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Scholars defend Polish Holocaust researcher targeted by govt

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:34:51 GMT

WARSAW, Poland (AP) — Scholars and historical institutions from around the world are coming to the defense of a Polish researcher who is under fire from her country’s authorities after claiming that Poles could have done more to help Jews during the Holocaust.Barbara Engelking said in a TV interview last week that Polish Jews felt disappointed in Poles during World War II, referring to what she described as “widespread blackmailing” of Jews by Poles during the Nazi German occupation.Since then the historian and the independent TV broadcaster have been threatened with consequences by government institutions — turning the matter into a campaign issue ahead of elections scheduled for this fall.Poland’s conservative government and pro-government media have described the remarks by Engelking, who is Polish, as an attack on the nation. They accuse her of distorting the historical record and not giving due credit to the Poles who risked — and sometimes lost — their lives to help Jews.It is...

India urges Shanghai Cooperation group to fight terrorism

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:34:51 GMT

NEW DELHI (AP) — Indian Defense Minister Rajnath Singh urged the members of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization on Friday to work together to eliminate terrorism and ensure accountability for those who aid or fund such activities, his ministry said.“Any kind of terrorist act or support for it in any form is a major crime against humanity,” the Defense Ministry quoted Singh as saying at a one-day meeting of SCO defense ministers in New Delhi.The SCO was founded in 2001 by China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. It was later expanded to include India and Pakistan.India accuses longtime rival Pakistan of arming and training insurgent groups fighting for the independence of Indian-controlled Kashmir or its integration into Pakistan, a charge Islamabad denies. In Afghanistan, the Taliban’s imposition of new measures such as restrictions on women is a concern for SCO member states.The grouping identifies security, trade, investment, environmental pr...

Henry Farm community steeped in history, referred to as Toronto’s ‘best kept secret’ by residents

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:34:51 GMT

Henry Farm is something the president of its Community Interest Association calls Toronto’s “best kept secret.”The small community in the northeastern part of Toronto was first established in 1809 by Henry Mulholland and his wife Jane, when it was granted to them. They worked on the land and established the first homes.“We’re finding that a lot of young family were moving in, that’s good because it kept the community going,” shared president Wendy Petcoff.The original farm changed hands a few times, eventually ending back within the Henry family.In the 1920s, it was George Stewart Henry, a direct descendant of Henry Mulholland and would bring the family farm into the modern age.Then in 1930, Henry became the premier of Ontario. He is remembered for his work during the Great Depression, of building roads across the province including the expansion of the Don Valley Parkway, and Highway 401.But just one day before his death in 1958, Henry sold...

Palestinians: Israeli forces shoot, kill teen in West Bank

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:34:51 GMT

RAMALLAH, West Bank (AP) — Israeli forces shot and killed a teenager in the occupied West Bank on Friday, the Palestinian Health Ministry said. The shooting came during confrontations between Israeli forces and stone-throwing Palestinians in a village near the town of Bethlehem, according to Palestinian media reports. The ministry identified the teenager as Mustafa Sabah, 16, adding he was shot in the chest.There was no immediate comment from the Israeli military.Footage posted on social media shows people carrying the teen’s body after the shooting and shouting “Allahu akbar,” or “God is great” in Arabic.The Israeli-Palestinian fighting has surged to heights unseen in years.Earlier Friday, the army raided the Jenin refugee camp in the West Bank and arrested several Palestinians suspected of involvement in attacks against Israelis, the military said. Palestinian media reported that two youths were wounded in ensuing clashes with the military there. So far in 2023, more than 97...

Where is Toronto in the renaming process of Dundas across the city?

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:34:51 GMT

An upcoming documentary will examine the different ways communities have addressed the changing of names based on their history.In Toronto, the primary debate has been over using the name Dundas across streets and subway stations. But where is the city now after over two years of discussion?A petition was first launched by a Toronto man in June of 2020, following global discussions of anti-Black racism in the wake of the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis.The name Dundas comes from influential Scottish minister Henry Dundas. He never stepped foot in Toronto and is infamous for playing a pivotal role in delaying the abolition of the British Empire’s transatlantic slave trade.The petition gathered over 14,000 signatures in its first 24 hours. Former Toronto Mayor John Tory immediately ordered the City Manager to begin a review.RELATED: Dundas name to be removed from Toronto streets, other public amenitiesA year later, city council approved the process to be led by a Community ...

