Money News

What life is like in the world’s happiest country, from a 28-year-old who left the U.S. for Finland

Entrepreneur, content creator and U.S. expat Jade Ventoniemi shares why she loves living in Finland, the world's happiest country.

The best new camping and glampsites around the UK, from festival vibes to no-frills meadows

Festival vibe, Bedfordshire Wild Canvas, one of the recent wave of pop-up campsites with a festival vibe, has a host of new additions for its fifth outing this summer. The campsite makes the most of its riverside setting on the Turvey House Estate near Bedford. It has a new wellness area, the Nest, with direct river access (BYO paddleboard!) plus a yoga yurt, a mobile sauna, a treatment tent for massages and free early-morning activities from...

Disneyland Character Workers Vote to Unionize With Actors' Equity

Another union is coming to Disneyland. On Saturday, a majority of the amusement park’s character workers voted to unionize with Actors’ Equity Association in a National Labor Relations Board vote, ushering more employees at Disneyland into the union fold. Nine hundred and fifty-three workers voted “yes” to join Equity, while 258 voted “no.” The parties […]

Dead Olive Ridley sea turtle found in Quezon

LUCENA CITY — An Olive Ridley sea turtle (Lepidochelys olivacea), locally known as “pawikan,” was found dead along the coast of Tayabas Bay in Agdangan, Quezon on Friday, May 17. “The marine turtle had wounds around the neck area, signs of another victim of stationary fish traps sunk into the bottom of the bay,” Jay Lim, project officer of Tanggol Kalikasan (TK), a public interest law office that advocates environmental protection, posted on his...

Sam Verzosa, Miss Universe PH, Aqua Boracay hold medical mission for Ati community

Despite the vibrant tourism and economic growth on Boracay Island, the Ati community, the original nurturers of the land, often find themselves overlooked. In the episode of Dear SV, hosted by Sam “SV” Verzosa, the spotlight was turned on the challenges facing the Ati community, and the efforts being made to uplift them. Sister Elvie Oliamot, a dedicated missionary from Cebu, has been caring for the Ati community for nearly five years. Nestled...

First crewed flight of Boeing Starliner postponed again

WASHINGTON, United States — The first crewed launch of Boeing’s Starliner to the International Space Station has been delayed again due to a technical issue, NASA said Friday. The launch in Florida was scheduled for Tuesday but NASA said it is now planned for May 25 to allow teams to further assess a helium leak linked to the service module, which sits on top of the rocket. Earlier this month, a Starliner launch was postponed just hours before...

Costco price hike: Popular items see unexpected jumps in cost

Costco's multinational chain of membership-only stores have increased some prices, like for olive oil and gas, while its $1.50 hot dog-soda combo is unchanged for the time being.

Monthlong World Cocktail Day celebration

May is a truly festive month. Aside from Labor Day, May the 4th Be With You, Cinco de Mayo, and my gorgeous sister Goldee’s birthday on the 30th, we also celebrated World Cocktail Day last May 13. Of course the hotel industry would not allow World Cocktail Day to be celebrated for just a day. So Admiral Hotel—along with MGallery bars around the world—is celebrating World Cocktail Day for a whole month or until June 13th! Admiral Hotel is a...

California's new 'Honest Pricing Law' will require cruise lines to be transparent about fees

California's "Honest Pricing Law" makes it illegal to advertise prices for goods or services that don't include all the required fees or charges.

What happens when councils take control of buses?

More people are using buses in Reading where they are publicly-owned - will others towns follow?

Crowds turn out for Peterborough Celebrates festival

Organisers and visitors hail the two-day Peterborough Celebrates a success.

See How Much the Average American Is Spending on Memorial Day Weekend 2024

Is it possible to keep Memorial Day celebrations within a $100 budget this year? For Americans planning to celebrate the upcoming holiday weekend, the answer is yes according to a May 2024...

