Latest news with #Esther
Time Out
17 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Time Out
EG Coffee: Quiet pet-friendly café in Queenstown with a wide selection of drinks
Queenstown is a sorely underrated neighbourhood in terms of cafés. Just within a one-kilometre radius, you'll chance upon unassuming joints underneath HDB blocks or nestled in industrial buildings – places like Kyuukei, Rookie's, Cupo Coffee, Alchemist The Mill, Creamie Sippies, Tiong Hoe, and more. Add one to the list: EG Coffee is a new café located below the apartment complex Alexis, which is an eight-minute walk from Queenstown MRT. The setup is simple – white and light-wood tones with four small tables indoors, and foldable camping chairs outdoors, where pets are welcome. The interiors are peppered with quirky knick-knacks, including a mini Sudoku corner where you can have a go at a puzzle while waiting. A friendly couple, Esther and Gavin (after whom the café is named), run the place. We pop by before lunchtime on a Sunday and the café is still relatively quiet. For a small neighbourhood café, EG Coffee offers a surprisingly extensive drinks menu. It's got the usual roster of espresso-based drinks (a latte starts at $6.50, which is not the cheapest), filter coffee (from $9) and cold brews ($9). The proprietary Icons Blend is a medium-to-dark roast Guatemala and Uganda blend which is smooth and chocolatey with hints of caramel. You can also opt for Geisha and Yirgacheffe beans at a top-up, or ask the barista for the origin of the day. There are also interesting options like the dried orange latte ($6.90), mint coconut latte ($7.90), black sesame latte ($6.50), osmanthus latte ($6.90), as well as strawberry matcha ($9.50) and hojicha ($7.90). The black sesame latte ($7.50) is one of the most ordered items here, with a thick, velvety consistency, and a toasty, slightly savoury flavour. To beat the heat, EG also has refreshing soda-based coolers like the Strawberry Bliss ($6.50), Apple Tree ($7.50), Orange Sea ($7.50) and yuzu matcha ($8.90), as well as iced teas (from $5.90) on the menu. Get breakfast or brunch sorted with a varied selection of pastries, bagels, sandwiches and even acai bowls ($12.90). There's the classic hearty chicken sando ($9.90) or stuffed croissant sandwiches ($12.90), as well as savouries like curry chicken puffs and black pepper chicken pies ($5.80). Cakes by the slice ($10.90) are available too, in flavours like cempedak cheese and tiramisu. If you have to pick, order the rum canele ($5.90), which has a slightly crunchy exterior and dense middle, perfect for nibbling with coffee.
The Irish Sun
a day ago
- The Irish Sun
Ex-beauty queen is shot dead in front of baby daughter and her partner amid explosion of drug cartel violence in Ecuador
AN EX-beauty queen has been shot dead while travelling in a car with her baby daughter and partner in Ecuador amid the country's ongoing struggle with Esther Gabriela Murillo Cruz, 25, was ambushed by two men on a motorbike who sprayed the vehicle with 3 Esther Gabriela Murillo Cruz was fatally shot while travelling with her baby and partner 3 The ex-beauty queen is just one of thousands to have been killed in Ecuador in the last few months 3 The model's partner was also hospitalised in the attack The model was rushed to a local hospital in Manta just after 3am on Saturday where she was treated for But despite medics' best efforts, she was soon pronounced dead. Her 30-year-old partner and one-year-old baby are also believed to have been hospitalised in the attack, local reports said. The ex-beauty queen had been travelling on the Circunvalación highway, in Manabí - one of Authorities have since launched an urgent investigation into the attack to determine the perpetrators and their motive. Esther won three local beauty competitions and became the "Queen of Marabi province" in 2018. News of her death has left her tens of thousands social media followers devastated - with many calling on leaders to do more to combat crime in the area. One distraught commenter said: "How sad! And such a girl, with a whole life ahead of her!" Most read in The US Sun While another wrote: "Comfort and strength to your family". The embattled country has seen its Watch as fugitive drug lord Fito 'The Lion' is found in trapdoor lair after daughter, 3, accidentally revealed hideout Earlier this year, a man believed to be a British national was in a popular eco-tourism area on the country's border with . A mob stormed a The shocking scenes are all too common for a nation whose murder rates now rank amongst the highest in the world, with civilians regularly caught in the crossfire and streets turning lawless as cops struggle to keep up with criminality and violence. In 2023 alone, the country saw more than 8,000 deaths, an eightfold rise compared to 2018, putting it above other nations famed for their cartel violence such as And a new record for the most killings in a single month was broken in January, with 781 killings. After a series of riots saw the Despite attempts by the country's government and armed forces to crack down on the cartels, Televised takeover The most dramatic example of the escalating violence occurred in January last year, when 'They were kids - kids with guns,' the presenter, Luis Calderón, later told the Guardian. 'They seemed proud of what they were doing… it was as if they were playing a game - only with extremely dangerous and lethal weapons,' he recalled. Police successfully made 13 arrests following the attack, which also happened in the port city of Gauyaquil. Then in May, a further eight were killed after a bar was sprayed with bullets where people had gathered to celebrate a birthday in the coastal province of Santa Elena. Many of the Gangs such as Los Tiguerones, Los Lobos, and Los Choneros have even resorted to gruesome tactics such as cutting out the hearts of captured rivals and showing off the killings on social media. Read more on the Irish Sun Other victims may find themselves being hanged from bridges, their limp bodies serving as a warning to anyone entering the cartel's territory. While South America has long been associated with drug-related violence, Ecuador for years remained relatively peaceful and free from any serious gang violence.
