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Israeli Holocaust memorial criticizes deal with Poland

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:00:31 GMT

JERUSALEM (AP) — Israel’s national Holocaust memorial has criticized a new agreement renewing Israeli school trips to Poland, saying it recommends a number of “problematic sites” that distort history.Yad Vashem issued its statement weeks after Israel and Poland announced a breakthrough agreement meant to repair ties that had been badly damaged due to disagreements over how to remember Polish behavior during the Holocaust. Israeli youth trips to Poland had been one of the key points of contention.The March 22 agreement, which still needs to be ratified by both countries’ parliaments, stresses the importance of youth education “and the need to tell the full story of the dark times of the Holocaust and World War II.” The contents of the agreement were first reported by the liberal daily Haaretz.It also calls for visits to “sites commemorating the Holocaust and other crimes of World War II,” including sites of special importance to each country’s history. Student groups are required to ...

Folk singer Gordon Lightfoot cancels 2023 concert schedule, citing health

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:00:31 GMT

Gordon Lightfoot is cancelling all of his planned concerts this year because of his health. In a statement, representatives for the 84-year-old say the singer is experiencing “some health-related issues,” without giving specifics.Lightfoot’s representatives asked for his privacy to be respected as he “continues to focus on his recovery.”They say Lightfoot is unable to confirm rescheduled dates. Lightfoot was slated to play more than a dozen shows in Arizona, California and Florida in April, June and September. His next listed Canadian date was a rescheduled show in Kitchener, Ont., in October. This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 11, 2023. The Canadian Press

Glencore adds US$8.2B cash component to Teck Resources takeover offer

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:00:31 GMT

VANCOUVER — Swiss company Glencore is modifying its hostile takeover offer for Teck Resources Ltd. to include an US$8.2-billion cash component to its proposal.Under the revised offer, Teck shareholders would receive 24 per cent of the combined metals company and the cash.The company’s initial proposal had been an all-stock offer that would have seen Glencore acquire Teck and then split up the metals side of both companies along with parts of Glencore’s marketing business into one company, and the combined coal and some other related assets into another company. Glencore says the revised offer would effectively buy Teck shareholders out of their coal exposure.It says it acknowledges that certain Teck investors may prefer a full coal exit and others may not desire thermal coal exposure.  Teck rejected Glencore’s initial unsolicited takeover offer in favour of its own plan, announced in February, that would see it split up its metal and coal businesses into two compan...

Serbian journalists mark unsolved 1999 killing of journalist

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:00:31 GMT

BELGRADE, Serbia (AP) — Independent Serbian journalists marked on Tuesday the 24th anniversary of the killing of a prominent editor and newspaper publisher who was fiercely critical of the government in Belgrade. Slavko Curuvija was shot dead at the entrance to his Belgrade apartment during the 1999 NATO bombing of Serbia over its crackdown against Kosovo Albanian separatists.His killing became a symbol of the struggle for a free press in the Balkan nation.Independent media organizations, both local and international, warn that critical journalists still face threats because of their work. The government of populist President Aleksandar Vucic – who was information minister at the time of Curuvija’s death – maintains tight control over mainstream media outlets.Four state security officials were charged with planning and carrying out the killing, but no final verdict has been reached despite several retrials and appeals.Foreign rights groups attended the gatherings of independen...

Russian forces in Crimea brace for possible Ukraine assault

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:00:31 GMT

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — The Moscow-appointed leader of Crimea said Tuesday the region is on guard for what may be an impending Ukrainian counteroffensive.Sergei Aksyonov told reporters that Russian forces in Crimea had built “modern, in-depth defenses” and had “more than enough” troops and equipment to repel a possible Ukrainian assault after 13 months of war following Russia’s full-scale invasion.“We cannot underestimate the enemy, but we can definitely say that we are ready (for an attack) and that there will be no catastrophe,” he said.His comments came days after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reaffirmed Kyiv’s intention to take back the Black Sea peninsula that Russia illegally annexed from Ukraine in 2014.Aksyonov first announced the beginning of fortification works in Crimea in November, without giving details. In February, at a security meeting chaired by Russian President Vladimir Putin, he said that the works were set to finish by April. Satellite images publis...

