Life
He quit a job in engineering to travel and work on yachts. Here’s how much he earns now
Hugo Ortega, an American, had a well-paying job as an engineer and a long-term girlfriend. But he wasn’t happy, he said. “I didn’t like the job that I had. I didn’t like the degree that I had just finished doing,” he said. “I was starting to feel kind of weighed down by a lot of […]
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Netflix’s ‘KPop Demon Hunters’ seemingly smashed the box office. Here’s why it’s likely a one-off
And that’s “How It’s Done.” Netflix capitalized on its chart-topping “KPop Demon Hunters” over the weekend with a two-day theatrical release of its new sing-along version. Box office analysts spent much of Sunday trying to determine exactly how well the animated feature performed, relying on anonymous executives from rival studios and scraped data from ticket […]
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The secret to Labubus’ success? China’s ‘blind box’ craze
Labubu toys packaging are seen at a souvenir store in Krakow, Poland on August 21, 2025. Jakub Porzycki | Nurphoto | Getty Images Even Confucius is getting in on China’s “blind box” craze. At the main temple in Beijing to China’s greatest sage, the souvenir shops sell a range of “blind boxes,” gifts packaged in […]
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Airline bookings haven’t moved with the times. That’s about to change
In June, my children and I flew from Singapore to Texas to visit family. Several weeks later, we met up with my husband in New York City. Then I flew, solo, back to Asia, later followed by my husband. Eventually the kids returned with a set of grandparents in tow. All in, our summer trip […]
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The summer box office sizzled, but brace for a cooldown until November
Movie stills from Disney’s “Lilo & Stitch” and “Fantastic Four” and Warner Bros. Discovery’s “Superman.” Courtesy: Disney | 20th Century Studios | Marvel Studios | Warner Bros. Discovery Superheroes, dinosaurs and a genetically altered alien dog helped propel the summer box office haul above 2024 levels, but that momentum is about to stall. Heading into […]
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Spirit Airlines is on shakier ground after avoiding hard decisions in bankruptcy
Spirit Airlines baggage tags are seen near a check-in counter at the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport on April 10, 2024 in Austin, Texas. Brandon Bell | Getty Images In March, Spirit Airlines came out of bankruptcy protection in less than four months and entered a worsening landscape. Consumers were holding off booking flights and U.S. planes […]
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Fewer people are drinking — and that’s changing how they travel
Peter Shankman, an American, said he looked forward to free drinks when he flew business class for work. The entrepreneur would have a drink, then a few more, sleep, then land. All was well, he said. Until it wasn’t. “Eventually, I realized that I wasn’t fine,” he said. “I was tired, cranky … [it] wasn’t […]
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Claire’s sells most of its North American business after filing for bankruptcy
Jewelry is displayed at a Claire’s store on June 23, 2025 in Novato, California. Justin Sullivan | Getty Images Claire’s announced Wednesday that it is selling most of its North American business to private equity firm Ames Watson, just weeks after the jewelry retailer declared bankruptcy. The companies did not disclose any financial details of […]
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Alaska Airlines launches $395 credit card in premium travel race, combines loyalty program with Hawaiian
An Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 MAX 9 departs Los Angeles International Airport en route to Puerto Vallarta on Sept. 19, 2024. Kevin Carter | Getty Images Alaska Airlines is getting into the industry’s race for high-end credit cards and creating a combined frequent flyer program, called Atmos, with Hawaiian Airlines, which it acquired last year. […]
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‘Stranger Things’ creators, the Duffer Brothers, ink 4-year deal with Paramount Skydance
Matt Duffer and Ross Duffer attend “Stranger Things” and Award Presentation To The Duffer Brothers (Variety Showrunner Award) during Day 1 of the 13th SCAD TVfest on February 05, 2025 in Atlanta, Georgia. Paras Griffin | Getty Images Entertainment | Getty Images The masterminds behind the hit Netflix series “Stranger Things” have inked a new […]
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