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‘The Royal Hotel’ review: In this triumph of tension, check in at your peril

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:49:00 GMT

Michael Phillips | Chicago TribuneIn “The Royal Hotel,” director Kitty Green’s gripping, grubby Australian Outback noir, the Royal Hotel is a comically unregal place lit by the dead glare of fluorescent lights, dotted with predatory eyes lurking in the shadows.The eyes belong to the men working for the local mining company. At this remote, two-story dump in the middle of nowhere — part saloon, part boarding house for temporary workers — two American women arrive to make some quick money behind the bar. Sensible and wary Hanna, played by Julia Garner, and her more reckless, up-for-anything friend Liv, played by Jessica Henwick, (both superb) realize very quickly that they’ll be putting up with trash talk, harassment, uncertain pay schedules and worse.They’re expected by the owner of the Royal, the frequently drunk Billy (Hugo Weaving, a long, shaggy way from “The Matrix”), to perform the usual female paradox while they’re there and the customers are thirsty: Shut up, take it and smil...

AP sources: Tom Emmer withdraws as GOP nominee for speaker

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:49:00 GMT

By Lisa Mascaro, Stephen Groves, Farnoush Amiri and Kevin Freking, Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) — Republican Tom Emmer abruptly abandoned his bid to become House speaker, withdrawing hours after winning the internal party nomination once it became clear he would not have enough support from GOP colleagues for the gavel.Emmer reversed course after Donald Trump objected to his nomination and hardliners in the House denied the Minnesota Republican the votes he would need for the gavel. That’s according to Republican sources familiar with the situation and granted anonymity to discuss it.He becomes the the GOP third candidate to fall short, leaving the Republicans no closer to resolving the chaos. It has been three weeks since Kevin McCarthy’s ouster.“We’re going to have to figure out how to get our act together — I mean, big boys and big girls have got to quit making excuses and we just got to get it done,” said Rep. Dusty Johnson, R-S.D., a conservative caucus leader.U...

7 hospitalized amid E. coli outbreak linked to Miguel's Cocina 4S Ranch

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:49:00 GMT

SAN DIEGO -- Seven people have been hospitalized with E. coli infections after eating at Miguel's Cocina in 4S Ranch, local health officials said Tuesday.The County of San Diego Health and Human Services Agency is investigating a total of 13 "confirmed or probable" cases linked to the restaurant. Those who fell ill reported eating at the location from Oct. 6 to Oct. 18 and had symptoms from Oct. 13 to Oct. 19.Of the seven who were hospitalized, at least one person developed a severe complication called hemolytic uremic syndrome. Woman rescued from East County cave after spending 16 hours stuck It is not known yet which food item or items items were the sources of the bacteria, county officials say. The restaurant decided Tuesday to close its doors until that's determined.“People who visited the restaurant and are feeling ill should see their doctor as soon as possible,” said Wilma J. Wooten, M.D., M.P.H., County public health officer. “We want them to get tested and have the resul...

What is super fog? The mix of smoke and dense fog caused a deadly pileup in Louisiana

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:49:00 GMT

The National Weather Service called it “super fog” — a combination of thick smoke from fires in marshy wetlands of south Louisiana and the fog that often hangs thick in the air on cool, windless mornings. It was a deadly combination this week. Smoke spreading through the region from a marsh fire east of New Orleans combined with thick fog and reduced visibility on highways to near nothing. It caused a series of horrific crashes that turned a section of Interstate 55 near New Orleans into a virtual junkyard of mangled and charred vehicles.Officials said 158 vehicles were involved. There were 25 reported injuries, and the death toll from Monday’s accident stood at seven as of Tuesday afternoon. SUPER FOG OR SMOG?Super fog and smog are both types of fog, according to the National Weather Service. But smog — often a problem in cities with heavy car traffic or industry — is formed when fog combines with smoke from pollutants. It can reduce visibility and pose a health hazard. The t...

Advocates call on City of Toronto to do more to boost shelter system ahead of winter

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:49:00 GMT

Several advocates are urging the City of Toronto to do more to boost the shelter system as we approach the winter season. The Economic and Community Development Committee is debating the strategy released last week by city staff on Tuesday and over 40 people were signed up to speak on the issue.The strategy, which will be implemented on November 15 if passed, includes adding up to 180 spaces in the shelter system and opening a 24-hour respite centre with capacity for 40 people.There will also be 170 spaces activated in four warming centres when temperatures reach -5 C. Additional surge spaces will be made available when temperatures reach -15 C.“I want to stress that the winter services plan may continue to evolve as we monitor demand for warming centres and continue to search for appropriate locations to add capacity,” said Gord Tanner, general manager of Shelter, Support and Housing Administration. “Staff have connected with real estate brokers, faith leaders, co...

