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Workers returning to the office, and the skies

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 16:53:30 GMT

DALLAS — First came the leisure travelers. Now, prepare for business travelers to make flying and vacationing even more crowded than it already is.Southwest Airlines and other carriers are taking a harder look at business travel efforts, as the global industry expects to surpass its pre-pandemic levels of spending to $1.4 trillion in 2024.According to the Global Business Travel Association’s Business Travel Index Outlook report released last week, spending will continue to accelerate to $1.8 trillion by 2027. In 2022, global business travel spending rose 47% to $1.03 trillion, as pent-up demand accelerated the travel recovery and more workers returned to the office. Business travelers, a group carriers have been trying to woo throughout the pandemic, are often some of the big spenders at airlines when it comes to upgrades, perks and last-minute, expensive flights. They’re a key demographic airlines can tap into to make some extra money.“We can cautiously say that we are through the ...

Take up a new fling with Disc Golf at Smuggler’s Notch in Vt.

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 16:53:30 GMT

It’s one of the hottest sports you’re only just hearing of, and enthusiasts are flocking to play.You don’t have to be a pro to do well, but if you have the chops, you can find solid competition. And a newbie can play an easy match side-by-side with an expert.It’s Disc Golf, the newest hot sport in town. And as the Professional Disc Golf Association (PDGA) comes to New England’s own Smuggler’s Notch Resort (https://www.smuggs.com) Aug. 30- Sept. 3, this may just be the right time and place to try it out.Smuggler’s Notch, in Jeffersonville, Vermont, has long been known as a hot spot for family fun in just about every season. But in recent years, they’ve quietly built two disc golf courses and programs around them.Today, Smuggs is home to two of the top-rated disc golf courses in the world. Smugg’s Brewster Ridge is ranked number 4 in the world and Fox Run Meadows is number 7, based on player votes gathered by UDisc.It’s where 300 of the best disc golfers in the world will ...

Iain De Caestecker wears the crown in ‘The Winter King’

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 16:53:30 GMT

The King Arthur story gets an elaborate, epic retelling with Sunday’s MGM+ series “The Winter King.”Set in the 5th century Dark Ages, this “King” is based on Bernard Cornwell’s fantastical source novels and stars Scotland’s Iain De Caestecker as Arthur Pendragon.“There’s been lots of different iterations of the legend of King Arthur. What is it about this version that can be cool and unique? And fresh?” De Caestecker, 35, asked himself initially.  “As I got into the story I could instantly see that not only is it a much more human, grounded version of what we’ve seen in the Arthurian legend before, it also starts with much more of Arthur’s origin story than what we’ve seen.”Arthur is introduced dismissively as “The son of a whore.”“Yes, when we first meet him he’s been living under the weight of being the bastard son of the King. He spent his childhood being rejected by his father. Ultimately, he is banished by his father — unjustly and unfairly from th...

Buoys of Summer singer breaks down what’s yacht, what’s not

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 16:53:30 GMT

For all the sailing, pina coladas and making love in the dunes of the Cape, yacht rock is a deeply divisive genre. Casually mention that you think Steely Dan isn’t yacht rock, or that Sade is, at a party and someone is libel to knock your captain’s cap to the deck and kick it overboard.One thing that’s not up for debate: Buoys of Summer are Boston’s best nautical-themed cover band.With Buoys set to set sail at the Sinclair on Aug. 25, we asked the band’s singer and bassist, Davina Yannetty, to get controversial with the yacht rock catalog and grade a few standards. She didn’t flinch, offering up what is yacht and what is not, what is perfect and what belongs trapped at the bottom of the sea in Davy Jones’s locker.“Rosanna,” TOTOGrade A-Pros: The groove is, if you’ll pardon my use of jazzer slang, totally cookin’. The drums, the piano, the bass – you can’t beat ‘em!Cons: It’s an absolute workout to play! This is, famously, the song I used to audition every member of the group. I figu...

What makes Vegas the ‘Wedding Capital of the World’

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 16:53:30 GMT

Las Vegas’ proud title as the “Wedding Capital of the World” has been fortified by a rich history — and more than five million nuptials.Locals, but more often tourists, tie the knot here in traditional ceremonies, while some, for example, have Elvis impersonators oversee their nuptials.Themed affairs or not, the city’s wedding chapels have been instrumental in keeping the Las Vegas wedding destination reputation afloat.“With more than five million ‘I do’s’ and counting, each year Las Vegas conducts more destination weddings than any other place on the planet,” according to Clark County’s marriage bureau. “For well over 70 years a ‘Vegas wedding’ has captured the public imagination as the ultimate quick, stress-free, fun, glamourous wedding destination.”For the upcoming 70th anniversary since the London Daily Herald first declared the city the “Wedding Capital of the World” on Sept. 23, 1953, Clark County that month is planning a mass vow renewal ceremony at Caesars Palace.The Las Ve...