Luxent Hotel says farewell to summer with staycation deals

SUMMER may be winding down, but the deals at Luxent Hotel are just heating up. Don't miss the chance to experience luxurious comfort and exciting amenities before the season ends. For a limited time only, book a stay and make the most of the perks. Start the day with an International Buffet breakfast for two and savor delectable dishes at all Luxent Hotel's dining outlets with a special 10-percent discount. Take a dip and soak up the city views...

IndiGo to Vistara: Why airlines continue to face challenges

While new airports are coming up fast and passenger traffic is scaling all-time high levels, flight cancellations and delays continue to affect travellers…

The Grande Dames of country music

Virgin Trains targets West Coast in return to rail

Virgin Group has applied for a licence to run trains on the route it lost to Avanti in 2019.

Redemption of the Macabebes

MACABEBE, PAMPANGA, Philippines — When the ancestors of this coastal town are bluntly tagged “traitors” or subtly branded as “dugong-aso” (loyal to a fault) for choosing to side with colonial rulers, or blamed for the capture of President Emilio Aguinaldo and fall of the First Philippine Republic, Vice Mayor Vince Flores takes time to explain the “unjust labeling.” So when the National Historical Commission of the Philippines recently installed...

Businesses demand water company 'bear full cost' of Brixham poisoning

Seaside B&Bs and self-catering cottages in the south Devon town are facing a wave of cancellations from holidaymakers fearful of exposing their families to the parasite.

From 2024, you have to pay to travel to the United Kingdom

Burnouts and boggings: the idyllic Queensland island ‘hammered’ by four-wheel-drives

Jacqui Fitzgerald bought her home in the seaside village of Woorim two years ago, seeking a peaceful lifestyle. She soon discovered it would be anything but. Fitzgerald is on the frontline of Bribie Island’s rapid growth in tourism. Her home borders the entrance to the national park and four-wheel drive beach on the southern tip of the island just north of Brisbane. Cameras outside her home have captured some of the dangerous behaviour over the...

PAL sets sights on India flights

MANILA, Philippines — Flag carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL) is exploring the possibility of launching direct flights to India to capture the emerging demand for connections to South Asia. PAL president and chief operating officer Stanley Ng told reporters the airline is considering to mount Manila flights to India as soon as it gets out of the supply crunch that it is dealing with. The carrier aims to snare the Philippine demand for South Asian...

The greatest discoveries and advancements in the history of astronomy

For as long as humans have walked the Earth, the great endless sky and the countless stars that fill it have left us in a state of awe-inspired wonderment. Similarly, the study and exploration of space have been a priority for humankind for millennia. From the ancient Assyrians and Greeks, to the greatest minds of the Renaissance, and up to the billionaire space explorers of the 21st century, incredible amounts of time and effort have gone into better understanding our celestial surroundings. And yet, despite all of the great strides that have been made to understand the great beyond, it's estimated that 95% of the universe is still undiscovered. Click through the gallery to learn about some of the greatest discoveries of astronomy and our universe.

9 Best backpacks for your summer 2024 travels, festivals and for days out with friends

With festivals and holidays on the horizon, backpacks are the perfect hands-free item to help keep your belongings safe - here are some of our favourites on the high street currently...

Swiss village bids to introduce Venice-style entry fee for tourists

Lauterbrunnen in the Bernese Oberland has seen a surge in tourism in the warmer months, with some visitors only staying for a day and contributing little to the economy.

Disneyland performers in California to join union

ANAHEIM, California – Disneyland performers who help bring Mickey Mouse, Cinderella and other beloved characters to life at the Southern California resort chose to unionize following a three-day vote culminating on Saturday (Sunday in Manila). The Actors' Equity Association labor union said in a statement Saturday that cast members for the parades and characters departments at Disney's theme parks near Los Angeles voted by a wide margin for the...

Palace declares special holidays

MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang has declared May 21 a special non-working day in Malabon City for the commemoration of its 425th founding anniversary. It also declared May 30 a special non-working day in Escalante City, Negros Occidental for the celebration of the Manlambus Festival. The declaration of special holidays in the cities of Malabon and Escalante were specified in Proclamations 548 and 549, both signed by Executive Secretary Lucas...

