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Restaurants and bars brace for biggest alcohol tax jump in 40 years

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:30:50 GMT

Canada’s restaurant industry is bracing for the biggest jump in the country’s alcohol excise duty in more than 40 years, spurring warnings the tax hike could force some bars and restaurants out of business.“Any increase at this very vulnerable time for our industry is just another blow while we’re down,” said Brenda O’Reilly, the owner of multiple restaurants and a brewery in St. John’s, N.L. “It’s like death by a thousand cuts.”Bar and eatery operators across Canada have endured lockdowns, labour shortages, supply chain mayhem and soaring costs for everything from payroll to cooking oil. Rising inflation has also softened demand as some consumers stay home to save money. “Many of us haven’t recovered from the pandemic and now they want to raise this tax,” she said. “It’s hard to get blood out of a turnip. We’ll see more restaurant closures if this goes ahead.”The federal beverage alcohol...

Norad, Haiti, migration, critical minerals to top agenda for Trudeau and Biden

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:30:50 GMT

WASHINGTON — U.S. President Joe Biden is embarking on a 27-hour whirwind visit to Ottawa, where he will meet Friday with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and speak to a joint session of Parliament — his first bilateral sojourn north as commander-in-chief. Here are some of the issues the two leaders are likely to discuss:Migration breakthrough: The two countries are already close to an agreement to expand the 2004 migration treaty known as the Safe Third County Agreement, which is designed to limit asylum claims in both countries but currently only applies to official entry points. As a result, critics say it encourages asylum seekers to enter Canada at unofficial border crossings, which allows them to make a claim. Sources familiar with the details say the two sides have been working on extending the agreement to cover the length of the Canada-U.S. border since the Summit of the Americas in Los Angeles last June. Such an agreement would help resolve a major political headache for Trude...

Daily horoscope for March 24, 2023

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:30:50 GMT

Moon Alert: There are no restrictions to shopping or important decisions today. The Moon is in Taurus.Happy Birthday for Friday, March 24, 2023:You have an excellent mind and are fascinated by everything in life. You have a penetrating insight into the behavior of others. This is a year for reflection and taking time to renew your spiritual or religious beliefs. Explore philosophies and life belief systems that will give you better self-awareness.ARIES(March 21-April 19) ★★★★This might be a good day for financial transactions. In fact, you can attract money to you. Meanwhile, many of you will spend money buying beautiful things for yourself and for loved ones. Keep an eye on your possessions to avoid sudden loss. Tonight: Protect your assets.TAURUS(April 20-May 20) ★★★★★Today you will truly enjoy any beauty that you encounter in art, architecture or people. Not only will you appreciate the beauty of buildings and items around you, you will also appreciate the beauty of others, which...

Miss Manners: Is there a grandmother contest I’m not aware of?

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:30:50 GMT

DEAR MISS MANNERS: My husband and I have three beautiful grandchildren. Many people ask me, “How often do you see your grandchildren?”When I answer with anything but the word “daily,” I am often met with responses such as, “Oh, is that all?” or “Don’t you wish it were more often?”Is there some “grandmother contest” that I am unaware of? I feel as though I’m being judged by how often I see, or don’t see, my grandchildren. I have never thought to ask other people this question, and my husband is never asked.Our kids think we are wonderful parents and grandparents, and we are happy with the time spent with our grandchildren. What is the best way to respond to this question that will not lead to more intrusive questions?GENTLE READER: “The perfect amount.”Related ArticlesAdvice | Miss Manners: How can I make them stop being rude about my employee’s hair? Advice | Mi...

Dear Abby: Is it OK to keep our fun going until his wedding day?

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:30:50 GMT

DEAR ABBY: I lost my husband of 20 years a little over two years ago. Last year, I moved to another state to be close to family. I rented an apartment, and my best friend moved with me.Shortly after, I met a much younger man. He was immediately interested in me. He’s sweet, kind and very handsome. It took me months to realize that I’m also interested in him.We began spending time together, including bedroom fun. He has told me at least twice he loves me, and I told him the same. His demeanor and expressions match his words, and we agreed for the time being to be friends with benefits.Three months ago, he met someone much closer to his age. But even in front of her he holds me close and tells me he loves me. She has now slapped a ring on his finger and is pushing him for marriage. He keeps saying he’s not ready.We feel that until the day he says “I do,” it’s OK for us to continue our bedroom fun. I’m new to the dating world, and he’s my...

