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Review: ‘Games and Rituals’ finds intrigue in the mundane

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:58:42 GMT

“Games and Rituals” by Katherine Heiny (Knopf)A driving examiner falls for the new guy. A woman wonders what to do about her teenage son who may be experimenting with drugs. A delayed flight turns into a trip down memory lane at a small-town airport bar.After two novels and a separate short story collection, Katherine Heiny is back with “Games and Rituals,” a delightful bundle of offbeat dramedy fiction. Heiny grabs readers from the jump in “Chicken-Flavored and Lemon-Scented,” when driving examiner Colette realizes that Ted Bundy must have taken a driving test, and some unknowing person was there in the car with him. The DMV suddenly got a lot more interesting. Thus, Heiny’s superpower: Finding intrigue in the mundane. Colette considers her fledgling feelings for the latest addition to their team as she moves through the surprisingly exciting day-to-day of her job, fleshing out her tiny corner of the world. “Chicken-Flavored” sets a precedent that carries on throughout the collecti...

Trudeau urges caution to ensure foreign influence registry doesn’t target diasporas

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:58:42 GMT

OTTAWA — Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is urging caution in the face of growing calls for Canada to adopt a registry to track foreign influence efforts.The prime minister says the government needs to find better ways to protect Canadians from foreign interference.But he says a balance must be struck to ensure any new measures are not too broad and do not target certain diaspora groups such as Chinese- or Iranian-Canadians.The Liberal government is facing calls to establish a foreign influence registry in response to reports of alleged interference by the Chinese government in recent Canadian elections.Trudeau cited the internment of thousands of Japanese- and Italian-Canadians during the Second World War as an example of why the government is taking its time.He says Ottawa is consulting with experts and Canadians to ensure whatever approach it takes is appropriate.This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 17, 2023.The Canadian Press

Hug, Scaroni take Boston Marathon wheelchair titles

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:58:42 GMT

BOSTON (AP) — A familiar name returned to the top of the podium and another one got there for the first time in the wheelchair division at the 127th Boston Marathon.Marcel Hug of Switzerland captured his sixth men’s wheelchair Boston Marathon title, claiming the victory Monday in a course record of 1 hour, 17 minutes, 6 seconds in the first race of the day. It bests his previous course mark of 1:18:04 set in 2017. American Daniel Romanchuk was second in 1:27.45, followed by Jetze Plat of the Netherlands in 1:28.35.In the women’s race, American Susannah Scaroni won her first Boston title, crossing the line in 1:41.45. Her victory followed runner-up finishes in 2018 and 2022. She was followed by Madison de Rozario of Australia in 1:46.55 and Wakako Tsuchida of Japan in 1:47.04.Hug’s win was the second-largest in the Boston wheelchair race’s history. He received $25,000 for the victory and a $50,000 bonus for setting the new course mark.The 37-year-old Hug surged to the fro...

Inquiry continues in Alabama shooting that killed 4, hurt 28

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:58:42 GMT

DADEVILLE, Ala. (AP) — Alabama officials are identifying the four people who were killed in a weekend shooting at a teenager’s birthday party that also injured 28.Victims include Marsiah Emmanuel “Siah” Collins, 19, of Opelika; Corbin Dahmontrey Holston, 23, of Dadeville; Philstavious “Phil” Dowdell, 18, of Camp Hill and Shaunkivia Nicole “Keke” Smith, 17, of Dadeville, Tallapoosa County Coroner Mike Knox told The Associated Press on Monday. Relatives had identified Dowdell and Smith on Sunday.The Saturday night shooting took place at a birthday party for Dowdell’s sister at the Mahogany Masterpiece dance studio in Dadeville. It’s not clear how many of the 28 injured were shot.Also unclear is who may have started the shooting and why, or whether investigators have made any arrests. Sgt. Jeremy Burkett of the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency did not take questions during news conferences Sunday. Officials repeatedly asked others to come forward with information on the shoot...

S&P/TSX composite edges up in late-morning trading, U.S. stock markets mixed

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:58:42 GMT

TORONTO — Strength in technology stocks helped Canada’s main stock index to edge higher in late-morning trading, while U.S. stock markets were mixed to start the trading week.The S&P/TSX composite index was up 3.93 points at 20,583.84.In New York, the Dow Jones industrial average was up 32.25 points at 33,918.72. The S&P 500 index was down 1.71 points at 4,135.93, while the Nasdaq composite was down 11.21 points at 12,112.26.The Canadian dollar traded for 74.65 cents US compared with 74.84 cents US on Friday.The June crude contract was down 70 cents at US$81.73 per barrel and the May natural gas contract was up 18 cents at US$2.29 per mmBTU.The June gold contract was down US$16.00 at US$1,999.80 an ounce and the May copper contract was down four cents at US$4.07 a pound.This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 17, 2023.Companies in this story: (TSX:GSPTSE, TSX:CADUSD=X)The Canadian Press