Beyond weddings: Celebrations at the Marco 2024 embrace all milestones

Marking its 18th anniversary, Marco Polo Plaza Cebu hosts its signature event, “Celebrations at the Marco,” in the hotel’s majestic grand ballroom. This unique event brings together over 40 trusted event suppliers for a two-day extravaganza from May 18 to 19, 2024, offering a one-of-a-kind experience for all attendees. We thought that everybody in life has to celebrate something. In the past, it was always like a wedding fair, and I think we...

Heading north? Here are 5 food places to visit when in La Union

Going on a trip to La Union soon? Aside from its well-loved tourist attractions, the province is also home to a variety of must-try restaurants. From refreshing drinks to fulfilling meals, here are some food places you should check out. —JCB, GMA Integrated News This article Heading north? Here are 5 food places to visit when in La Union was originally published in GMA News Online.

Ang See: Tougher visa rules for Chinese not right solution

Tightening visa rules for Chinese tourists will not stop the influx of undesirable visitors if immigration officers can be bribed anyway, civic leader Teresita Ang See said on Thursday. “We already have a proper visa application process in place in our consular and embassy office abroad. That system ain’t broke,” said Ang See, a longtime anticrime crusader from the Filipino-Chinese community. “Instead, the problem lies with our bureaucrats here...

What is There to Do in Switzerland?

This might just be your sign to go ahead and finally tick one of the world’s most beautiful countries off your travel bucket list.

Russia just discovered the world’s largest oil reserve

The most dangerous (and the safest) countries for female travelers

In an attempt to determine which countries are the most dangerous for female travelers, husband and wife journalists Asher and Lyric Fergusson studied and ranked the 50 most popular countries amongst tourists. The data was compiled using sources ranging from the 2018 Gallup World Poll to Equal Measures 2030's Gender Advocates Data Hub. The Fergusson's Women’s Danger Index ranked each country based on eight factors: street safety for women, intentional homicide of women, non-partner sexual violence, intimate partner sexual violence, legal discrimination, global gender gap, gender inequality index, and violence against women attitudes. Using these metrics, their list of the 20 most dangerous countries for women emerges. Intrigued? Take a look at their findings by clicking through the following gallery.

Castle tearoom to reopen after nearly two years

The council admitted the search for new operators had not been 'as quick as we would have liked'.

This sweet family legacy is now 29 years old

Spotted in cities across Nueva Ecija and Pampanga, Edna's Cakeland is a sweet spot, a place where the smell freshly baked bread and the sight of beautifully decorated cakes evoke a sense of warmth and nostalgia. Edna’s Cakeland CEO Anna Gonzales (rightmost) opens the bakery’s newest branch together with her partner Justin Cuyugan and her parents and Edna’s Cakeland founders Edna and Herminio Gonzales (center). The family-owned bakery is...

15 Tips for You to Surf Through Thailand’s Songkran Festival

Thailand, known for its beautiful beaches, delicious food, rich culture, and friendly people, has one festivity that draws tourists from all over the world—Songkran. Also known as Thai New Year, it is the country’s most vibrant and energetic festival, celebrated annually from April 13 to 15. It is a festival mixed with tradition, merrymaking, and

Jeff Bezos' 3 private jets are worth $140 million and include 2 Gulfstream G650ERs alongside a hangar in Seattle

Jeff Bezos owns a hangar and three private jets worth over $100 million. The smallest is registered to a firm specializing in privacy enhancement.

Two Tickets to Greece review – a holiday you may want to cut short

The closest of schoolfriends in 1989, despite their wildly contrasting personalities, risk-averse introvert Blandine (Olivia Côte) and gobby showoff Magalie (Laure Calamy) fell out spectacularly (full details are hazy, but it involved a boy) and lost touch. Now, thanks to the adult son of Blandine, who worries that his divorced mother is in danger of closing herself off from the world, the pair are reunited and find themselves embarking on the...

