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Climate activists smash glass protecting Velazquez’s Venus painting in London’s National Gallery

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:26:26 GMT

LONDON (AP) — Two climate change protesters smashed a protective glass panel covering a famous Diego Velázquez oil painting at London’s National Gallery, the group Just Stop Oil said Monday. The two activists targeted Velázquez’s “The Toilet of Venus,” also known as “The Rokeby Venus,” with small hammers. Photos showed the protective glass panel punctured with several holes.Just Stop Oil, which has previously led similar protests targeting famous artworks and public buildings, said Monday’s action was to demand Britain’s government immediately halt all licensing for the exploration, development and production of fossil fuels in the U.K. The group said the two activists chose to target the 17th-century oil painting because it was previously slashed as part of the suffragette movement calling for women’s rights in 1914. Just Stop Oil said the protesters hammered the glass panel, then told people at the gallery: “Women did not get the vote by voting....

How one woman’s fight for justice empowered a city

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:26:26 GMT

In today’s Big Story Podcast, Jane Doe was assaulted by a police officer. That’s never an easy case to win, but she wasn’t without allies. Even still, her case was lost. At least, at first.Lindsay Jones is the Atlantic Canada reporter for The Globe and Mail, but she reported on this story for The Walrus. She says that since Jane came forward with her allegations, the cultural landscape has shifted in favour of survivors.“I think now people do believe women over a police officer,” says Jones.This is a story of what happens when you don’t stop fighting for justice. When you end up at the Supreme Court, with an officer from a 300-year-old police force on the other side, and you don’t waver.You can subscribe to The Big Story podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google and Spotify.You can also find it at thebigstorypodcast.ca.

South Africa recalls ambassador and diplomatic mission to Israel and accuses it of genocide in Gaza

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:26:26 GMT

JOHANNESBURG (AP) — South Africa’s government has recalled Monday its ambassador and diplomatic mission to Israel in condemnation of the bombardment of the Gaza Strip, which has killed over 9,700 Palestinians, calling it “a genocide”.The government also threatened action against the Israeli ambassador to South Africa over his recent remarks about the African country’s stance on the Israel-Hamas war. No further details were given about the remarks. The war broke out after the Palestinian militant group’s attacks on Israel on Oct.7 left over 1,400 people dead. “The South African government has decided to withdraw all its diplomats in Tel Aviv for consultation,” said minister in the presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni. She added the cabinet noted the “disparaging remarks of the Israeli ambassador to South Africa about those who are opposing the atrocities and genocide of the Israeli government” and that the department of international relations has been instructed t...

Hungary has fired the national museum director over LGBTQ+ content in World Press Photo exhibition

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:26:26 GMT

BUDAPEST, Hungary (AP) — Hungary’s cultural minister on Monday fired the director of the Hungarian National Museum in Budapest, accusing him of failing to comply with a contentious law that bans the display of LGBTQ+ content to minors.The dismissal of Laszlo L. Simon, who became director of the museum for a five-year term in 2021, came after Hungary’s government determined in late October that five photos on display at the prestigious World Press Photo exhibition violated the law restricting children’s access to content that depicts homosexuality or gender change.The museum subsequently put a notice on its website and at the entrance to the World Press Photo exhibition — which showcases outstanding photojournalism — that the collection was restricted to visitors over 18.Writing on his Facebook page on Monday, Simon — a member of Hungary’s ruling Fidesz party and a former secretary of state with the cultural ministry — said that neither he nor the museum had deliber...

New Edition announces Las Vegas residency dates starting in late February after touring for 2 years

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:26:26 GMT

LOS ANGELES (AP) — R&B group New Edition will bring their New Jack Swing tunes to Las Vegas early next year.The Grammy-nominated sextet announced Monday that New Edition: Las Vegas will kick off Feb. 28. The group confirmed six residency shows at the Wynn Las Vegas’ Encore Theater, where acts like Diana Ross, Duran Duran, Lionel Richie and Brad Paisley have taken the stage.“We just caught lightning in a bottle,” said Ronnie DeVoe, a founding New Edition member— which includes Michael Bivins, Bobby Brown, Johnny Gill, Ralph Tresvant and Ricky Bell. Monday’s announcement came after days after the group performed a tightly-choreographed tribute to the Spinners at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony in New York City.DeVoe said the band heard fans countless requests — particularly through social media — for them to perform in Sin City. “We’re looking to touch that stage and continue on with the legacy,” he said. After two consecutive North American tours, ...