Ottawa seeks better reporting on environmental emergencies after Kearl oilsands leak

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:58:42 GMT

OTTAWA — Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault is taking the first step towards an improved reporting process for environmental emergencies following a leak of wastewater from an oilsands mine in Alberta that wasn’t made public for nine months.Imperial Oil and the Alberta Energy Regulator were required to notify the federal government about seepage from the tailing ponds at the company’s Kearl mine after first noticing it last May.But that didn’t happen until February, after 5.3 million litres of additional wastewater had been released.First Nations in the area whose members hunt and fish on the affected lands and waterways say they are furious that they were never told.Several chiefs and representatives from affected First Nations and Métis communities are appearing at a House of Commons committee today to discuss the situation.Guilbeault says their testimony should help inform the efforts of the new “notification and monitoring working group” he is ...

Victims identified in Alabama birthday party shooting that killed 4, injured 28

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:58:42 GMT

DADEVILLE, Ala. (NEXSTAR) — The people killed in a weekend shooting at a teenager's birthday party in Dadeville, Alabama, were identified Monday. The four victims identified by the Tallapoosa County Coroner to Nexstar's WRBL were 23-year-old Corbin Holston, 18-year-old Philstavious Dowdell, 19-year-old Marsiah Collins, and 17-year-old Shaunkivia Smith. All of the victims were from Dadeville or the surrounding area. Another 28 people were injured in the shooting, though their names and ages have not been released. The Saturday night shooting happened at a 16th birthday party at a downtown Dadeville dance studio, and witnesses said many of those injured were teenagers.The Associated Press reported Monday that the birthday party was for Philstavious Dowdell's sister. Dowdell was a Dadeville High School student who planned to attend Jacksonville State University to play football.Michael Taylor, an assistant coach, said he met Dowdell when the boy was 9 and coached him in youth football....

How COVID testing will work after the US health emergency ends in May

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:58:42 GMT

BestReviews is reader-supported and may earn an affiliate commission. DetailsHere are some changes you can expect to see for obtaining at-home COVID-19 testsThe U.S. categorized COVID-19 as a public health emergency in early 2021. In addition to providing two shipments of free tests through the U.S. Postal Service, private insurers had to cover up to eight COVID-19 tests each month and other costs related to the process.However, after the U.S. health emergency ends in May, obtaining free COVID-19 tests may be more difficult. The biggest impact will land on over-the-counter testing kits.In this article: iHealth COVID-19 Antigen Rapid Test, Celltrion DiaTrust COVID-19 Rapid Test and Flowflex COVID-19 Home TestTesting for COVID-19 after the May deadlineAt-home COVID-19 tests have become increasingly popular because of their versatility and ease of use. After the U.S. health emergency ends, household consumers may have to locate and purchase their own testing kits.Testing for COVID...

Monday's White Sox-Phillies game has been postponed

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:58:42 GMT

CHICAGO — For the first time this season, the White Sox have had one of their games called off due to mother nature.The White Sox-Phillies game scheduled for 6:10 p.m. at Guaranteed Rate Field tonight has been postponed due to “high winds and cold temperatures.”.The teams will play a straight doubleheader starting at 3:10 p.m. on Tuesday. .@WGNNews pic.twitter.com/dSDe8XEx7E— Larry Hawley (@HawleySports) April 17, 2023With high winds and chilly temperatures in the forecast, the team's game against the Phillies at Guaranteed Rate Field set for Monday evening for 6:10 p.m. has been postpoined.The team's won't have to wait long to make it up as they'll take part in a straight doubleheader on Tuesday at the ballpark starting at 3:10 p.m. Game 2 will be played 30-to-45 minutes after the conclusion of Game 1.It's the first of the three-game interleague series for Pedro Grifol's team against the reigning National League Champions.

Building torn down, 'Hi, How Are You' mural stays up

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:58:42 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- If you drive past the intersection of 21st and Guadalupe streets, you'll see a familiar sight. The famous "Hi, How Are You" mural stands tall, but the building it was attached to was demolished over the weekend. The Hi, How Are You Project (HHAYP) -- a nonprofit created in 2018 and named for the late, beloved artist and world-renowned musician Daniel Johnston -- posted on Instagram the mural is being preserved during the construction of a new student housing project. Where to find ‘Instagrammable’ murals in Austin for your next photo op The mural depicts a creature named Jeremiah with the words “Hi, How Are You” sprawled above him. It appeared on the wall in 2014 and was created by Johnston, who died in 2019. He became a household name for Austinites because of his music and art, which are a cultural staple in the capital city. “Hi, How Are You” mural in central Austin (KXAN Photo/Jaclyn Ramkissoon)Hi, How Are You mural preserved through building demolition (KXAN...