Scottish Sun
a day ago
- Scottish Sun
Ex-beauty queen is shot dead in front of baby daughter and her partner amid explosion of drug cartel violence in Ecuador
The embattled country has seen its murder rate rise eight-fold as brutal gangs battle to control the cocaine trade BEAUTY SLAIN Ex-beauty queen is shot dead in front of baby daughter and her partner amid explosion of drug cartel violence in Ecuador Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) AN EX-beauty queen has been shot dead while travelling in a car with her baby daughter and partner in Ecuador amid the country's ongoing struggle with drug cartel violence. Esther Gabriela Murillo Cruz, 25, was ambushed by two men on a motorbike who sprayed the vehicle with bullets. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 3 Esther Gabriela Murillo Cruz was fatally shot while travelling with her baby and partner 3 The ex-beauty queen is just one of thousands to have been killed in Ecuador in the last few months 3 The model's partner was also hospitalised in the attack The model was rushed to a local hospital in Manta just after 3am on Saturday where she was treated for gunshot wounds to her vital organs. But despite medics' best efforts, she was soon pronounced dead. Her 30-year-old partner and one-year-old baby are also believed to have been hospitalised in the attack, local reports said. The ex-beauty queen had been travelling on the Circunvalación highway, in Manabí - one of Ecuador's hardest hit cities by organised crime. Authorities have since launched an urgent investigation into the attack to determine the perpetrators and their motive. Esther won three local beauty competitions and became the "Queen of Marabi province" in 2018. News of her death has left her tens of thousands social media followers devastated - with many calling on leaders to do more to combat crime in the area. One distraught commenter said: "How sad! And such a girl, with a whole life ahead of her!" While another wrote: "Comfort and strength to your family". The embattled country has seen its murder rate rise eight-fold as brutal gangs battle to control the cocaine trade. Watch as fugitive drug lord Fito 'The Lion' is found in trapdoor lair after daughter, 3, accidentally revealed hideout Earlier this year, a man believed to be a British national was lynched and burnt alive in a popular eco-tourism area on the country's border with Colombia. A mob stormed a police station in Sucumbios Province where he was being held in custody for an alleged shooting, before dragging him out and setting him alight in front of police officers too terrified to intervene. The shocking scenes are all too common for a nation whose murder rates now rank amongst the highest in the world, with civilians regularly caught in the crossfire and streets turning lawless as cops struggle to keep up with criminality and violence. In 2023 alone, the country saw more than 8,000 deaths, an eightfold rise compared to 2018, putting it above other nations famed for their cartel violence such as Mexico and Colombia. And a new record for the most killings in a single month was broken in January, with 781 killings. After a series of riots saw the gangs take control of prisons, rival factions have waged bitter warfare against each other, carrying out brutal medieval-style executions and hanging bodies from bridges to mark their territory and terrify rivals. Despite attempts by the country's government and armed forces to crack down on the cartels, Ecuador remains the world's number one exporter of cocaine. Televised takeover The most dramatic example of the escalating violence occurred in January last year, when masked gunmen broke into a television studio, threatening the presenter while live on air and trying to force him to read out a warning to police. 'They were kids - kids with guns,' the presenter, Luis Calderón, later told the Guardian. 'They seemed proud of what they were doing… it was as if they were playing a game - only with extremely dangerous and lethal weapons,' he recalled. Police successfully made 13 arrests following the attack, which also happened in the port city of Gauyaquil. Then in May, a further eight were killed after a bar was sprayed with bullets where people had gathered to celebrate a birthday in the coastal province of Santa Elena. Many of the shootings are carried out in a display of dominance, terrifying rivals and keeping local residents subdued. Gangs such as Los Tiguerones, Los Lobos, and Los Choneros have even resorted to gruesome tactics such as cutting out the hearts of captured rivals and showing off the killings on social media. Other victims may find themselves being hanged from bridges, their limp bodies serving as a warning to anyone entering the cartel's territory. While South America has long been associated with drug-related violence, Ecuador for years remained relatively peaceful and free from any serious gang violence.