WTOP’s Beer of the Week: Cycle BA SZN Coconut & Caramel Imperial Stout

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:30:50 GMT

(new Image()).src = "https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=9be9c680-c459-4acb-af21-654a2ccca384&cid=c2ffed0c-3624-46c0-b10f-97c976d290a3";cnx.cmd.push(function() { cnx({ playerId: "9be9c680-c459-4acb-af21-654a2ccca384",mediaId: "898e7505-7159-4dac-8889-5554c7524bc2"}).render("289c056591544eaeafa77740512b1c0b"); });It’s big and bold, but with some fun thrown in, too.WTOP’s Brennan Haselton is joined by Neighborhood Restaurant Group Beer Director and Food and Wine Sommelier of the Year Greg Engert to talk about Cycle BA SZN Coconut & Caramel Imperial Stout for the latest edition of WTOP’s Beer of the Week.Brewery: Cycle Brewing — St. Petersburg, FloridaDescription: A three-year, barrel-aged stout with coconut and caramel.ABV: 12%Pairing suggestions: Thai food, fried chicken, stews and ramen, and cheesecakeSource

Review: Two women crime reporters track a serial killer in Hulu original film ‘The Boston Strangler’

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:30:50 GMT

toggle audio on and off change volume download audio WTOP's Jason Fraley reviews 'The Boston Strangler' $(function () { $('.wtop-audio-container .fa-play').on('click', function(){ var audio_filename = $('div.wtop-audio-file').data("mp3-url"); ga('send', 'event', 'Audio', 'play', audio_filename); }); }); In 1968, Richard Fleischer (“Soylent Green”) directed an adaptation of Gerold Frank’s 1966 crime book “The Boston Strangler” starring Henry Fonda as a detective tracking down a serial killer played by Tony Curtis.Now, the true-crime story gets retold from the perspective of the two women report...

Cleanup efforts continue after freight train cars derail in Ayer

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:30:50 GMT

Cleanup efforts continue Friday morning after several train cars derailed in Ayer on Thursday, leaving multiple large containers on their side.Crews remain on scene as of 6 a.m. after working through the night to try to remove what fell off the track. A SKY7 camera previously spotted at least five cargo cars that had gone off the rails Thursday, with some of the large, blue containers they were carrying landing close to a nearby road.According to the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency, no hazardous materials were involved in the incident.MEMA noted on social media that the containers were “reportedly carrying trash/recycling” at the time.In a statement, a CSX spokesperson told 7NEWS the incident happened just before 12 p.m. involving a freight train operated by Springfield Terminals on a line jointly owned with Norfolk Southern.The spokesperson said five rail cars carrying ten containers derailed, adding that there were “no reported injuries to the crew, no hazardous mat...

Hundreds evacuated as Spain’s fire season starts early

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:30:50 GMT

MADRID (AP) — Hundreds of people were evacuated as a major forest fire raged in Spain’s eastern Castellón region on Friday, marking an early start to the nation’s fire season amid bone dry conditions.Ximo Puig, the president of the Valencia region that incorporates Castellon, told reporters the fire had engulfed around 1,000 hectares of land since it broke out Thursday, and was “very early in the spring, very voracious from the beginning.”Emergency services in the region said 600 people in eight towns had been evacuated, including a home for older people in Montan. Puig added that the effects of climate change “are undeniable, so the perspective of firefighting must be considered on an annual basis.”As of early Friday, four helicopters and more than 600 firefighters and soldiers were tackling the fire, as the Spanish military deployed additional support to try to bring the blaze under control.The state weather agency, AEMET, tweeted that “unfavorable weather conditions, especi...

Saudi Arabia, Syria may restore ties as Mideast reshuffles

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:30:50 GMT

BEIRUT (AP) — Saudi Arabia is in talks with Syria to reopen its embassy in the war-torn nation for the first time in a decade, state television in the kingdom reported late Thursday, the latest diplomatic reshuffling in the region. The announcement on state TV comes after Chinese-mediated talks in Beijing saw Saudi Arabia and Iran agree to reopen embassies in each others’ nations after years of tensions. Syrian President Bashar Assad has maintained his grip on power in the Mediterranean nation rocked by the 2011 Arab Spring only with the help of Iran and Russia, which made a historic call earlier in the day to Oman. Saudi Arabian state television aired a report late Thursday, quoting an anonymous official in the country’s Foreign Ministry, acknowledging the talks between the kingdom and Damascus. “A source in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs revealed to Al-Ekhbariyah that ongoing discussions have begun with the Syrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, commenting on what was ci...