Lifestyle
From seaweed burgers to ‘upcycled’ potato chips, the high-end food industry is going ‘nature positive’
Nibs, etc. granola on sale at U.K. grocery store Waitrose. Waitrose Wasted food is a big problem. More than 1 billion tonnes was thrown away in 2022 by households, retailers and food service companies, according to figures published by the U.N.’s Environment Program in 2024. It’s expensive too: The World Bank estimated that lost or […]
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Here’s why Americans still love McMansions
The 1980s launched a style of homes that came to be known as “McMansions.” These types of homes have often been criticized for their size, craftsmanship and architectural design. They also developed a reputation for being a bad investment. This is because despite their often luxurious appearance, they are typically built using cheap or mass-produced […]
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How does an island with high prices and few beaches attract tourists? Singapore lays out a plan
Inexpensive hotels and swaying palm trees have long attracted travelers to Southeast Asia, but Singapore is doubling down on a different strategy — focusing on increasing tourism receipts instead of traveler arrivals. Officials on Friday outlined a plan to increase tourism revenue in the city-state from a record-breaking $29.8 million in 2024 to $47 million-$50 […]
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Is it safe to travel to Thailand right now? Thai officials say yes
The Tourism Authority of Thailand is expecting that country’s upcoming Songkran festival will generate more tourism revenue than it did last year, despite projections that the March 28 earthquake has dampened tourist arrivals to the kingdom. The 7.7-magnitude earthquake, which epicentered in neighboring Myanmar, caused a building under construction near Bangkok’s famous Chatuchak market to […]
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The most powerful passports of 2025 — a new country tops the list
Ireland has the strongest passport in the world, according to the Nomad Passport Index 2025. It’s the first time that the northern European country has held the solo No. 1 spot in the annual ranking from Nomad Capitalist, a tax and immigration consultancy. Ireland did, however, come close in 2020, when it tied for the […]
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International visitors pour into Japan — to the delight and dismay of its ski towns
In spring, they come for the cherry blossoms. In fall, for the foliage tours. Now, more travelers are booking winter trips to Japan, as the country’s reputation as a world-class skiing destination continues to lure visitors from Asia-Pacific and beyond. Foreign visitors to Japan rose 33% this past winter from pre-pandemic levels. Some 10.5 million […]
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‘The White Lotus’ girls’ trip is a disaster—these 3 red flags mean yours might be, too
In its third and most-viewed season, “The White Lotus” follows the nuanced and toxic dynamic that often plays out when friends take vacations together. The HBO series’ large cast of characters includes three middle-aged women taking a trip to recapture the magic of their childhood bonds, only to discover that they don’t have much in […]
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How Salt Lake City transformed into one of the hottest housing and job markets in the U.S.
Salt Lake City has become a thriving metropolis with a booming population and plenty of job opportunities in banking and tech. Many residents, like former Gov. Michael Leavitt, point to the 2002 Winter Olympics as the catalyst for the city’s transformation. “A lot of good things came together at the right time. We had a […]
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Stephen Curry teams up with Michelle Obama to launch sports drink
Plezi Nutrition, the public benefit company co-founded by Michelle Obama, has created a new sports drink with Stephen Curry. Four-time NBA champion Stephen Curry is teaming up with former first lady Michelle Obama to release a healthier sports drink option. Curry and Obama on Wednesday announced the launch of Plezi Hydration, through Obama’s public benefit […]
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Why it suddenly feels like every fast-food restaurant has fun, flavored drinks
Chick-fil-A pineapple dragonfruit beverages. Courtesy: Chick-fil-A Fast-food chains are going all in on fun beverages to attract younger consumers. Chick-fil-A, known for its straightforward menu of fried chicken and waffle fries, is selling seasonal Pineapple Dragonfruit drinks. Yum Brands’ Taco Bell installed a beverage concept called Live Mas Café inside one of its California locations. […]
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