By Canadian Press

In the news today, Sept. 5

Sep 5, 2019 | 2:19 AM

Four stories in the news for Thursday, Sept. 5

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CANADA’S BIANCA ANDREESCU HEADS TO U.S. OPEN SEMIFINALS

Bianca Andreescu became the first teenager to reach the U.S. Open semifinals in a decade, beating Elise Mertens 3-6, 6-2, 6-3. The No. 15 seed dropped a set for the first time in the tournament, but recovered to improve to 31-4 with two titles this season. The 19-year-old Canadian became the youngest semifinalist at Flushing Meadows since Caroline Wozniacki was also 19 when she was the runner-up in 2009. The 25th-seeded Mertens was bidding for her second major semifinal, having lost in that round at the Australian Open in 2018.

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SUIT SAYS ONTARIO CARBON PRICE STICKETS ILLEGAL

An Ontario law forcing gas stations to display stickers showing the cost of federal carbon pricing is illegal and should be thrown out, a new lawsuit asserts. The unproven lawsuit from the Canadian Civil Liberties Association says the Federal Carbon Tax Transparency Act violates free speech provisions of the Constitution. The liberties group says in its filing it was unable to find a gas station owner willing to fight the law despite its “diligent attempts.” The Progressive Conservative government of Premier Doug Ford brought in the legislation as part of its failed legal battle with Ottawa over carbon pricing ahead of next month’s federal election.

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BOYLE DENIES SEXUALLY ASSAULTING WIFE

A former Afghanistan hostage accused of assaulting his former spouse is expected to be back on the witness stand today at his trial in Ottawa. Joshua Boyle, who is 36, denied Wednesday that he was sexually violent with Caitlan Coleman. He told court they regularly engaged in bondage-style sex, but said it was consensual and playful. Boyle disputed allegations he mistreated Coleman verbally or physically and instead portrayed her as unstable and prone to fits that made family life extremely difficult. Boyle has pleaded not guilty to assault, sexual assault and unlawful confinement as well as a charge of misleading Ottawa police in the hours before his arrest.

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B.C. FALL FAIR INCLUDES HOME-GROWN POT PRIZE

One of Canada’s oldest fall fairs is creating a buzz with its decision to award a prize for best home-grown marijuana. Bud Smith, the vice-president of the Cowichan Exhibition on Vancouver Island, says organizers decided to launch a best cannabis category to embrace legalization and celebrate their local pot growers. The Duncan, B.C., exhibition, which dates back to 1868, starts Friday and the 18 marijuana entries will be on display in the main hall at the fair grounds along with the region’s top vegetables, fruits and baked goods. James says first prize is $5, second is $3 and third place gets a ribbon.

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ALSO IN THE NEWS:

— Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will delivers remarks to supporters at a Liberal party fundraising event in Brampton, Ont., tonight.

— Three Green party candidates and protesters with canoes and kayaks hold a media event to discuss the handling of nuclear waste near the Ottawa River.

— Pte. Shane Cody Hounsell, who is a regular force member, is in court to face two charges of sexual assault. The allegation is related to a civilian and was reported to military police.

The Canadian Press