadian Press

Six stories in the news for Thursday, May 24

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FEDS BLOCK $1.5-BILLION AECON TAKEOVER

The federal government has blocked the proposed $1.5-billion takeover of the Aecon Group construction firm by a Chinese state-owned company for reasons of national security. China’s embassy in Ottawa responded to the decision last night by warning that it wasn’t good for the countries’ business relationship and that it would “seriously undermine the confidence” of Chinese investors. Aecon said it was disappointed with the decision.

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CN RAIL TO BUY HUNDREDS OF HOPPER CARS

Canadian National Railway is preparing to buy hundreds of new grain hopper cars to get shipments moving after a bill that encourages railways to make investments to avert service disruptions became law Wednesday. CN Rail expects to buy new grain cars to replace some 200 to 300 that are replaced annually. The Transportation Modernization Act includes financial penalties for railways that fail to deliver promised rail cars for grain shipments on time.

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CLOSE RACE IN ONTARIO AS ELECTION NEARS

A new Leger poll suggests the NDP and Progressive Conservatives are deadlocked at 37 per cent in voter support with two weeks to go before the June 7 election. The survey, taken May 18 to May 22, shows the struggling Liberals trail at 21 per cent. At the same time, a sizable number of voters — more than one third of those asked — have yet to make a final decision about who they’ll vote for.

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FEDS LEAVE DOOR OPEN TO MORE HELICOPTERS IN MALI

The Trudeau government is keeping the door open to sending more helicopters to Mali to ensure Canadian Forces can provide round-the-clock medical evacuations in what is expected to be a harsh environment. Canada is preparing to send two Chinook transport helicopters and four armed Griffon escorts to the African nation this summer as part of a UN mission. The helicopters and about 250 personnel are scheduled to begin work on Aug. 1.

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GRASSY NARROWS STUDY OUT TODAY

Grassy Narrows First Nation is scheduled to release a study today on health impacts in the northern Ontario community linked to eating mercury-contaminated fish. Mercury contamination has plagued the English-Wabigoon River system for half a century, since a paper mill in Dryden, Ont., dumped 9,000 kilograms of the substance into the river systems in the 1960s.

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WASHINGTON AND VEGAS TO BATTLE FOR STANLEY CUP

Alex Ovechkin will play for the Stanley Cup for the first time in his 13-year career after Washington beat Tampa Bay 4-0 last night in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference final. It will be Washington’s first Stanley Cup Final in 20 years. The Capitals will now face the Vegas Golden Knights for the storied trophy. Game One is Monday night in Vegas.

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ALSO IN THE NEWS TODAY:

— The Royal Bank and TD Bank will release their second-quarter results.

— Statistics Canada releases the employment insurance figures for March.

— Prime Minister Justin Trudeau continues his visit to the La Malbaie area ahead of the upcoming G7 summit.

— The Canadian Hurricane Centre will discuss the upcoming hurricane season.

— Nova Scotia PC Party leadership debate in Middleton, the first of six across the province.

— Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan attends the change of command ceremony at NORAD in Colorado.

— Governor General Julie Payette will deliver remarks at the Arctic Sustainability Summit in Montreal.

— Indigenous leaders hold a summit in Ottawa to focus on moving past The Indian Act.

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