Hearing Delayed

OTTAWA — The extradition hearing for an Ottawa sociology professor accused in the 1980 bombing of a Paris synagogue that killed four people was postponed after the Crown disowned handwriting evidence that had been discredited by the defence. A three-week hearing for Hassan Diab was to start June 14, but it has been put off because French authorities plan to bring evidence from a third handwriting expert who says there’s a “strong presumption” Diab is the author of a hotel registration card that links him to the bombing, Canwest News reported. The Lebanese-born Diab became a Canadian citizen in 1993.

Ashley Founder Dies

TORONTO — Tillie Abrams, the Jewish woman who founded the iconic William Ashley china store in downtown Toronto in 1947, died May 18 at 98. Abrams came to Canada from Poland as a baby and started working in her parents’ paint and wallpaper shop when she was 13. She decided on the made-up name for her store because it  was British – like many of her high-end china wares – and gave the impression that a man was behind the business. Her grandson is the company’s current CEO.

No Pride Sign Vetting

VANCOUVER — The Vancouver Pride Society won’t vet signs in its Aug. 1 Pride Parade, president Ken Coolen said. He told the gay and lesbian paper Xtra that such a move would run counter to the parade’s “celebration of diversity.” Coolen made the comment in response to Pride Toronto’s statements that it won’t let anyone march under the banner of Queers Against Israeli Apartheid, which happened in 2009 and provoked  Jewish protest. In Toronto, “it was perceived as a racial slur,” he said, adding he would consult his board, as well as other groups, if the issue arises in Vancouver.