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Air Canada nearly doubles revenue, ekes out profit as travel demand takes flight

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:25:00 GMT

MONTREAL — Air Canada reported that first-quarter revenue nearly doubled compared with a year earlier as travellers hopped back on airplanes en masse — even as higher costs tamped down net earnings.Buoyed by a record $4.9 billion in revenue, the quarter marked the second in a row where the carrier has turned a profit following 11 straight quarters of losses totalling $10.1 billion.Net income amounted to $4 million, up from $974 million in losses a year ago.Chief executive Michael Rousseau said the results for the three months ended March 31 beat out all expectations for a traditionally weaker quarter, and that he believes demand will persist amid strong advance bookings for the rest of the year. They hit $5.3 billion at the end of March, up from $4.1 billion a year earlier.“The winter and the start of the spring can be very challenging in North America, especially Canada. Apart from the weather disruptions that can affect all aspects of the air transport system, it usually com...

Jonas Brothers release new album, plan to prioritize mental health on upcoming tour

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:25:00 GMT

After two decades in the spotlight, the Jonas Brothers are still chasing butterflies.Joe, Kevin and Nick Jonas are releasing their sixth studio record “The Album” on Friday, before embarking on an U.S. tour in August. Nick says the band of brothers are putting themselves in new positions so they can feel “butterflies and excitement” before stepping onstage.One of those butterfly moments will come when the trio kicks off their tour at Yankee Stadium on Aug. 12.“It’s our favorite baseball team’s stadium for our entire lives,” Nick says. “We got to go and kind of go to a game and meet some of the players about a month ago. And we were just looking around, thinking the 10-year-old version of us that was sitting up in the highest nosebleed section seat would not believe that we’re going to play this place twice.”All three band members now have young families and Joe says this means the brothers are “quicker to return home” after touring. But that doesn’t mean that they are any less excit...

Woman found shot to death in 'suspicious' South Side house fire: fire officials

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:25:00 GMT

CHICAGO — A woman was found fatally shot in the head in a house fire in the city's Englewood neighborhood.According to Chicago Fire Department spokesman Larry Langford, investigators have determined the fire to be "suspicious."Police said officers on patrol came across a small fire on the side of a house in the 6400 block of South Damen around 12:45 a.m. Friday. Police then requested the help of the Chicago Fire Department.As emergency crews conducted a search, they discovered an unresponsive 32-year-old woman in the rear of the property with a gun shot wound in the back of the head.She was transported to the University of Chicago Medical Center where she was pronounced dead. Woman, 26, found shot in head on South Side No word on what may have caused the fire.No one is in custody. Area One detectives are investigating the incident as a homicide.

A new use for Malört — in the name of charity

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:25:00 GMT

CHICAGO — There is another unique product headed to the market that celebrates Chicago tradition while also helping a charitable organization. Ahead of National Crouton Day on Saturday, May 13, Kooshy Croutons is teaming up with Jeppson's Malört to produce "Chicago Handshake Croutons." The mix will be a Malört and beer flavored mix since the "Chicago Handshake" typically involves a shot of the liqueur along with an Old Style beer. Many offer this to people who are visiting the city for the first time. Those around Chicago and others from around the country who've tried often know the drink for its bitter and, for some, harsh taste. White Castle offering free hamburgers for ‘National Slider Day’ The croutons come in a beer can and are available to buy now for $30 on the company's website.While a unique product to sell, both companies announced that 100 percent of the proceeds from the sale of the croutons will go to the Greater Chicago Food Depository. That organization has provide...

Tom Skilling to 'switch on summer' and Buckingham Fountain

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:25:00 GMT

CHICAGO —Summer is almost here! And a sure sign that it's just around the corner is the annual switching on of the Buckingham Fountain in Chicago's Grant Park!Our very own Tom Skilling will once again be on hand to kick things off on Saturday May 13.ComEd and the Chicago Park District join Skilling in celebrating the start of summer with a free event that runs from noon to 3 p.m.You can take part in activities, live entertainment, fun giveaways, and other special guest appearances!More information at Switch on Summer's official site. https://www.facebook.com/TomSkilling/posts/pfbid0Nv8uVEikav2Fn3zX3UqLHzLDo2uxqjrU4s1S8o3ZW48Q24oanANwRRuqhtYXcYhzl

NASCAR making a few adjustments to Chicago races

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:25:00 GMT

CHICAGO — With a number of concerns raised over the last few months by those in the city, NASCAR is making a few changes to their first-ever street race in Chicago this summer.Per a spokesperson for NASCAR in Chicago, after 120 meetings with the city along with local businesses, organizations, and residents, some adjustments are being made to the initial plans for the event that will take place downtown on July 1 and 2. There are four main areas in which NASCAR has made changes for the Chicago Street Race: Access, Grant Park, sound, and schedule. Chicago announces street closures for NASCAR races AccessNASCAR has reduced a lot of the barrier installation schedule by "at least a week" from the initial timeline in an effort to reduce traffic disruption. There are efforts underway to make sure that pedestrian and vehicle traffic will have access to the Museum Campus.Grant ParkNASCAR has taken out part of the course's "footprint" so residents of the South Loop can access their dog and...

