Lifestyle

Batik Air Suspends Istanbul Flights Amid Middle East Tensions

The airline cites operational restrictions and safety concerns as the primary reasons for this decision.

‘A water world teeming with wildlife’: readers’ favourite national parks in Europe

Suddenly the Polish sky was filled with cranes One of the most incredible bird scenes in Europe took place as I hiked through the Bielawa nature reserve in northern Poland, about 40 miles north of Gdansk. I had left the village of Sławoszyno via a dirt track and was heading towards Kłanino, the open countryside and fields disappearing from my sight as the hedgerows grew taller either side of me. As I stepped forward, a gap appeared in the hedge...

Female crew aim to be first trio to row Pacific Ocean non-stop and unsupported

An all-female team hopes to become the first trio to row 8,000 miles across the Pacific Ocean non-stop and unsupported to "inspire young people to feel that anything is possible". Miriam Payne, 24, Lottie Hopkinson-Woolley, also 24, and Jess Rowe, 27, aim to break three records with their feat, which will see them spend up to six months at sea. The team, named Seas The Day, hopes to become the youngest group to row across the Pacific Ocean, as well as the first trio to take on the challenge non-stop and unsupported.

Fire breaks out at 'The Shining' hotel: Oregon's historic lodge burns

An inferno broke out inside of the historic Timberline Lodge in Oregon late on Thursday, the hotel and ski resort was made famous in 1980 as the setting for horror classic The Shining.

Big Foot, the Loch Ness monster, and the Bermuda Triangle: mysterious legends we love

US envoy to UN visits Nagasaki A-bomb museum, pays tribute to victims

TOKYO (AP) — The American envoy to the United Nations called Friday for countries armed with atomic weapons to pursue nuclear disarmament as she visited the atomic bomb museum in Nagasaki, Japan. Linda Thomas-Greenfield, who became the first U.S. cabinet member to visit Nagasaki, stressed the importance of dialogue and diplomacy amid a growing nuclear threat in the region. “We must continue to work together to create an environment for nuclear...

The Best Podcasts to Listen to Right Now

Tune in on your way to work, while you're running, before bed or on a road trip.

5 Places in Florida Where Home Prices Are Still Cheap

Florida has long been known as a popular retirement destination, offering warm weather, beautiful beaches and relatively affordable housing. Home prices have risen substantially in recent years,...

22 Adults-Only Resorts for a Well-Deserved Vacation

These romantic retreats have everything you need—except children.

Perak welcomes investors to boost hotel sector and tourism, says exco man

IPOH: Perak needs more hotels that are of high standard and encourages investment in such establishments, says tourism committee chairman Loh Sze Yee. Read full story

The least free countries in the world

The amount of freedom experienced in a given country is not approached the same way across the globe. The Cato Institute in Washington, D.C. and the Fraser Institute in Vancouver, Canada, co-publish the annual Human Freedom Index Report, which observes the relationship between freedom and other social and economic phenomena. Personal freedom might be described as our ability to voice our opinion, equality experienced before the courts, and the ease of travel to/from a country. Economic freedom is the ability of people in that country to do well, without the need for government assistance or an economic authority. To calculate the final Human Freedom score, personal freedom and economic freedom are measured and combined, then compared to the scores of other countries. The nations in this gallery scored the lowest on the Human Freedom score, compared to countries in the rest of the world. Click on to discover which countries made this regrettable 'top' 30.

It's Official: We Found the 40 Prettiest Flowers in the World

How many of these breathtaking beauties do you recognize? As is often the case with beautiful things, we've given flowers meaning—so much so that even looking at one can make you feel more alive. A plain red rose has become a romantic expression of love and sunny daffodils represent the rebirth of the planet every spring. Of course, because they're plants, we also use them in more practical ways: Silky flower petals have been crushed and distilled into essential oils and perfumes for centuries, and we've figured out how to eat some of them and make tea with select leaves, stalks, and blooms. But to put it simply, the joy of admiring a gorgeous, colorful flower is unmatched. (Though we should note that some are best admired from afar because of toxicity.) Not to mention, no two flowers are exactly the same. Some rise out of the water to bloom while others sprout vines that go where they want…permanently decorating the side of your house. Even low bushes can produce incredible blossoms, like giant peonies, and if you've ever sat under a cherry blossom tree with a cool breeze blowing tiny petals around you, you know how magnificent flowering trees can be. A person who loves flowers is called an "anthophile," and if this describes you, you'll probably recognize most—if not all—of the flowers below. Rare or common, bright or soft, simple or complex, these beautiful flowers from around the world are certainly sights to behold.

'We've never seen anything like this': Dubai Airports CEO expects normal service within 24 hours after flood chaos

Dubai Airports CEO said he expects services to return "close to normality" soon as the major transit hub deals with the fallout from unprecedented flooding.

Travellers set to be banned from Australia's largest lake

Visitors will no longer be able to set foot on one of Australia's premier tourist destinations under a proposed plan to protect its cultural significance for traditional owners.

Truro's award-winning hedgehogs set for a makeover

After five years on the Trafalgar roundabout, the four wooden creations are to be repaired.

40 Things That Didn't Exist 40 Years Ago

The world really was a different place back then.

These Stunning Treehouse Hotels Let You Totally Relax

Goodbye, cell phone beeps. Hello, birdcalls.

One of three stolen masterpieces from Oxford University returned

After a four-year hunt, the Baroque painting has been recovered from an art dealer in Bucharest, Romania who is believed to have sold off the other two paintings without realising they were stolen.

The most dangerous sports in the world

Sinkhole appears in woodland popular with walkers

A dog walker came across the hole in Northumberland woodland, which is possibly linked to old mines.

Celebrate spring with Great Wisteria Festival 2024 at Japan’s Ashikaga Flower Park

Spring in Japan is the most picturesque season, with flowers achieving their full blooms and draping nature in hues of soft colours. While Japan is synonymous with cherry blossoms, other gorgeous flowers, like the spectacular purple wisteria, have gained world recognition! To witness this flower at its best, Ashikaga Flower Park is the place to be, as it’s hosting its annual Great Wisteria Festival 2024. Ashikaga Flower Park in Japan’s Tochigi...

Harbour Town is one of the tour’s low-profile gems—and this par 3 embodies Pete Dye’s genius

The lowcountry of the Carolinas and Georgia—a sultry region of stoic live oaks, dank pine-tree jungles and sunbaked stretches of intracoastal marsh—is one of the country’s most distinctive environments. Located primarily on remote and difficult to access barrier islands, the lowcountry remained almost entirely unexplored by residential and resort d...

The 28 Best Westerns of All Time

Saddle up for a trip to Hollywood's version of the Wild West.

Intriguing and unknown facts about Air Force One

If you're curious about the lives of American presidents, then Air Force One has a plethora of fascinating facts waiting to be explored. To uncover everything you never knew about the White House in the sky, fasten your seatbelt and keep your seat upright. Don't miss out on the opportunity to delve into the intriguing world of Air Force One and its role in American history. Click through the gallery to get started.

13 Nostalgic Photos of Vintage Amusement Parks

What a thrill.

Promenade restrictions in place for building works

Parking is suspended on a stretch of Port St Mary promenade for a year to allow for building works.

20 Hobbies Only the Rich Can Afford

While those of us with average incomes might take the canoe out on the weekends, rich people leave port in luxury yachts. And while some of us spend time snuggling our Labrador retrievers, others...

Anti-war artwork 'looks like a crime scene', city dwellers say

Locals have been left unimpressed by the 'This is not a Minefield' display, which features a white sheet of decorated with red tape and images of a skull and bones, in Winchester, Hampshire.

Foreigners visiting China tripled in first quarter of 2024

China's National Immigration Administration said on April 18 that the country recorded 13.074 million foreigners entering and exiting the country in the first quarter of 2024, which was a threefold increase year-on-year. WATCH MORE: https://thestartv.com/c/news SUBSCRIBE: https://cutt.ly/TheStar LIKE: https://fb.com/TheStarOnline

Flight attendant reveals passengers' 'GREEN flags' that tell her if a person is 'really cool'... so, do YOU qualify?

Destanie Armstrong, a popular TikTok flight attendant from Philadelphia, took to the platform to share the top passenger behaviors that make them decent people in her book.

Passengers willing to wait hours to catch next flight out from KK

Passengers at Kota Kinabalu International Airport are willing to wait for hours to catch the next flight out as some airlines have resumed operations following the volcanic eruption of Mount Ruang in Sulawesi, Indonesia. Read more at https://tinyurl.com/5y6n4c9h WATCH MORE: https://thestartv.com/c/newsSUBSCRIBE: https://cutt.ly/TheStarLIKE: https://fb.com/TheStarOnline

Iran's Aviation Authority announced removal of flight restrictions

Iran's Aviation Authority has announced the removal of all flight restrictions from the Imam Khomeini International Airport and the Mehrabad International Airport in Tehran, Maariv reported citing Iranian media. Restrictions were initially put in place due to the Israeli strike on Iranian territory. This is a developing story.

