News

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.

Fears for English Bridge Workshop arts group

There are fears a Shrewsbury arts centre building could be sold instead of being given to community.

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

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.

Cruise stomach bug issue not new, passengers say

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

Photos: three European Capitals of Culture to explore in 2024

Why Iceland is a top travel destination

Iceland is the land of fire and ice, a geothermal wilderness of glaciers, volcanoes, and waterfalls. Exploring this rugged environment is to leave behind civilization and discover an untamed landscape seemingly shaped by the gods themselves. Browse the gallery and enter a world of extremes.

South of France, but not as we know it: exploring Nîmes and the Gard

The director of a newly refurbished boutique hotel in the old town of Nîmes tells me he has gained and lost a star recently. The hotel’s restaurant, Rouge, run by Benin-born chef Georgiana Viou, recently won its first Michelin star. But the hotel itself, the Margaret Chouleur, has been downgraded from a five-star to just four. Here’s the interesting thing: it was the hotel that did the downgrading. The top-level rating was putting people off, so...

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.

LIST: Philippine destinations ideal for first-time solo travelers

Do you think traveling alone equates to loneliness or independence? Actress Loisa Andalio recently said that she doesn’t understand why people would choose to travel alone, as she prefers to travel with loved ones. Often accompanied by her boyfriend Ronnie Alonte, Loisa said that she could never envision herself traveling solo. “Basta ini-enjoy lan...

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.

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...

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

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...

Museum appeals for post-war music treasures

Curators are putting together a collection to celebrate Swindon’s popular music culture.

Indoor market to host late night events

Visitors can attend the events across four Saturdays between June and September.

Departing Manila flights could be delayed due to potential software problem

Air travelers departing Manila can expect flight delays as the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) on Monday said it identified a potential problem with the software of the Air Traffic Management Center (ATMC). In an advisory, CAAP said the potential problem was identified during the regular monitoring, and chose to implement longer separation of departing flights from Manila but also impacting traffic coming into the area. “To...

A Comprehensive Guide to the UnionBank Miles+ Program

Get the most out of your cards.

The world's most spectacular astronomical observatories

Located in some of the most remote places on the planet, astronomical observatories aren't the easiest places to reach. Furthermore, many are set at altitudes thousands of meters above sea level. Yep, stargazing is an out-of-the-way science for most of us. But if you're curious, there's another way of reaching for the stars. Browse this gallery and take a stellar tour of some of the best spots on Earth to observe the night sky.

First look at new 50p coin marking 80th anniversary of D-Day landings

A new coin marking 80 years since the D-Day landings has been unveiled by the Royal Mint, and to mark the occasion an impressive sand artwork was revealed on Gold beach, where troops landed in 1944.

Spitfire Women: Blue plaque unveiled for WW2 pilot

Freydis Sharland was also British Air Racing Champion and a trailblazer for women in aviation.

Beyond Machu Picchu and Cancun: Latin American wonders for a dream vacation

Beer festival says cheers to 50 years

The festival in Cambridge started in 1974 and is expected to attract about 40,000 visitors.

Airbnb hosts are bracing for an unpredictable summer

To beat the competition, short-term-rental owners are turning to direct bookings and influencer stays to lure guests and make money off summer travel.

The future NAIA

A world-class Ninoy Aquino International Airport is soon to become a reality following the takeover of the airport by the San Miguel Corp.-led consortium by Sept. 14 this year, according to Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista. In an interview before he had to leave for Singapore Friday night to accompany his wife for a medical check-up, Secretary Bautista gave the assurance that the takeover would proceed as scheduled by September, even as...

Entering the US with a visitor visa

WELCOME to the USA? YOU may not be aware, but after your interview with the officer at the port of entry, getting your luggage from the carousel, and passing the exit doors to meet or greet relatives or friends waiting for you in the US, you have been processed by one of three agencies under the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) handling immigration matters. Yes, you have just been processed by the Bureau of Customs and Border Protection...

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...

Ryanair annual profit jumps on higher demand, fares

Irish no-frills carrier Ryanair on Monday said group net profit jumped a third to 1.92 billion euros in its financial year as higher demand and fares offset ballooning fuel costs. This helped offset a fuel bill up around a third to 5.1 billion euros.

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...

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.

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…

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...

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.

What happens when councils take control of buses?

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

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...

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.

Ryanair profits jump by more than a third

Ryanair profits jump by more than a third - The group reported a 34% rise in profits after tax to 1.92 billion euros (£1.64 billion) for the year to the end of March.

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...

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.

Cities with impressive beaches on their doorstep

Are you looking for a city break with a beach thrown in? Cities featuring nearby beaches offer visitors the best of both worlds. You can soak up the culture and the sun. And when it's hot and dry, what better than to hop off the sidewalk and onto to the sand? Click through this list of cities located around the world that have beaches on their doorstep.

Blue Origin flies thrill seekers to space, including oldest astronaut

WASHINGTON, D.C. — After a nearly two-year hiatus, Blue Origin flew adventurers to space on Sunday, including a former Air Force pilot who was denied the chance to be the United States' first Black astronaut decades ago. It was the first crewed launch for the enterprise owned and founded by Amazon billionaire Jeff Bezos since a rocket mishap in 2022 left rival Virgin Galactic as the sole operator in the fledgling suborbital tourism market. Six...

Singapore Opens Automated Arrival Lanes to All Foreigners

This move further streamlines airport processes.

Hidden gem in the heart of an Aussie city will give you a serene break

Nestled within the walls are a set of picturesque yet cosy suites and a wellness space so peaceful you can feel tension quite literally melt from your muscles...

Going cash-lite for more agile travels

Some people spend their weekends or long breaks curled up in their beds, reading a new book off the shelf or watching a cozy film while nestled under a warm blanket. But 28-year-old Mef Marzan has other plans. During her much-awaited time off from work, she travels to places that provide her comfort and leave her in awe, a stark contrast to her buzzing life as a manager and communications professional. “Nothing comes close to being transported...

How the Luneta inspired US capital—and other PH links to Washington

WASHINGTON, DC — Unknown to many, a picturesque national park in Washington, DC that features the iconic Tidal Basin and is widely known for its cherry blossom trees was inspired by Luneta Park in Manila. US first lady Helen Taft, who had lived in the Philippines while her husband William Howard Taft Luneta Park was civilian governor general in the Philippines, wanted to have a public space in DC similar to Luneta where people could meet for...

Lancaster veteran said simulator 'even smells right'

A simulator cockpit for a Lancaster bomber has been created at the Spitfire and Hurricane Museum.

A beginner's guide to backpacking in the wilderness

Imagine trekking through the wilderness only carrying a backpack. Whether solo or accompanied, backpacking can be an exciting adventure! But before you lace up your boots and pitch the tent, it’s important to truly prepare. From knowing what to pack to how to dress and even what to do in case of an emergency, you should come ready for anything and everything. Curious to learn how to start your backpacking journey? Click through to find out more.

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.

Pavia, Iloilo hosts 2024 Youth Forum on Heritage on May 20-22

The 2024 Youth Forum on Heritage (YFH) will be held May 20 to 22 in Pavia, Iloilo, as part of the National Heritage Month celebrations. This year’s theme, “Heritage: Capacity Building to Transform Communities,” underscores the importance of cultural heritage in community development. The forum is a partnership between the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) and Filipino Heritage Festival, Inc. (FHFI), which has spearheaded NHM...

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.