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How a march against antisemitism became a headache for Macron

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:11:29 GMT

PARIS — The march against antisemitism planned for Sunday in the French capital was meant to mark unity in the face of a surge of antisemitic offenses in France. But instead it has spotlighted political divisions and turned into a quandary for President Emmanuel Macron.After several days of hesitation, Macron said on Saturday that he would not be joining the rally but would be there “in heart and in spirit.”“I’ve never been to a protest on any topic,” Macron said on the sidelines of Remembrance Day commemorations. “My role … is to take decisions, say the right words when needed and act.”The French president had been under pressure to join the cross-party demonstration against antisemitism, and press reports indicated he was considering attending. But for Macron, that would have meant walking in the same crowd as far-right leader Marine Le Pen and National Rally President Jordan Bardella, both of whom have confirmed they would attend Su...

Saints receiver Michael Thomas arrested after confrontation with construction worker

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:11:29 GMT

KENNER, La. (AP) — New Orleans Saints receiver Michael Thomas is facing simple battery and criminal mischief charges following a confrontation with a construction worker, police said Saturday.Thomas, 30, was arrested without incident Friday night, was cooperative with investigators and was released later that night, Kenner police Lt. Mark McCormick said.Thomas, a two-time All-Pro in 2018 and 2019, is expected to travel to Minnesota and be in the lineup when the Saints play the Vikings on Sunday, a person familiar with the situation told The Associated Press.The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity Saturday because the team has not publicly discussed Thomas’ status for the game.A statement released by the Saints said the team is “aware of the incident and we are gathering information.”It was not immediately clear if Thomas has retained an attorney who could comment on his behalf.Police say the incident occured in front of a home under construction near Thomas’...

Suspect wanted in arson investigation in Riverdale

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:11:29 GMT

Toronto police are asking for the public’s assistance identifying a suspect wanted in an arson investigation.On Nov. 2 at approximately 4:30 a.m. police responded to a call for arson in the Broadview Avenue and Montcrest Boulevard area.The suspect reportedly set a utility shed on fire, though the fire was put out without injury or damage.The male suspect is described as having long brown hair, wearing a black winter jacket with a white zipper and cuffs, grey pants, black boots, and carrying a black backpack.Anyone with information is asked to contact police.

Texas police officer and suspect killed in a shooting; two other people were found dead

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:11:29 GMT

A Texas police officer was killed early Saturday in a shooting that left the shooter dead, a second officer wounded, authorities said. Two other people were later found dead inside a home in Austin, according to interim Police Chief Robin Henderson. An emotional Henderson, who paused often during a news conference and appeared to be choking back tears, said officers were called to the home shortly before 3 a.m. Saturday by a woman screaming that she was being stabbed. One person escaped the home before officers arrived, Henderson said, and told police the man in the home was armed with a knife.Police then tried to enter the home and were met with gunfire, but did not return fire, retreated and called for a SWAT team, said Henderson, who did not take questions and was surrounded by about 10 other officers during her comments.“SWAT officers arrived on scene and forced entry into the residence … to rescue the victims,” Henderson said. “As SWAT officers entered the suspect immedia...

Woman dead after building fire in Brighton Park: CFD

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:11:29 GMT

CHICAGO -- A woman is dead and an elderly man is in critical condition after a fire in an apartment building in Brighton Park Friday night, fire department said.According to police, the 32-year-old woman was discovered unresponsive and was pronounced dead on the scene after officers and CFD responded to a fire in a three flat building in the 3200 block of West 38th Place around 7:57 p.m. Arson investigation underway after woman injured in fire on CTA train A 69-year-old man was transported to Stroger Hospital in critical condition. There are no other injuries reported and the cause of the fire is still unknown at this time.