Daily Mirror
4 days ago
- Daily Mirror
Flight attendant urges tourists to always leave a shoe in their hotel room safe
A member of cabin crew has shared the "game-changing" travel tip that she says "everyone should know" - and it involves a shoe and hotel safes A flight attendant has revealed a brilliant travel hack involving a shoe and hotel safes. Esther, who works as cabin crew for Dutch airline KLM, insists the trick is a "game-changer". She reckons there are several steps you should take every time you arrive at a hotel to guarantee your stay goes without a hitch, the Express reported. Something which may appear straightforward is storing your valuables, including your passport, securely in the hotel safe. Loads of travellers apparently skip this step, as they're worried about leaving their belongings behind when they check out. However, Esther's shoe hack minimises the chance of you departing from the hotel whilst forgetting to check the safe, or so she maintains in a recent TikTok video. "Worried about forgetting something from your locker? Put your heel or shoe in it and you won't forget it!" she explained. The flight attendant always places a heel in the safe because she would never abandon the room without them, as they are a crucial part of her job. If you're not travelling with more than one pair of shoes, store whatever item you reckon you wouldn't depart without in the safe, such as your jacket or coat. Another trick that Esther suggests involves using a clothes hanger to fasten the hotel curtains together at night, so you're not disturbed by the harsh light in the morning. Esther's next piece of advice is to utilise the shower cap as a "cover over your shoes". This nifty trick can help keep your clothes clean from mucky shoes when you're packing your suitcase, particularly if you don't have any plastic bags handy. The same method can also be applied to cover the remote control, which can be "very dirty" in hotel rooms, she warns. Esther also recommends using "your USB cable and charge your devices in the TV" if you're without a world travel plug or if yours isn't functioning. Lastly, she revealed that there's no need to use the room key to switch on the room lights, as guests "can also use any other card for this". The Mirror has previously chatted with a travel expert who shared their top tips for maximising a hotel stay. "Ask the staff advice they may have ideas for attractions in the local area or a chance for them to promote the hotel facilities," they suggested. "Make sure the hotel is what you are expecting before booking so do your research, for example booking a hotel with a York postcode and not reading the website and finding when you get there it's actually a mile or two outside the centre and you require your car."
Winnipeg Free Press
21-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Winnipeg Free Press
Book Review: Grief is profound, painful and personal in this debut novel from J.B. Hwang
'Mendell Station' is Korean American writer J.B. Hwang's first novel. And it is all about death — its horror, finality and mystery, and, most of all, how those who knew and loved that person must cope. Miriam, the main character, who is a Korean American postal worker living in San Francisco, learns that her best friend, Esther, was found dead, having fallen two stories onto the train tracks at Van Ness station. The mystery of how Esther died is never solved in the book, although we learn she had been intoxicated and wobbly on her feet when last seen at a bar. The narrative focuses more on Miriam's initial confusion and the painful emotional attempt at mourning and eventual acceptance. 'The love I had for Esther distended and became a fluid that filled my skull… My skeleton felt ripped out of my body, and I crumpled to the floor. The sound of many waters, weighted clouds in the sky, thin black grooves between the wooden floorboards teeming with darkness.' Like many great novels, the specifics are clear — the Asian American experience, which is quite different from the white or Black American experience, in many ways, or the details of working at the post office, the menial, never-ending repetition — as fitting the expression 'going postal' — but also the gentle kindness of the regular folks who are her co-workers. The universal human story of losing a loved one comes alive amid the backdrop of these specifics, like many great novels. It is very moving. The experience, happening amid the confusion that came in the early days of the coronavirus pandemic in 2020, is so unsettling Miriam's faith in God is shattered. She starts writing letters to Esther that never get delivered to cope with her grief. 'Esther, I wondered why I didn't want to kill myself after you died, when I couldn't stop thinking about it after my father's death. Would I be recognizable to you now, without my faith, without you? I don't like who I am without you,' goes one of her letters. This is a book that speaks to women, especially Asian American women, and those who have just lost a loved one. And this writer happens to fit all those categories. Still, it's a good book for anyone. Hwang is comfortable switching from a language that is a myopic closeup in its descriptiveness to free-wheeling poetic grandeur on the same page, entering the mind and soul of the woman who is our heroine. It matters more than ever that she is an Asian American in a storytelling universe dominated by white people. Yet it matters not at all. Hwang's writing often doesn't bother with stage-setting, or scene or character descriptions. Readers feel as though they have simply slipped into Miriam's skin. We know through our own skin and bones, rather than read and learn, the sad memories of our upbringing, the routine drudgery of work, the loneliness and the joy of finding a friend, and the unbearable grief of losing one. The effect is mesmerizing, and strangely comforting. We affirm through the journey that Hwang takes us on that lesson we knew all along: We must live. Those who have gone want that and expect that of us. ___ AP book reviews:
