Six stories in the news today, Aug. 26

Six stories in the news today, Aug. 26 from The Canadian Press:

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FEDERAL LEADERS WAGE ECONOMIC BATTLE

The federal leaders engaged in some heavy crossfire Tuesday with clashing visions of how to balance the country’s books and grow the economy taking shape on the campaign trial. Conservative Leader Stephen Harper simply derided the two “other guys” — NDP Leader Tom Mulcair and Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau — as promoting destructive policies that would hurt the economy.

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NEW BRUNSWICK COURT FIGHT OVER BEER CONTINUES

A hearing continues in a New Brunswick court today over the right to buy beer in Quebec and take it across the border. Gerard Comeau is in a Campbellton court after being charged with illegally importing alcohol into his home province of New Brunswick in 2012.

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RESERVE WRITEDOWNS IN STORE FOR OILPATCH

Another wave of ugly news is looming for oil producers already battered by weak oil prices. Every year, companies hire outside evaluators to tally up their reserves. But with U.S. benchmark crude dipping below US$40 a barrel for the first time since early 2009, the economics are looking especially dicey these days.

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BOMBARDIER TAKING HIT FROM CHINESE WOES

Fears of a Chinese economic slowdown that shocked markets and rattled investors is also hampering Bombardier’s efforts to firm up sales of its new CSeries aircraft, according to the Montreal aircraft manufacturer.”Discussions are moving at a slower pace,” says spokeswoman Marianella de la Barrera.

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TAR PONDS LAWSUIT SHUT DOWN

The law firm that represents Cape Breton residents who launched a class-action lawsuit claiming the Sydney tar ponds exposed them to contaminants has concluded the litigation should stop after 11 years of legal wrangling. The Halifax-based law firm Wagners says the court action, which began in 2004, has grown too complex and costly after several major setbacks.

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CMA: DOCTORS NEED TRAINING IN ASSISTED DYING

Doctors who are willing to assist in a patient’s death once the act becomes legal early next year will need to be trained because they’ve never been taught the procedures for ending a life, the Canadian Medical Association says. The 80,000-member organization is considering an intensive two-day course for physicians.

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ALSO IN THE NEWS …

— Both the Royal Bank and National Bank will report their third-quarter earnings.