Iancu & Kappos: Replacing patents with prizes bad for patients

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 16:53:30 GMT

With any luck, Congress will soon reauthorize the Pandemic All-Hazards and Preparedness Act, or PAHPA, a crucial component of the U.S. response to biosecurity threats. As it does so, however, Congress should not replace the free market system for innovation with a centralized big government management scheme.PAHPA funds the programs and institutions that fight public health emergencies. Current authorization expires at the end of September, which means time is of the essence to shore up this critical tool against biohazards.The Senate health committee, led by Senator Bernie Sanders, recently passed its version of the bill, moving it closer to a floor vote. But unfortunately, Sanders tacked on a provision that could blow up U.S. leadership in healthcare innovation.Instead of using patents to reward and encourage invention — as the U.S. has done with stunning success for over 200 years — Sanders wants the government to offer prize money.As former directors of the U.S. Pate...

Patriots Mac Jones, Matthew Slater react to Isaiah Bolden injury in suspended game

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 16:53:30 GMT

Patriots quarterback Mac Jones indicated the team received an encouraging update on injured cornerback Isaiah Bolden after he was immobilized and carted off late in Saturday’s preseason game at Green Bay.“Definitely one of my brothers, but sounds like he’s doing a lot better from what they’re telling us,” Jones said. “So, that’s awesome.”Bolden was injured upon colliding with teammate Calvin Munson in the fourth quarter. He remained on the ground for several minutes and was eventually taken away on a stretcher. The Patriots released an update on Bolden’s status roughly a half-hour later.Related ArticlesNew England Patriots | Bill Belichick’s call suspending play among Matthew Slater’s ‘proudest moments’ with Patriots New England Patriots | Bill Belichick praises NFL for suspending Patriots-Packers game after Isaiah Bolden injury New England Patriots | Patriots release stateme...

Mom threatens to make scene if ex attends wedding

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 16:53:30 GMT

Q. My second husband, Miguel, and I are divorced, and I am getting married again. Although we never had kids together, he is the only father figure my son from my first marriage has known, and he is also good friends with my fiancé. My son and my fiancé would both like Miguel to attend the wedding. I’m OK with it, but my mother will never forgive how he treated me (he cheated), and she has threatened to make a scene if he attends. What’s good ex-etiquette?A. As the bride, the final guest list is up to you, especially if your son and fiancé are asking to invite this man, who continues to act as a father figure to your son.Plus, it appears your fiancé has cultivated such a good friendship with him that he genuinely wants to invite him to his wedding. That’s quite a statement.Your mother is reacting from a place of pain. She saw your hurt as you navigated through the pain of your divorce. Because she has not forgiven the pain he caused you, she is holding a grudge in your name.Good ex-...

Bill Belichick’s call suspending play among Matthew Slater’s ‘proudest moments’ with Patriots

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 16:53:30 GMT

Patriots head coach Bill Belichick displayed his leadership after rookie cornerback Isaiah Bolden was carted off the field on a back board by meeting with Packers head coach Matt LaFleur and agreeing to suspend play of Saturday night’s preseason game.Special teams captain Matthew Slater called it one of his “proudest moments” of playing under Belichick since 2008.“I really appreciate what Coach Belichick did tonight,” Slater said. “He took the initiative on (suspending play). This is not the AFC Championship. We’re not playing for records. It’s preseason Game 2. When you have an injury like that, it affects a lot of guys in a lot of different ways. Clearly our team was shaken by what happened. And I think Coach made the right decision. That was tremendous leadership by him.“That was one of the proudest moments I’ve had as a guy who’s played for him for now 16 years to see wha the did. There was no hesitation. I appreciate Coach LaFleur, as well, for standing with him on that. ...

Senior lab’s breathing is noisy & raspy

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 16:53:30 GMT

Dear Dr. John,My Labrador Retriever just turned 14 and has been healthy for the most part, but he takes a thyroid supplement. He recently developed what sounded like a respiratory cough with some lethargy. I took him to an emergency facility that suggested he had kennel cough, and they gave me some cough medication. With no improvement, I brought him to a local veterinarian, and they ran all kinds of tests including x-rays and a tracheal wash. What they found was some kind of bacteria as well as a weak larynx.What can be done for this? They gave me some medications but not much has changed. They called it larpar and discussed possible therapeutic options also noting that not much usually works. What could have caused this and is it painful for him? It sounds like he struggles when he’s breathing a good deal of the time. S.D.Dear S.D.,Larpar is a shortened term for laryngeal paralysis. Male dogs seem to have this more than females. This is caused by a neuromuscular disease that is of...