American town torn apart in 400-year dispute over historic landmark

A 400-year-old dam in Ipswich, Massachusetts is causing a stir in a small town with a long history.

Credit Cards in the Philippines with Airport Lounge Access

Does your credit card have airport lounge access?

Cruise stomach bug issue not new, passengers say

People who travelled on previous Ventura cruises say the company is "downplaying" the situation.

How wild swimming puts you at risk of a raft of waterborne diseases

It sounded like good news for wild swimmers. Last week, 27 new river bathing sites were added to the map of the UK's coastal and inland waterways deemed safe for use.

WHEN IN SIQUIJOR (1): Cambugahay Falls

CEBU CITY, Philippines –Siquijor is an island province located in Central Visayas, Philippines. In the early years, it was associated and made more famous or infamous – depending on which side of the fence you’re in – with dark rituals such ‘barang’ ‘lumay’ ‘patawas’ and other mystic activities. Over the years, however, visitors discovered a wealth of natural treasures on the island. Siquijor in the past, therefore, is more misunderstood than...

The Best Luggage of 2024 Worth Investing In Before Jetting Off

Remember how hard it was to roll the creaking wheels of your old luggage through the entire airport during spring vacay? Don't suffer through that again; instead, invest in these high-quality pieces.

Entering the Banksy Universe

Before it even opened to the public, "The Banksy Universe | Manila 2024" gained attention online after it was announced that the exhibit of the elusive street artist Banksy at the Metropolitan Museum of Manila (The M) was unauthorized. ‘Armored Dove of Peace’ (left) and ‘Flower Thrower’ ‘Girl with Ballon’ is one of the many recreated works, prints and paintings of Banksy now on view at ‘The Banksy Universe | Manila 2024.’ The exhibit is brought...

The beauty of spring around the world

Springtime is here. It's an underrated season, with clear skies, blooming flowers, and that exciting buildup to summer. Why not get pumped for the season by seeing just how sensational spring looks like around the world? Click on to see the beauty of spring across the globe.

The world's top places to visit in 2024

The holiday season brings with it thoughts of travel, a Christmas vacation perhaps, or somewhere memorable to chime in the New Year. But where in the world are the coolest, hotly-tipped places to visit in 2024? Click through and check out these top destinations, referenced by Travel + Leisure as the most popular places to go in 2024.

French town apologises for not flying Union Jack in D-Day decorations

Pictures from previous years show flag bunting depicting all the nations involved in the Allied resistance to the Nazis adorning the streets of the charming town of Carentan.

Vatican tightens Church rules for probing the ‘supernatural’

VATICAN CITY — The Vatican sharpened its rules for investigating supernatural events such as visions of Christ or the Virgin Mary, acknowledging on Friday that overactive imaginations and outright “lying” risked harming the faithful. The new norms allow for a more “prudent” interpretation of events that generally avoids declaring them outright a supernatural event. They were published by the Holy See’s powerful Dicastery for the Doctrine of the...

Mountain song: PHL Pavilion brings the aura of Banahaw to the Biennale

VENICE, Italy — Well, I stand up next to a mountain… Contemporary art often does not reveal itself on first meeting, much like an enigmatic lover. Usually, a conceptual piece or space is felt first before it is even understood. If you go around the Philippine Pavilion’s current exhibition titled “Sa kabila ng tabing lamang sa panahong ito/Waiting just behind the curtain of this age” (curated by Carlos Quijon Jr., featuring artworks by Mark...

Russia showcases food products in Harbin

HARBIN, China – The rich aroma of coffee brought visitors to a corner of the eighth China-Russia Expo exhibition area in northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, where Russian cream cakes are on display in the cake bar of the Alyonka Cafe. "It is the first cafe that we opened on China's mainland, where consumers are already familiar with the Alyonka chocolate brand," said Evgeny Bazhov, general manager of United Confectionery (Uniconf) China...