Aug. 29, 2012: The morning's top headlines

In the news: Isaac, Assad, Clegg, Romney, Baird, Ford, Harper, Fairbairn, Hughes

Storified by Maclean's Magazine · Wed, Aug 29 2012 04:23:00

International news:

Current radar shot of Isaac. This storm is stationary or just drifting to the west. http://twitpic.com/aouubd #arwx #lawx #mswxMichael Hook

Japan and North Korea Hold First Talks in 4 Years | Economy Watch http://bit.ly/RlVmVlEconomyWatch

President Assad calls Syria's civil war a 'regional and global battle' - @AlArabiya_Eng

Nick Clegg demands emergency tax on Britain's wealthiest http://gu.com/p/3a36n/twGuardian politics

NZ gay marriage bill passes first reading http://bit.ly/OpR4gMThe Daily Telegraph

Ann Romney: "It's the moms of this nation -- single, married, widowed -- who really hold this country together. "Zeke Miller

National headlines and happenings:

Baird says PMO chief who sat in on Barrick call had no conflict http://bit.ly/TrfJSxCBC Canadian News

Montreal police arrest 11 after university clash http://reut.rs/O1bmMVReuters Canada

Toronto's Mayor Rob Ford joins Stephen Harper on fishing jaunt to his private lake retreat http://ow.ly/diH0t #cdnpoliMetro Ottawa

Liberal leadership in Senate responds to Sen. Joyce Fairbairn story http://bit.ly/OnQxw5 #cdnpoli #LPCWill

Sports:

NHL makes 'significant' counter proposal Tuesday http://bit.ly/SOtXRGNHL Updates

Paralympic flame lit in the spiritual home of disabled sport http://gu.com/p/3a38c/tf #ParalympicsParalympics 2012

Olympian Clara Hughes leads Manitoba Sports Hall of Fame class of 2012(2) http://winnipeg.cityandpress.com/node/5121986Winnipeg CP

Great - the Times brings back the front page wrap #tomorrowspaperstoday http://twitpic.com/aopj3nNick Sutton