Child, 2 others injured after car crashes into daycare on South Side

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:34:51 GMT

CHICAGO — Two adults and a four-year-old child were transported to a hospital after a minivan crashed into a daycare on the city's South side Friday morning. The Chicago Fire Department reported that a 34-year-old man was driving a Honda mini-van when he lost control and struck the daycare at the 200 block of West 79th Street Friday morning. Police said the driver was transported to the hospital with minor injuries and a four-year-old boy who was also in the van was transported to Comer Children's Hospital for evaluation. 18-year-old fatally shot in Near South Side drive-by, ID’d A 39-year-old woman who was inside the daycare was transported to the hospital for an evaluation.There is no additional information at this time and WGN is actively following the incident. Citations are pending.

Funeral services announced for Beth Murphy, owner of Murphy’s Bleachers

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:34:51 GMT

CHICAGO — Funeral arrangements have been set for Beth Murphy, the beloved owner of Chicago's Murphy’s Bleachers.Murphy passed away on Monday. The Murphy family has owned the bar, located at 3655 North Sheffield Avenue, since 1980.A spokesperson for the establishment said she had been battling cancer on and off for the last five years.“It is with great sadness we announce that our owner and the heart of Murphy’s Bleachers, Beth Murphy, peacefully passed away early this morning,” said Murphy’s Bleachers in a statement on social media. “The Murphy’s family and all of us here would like to thank everyone for their support during this difficult time. May she Rest In Peace.” Beth Murphy, owner of Murphy’s Bleachers, has died According to the bar's Twitter account, Murphy's wake will be held Friday from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Grein Funeral Home located at 2114 West Irving Park Road. A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday from 1:20 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Murphy's Bleachers.

'Little hero:' Boy stops Michigan school bus with ill driver

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:34:51 GMT

WARREN, Mich. (AP) — A boy grabbed the steering wheel on a school bus and hit the brakes, bringing the vehicle to a safe stop on a busy Detroit-area road after the driver had passed out, authorities said.“Someone call 911. Now!" seventh-grader Dillon Reeves shouted to dozens of other middle-school kids on the bus Wednesday.Dillon was hailed as a hero: He stopped the bus as it was veering toward oncoming traffic.“In my 35-plus years of education, this was an extraordinary act of courage and maturity on his part,” said Robert Livernois, superintendent of Warren Consolidated Schools.The incident was recorded on a video camera just above the driver. The video shows the driver fanning herself with a baseball cap and informing the transportation office that she needs to pull over. Gap to cut 1,800 jobs, joining growing list of corporate layoffs Seconds later, Dillon jumped into action, hitting the brake pedal and clutching the steering wheel.“I don't know that it could have go...

Screaming monkey toy recalled over choking hazard

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:34:51 GMT

(WHTM) - Thousands of toy monkeys are being recalled due to a potential choking hazard.The recall affects approximately 6,000 "Screaming Plush Monkey" toys, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. The issue specifically concerns the toy monkey's eyes, which can detach and pose a choking hazard.Anyone with this toy should immediately take it away from children and contact Diamond Visions, the toy's Wisconsin-based importer, for instructions on how to receive a full refund.No injuries have been reported.(Courtesy US Consumer Product Safety Commission)The monkeys were sold at "hardware and variety stores nationwide" between September 2021 through November 2022, the CPSC said. The monkey's paw, when pressed, triggers a pre-recorded screaming sound. The monkey's arms can also be wrapped around an object or a person's neck, and attached via Velcro on the front paws. The toys, which came in brown, blue or pink, sold for around $6 apiece, according the the notice. GM rec...

Thousands of steam irons recalled due to multiple hazards

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:34:51 GMT

(WHTM) - Thousands of Steamfast and Brookstone Steam Irons are being recalled by Vornado due to fire, burn, and shock hazards, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission.Consumers are urged to stop using the irons immediately. Around 317,000 steam irons are being recalled because the power cord can become damaged near the cord bushing, leading to potential overheating of the cord which poses a burn hazard, according to the CPSC.The cord damage may also lead to the copper wires being exposed, creating a possible shock hazard.Brookstone-Iron-Model-number-606335Steamfast-Iron-Models-SF-720-and-SF-727Steamfast-Iron-Model-SF-717-with-bushingModel-number-for-Brookstone-IronLocation-for-model-number-and-date-code for Steamfast Irons According to the USCPSC, Vornado received 50 reports of incidents that include 38 reports of the iron's power cord smoking, sparking, burning, or other signs of overheating. Vornado received 12 reports of cord damage. No injuries were reported.The foll...