Saints wide receiver Michael Thomas arrested in Louisiana

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:11:29 GMT

KENNER, La. (WGNO) — New Orleans Saints wide receiver Michael Thomas was arrested by the Kenner Police Department in connection to a battery incident on Friday, November 10. According to the Kenner Police Department, Thomas was arrested around 7 p.m. after they began investigating a statement from a construction worker. Police say the worker reported that while he was working on a house in the same neighborhood as Thomas, Thomas yelled at him for parking in front of his house. The worker also stated that Thomas threatened him.At some point, the worker began recording Thomas and the situation escalated when Thomas allegedly picked up a brick and threw it. Afterward, Thomas walked up to the victim, knocked his phone out of his hand, and shoved him, stating that he did not want to be recordedThomas was released from police custody that night around 10:00 p.m. He faces misdemeanor charges of simple battery and criminal mischief.

Why do we say ‘bless you’ after someone sneezes?

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:11:29 GMT

(WTAJ) — "Bless you" or "God bless you" is a phrase most Americans say when someone sneezes, but why do we say it and where did it come from?The exact origins of the saying are unclear. However, there are a few theories and possibilities about where it may have come from.According to Dictionary.com, two common theories involve demons and spirits, hence the need to bless someone. It was believed that a person's soul would momentarily leave their body which would leave it vulnerable to being captured by the devil. It was also believed a person who sneezed expelled evil spirits from their body and the blessing was used to prevent the spirits from reentering. Saturn’s awe-inspiring rings will ‘disappear’ in 2025: Here’s why The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) International Students Office found the phrase may have originated in 14th-century Europe during the bubonic plague. People who fell ill with the deadly disease would be offered a benediction through the phrase "God B...

TIMELINE: APD describes events leading to officer line-of-duty death in south Austin

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:11:29 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — On Saturday morning, an Austin Police officer was shot and killed in the line of duty while responding to a call in south Austin.APD said despite the efforts of its officers, medics, hospital staff and the Austin Fire Department, an officer died from injuries. A second injured officer was in stable condition as of 10 a.m. PREVOUS: 1 officer dead, 2 others killed after SWAT in south Austin Two other victims were found inside the residence with fatal injuries and were pronounced dead on the scene, according to APD.APD Interim Chief Robin Henderson said the incident was captured on police body-worn camera.Multiple APD officers fired their department-approved firearms; however, the officers were not identified during Saturday morning’s media briefing. RELATED: Support pours in for APD officer killed, another hurt "I’d like to thank Travis County medics and Travis County EMS, our officers on scene, Austin Fire, and the medical staff that treated our officers and worke...

4 dead, including APD officer and suspect, in south Austin

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:11:29 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — One Austin police officer was killed, and another officer was injured in south Austin Saturday morning, according to Austin officials. The Austin Police Department said it responded to a call for a stabbing in the 9300 block of Bernoulli Drive at 2:49 a.m.Sources said officers entered a house to free hostages when the suspect shot at the officers. One officer was killed, and another was shot in the shoulder. TIMELINE: APD describes events leading to officer line-of-duty death in south Austin Sources said multiple shots were fired by other SWAT members, and those officers were now being processed at a police substation.According to a city council message board, the officer-involved shooting happened at about 4:10 a.m.APD held a procession for the fallen officer from Dell Seton Medical Center to the medical examiner's office. RELATED: Support pours in for APD officer killed, another injured in line of duty APD Interim Chief Robin Henderson said the department is no...

How many APD officers have been shot, killed in line of duty?

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:11:29 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Austin Police Department is mourning after one officer was shot and killed and another was injured after a SWAT situation in south Austin early Saturday morning. This was the third APD officer shot and killed in the line of duty in 45 years, a law enforcement source told KXAN. APD Interim Chief Robin Henderson said the department is not identifying the officers involved at this time, and the officer who was hurt is in stable condition. Henderson also confirmed that "two apparent victims of the suspect" were found dead inside the residence off Bernoulli Drive. The suspect also died at the scene. MORE DETAILS: 1 officer dead, 1 officer injured after SWAT situation in south Austin The Austin Police Association (APA) has data on its website dating back to 1875 of APD officers who were killed in the line of duty. While other officers have died in crashes or from COVID-19 in recent years, the last APD officer who was shot and killed in the line of duty was Senior Po...