A folding phone and other big reveals at Google I/O 2023

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:25:00 GMT

BestReviews is reader-supported and may earn an affiliate commission. Details.A look at the newest Google devicesIN THIS ARTICLE:Google Pixel FoldGoogle Pixel Watch Google Pixel 7AYesterday, May 10, Google had its Google I/O keynote day, giving consumers a look at all the new devices and software upgrades it plans to release this year. We’re here to give you the highlights and our top product recommendations, including the latest Google products and some established customer favorites.Alongside other fascinating announcements, there are a handful of neat phones and other devices you can get right now or pre-order so you can have them as soon as they launch.The top Google products announced at Google I/O 2023Google announced plenty of exciting updates to many of its tools and software, but the ones that caught our eye are the newest phones and tablets. Many of the older-gen Google phones and devices are still worth it and will likely see a significant price cut as the newer prod...

Dallas Cowboys' 2023 schedule considered one of league's 'toughest'

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:25:00 GMT

FRISCO, Texas (Nexstar)-- The Dallas Cowboys 2023 schedule was released Thursday. Three preseason game dates and times were still listed as to be determined (TBD).“The schedule is headlined by six primetime slots, beginning with a Sunday Night Football matchup at MetLife Stadium against the New York Giants to open the season,” the Cowboys said in a press release.The Cowboys finished the previous regular season with a 12-5 record behind the eventual NFC champion Eagles in the NFC East. Dallas lost to San Francisco in the NFC divisional round of the playoffs. How does the NBA lottery work, and who has the best chance to draft Wembanyama? According to sportingnews.com, “Their 0.549 strength of schedule (based on opponents' 2022 finishes) is tied for third in the NFL.”Sports Illustrated also gave the Cowboys a 0.549 using methodology it called “far from perfect.”“But right now, it’s all we’ve got,” si.com said.The method is to simply add up all the wins and losses of last year's oppon...

Loons’ Dayne St. Clair shared key tip to help fellow goaltender Clint Irwin in Open Cup

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:25:00 GMT

Minnesota United starting goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair has been in enough penalty-kick situations to know last-second advice from teammates isn’t always welcome or useful.“One of the most annoying things is when players try to tell you something,” St. Clair admitted to the Pioneer Press this week.But St. Clair felt the need to chime in when Loons backup goalkeeper Clint Irwin entered the eighth round of penalty kicks in the U.S. Open Cup round of 32 match on Tuesday.“I was trying to be subtle,” St. Clair said. He shared with Irwin a belief that Philadelphia Union fullback Kai Wagner would shoot to Irwin’s left. Irwin listened, and when Wagner did exactly that, Irwin made the save to seal a 7-6 victory, which propelled MNUFC to the national tournament’s round of 16.Given the knockout nature of the Open Cup, Irwin had prepared for the possibility of PKs. He credited the club’s video analyst David Handgraaf and goalkeeping coach Stew Kerr for getting him ready beforehand as well as St. C...

Gophers men’s golf: Stillwater native Ben Warian’s work ethic has him in NCAA Regionals and looking for more

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:25:00 GMT

Gophers men’s golf coach Justin Smith aims to bring in players who are disciplined and purposeful in their pursuit of improvement.So Ben Warian was an obvious target when the Stillwater native was a high school player at Hill-Murray.“He was someone that would send me videos in the wintertime of hitting nerf balls in his house,” Smith said. “All the opportunities just to try to get better at a time of year where it’s easy for a lot of kids to put the clubs away and they just say, ‘Well, I’ll wait until the snow melts.’ He’s not like that, and he’s different, and he’s a really good different.”Ben WarianIt’s that work ethic and commitment that has powered Warian’s rise through the ranks. On Monday, the Gophers junior — currently ranked 131st in the country by Golf State — will open play in the NCAA Bath Regional in Michigan in pursuit of the regional’s lone individual qualifying spot to reach the NCAA Championships.Next month, Warian will play in a U.S. Open qualifier with a chance to ...