States sue Meta claiming its social platforms are addictive and harm children’s mental healthRefirl

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:49:00 GMT

Dozens of US states, including California and New York, are suing Meta Platforms Inc. for harming young people and contributing to the youth mental health crisis by knowingly and deliberately designing features on Instagram and Facebook that addict children to its platforms. A lawsuit filed by 33 states in federal court in California, claims that Meta routinely collects data on children under 13 without their parents’ consent, in violation of federal law. In addition, nine attorneys general are filing lawsuits in their respective states, bringing the total number of states taking action to 41 and Washington, D.C. “Meta has harnessed powerful and unprecedented technologies to entice, engage, and ultimately ensnare youth and teens. Its motive is profit, and in seeking to maximize its financial gains, Meta has repeatedly misled the public about the substantial dangers of its social media platforms,” the complaint says. “It has concealed the ways in which these platforms exploit a...

Detroit officials approve spending nearly $14 million in federal dollars on inflatable dome

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:49:00 GMT

DETROIT (AP) — Officials in Detroit have approved spending nearly $14 million in federal pandemic relief dollars on an inflatable athletic dome on the city’s east side. The City Council on Tuesday approved spending $13.9 million supplied by the American Rescue Plan Act to construct the dome in Chandler Park, the Detroit Free Press reported.The dome will serve as a public recreation center, complete with a workout space and a multi-purpose field. LaJuan Counts, director of the city’s construction and demolition department, said the dome could host banquets or dances as well as sports.The Associated Press

Man placed cell phone in U of T campus washrooms, recorded victims: police

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:49:00 GMT

Toronto police are hoping to identify a man who allegedly placed a cell phone inside a washroom at the University of Toronto (U of T) campus and recorded victims over several months. Authorities said that between July 2023 and October 2023, U of T Campus Safety received reports of voyeurism in the Spadina Avenue and Willcocks Street area.In collaboration with U of T, Toronto police took over the case and began investigating seven reports of voyeurism.It’s alleged a man loitered inside women’s washrooms and gender-neutral showers, and in some of the incidents, he placed a cell phone underneath the stalls to record people.Police said the victims ranged from 14 to 21 years old. No one was physically injured.The man is described as five-foot-two to five-foot-seven with short black hair and a medium build. Investigators said on occasion, the suspect was wearing a white and grey hoodie, black pants, and dark-coloured Crocs.Police have released images of the suspect.The investi...

Scotiabank says it will close eight branches across rural Newfoundland

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:49:00 GMT

ST. JOHN’S, N.L. — Scotiabank says it is closing eight branches across rural Newfoundland.A spokesperson for the Canadian banking giant confirmed in a series of emails that branches in Grand Bank, Twillingate, Lewisporte, Bonavista, Burgeo, Flowers Cove, Deer Lake and Whitbourne will close.Daniela Da Silva did not say when the branches will close, nor how many employees will be affected by the closures.Da Silva says customers in affected communities requiring in-person banking services will have to go to other branches.Scotiabank also closed its branch on Newfoundland’s Fogo Island last year.Bonavista Mayor John Norman said in a Facebook post Monday that he was told his town’s Scotiabank would be shut down in the fall of 2024, adding that he was assembling a committee to fight the decision.“The business community, low-income groups, seniors and others cannot do all banking online. Scotiabank kicked its customers with this, and if they choose not to serve us, ...

CN Rail profits plummet as consumer demand falls and B.C. port strike takes its toll

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:49:00 GMT

MONTREAL — Canadian National Railway Co. is reporting a nearly one-quarter drop in profits for the three months ended Sept. 30.Canada’s largest railway says falling consumer demand and fallout from the B.C. port workers’ strike dented its cargo volumes and revenue last quarter, alongside lower fuel surcharges.The Montreal-based company says net income in its third quarter fell 24 per cent to $1.11 billion from $1.46 billion in the same period a year earlier.CN says revenues decreased 12 per cent to $3.99 billion from $4.51 billion the year before.On an adjusted basis, diluted earnings were down 21 per cent at $1.69 per share from $2.13 per share last year, slightly below analyst expectations of $1.72 per share, according to financial data firm Refinitiv.CN says it continues to expect flat to slightly negative adjusted earnings this year, adding that it forecasts growth of between 10 per cent and 15 per cent between 2024 and 2026.This report by The Canadian Press was firs...