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Toronto Sun
13 hours ago
- Climate
- Toronto Sun
New York City's poor air quality set to worsen on Canada fire smoke
Wednesday's safety alerts are mostly linked to urban pollution Published Jun 04, 2025 • 1 minute read A man photographs the Manhattan city skyline during heavy smog brought by wildfire smoke from Canada, in New York on June 30, 2023. Photo by ED JONES / AFP via Getty Images) Wildfire smoke from blazes burning in the Canadian Prairies has drifted across New York, contributing to air-quality alerts that warn of breathing problems for children and older adults. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account Environmental agencies in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, New Hampshire and Maine issued safety advisories that are in effect from 11 a.m. local time Wednesday into late evening. The smoke is visible across the region as a high haze and has already blanketed the US Midwest, including Chicago and Minneapolis. Smoke from Canadian wildfires envelope the downtown skyline in Chicago on June 3. Photo by Scott Olson / Photographer: Scott Olson/Getty Wednesday's safety alerts are mostly linked to urban pollution, but the smoke will contribute to a dip in air quality in the Northeast, said Joe Wegman, a meteorologist at the US Weather Prediction Center. It's expected to remain visible in the sky until rain arrives later in the week, he added. In addition to the eastern US, the smoke from the fires has caused air quality to drop to unhealthy levels in parts of Saskatchewan and Alberta, where fires are burning, as well as in Wisconsin, according to Air quality in a wide area of the eastern US, as well as parts of Ontario and western Quebec, has dropped to moderate levels, according to the US government website, which also tracks data from Canada and Mexico. Canada's fires have shut down oil production and forced evacuations, although the threat has stabilized as rain slowed the growth of some blazes. Still, the wildfire season in Alberta province is shaping up to be one of the most active in recent years, threatening crude output. Columnists Crime Sunshine Girls Columnists Other Sports
Time of India
2 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Why the US needs international students to remain a global innovation leader
How visa restrictions and funding threats could harm US higher education. (AI Image) The role of international students in shaping the academic and economic success of the United States cannot be overstated. These students not only contribute billions to the US economy but also infuse its classrooms, laboratories, and communities with a diversity of perspectives that power innovation and global leadership. However, the recent actions by the Trump administration, ranging from visa restrictions to efforts to revoke Harvard University's ability to enroll international students, pose a serious threat to this dynamic. As reported by The Minnesota Star Tribune, the administration has also paused visa screening for international students and threatened Harvard's federal funding, including research grants from the National Institutes of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. International education fuels the US economy According to data cited by The Minnesota Star Tribune, the US Bureau of Economic Analysis revealed that in 2023, the country earned more from international educational services than from exports of natural gas and coal combined. This highlights higher education as one of the most valuable exports the US has, especially in the global knowledge economy. International students also play a critical financial role on campuses. At the University of Minnesota alone, 5,712 students from over 140 countries were enrolled across its five campuses in 2023, including 5,410 in the Twin Cities. At Minnesota State colleges and universities, 4,691 international students were part of a total enrollment of about 270,000, spread across 32 institutions. These students often pay the highest tuition rates, forming a core part of the institutions' financial models, as noted by The Minnesota Star Tribune. Beyond tuition: A cultural and academic asset The impact of international students extends far beyond economics. Scott Olson, Chancellor of Minnesota State, emphasized in The Minnesota Star Tribune that global students enrich the learning environment for American peers, offering diverse perspectives and broadening cultural understanding. Olson noted that international students who return home serve as ambassadors for the 'Minnesota way of life' and, more broadly, for American values. At private colleges like Macalester, where international students made up 15% of the student body in Fall 2023, their presence is deeply woven into campus life. President Suzanne M. Rivera stated in The Minnesota Star Tribune that these students bring different points of view and lived experiences that enrich classroom discussions and campus culture. Restrictive policies may fuel a global brain drain The chilling effect of federal hostility toward universities may extend beyond international students. As The Minnesota Star Tribune reported, Raj Singh, Vice Provost at the University of Minnesota, warned that if the US loses its reputation as a welcoming destination, both international and domestic students may start seeking opportunities in other countries. L. Rafael Reif, President Emeritus of MIT, captured the urgency in The Minnesota Star Tribune, warning that current policies could damage the innovation pipeline, leading to scientific stagnation. He urged the government to support university-based research and sensible immigration policies to maintain the US's competitive edge. If innovation is the future, international students are its foundation. And that foundation is now at risk. Ready to navigate global policies? Secure your overseas future. Get expert guidance now!
