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Qatar Airways CEO will step down after nearly 3 decades leading carrier

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 11:18:48 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — Qatar Airways Group chief executive Akbar Al Baker is stepping down after 27 years leading the company.Al Baker’s retirement will go into effect Nov. 5, Qatar Airways said Monday. He will be succeeded by Badr Mohammed Al-Meer — who currently serves as the chief operating officer of Hamad International Airport in Doha, the hub of Qatar’s national carrier.In Monday’s announcement, Qatar Airways said that it “has grown to become one of the most recognisable and trusted brands globally” under Al Baker’s leadership. The company pointed to seven “World’s Best Airline” wins, among other allocates.During his tenure at Qatar Airways, Al Baker became known for being one of the most outspoken leaders in the airline industry — with a hard-changing, sometimes confrontational approach that carried into negotiations with manufacturers and others.Al Baker has also made some controversial comments over his career — including suggesting that women can’t r...

Movie Review: A holiday movie with some bite in Alexander Payne’s ‘The Holdovers’

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 11:18:48 GMT

Alexander Payne brings audiences to a New England boarding school in 1970 in “ The Holdovers,” a textured, nostalgic and often funny piece about three lonely and mismatched souls stuck together over Christmas break. It’s a keeper and possibly even destined to become a classic.The holiday movie genre is suspect — even the most well-intentioned entries can be too saccharine, too wistful, too “Lifetime.” But Payne, working with a sharp script written by David Hemingston, keeps “The Holdovers” grounded and real. Even absent your own memories of smoking indoors or handsewn outerwear, this is the kind of thoughtful, precisely constructed movie where you can almost taste the cigarette smoke and feel your fingers numbing through drafty wool mittens.With its knowingly retro production titles starting the film, “The Holdovers” lets you settle in and submit to something that could very well have been made in the time it was set, which was one of Payne’s goals. Similarly, the recurring Da...

Man killed in crash involving semi on I-55

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 11:18:48 GMT

CHICAGO — A man was killed in a crash on the Stevenson Expressway involving a semi-truck early Monday morning.The accident happened on I-55 between Harlem Avenue and Central Avenue around 2:06 a.m.According to Illinois State Police, troopers responded to the scene of the two-vehicle crash involving a semi and a Honda HR-V. ISP said the Honda rear-ended the semi.The driver of the Honda, a 31-year-old man from Summit, was pronounced dead on the scene. The man's identity has not yet been released.Preliminary information indicates that speed was a contributing factor.All outbound lanes were closed for an investigation at Central Avenue for nearly six hours Monday morning. 12-year-old boy killed in shooting on South Side; $15K reward offered for info leading to arrest No further details have been provided at this time.

Monday Forecast: Temps in mid 60s with chance of showers

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 11:18:48 GMT

CHICAGO — Mostly cloudy Monday with isolated showers possible. Wind: S 5-15 G25. High: 63. Interactive Radar: Track showers and storms here Partly cloudy tonight with isolated showers. Winds: SSW 10-15 G25. Low: 56.Tuesday Forecast: Mostly sunny, increasing clouds, 20% shower late day, SSW 15-20 G35. Low: 76.Full forecast details and more at the WGN Weather Center blog

Blink-182 announces US concert dates for 'One More Time Tour'

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 11:18:48 GMT

(NEXSTAR/WCMH) – Just days after the release of their latest album, Blink-182 has announced plans to exhibit their shenanigans to an even greater audience of pop-punk enthusiasts across North America – including some Midwest stops.The group, which had just wrapped the 2023 leg of their current world tour, has announced 30 additional dates for summer 2024 on what they’re now calling the “One More Time Tour.”The newly added concert dates, all but one of which are located within the U.S., have been scheduled for June, July and August, after the band wraps up its stops in Australia, South America and Mexico.Blink-182 will be supported by California-based band Pierce the Veil at the newly announced dates, according to the tour announcement. Best and worst states for securing concert tickets As of Monday morning, Blink-182’s “One More Time Tour” had announced the following scheduled stops:June 20 – Amway Center, Orlando, FloridaJune 21 – Kaseya Center, Miami, FloridaJune 24 – Frost Bank...

