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CTV News
09-07-2025
- General
- CTV News
B.C. senior who survived WWII bombing knits to support people enduring war
Adam finds out the explosive story that led to a Saanich senior's crafty caring. Adam finds out the explosive story that led to a Saanich senior's crafty caring. SAANICH, B.C. — No matter where she goes, Birgitte has been wearing one particular pin. 'I've been knitting them now for three years,' she says, showing how the pin looks like tiny knitting needles creating a small Ukrainian flag. To appreciate why she's still making them after many people stopped showing their support of the war-torn country, we need to go back 80 years to when Birgitte was growing up in Europe during the Second World War. That's when young Birgitte was awoken one night with a bang. 'The bomb came and blew out our windows,' Birgitte recalls. Birgitte and her brother were alone in their bedroom, facing flames rising from a hole in the floor. 'I said, 'I can't move. I can't move,'' Birgitte imitates her younger self's voice. 'I was absolutely stuck with fear.' Although her brother was just two years older, he ran to her rescue. 'Then I stopped being frozen,' she says. 'He held my hand, and we walked out.' Birgitte lost her home that day, and by the time she'd reached elementary school had also lost both her parents. 'You had difficulties,' she says. 'But you just had to try and learn how to cope.' Like when Birgitte struggled to learn how to read and write and was eventually diagnosed with dyslexia. 'I've never been treated like I was stupid or incapable,' Birgitte says. Instead, the caring grandparents who raised her encouraged Birgitte to focus on her strengths. '[My grandmother] taught me how to knit,' Birgitte smiles. 'I could do knitting and sewing long before my friends could.' That support not only inspired Brigitte to purse her passion professionally, it motivated a lifetime of volunteering to help others facing adversity. 'I don't like things that are not fair,' Birgitte says. So, when she saw what was happening in Ukraine, she couldn't help but think of the young girls experiencing war like she once did. 'If I could raise a bit of money doing a little bit of something, why on earth wouldn't I?' Birgitte recalls thinking. But Birgitte never imagined her little hand-made flags pins would end up raising a lot of money for the Red Cross in Ukraine. 'Pretty close to having raised $20,000,' Birgitte says. And the 87-year-old has no plans to quit. Because like her big brother's bravery, like her grandparents unconditional loving, Birgitte is determined to make a positive difference in the lives of others. 'We all have things that we can do,' Birgitte says. 'It may not be something earth-shaking, but at least you've tried to do something.'
CTV News
09-07-2025
- General
- CTV News
B.C. senior who survived WWII bombing knits to to support people enduring war
Adam finds out the explosive story that led to a Saanich senior's crafty caring. SAANICH, B.C. — No matter where she goes, Birgitte has been wearing one particular pin. 'I've been knitting them now for three years,' she says, showing how the pin looks like tiny knitting needles creating a small Ukrainian flag. To appreciate why she's still making them after many people stopped showing their support of the war-torn country, we need to go back 80 years to when Birgitte was growing up in Europe during the Second World War. That's when young Birgitte was awoken one night with a bang. 'The bomb came and blew out our windows,' Birgitte recalls. Birgitte and her brother were alone in their bedroom, facing flames rising from a hole in the floor. 'I said, 'I can't move. I can't move,'' Birgitte imitates her younger self's voice. 'I was absolutely stuck with fear.' Although her brother was just two years older, he ran to her rescue. 'Then I stopped being frozen,' she says. 'He held my hand, and we walked out.' Birgitte lost her home that day, and by the time she'd reached elementary school had also lost both her parents. 'You had difficulties,' she says. 'But you just had to try and learn how to cope.' Like when Birgitte struggled to learn how to read and write and was eventually diagnosed with dyslexia. 'I've never been treated like I was stupid or incapable,' Birgitte says. Instead, the caring grandparents who raised her encouraged Birgitte to focus on her strengths. '[My grandmother] taught me how to knit,' Birgitte smiles. 'I could do knitting and sewing long before my friends could.' That support not only inspired Brigitte to purse her passion professionally, it motivated a lifetime of volunteering to help others facing adversity. 'I don't like things that are not fair,' Birgitte says. So, when she saw what was happening in Ukraine, she couldn't help but think of the young girls experiencing war like she once did. 'If I could raise a bit of money doing a little bit of something, why on earth wouldn't I?' Birgitte recalls thinking. But Birgitte never imagined her little hand-made flags pins would end up raising a lot of money for the Red Cross in Ukraine. 'Pretty close to having raised $20,000,' Birgitte says. And the 87-year-old has no plans to quit. Because like her big brother's bravery, like her grandparents unconditional loving, Birgitte is determined to make a positive difference in the lives of others. 'We all have things that we can do,' Birgitte says. 'It may not be something earth-shaking, but at least you've tried to do something.'