Business Mayor
26-05-2025
- Business
- Business Mayor
It's the last chance for Southwest plane tickets with two free checked bags, as policy ends in days
Passengers check in for Southwest Airlines flights at Chicago Midway International Airport on Feb. 18, 2025 in Chicago, Illinois. Scott Olson | Getty Images Set your alarm. Southwest Airlines customers have only one day to go before the company starts charging to check bags for the first time in more than half a century. Starting Wednesday, Southwest will end its blanket 'two bags fly free' policy. It was a perk that was sacrosanct among customers and the airlines' longtime executives alike, setting the airline apart from competitors. But baggage fees brought in nearly $7.3 billion for U.S. airlines last year, according to federal data, and Southwest executives who have long vowed to hold onto the policy have been under pressure to raise revenue. The airline hasn't yet said how much it will charge to check bags, but rivals generally charge about $35 or $40 for a first checked bag for domestic flights, though there are some exceptions. Along with starting to charge for checked bags, Southwest has announced major changes to its business model over the past year, like getting rid of open seating. The carrier is also debuting basic-economy tickets like those sold by Delta Air Lines , American Airlines and United Airlines on Wednesday. Here's what travelers should know about the end of free bags on Southwest: What is changing? Southwest will no longer offer two free checked bags with many tickets purchased on or after Wednesday. For tickets purchased before then, a Southwest spokesman said the carrier will honor the terms of those fares, like the two free checked bags. The fees will apply to its no-frills Basic, its Wanna Get Away Plus and its Anytime fares. Southwest announced the policy in March after months of pressure from activist Elliott Investment Management, which took a stake in the airline last year and won five board seats, pushing for major changes at the company like its free checked bags, changeable tickets and open seating. Are there exemptions? Yes. Travelers with top-tier status in Southwest's Rapid Rewards loyalty program will get two free checked bags, as will customers in the highest-level Business Select fares. Customers with a Southwest Airlines co-branded credit card and their travel companions booked together with the same card won't get charged for their first standard checked bag. A-List frequent flyer members, the second-highest tier in the loyalty program, will also get their first bag checked free of charge. New fare type: Basic Southwest on Wednesday will also start selling basic-economy tickets. With the new Basic fare, customers won't be able to make changes to their tickets, they'll be among the last customers to board and their fare credits will expire in six months, compared with 12 months for other ticket classes. In another change, the airline is ending its Wanna Get Away fare, which was the lowest tier ticket before the changes. What about assigned seats? Can Southwest handle it? Southwest executives have told staff that they expect passengers to carry on more luggage (those policies for free carry-ons aren't changing) and have said the airline is installing larger overhead bins on its Boeing fleet, which should help with an influx of carry-on bags. Executives have also said staff will get mobile bag-tag printers at gates and airport lobbies to assist customers. Are people mad? Southwest can hardly post on social media — even about babies and puppies on board — without getting angry comments about the changed baggage policy. But CEO Bob Jordan told CNBC last month that the policy change announcement the company made on March 11 hasn't deterred customers. 'We have seen no book-down on that day or after that day,' he said on 'Squawk on the Street' on April 24. READ SOURCE
Newsweek
26-05-2025
- Climate
- Newsweek
Memorial Day Travel Map: Severe Storms Hit 7 States
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Severe storms with large hail, damaging wind gusts, flooding downpours and a few tornados will complicate Memorial Day travel in parts of the Southern Plains, Mid-South and Tennessee Valley, a National Weather Service (NWS) forecast said. Why It Matters This year, the American Automobile Association (AAA) anticipated that more than 45 million people would travel at least 50 miles from home through Monday to celebrate Memorial Day. It was expected to set a Memorial Day weekend travel record. Severe weather could disrupt plans for travelers on Monday as meteorologists are forecasting thunderstorms across Texas, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Kansas, Missouri and Tennessee. What To Know As of Monday morning, numerous storm-related weather alerts were in place, including flood watches, flood warnings, severe thunderstorm warnings and flash flood warnings. "Multiple rounds of thunderstorms are forecast to impact portions of the Southern Plains, Mid-South, and Tennessee Valley through Memorial Day," an NWS forecast said on Monday morning. "Severe thunderstorms may produce large hail, severe wind gusts, and a few tornadoes. Excessive rainfall is also likely and may result in scattered to numerous instances of flash flooding." Floodwater runs across a roadway on April 6, 2025, near Salcedo, Missouri. Floodwater runs across a roadway on April 6, 2025, near Salcedo, Missouri. Scott Olson/Getty A tornado warning was issued earlier Monday morning in Shreveport, Louisiana. Heavy