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Newsstand: July 20, 2015
Take a second to appreciate the slightly less-hot weather, and then jump into the news: Honest Ed's celebrates an anniversary, an inquest might be possible in the case of a McDonald's shooting from five months ago, and microplastics are taking over the water.
Honest Ed’s celebrated its 67th anniversary on Sunday, and founder Ed Mirvish’s son David Mirvish was on hand to celebrate one of the last anniversaries the giant discount retailer will have. Next year, the store will be replaced by “restaurants, retail space and rental housing,” and the iconic eyesight (or eyesore, depending on how much you like lightbulbs and how much you care about history) will be no more. But until then, general manager Russell Lazar, who has been at the store for 56 years, says the store will continue living up to its reputation for deep discounts and fun.
Police have not charged the security guard who shot two men dead in a McDonald’s five months ago, but Toronto Police Chief Mark Saunders hinted that an inquest might be possible, saying he would wait to see if the coroner begins one before allowing “the public an opportunity to hear a fulsome account of everything.” Very little is known of the incident, and the security guard is back at work. A GardaWorld spokesperson said he has “fully recovered from his injuries” sustained in the encounter that left the two other men dead.
Microplastics have long been a problem in water, contributing to pollution and compromising the lives of aquatic species that can accidentally ingest the small pieces of plastic. But they are at “alarming levels” now, according to new research. One type of microplastic is known as “microbeads.” These are put in toothpaste, makeup, body cleansers, and other products, but they aren’t the the only source of microplastic—any piece of plastic smaller than five millimetres in diameter counts. Microplastics have been found to soak up toxins from surrounding water, only to transfer them to fish and other aquatic life when they’re eaten.