Volcano eruption in Russia’s Kamchatka spews vast ash clouds

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:00:31 GMT

MOSCOW (AP) — A volcano erupted early Tuesday on Russia’s far eastern Kamchatka Peninsula, spewing clouds of dust 20 kilometers (65,600 feet) into the sky and covering broad areas with ash.The ash cloud from the eruption of Shiveluch, one of Kamchatka’s most active volcanoes, extended over 500 kilometers (more than 300 miles) northwest and engulfed several villages in grey volcanic dust.Officials closed the skies over the area to aircraft. Local authorities advised residents to stay indoors and shut schools in several affected communities. Two villages had their power supplies cut for a few hours until emergency crews restored them. Ash fell on 108,000 square kilometers (41,699 square miles) of territory, according to the regional branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences Geophysical Survey. Scientists described the fallout as the biggest in nearly 60 years.The village of Klyuchi, which is located about 50 kilometers (some 30 miles) from the volcano, was covered by an 8-...

Man accused of South Side murder arrested in Indiana's Amish country

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:00:31 GMT

LAGRANGE, Ind. — A man charged with a Christmas murder of a 21-year-old on the South Side was arrested Monday in Northern Indiana's Amish country.Bunmi Adeoye, 35, was charged with first-degree murder and two counts of aggravated battery.He was taken into custody Monday by the Great Lakes Fugitive Task Force in LaGrange, Indiana. That area is known for being part of Indiana's Amish country.On Christmas night last year, Adeoye was accused of shooting and killing a 21-year-old man in the 10300 block of South Prospect Avenue. Employee critical after steel pipe beating at Indiana State Prison in Michigan City Adeoye has been extradited back to Chicago and is due in bond court on Tuesday.

Dean's A-List Interview: Nicolas Cage on 'Renfield'

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:00:31 GMT

CHICAGO — In a career that's spanned five decades, he's played a number of unique roles in a number of films throughout the years.Now Nicolas Cage gets his shot to play one of the more iconic horror characters in cinema - Dracula. That's the Academy Award-winning actor's latest project in the movie "Renfield," which is set to be released in theatres on Friday. He plays the boss of R.M. Renfield, who is portrayed by Nicholas Hoult, as he tries to break free of Dracula's control once and for all. Before the film's release, Cage talked about "Renfield" with Dean Richards on this edition of "Dean's A-List Interview." He also gave his memories of his time in Chicago as well during his long acting career.You can watch Dean's interview with Cage from the WGN Morning News on April 11 in the video above or below. Get Dean's reviews and A-List interviews delivered right to your inbox. Sign up for Dean's Downloads weekly newsletter. You'll also get his Dean Cooks...

Oscar Meyer offers meat-tacular elopement opportunity in Las Vegas

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:00:31 GMT

LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — Hot dog! Oscar Mayer is hoping you'll "relish" the opportunity to be married in Las Vegas with the company's Wienermobile.Starting Monday, couples interested in eloping with the so-called "Wiener of Love" can sign up for a chance at the opportunity. The weddings will occur on April 15 and 16 next to the historic Little White Chapel on Las Vegas Boulevard.The company says the unique elopement opportunity isn't just for people looking for unique ways to tie the knot, but also to assist couples who are anxious about wedding planning. The news release cites a survey saying 72% of couples are stressed about planning the big day. The "Wiener of Love" aims to offer a stress-free and fun alternative, the company said. “Now, as more people seek stress-free ceremonies with their partners, our Hotdoggers are thrilled to reignite the joy of this special day and give them a once-in-a-lifetime experience: a wedding through a pair of meat-colored glasses,” said Ed Roland wi...

How to get free tax help

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:00:31 GMT

(KXAN) -- Tax Day is April 18, and if you are among the many taxpayers yet to file, there is help waiting for you.AARP’s Tax-Aide service offers free in-person and virtual tax assistance now through April 18 in every state.“They sit down with one of our volunteers complete an intake sheet and by the time they leave, they have a completed return in their hand and we electronically file it later on with the IRS,” said Lynnette Lee-Villanueva, the Vice President of Tax and Credits at AARP. 5 things to know about 2023 tax filing season “It is a free program and it's volunteer based. All of our sites have trained volunteers who are also IRS certified to be able to prepare the returns,” said Lee-Villanueva.AARP said its Tax-Aide service helped secure more than $1 billion in refunds for more than 1.2 million taxpayers last year.“As individuals move into their retirement years, they are often faced with a different tax situation than they were when they were working," Lee-Villanueva expla...