Republican Peter Meijer, who supported Trump’s impeachment, enters Michigan’s US Senate race

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:26:26 GMT

LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Peter Meijer, a Republican who served one term in Congress before being ousted by voters following a vote to impeach then-President Donald Trump, announced Monday that he will run for an open U.S. Senate seat in Michigan.Meijer joins a field of more than a dozen candidates vying for a seat that’s been held by Democratic Sen. Debbie Stabenow for more than two decades. Stabenow shocked many in the state in January by announcing her retirement, creating a wide open race in the battleground state. “My wife and I prayed hard about this race and how we can best serve our state and our nation. We considered every aspect of the campaign, and are confident we have the best chance of taking back this seat for the Republicans and fighting hard for a conservative future,” Meijer said in a statement on X, formerly known as Twitter.“We are in dark and uncertain times, but we have made it through worse. The challenges are great, but so is our country. If we are to see another...

Victory Auto Wreckers to close this month

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:26:26 GMT

CHICAGO — A legendary Chicago area business has announced it is closing its doors forever.Victory Auto Wreckers' owner Kyle Weisner told Dean Richards during an interview on WGN Radio Sunday that the longtime auto salvage yard will close on November 18.Victory Auto Wreckers, located in Bensenville, has been in business since 1945. Weisner's family has owned it since 1967.The auto salvage yard is known for it's iconic commercial, "that old car is worth money" — that Dean Richards has voiced since 1991. SkyRise Chicago returns with thousands climbing steps of Willis Tower Weisner told Richards it was time to shut down and "take it a little easier."

Ald. Ramirez-Rosa resigns as floor leader after ‘bullying’ allegations

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:26:26 GMT

CHICAGO -- Ald. Carlos Ramirez-Rosa will be stepping down as floor leader of the city council after allegations that he attempted to block one of their members from attending a controversial city council meeting on Thursday, the mayor's office said.A statement released by the Mayor's office said: Alderwoman Mitts is a venerable leader and woman of abiding faith, who is committed to public service and the principles of accountability and mercy. Alderman Ramirez-Rosa has acknowledged his transgressions, apologized to his colleagues and committed himself to rebuilding trust.  The CABC alleges that Ald. Ramirez-Rosa attempted to physically restrain Ald. Emma Mitts (37th Ward) from entering the chamber.The council was set to decide whether to let voters weigh in on Chicago’s status as a sanctuary city, but the meeting ended in a storm of shouting and allegations."It is not lost on me that Thursday’s events occurred during a time of heightened tension at City Hall. In ...

Trial of father of Highland Park parade shooting suspect begins

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:26:26 GMT

CHICAGO — The trial of Crimo Jr. takes off Monday and is expected to last a week.Prosecutors say Crimo Jr. acted recklessly when signing his son's application for a FOID card knowing his son had violent thoughts. The judge must consider what did the father know, when did he know it and what would a reasonable person done in that situation. Crimo Jr. faces seven counts of reckless conduct. In the trial, there is expected to be 10 prosecution witnesses, police interrogation transcripts and text messages between the father and son. Highland Park mass shooting suspect says attack staged by federal agents: Sheriff’s office The trial comes 16 months after the July 4th Highland Park parade shooting that claimed seven lives.Prosecutors will try to prov Crimo Jr. knew his son was unstable years earlier They say three years earlier, Crimo III threatened his family and said he was going to kill everyone. Prosecutors originally wanted to show video of Crimo III's seven-hour police interrogat...

Rescues underway after extra-alarm fire on South Side

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:26:26 GMT

CHICAGO — Fire crews are on the scene of an extra-alarm fire in the city's Oakland neighborhood.The fire broke out around 7 a.m. Monday at an apartment high-rise in the 3500 block of South Cottage Grove. Emergency crews are on the scene and have made multiple rescues, pulling people out of their apartment windows.Skycam 9 was over the scene. No further details have been provided at this time.