The Art of Putting On Airs

In the 21st century, you are who you pretend to be. It’s a world Tom Ripley was made for.

Prehistoric animals that still roam the Earth

A plane used to fly VIPs like King Charles made an emergency landing after windowpanes fell off

Windowpanes fell off the Titan Airways Airbus aircraft during flight while it was on its way to Florida.

8 Things to Know Before Visiting Belize

Find out these must-know tips for a great time in Belize.

Canary Islands beg Brits to spend their holidays - and cash - there despite anti-tourism protests

British holidaymakers have reportedly been calling hotels in Tenerife to ask if they will be safe amid a series of mass protests planned across the islands by activists

15 Countries Worth Visiting for an Epic Drive

Whether it's the awesome roads, incredible terrain, or lax driving laws, plan your next road trip with this guide to our international favorite driving spots.

10 of the Most Unique Museums In the United States

Add these one-of-a-kind destinations to your travel bucket list.

The Best Solo Travel Destinations in the United States for an Unforgettable Adventure

Whether you're looking for nonstop activity or total relaxation. While traveling with friends and family can be a lot of fun, going somewhere alone has its perks. You get to choose everything — the destination, the hotel, the itinerary, the restaurants, how much money you spend and beyond. Only one opinion matters...yours. It's also a great way to push yourself out of your comfort zone, meet new people (if you so choose), unplug, rejuvenate and bask in moments of reflection — or even just escape reality for a few days. Whether you're planning your first adventure on your own or are a solo travel veteran, choosing a destination can be overwhelming, especially if you still have a lot of places to check off your bucket list. The good news is, you don't have to go far for the adventure or relaxation you crave, because there are plenty of options across the U.S. Weighing variables such as walkability, safety, self care opportunities, number of historic sites and museums and access to nature, we've come up with a list of the best places in the U.S. for solo travelers — ranging from mountain and beach destinations to small towns and large cities. Time to book your ticket for one, plan your itinerary (or don't, remember, it's your trip!) and answer to no one except yourself for a few days.

Malaysia Airlines axes 10 flights over Mount Ruang eruptions

It says the flights have been cancelled due to weather and operational safety concerns.

Emirates told cabin crew to report for duty during historic Dubai flood despite government's stay-at-home warning, report says

As the UAE saw its largest rainfall in 75 years and the government told people to stay at home, Emirates encouraged its cabin crew to report for duty.

Cracking the mysterious codes of Freemasonry

Freemasonry, the world's oldest fraternal organization, is often shrouded in secrecy with its ancient rituals, peculiar emblems, and clandestine handshakes. But what exactly does all that symbolism mean, and where did it come from? Browse this gallery and peek inside the secretive world of the Freemasons.

Local airlines resuming flights from Sabah, Sarawak following volcanic eruption

PETALING JAYA: Local airlines are gradually resuming flights to and from Sabah, Sarawak, and Labuan. Read full story

Plane forced to land after filming melted windows

An Airbus turned back at 14,000ft after lighting caused window panes to fall out, investigators say.

It's all in the name: Where the US states got their names

The list of the names of the 50 US states is long, colorful, and fascinating. While some names appear to be self-explanatory, like Maryland or New York, the stories behind the names aren't always so simple. Linguists and historians have worked tirelessly for decades to decipher certain state names that appear to have their roots in old terms used by Native Americans, but its not easy work. What we have found out, however, can provide us a deeply insightful look into the cultures that thrived across North America before colonization, the importance of natural features to both Native Americans and European colonists, and the monarchs of the Age of Discovery that made the American experiment possible. Read on to learn about the origins of the names of all 50 states.

34 of the Best Small Towns in Texas That You Don't Hear About Enough

We're checking in to this Victorian-style B&B ASAP.

These are history's multilingual US presidents

The President of the United States is used to talking tough. But how many presidents in US history were able to do so in another language besides English? Not many people realize that there are 21 former White House incumbents who could converse in at least one foreign language. Some, in fact, were multilinguists. And did you know that there was one American president who didn't speak English as his first language. Intrigued? Click through and discover the presidents who could communicate in foreign tongues.

Thai divers seek to take on 'ghost gear' threatening marine life

By Napat Wesshasartar PHUKET, Thailand (Reuters) - Beneath the surface of the turquoise waters off a beach on Thailand's holiday island of Phuket, divers laboriously collect abandoned fishing gear, much of it made from plastic, that is tangled on coral and trapping sea life. This discarded or lost fishing equipment is known locally as "ghost gear" and is a growing problem in waters off Thailand

The Most Beautiful Small Towns In Every State

Why yes, we would love to reside in a place where we can pan for sapphires.