downpours were posing dangers across multiple states, with AccuWeather meteorologists saying that some areas could receive more than a foot of rain once the holiday weekend comes to a close. Some of the worst flooding is occurring in the Ozark Mountains, and earlier this weekend, some roads were forced to close in Springfield, Missouri. "Springfield received 2.68 inches of rain on Friday and Saturday. This ranks as the second highest rainfall amount for the two-day period of May 23-24," AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Chad Merrill said in the report. An AccuWeather rainfall map showed the hardest-hit areas through Monday night will likely be southeastern Kansas, eastern Oklahoma, the northern half of Arkansas and Southern Missouri, as well as far Western Tennessee. Downpours will continue across the heavily affected areas through Monday, worsening the flooding, Merrill said. Travel and outdoor plans in the worst-affected areas also are likely to be impacted. NWS guidance urges people not to drive on flooded roads, which could complicate travel plans. What People Are Saying NWS meteorologist Gary Chastelain, who works at the Shreveport, Louisiana, office, told Newsweek: "Most of the heavy rain we'll see is occurring now. During the early afternoon we'll get a nice break, and then another wave of activity will AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Chad Merrill, in a report: "Although northwestern Arkansas and northern Texas has not experienced the heaviest rain thus far, we expect pockets of heavy rain to expand across these areas through Monday." A flood watch issued by the Shreveport, Louisiana, NWS office: "Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood deaths occur in vehicles. Be aware of your surroundings and do not drive on flooded roads." What Happens Next Most flood watches will expire by Monday evening or Tuesday morning. The NWS said a slight risk of excessive rainfall is in place for parts of the Southern Plains, Lower Mississippi Valley, Southeast and Ohio Valley on Tuesday.
Newsweek
26-05-2025
- Business
- Newsweek
McDonald's Closes Restaurants, Scraps Starbucks Rival
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. McDonald's has announced it is closing its CosMc's restaurants, which had been described as an attempt to rival Starbucks, with "CosMc's-inspired flavors" instead being deployed to conventional McDonald's sites as part of an "upcoming U.S. beverage test." Newsweek contacted McDonald's for comment on Monday via email outside of regular office hours. Why It Matters McDonald's announced it was launching standalone CosMc sites, named after a McDonaldland alien mascot, in 2023 with restaurants planned in Illinois and Texas. CosMc focused heavily on hot and cold drinks in a move the BBC suggested was aimed at competing in the "fast-coffee space" with companies such as Starbucks and Dunkin' Donuts. Closing its CosMc sites suggests McDonald's has failed to build a competitive rival to these big hitters in the beverage market, though the company insists it will be applying lessons learned to its other restaurants. Image of a CosMc's restaurant provided by McDonald's. Image of a CosMc's restaurant provided by McDonald's. McDonald's What To Know In a statement released on May 23, McDonald's said that from late June it would be "closing all standalone pilot CosMc's locations on a rolling basis and discontinuing the CosMc's app." However, the company also said that, "building on the insights" it gained from the CosMc pilot, "CosMc's-inspired flavors will be landing at McDonald's as part of the upcoming U.S. beverage test." According to ABC News, McDonald's ended up opening eight CosMc's restaurants or drive-through sites, one near its Chicago headquarters and the other seven in Texas, with an initial plan to open 10 in the Lone Star State. However only five of the CosMc's branches were still open when Friday's announcement was made. The locations focused heavily on drinks such as churro frappé and boba drinks, with a smaller selection of food including McDonald's classics like the McFlurry and McMuffin. However, the launch in December 2023 coincided with a boycott campaign targeted at McDonald's after a franchise in Israel said it would donate meals to the Israel Defense Forces following the October 7 2023 Hamas attacks. A sign towers over a McDonald's restaurant on May 13, 2025 in Chicago, Illinois. A sign towers over a McDonald's restaurant on May 13, 2025 in Chicago, Illinois. Scott Olson/GETTY What People Are Saying In its statement, McDonald's said: "What started as a belief that McDonald's had the right to win in the fast-growing beverage space quickly came to life as a multi-location, small format, beverage-focused concept. It allowed us to test new, bold flavors and different technologies and processes without impacting the existing McDonald's experience for customers and crew. On X, formerly Twitter, David Henkes, a food and beverage industry expert, wrote: "Some of the least surprising news, particularly since they're now rolling many of the innovations into the broad McD system. But that's what an innovation incubator is for." What Happens Next The remaining CosMc's restaurants will now close down. It remains to be seen how many of their products will be introduced to mainstream McDonald's branches as part of the company's upcoming "beverage test." Earlier this month, McDonald's announced it was seeking to recruit "up to 375,000 restaurant employees" across the United States over the summer of 2025.
