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A success story about passion and hard work

For a guy who’s made his fortune in the wine and booze business, Anthony von Mandl has an amazingly sobering success story about passion and hard work.

Majority of Manitoba business owners optimistic despite cost pressures

Nearly four in 10 Manitoba businesses expected to increase their prices amid a period of higher interest rates, continued inflation and cutbacks in consumer spending, new Canadian Chamber of Commerce data found.

Opponents hope for end to Pickering airport debate

After decades of protests against a long-standing proposal to build an airport in Pickering, Ont., opponents of the project are optimistic it will soon be abandoned for good.

Those hopes hinge on two recent developments: a Pickering council vote declaring a lack of support for an airport and a suggestion from the federal government that a newly-announced study could ultimately conclude that an airport on the Pickering Lands "is not required in the long term."

Those who support the airport argue, however, that it would provide a "rare opportunity" to boost the region's economy and attract investments.

The federal government's final decision on the proposal will follow results of a Transport Canada study on airport capacity needs in southern Ontario, announced in April.

New this week: Jonas Brothers, Muppets, Bennifer and ‘Air’

Here’s a collection curated by The Associated Press’ entertainment journalists of what’s arriving on TV, streaming services and music and video game platforms this week.

NEW MOVIES TO STREAM

— After successfully doing the rounds in theaters, “Air” is finally making its debut on Prime Video on Friday, May 12. The film, directed by Ben Affleck and written by Alex Convery, tells the origin story of the Air Jordan sneaker and how Nike’s then-struggling basketball department defied the odds and signed rookie Michael Jordan in an unprecedented deal. It’s the first time Affleck has directed his pal Matt Damon, who plays Nike executive Sonny Vaccaro, and it’s the first film from their joint company Artists Equity. They brought in a starry cast, including Viola Davis as Michael Jordan’s mother, Deloris, as well as Jason Bateman, Chris Tucker, Chris Messina and Marlon Wayans, and it has been widely praised for its well-told story — smart, adult and solidly entertaining.

— Or you can watch Affleck’s better half, Jennifer Lopez, in her new movie “The Mother,” about an assassin who comes out of hiding to protect a 12-year-old daughter she hasn’t seen for years. Unlike her recent action rom-com “Shotgun Wedding,” this is a more straightforward action thriller. “The Mother” was directed by Niki Caro (“Mulan,” “Whale Rider”) and co-stars Joseph Fiennes, Lucy Paez, Omari Hardwick, Paul Raci and Gael García Bernal. It hits Netflix on Friday, May 12.

S&P/TSX composite gains more than 300 points

TORONTO - Canada's main stock index gained more than 300 points to end the week as strength in the energy, base metal and technology sectors helped lead a broad-based rally, while U.S. markets also climbed higher.

The S&P/TSX composite index closed up 303.84 points at 20,542.03.

In New York, the Dow Jones industrial average was up 546.64 points at 33,674.38.The S&P 500 index was up 75.03 points at 4,136.25, while the Nasdaq composite was up 269.01 points, or more than two per cent, at 12,235.41.

U.S. regional banks helped lead the rally south of the border, which spilled over into Canada, said Tamsin Wilding, fixed income analyst at Leith Wheeler.

Over-the-counter birth control pill faces FDA questions

WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. health regulators are weighing the first-ever request to make a birth control pill available without a prescription.

But in an initial review posted Friday, the Food and Drug Administration raised numerous concerns about drugmaker Perrigo’s application to sell its decades-old pill over the counter.

The FDA cited problems with the reliability of some of the company’s data on the drug, Opill, and questioned whether women with certain other medical conditions would correctly opt out of taking it. The agency also noted signs that study participants had trouble understanding the labeling instructions.

Advisers to the FDA meet next week to review drugmaker Perrigo's application. The two-day public meeting is one of the last steps before a final FDA decision.