Want a paws-itive outlook on life? Get a cat. A new study reveals a surprising twist in the feline world: having more cats around might boost a country’s happiness — unless those kitties are carrying a cat-astrophic parasite. The 93-country investigation uncovered a bizarre contradiction: nations with higher cat densities report overall higher happiness levels, … Read more
Napa Valley has lost a true icon with the passing of Tom Rinaldi — a winemaker whose career spanned five legendary decades. As Duckhorn’s founding winemaker, Rinaldi, 77, devoted 22 years to building its enduring legacy. At a time when merlot was mostly used in blends, he crafted the first Three Palms Merlot, catapulting Duckhorn … Read more
United is offering two new direct flights to two exciting Japanese destinations from Los Angeles and San Francisco as part of the largest global expansion in the airline’s 100-year history. From March 2027, United will offer daily direct flights from Los Angeles LAX to Osaka, the first time an American airline has served the route. … Read more
It’s not all about short-legged speed when 150 corgis gather for an international race celebrating the little dogs. There’s a costume parade, the “smartest nose,” and — of course — the loudest bark. The fifth Corgi Race Vilnius drew dogs and their owners to the Lithuanian capital’s Vingis park on Saturday for what organizers said was the … Read more
It was the Sunday before Christmas, 1975, and Vienna was covered by a foot of snow. Just before 11:30a.m., six strangers stepped off a red tram outside the headquarters of OPEC, the world’s most powerful oil cartel, “their long coats and heavy bags casting dark shadows against the snow,” writes Joby Warrick in his new … Read more
They’re getting a leg up on the job. Businessmen, executives and finance bros are spicing up their clothes this summer, ditching stuffy slacks in the workplace for breezy, leisurely shorts to beat the heat. Unfortunately, while guys on the grind are enjoying the airy wardrobe swap, gals grossed out by their body hair desperately want the fashion … Read more
California might not have the world’s friendliest servers, but it did come top among towns in the US. At least that was the verdict rendered by the experts at business insurance firm Money Super Market, who compiled a survey to determine which places have the “friendliest customer service.” A customer pictured at a bodega in … Read more
We’re not “king of the hill, top of the heap” when it comes to customer service. New York might not have the world’s friendliest servers, but it did crack the top five among towns in the US. At least that was the verdict rendered by the experts at business insurance firm Money Super Market, who … Read more
Only one domestic airline is flying high in this worldwide ranking. The 2026 Airline Passenger Experience Association (APEX) awards have been announced, recognizing top-performing carriers for exceptional customer care, and only one based in the US, Delta, made the list of Best Global airlines, specifically for top Wi-Fi. The service is offered free across 1,200 … Read more
This is how America’s cheapest gas retailer keeps its Cost-co so low. With Middle East tensions sending gas prices surging, shoppers have turned to an albeit inconvenient source for a low-cost refill — Costco. The Big Box store’s discount fueling stations, where gas on average runs 30 cents cheaper than the local diesel dispenser, have … Read more
The land of the free — and the home of the brave face. America has a lot of things going for it: Unrivaled military strength, extensive technological innovation and a persistent entrepreneurial spirit are just a few. But ahead of the 250th anniversary of its independence, the US is showing its age. America only placed 18th … Read more
Amid the ongoing conflict in Iran and surging fuel costs, your vacation could increase in price even after you’ve paid or be canceled outright. Oil prices have risen more than 40% since Operation Epic Fury got underway on Feb. 28. Fuel routes have also been disrupted, and airlines and cruise ships alike are adapting by increasing prices, … Read more
It’s a melting pot of eats. Since its founding in 2015, the Queens Night Market has evolved into one of the most acclaimed, varied and affordable food festivals in the world. This year, a virtual U.N. of new vendors is cooking up an array of tantalizing grub, including succulent Egyptian lamb chops, moist banana bread … Read more
Get ready, fashionistas — the US is about to get seriously more stylish. The British retailer Marks & Spencer is returning to America for a second try in a partnership with Nordstrom in an attempt to win over the US fashion-forward. This will also be the first time the posh yet accessible English brand will … Read more
Netflix is planning a “KPop Demon Hunters” world tour, as it looks to capitalize on its most popular movie, a source familiar with the talks said Wednesday. “KPop Demon Hunters” won the Oscar for best animated feature on Sunday, capping a record-breaking run after becoming Netflix’s most-watched film ever on its 2025 debut. The movie’s song, “Golden,” took … Read more
Travelers are spreading drug-resistant gonorrhea at alarming rates, prompting calls to embed sexual health advice into all stages of the Australian travel pathway. New The University of Queensland research points to unprecedented levels of international travel sparking heightened sexually transmitted infection cases. The researchers point to the natural growing trend of more people in the … Read more
A recent report is shining a light on popular destinations considered the “worst” for tourists to visit because they fall short of the hype they’ve received over the years. Analysts looked at more than 100 tourist attractions around the world and came up with a list of the “worst” destinations that “underwhelm visitors despite their global … Read more
At the Rockefeller Center rink, people’s patience is skating on thin ice. New York’s most beloved holiday destination is also the world’s most overcrowded, according to a new study sure to bother Big Apple natives notoriously defensive of their city. Holafly, an e-SIM provider, analyzed TripAdvisor reviews across November, December and January, scouring reviews for … Read more
The American dream has turned into a nightmare — for travelers. With the holiday travel season ahead, travel insurance provider Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection has named the safest nations in the world for 2026, finding that the Netherlands topped the list when it came to tourist security. Meanwhile, the US was left off the compendium … Read more
Chronic kidney disease has been named the ninth leading cause of global death. Record numbers of men and women are currently estimated to have reduced kidney function, according to new research following a study published in the journal The Lancet. Researchers at NYU Langone Health, the University of Glasgow, and the Institute for Health Metrics … Read more