MedWatch Digest: Childbirth costs are rising — and more

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 11:18:48 GMT

For Monday, Oct. 23, WGN’s Dina Bair has new medical information, including: More Coverage: WGN's Medical Watch Telehealth pancreatic cancer trialA first-of-its-kind clinical trial will use telehealth to study pancreatic cancer. The trial by the Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center involves people with a genetic trait called fibroblast growth factor receptors (FGFRs). FGFRs can mutate, causing cancers to proliferate and invade other body parts. Ohio State researchers are creating drugs that target the gene mutation. For this study, an oral pill will be shipped to patients' homes and all follow-up will be done through telehealth. Researchers say the remote follow-up allows the study to be open to more people nationwide. Roseland Community Hospital launches mobile mammography serviceOn Monday, Roseland Community Hospital launched a mobile mammography service on the Far South Side. Hospital officials say it will provide the same features as mammography units inside hospi...

Daily rain chances continue

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 11:18:48 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Showers and thunderstorms moved into Caldwell and Hays Counties before 4:30 this morning. There was also light rain on the west side of Mason County. These are the first showers and thunderstorms that will affect Central Texas this week.Moisture from former Hurricane Norma has been moving into our area to combine with surface moisture from the Gulf to saturate the atmosphere. This morning's map also shows an upper-level low over California that will move to the Baja Peninsula then head to Texas. This will keep rain/thunderstorms chances from tomorrow into the weekend.Updated projected rain totals Most of the thunderstorms will remain below severe criteria but the Storm Prediction Center does have Gillespie, Llano, Mason, and San Saba Counties in a Marginal Risk for severe storms on Wednesday.Most thunderstorms should remain below severe limitsThe Weather Prediction has Mason and San Saba Counties under a Marginal Risk for flash flooding on Wednesday.Marginal flash f...

Sheriff's office: 29-year-old man killed in Wells Branch shooting overnight

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 11:18:48 GMT

Editor’s note: The above video shows KXAN Live’s top morning headlines for Monday, Oct. 23, 2023.TRAVIS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) -- The Travis County Sheriff's Office is investigating after a 29-year-old died in the Wells Branch area overnight Sunday into Monday morning. Just before midnight Sunday night, a TCSO patrol deputy was flagged down by a man parked on the roadway in the 1700 block of Wells Branch Parkway and directed to the victim, who had multiple gunshot wounds, in the backseat of a car, according to a release from TCSO. The victim was transported to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead. This is the same area where a woman was found dead last month. The woman's brother was arrested in connection to her death. TCSO arrests suspect accused of killing sister in Wells Branch The man who flagged down the deputy was taken into custody while the investigation continues. According to TCSO, he and the victim knew each other. TCSO said in the release evidence suggests th...

How are Austin and Cruise working to track incidents involving driverless vehicles?

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 11:18:48 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Amid a growing number of autonomous vehicles operating in the Texas capital, Cruise officials spoke with Austin's downtown commission last week on the company's continued rollout of driverless vehicle technology and issues flagged from members of the public regarding issues with the AVs.Yariel Diaz, senior government affairs manager for Cruise, told the commission Oct. 18 company and city officials meet roughly once a month via Austin's Autonomous Vehicles Safety Task Force to discuss concerns the city has received from residents, public safety personnel and other officials, as well as to brainstorm solutions on best practices moving forward. PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Driverless cars improve emergency vehicle detection, Austin first responders develop AV training for crews Some of the data collected and shared between the two entities include incident reports the city has received involving Cruise vehicles, map extensions to the AVs' coverage scope, increases in Cruise's ...

Austin business thanks APD for increased police presence downtown

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 11:18:48 GMT

Editor’s note: The above video shows KXAN Live’s top morning headlines for Monday, Oct. 23, 2023.AUSTIN (KXAN)— A downtown business that's been a victim of crime more than once in downtown Austin and the Downtown Alliance hosted a lunch Monday to thank Austin Police Department officers. Royal Blue Grocery said it has noticed a difference since APD increased patrol efforts downtown."Following a meeting with the Downtown Alliance in September, APD implemented a special downtown safety initiative by designating several additional officers to focus on areas with violent crime, drug transactions and public order problems downtown," Downtown Alliance said in a press release. "Since the additional law enforcement presence began, downtown business owners and security personnel have noted a marked improvement and visible difference in the area’s safety."The group said that's why it decided it wanted to throw a block-style lunch to show their gratitude. It'll be from noon to 1 p.m. at 600 S. ...