Daily Mail
22-05-2025
- Politics
- Daily Mail
Fury as new Reform-run council orders Ukrainian flag to be TAKEN DOWN as it bans banners for 'special interest groups' from public buildings
A Reform-run council is facing fury today after its leader ordered the Ukrainian flag be removed from its headquarters. Nigel Farage 's party took over control of Kent County Council on May 1 and its leader this morning ordered a ban on banners from 'special interest groups'. Linden Kemkaran also banned the authority from flying the Pride flag later this year, telling the AGM in Maidstone: 'The Union Jack, the flag of St George and the flag of Kent, they are the identity that we all share and it is that identity that we need to focus on.' To applause form her supporters she told the chamber her new administration had little time for 'special interest groups' or the flags that represent them. Her words were met with raucous applause and table thumping from the Reform benches, likened to a 'political rally' by the council's opposition leader, Liberal Democrat Antony Hook. Reform's chairman Zia Yusuf revealed plans after its election wins in 10 council areas that the party's leadership would not allow the Ukrainian flag to be flown, despite it being a fixture across the UK since the 2022 invasion by Vladimir Putin 's Russia. A Liberal Democrat spokesman said: 'We know the only flag most Reform politicians want to fly is the Russian flag and these plastic patriots are proving to be everything that we thought they were. 'A bunch of Putin apologists who would rather tear down the symbols of brave Ukrainians fighting for freedom than stand with them.' At the beginning of May, Reform swept to a local elections victory in Kent taking 57 of 81 council seats, wiping out a Conservative majority which had stood for almost 30 years. Ms Kemkaran also told the chamber she was looking to create a department of government efficiency (Doge) to root out problems in the council. Opposition leader Mr Hook voiced fears that the Reform administration would be taking instructions from the national leaders of Reform UK. Outside the chamber, he said: 'It was really shocking to me that in a recent podcast the leader of Reform said that she had to sort of take instructions from Reform's national chairman. 'That's the sort of thing we've never heard at Kent County Council before. Under different administrations it's always been clear that policy is made in Kent by county councillors not taking instructions from national parties.'
Daily Mail
19-05-2025
- Daily Mail
Sickening moment man is knocked out cold with a single punch in city centre confrontation
Horrifying footage has revealed a man was knocked unconscious by a sickening punch after violence erupted in a city centre. The victim can be seen being floored by a single blow in front of shocked shoppers in Birmingham city centre yesterday. The man, clutching a Ukrainian flag, squares up towards another man wearing a white t-shirt before being stopped in his tracks by the powerful swing A sickening thud can be heard as the blow connects and sends the man crashing to the ground as stunned onlookers call out 'oh s**t' and 'oh my days.' Passers-by continue to walk without helping the stricken victim as he lay motionless on the floor along New Street, near the Bullring shopping centre. Witnesses said the man regained consciousness after some time and he was eventually helped by members of the public. One onlooker, who did not wish to be named, said: 'People did eventually come to help the guy who got knocked out and then there were sirens. 'The guy with the flag was kind of taunting the other guy for a long time and then the other guy just ended up hitting him.' The victim was seen being floored by a single blow in front of terrified shoppers in Birmingham city centre yesterday West Midlands Police said: 'We're investigating after a man was assaulted on New Street in Birmingham around 7.20pm on Saturday 17 May. 'The man was taken to hospital with injuries which are not life-changing. 'Our enquiries are ongoing and we are reviewing footage of the incident.
Yahoo
10-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Schuylkill Democrats hold rally in Tamaqua
TAMAQUA — About 30 people gathered along Route 309 in Tamaqua for a rally held by the Schuylkill Democrats to protest the actions of the Trump Administration on Saturday. Protesters held signs that read 'History has its eyes on you' and 'Hate won't make America great' as traffic passed by. Jan Kear, of Palo Alto, held a sign that said 'Hands Off' and included words such as social security, medicare, free speech and others. She also held a small Ukrainian flag. 'Everything on the sign is a concern of mine,' she said. Kear's late father came to the United States from Ukraine in 1923 seeking opportunity and freedom. She said would be upset about what is happening in the nation, and that attending the rally is one way to possibly 'stir something' inside people to awaken them to what is going on nationally. * Jan Kear, of Palo Alto, holds a sign May 10, 2025, in Tamaqua on Route MARCHIANO/ STAFF PHOTO * A protestor in Tamaqua holds up a sign encouraging continued support for Social Security, as well as a Ukrainian flag. (JOHNATHAN PAROBY/CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER) * Protestors at a rally in Tamaqua hold up signs as traffic passes by on PA-309. (JOHNATHAN PAROBY/CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER) * Protestors in Tamaqua show their support for causes close to their hearts on Saturday. (JOHNATHAN PAROBY/CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER) Show Caption 1 of 4 Jan Kear, of Palo Alto, holds a sign May 10, 2025, in Tamaqua on Route MARCHIANO/ STAFF PHOTO Expand The Schuylkill Democrats are hosting rallies on the second Saturday and the last Thursday of each month. The efforts are a way to bring attention to the issues facing the nation. Anyone is welcome to attend. Previous rallies had 100 or more people present, but attendance has been steady, organizers said. Democrats contend that the Trump Administration is testing the tenets of the U.S. Constitution regarding the legislative, judicial and executive branches of government. 'We support people's rights and to have a quality life,' said Todd Zimmerman, chairman of the Schuylkill County Democratic Committee. The majority of those who drove by Saturday were respectful of those protesting. Some even honked their horns in support, he said. One person waved a Trump hat out a passenger window, though. Army veteran Josephine Kwiatkowski, of Pottsville, said she is saddened about what is happening in the country. 'As a veteran, this is not the country I was willing to give my life for,' she said. She believes the government is targeting the most vulnerable of the population with its most recent actions. Rachel Keck attended with her children. 'Watching the news is really, really scary,' she said. She viewed participating in the rally as a way to take action against the Trump Administration. 'It can feel very oppressive watching the news, and you start to feel hopeless,' Keck said.
