Maui’s Recovery: Exploring Hawaii After Wildfires
Christine Chung of The New York Times recommends Maui as one of the top travel destinations for 2024. Despite grappling with the aftermath of devastating wildfires that ravaged its western shores, claiming numerous lives and destroying the town of Lahaina, Maui continues to exude its tropical paradise charm. Though Lahaina remains closed, the island is […]
Celebrity Memoirs Connect with Stars’ Inner Worlds
In his memoir Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing (2022,) Friends star Matthew Perry offered fans an intimate glimpse into his psyche, reshaping their perception of the actor. The BBC‘s Leah Carroll notes that celebrity memoirs like Perry’s provide a rare opportunity for readers to empathize with the subjects’ journey and gain profound insights […]
Exploring Albania’s Alpine Wilderness
Albania’s hidden treasures, with rugged mountains and ancient ruins, rank among the top travel destinations for 2024. Isabella Kwai from The New York Times shines a light on the Accursed Mountains in northern Albania. This remote mountain range boasts glassy lakes and miles of untouched trails, enchanting hikers seeking serenity among its peaks. Once reachable […]
Visiting the Istana in Singapore: Inclusive Initiatives
Madam Halimah Yacob, as highlighted by The Straits Times, prioritized enhancing accessibility at Istana before her presidential inauguration in 2017. Throughout her tenure, she spearheaded initiatives such as the Picnic@Istana series and the creation of the Inclusive Garden, all aimed at welcoming and accommodating a diverse range of visitors: President Halimah Yacob’s pushed to make […]
Availability Bias: Media Sensationalism Often Sacrifices Truth for Attention
In the aftermath of major airline incidents, the media’s tendency to sensationalize minor mishaps can appear almost comical. The Alaska Airlines door plug incident of January 5, 2024, serves as a prime example: suddenly, every cracked windshield, fuel leak, or routine medical diversion became headline news, as if every hiccup in the air warranted blockbuster […]
Negombo Delights: Sri Lankan Temples, Fishing, and Seaside Charms
Immerse yourself in the vibrant culture of Negombo, a charming fishing village along Sri Lanka’s picturesque coastline. Explore historic temples, bustling markets, and golden beaches, all offering a taste of island life. Liza Weisstuch of The New York Times recommends Negombo as a top 2024 destination for its enchanting seaside charms and less-trafficked atmosphere, just […]
Singapore ‘hawker culture’ : UNESCO Heritage
Olivia Lee of The Guardian notes that Singapore’s hawker culture, recently added to the UNESCO list of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, encompasses the community of vendors cooking and selling meals across the city-state’s 114 hawker centres. In 2019, out of the 58 eateries in Singapore listed on the Michelin Bib Gourmand, an impressive 33 […]
Boundary Waters Canoe Area: Minnesota’s Wilderness Escape
Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness is recommended for a visit in 2024 by Stephanie Pearson of The New York Times. Despite concerns about potential environmental damage from mining activities, this wilderness adventure in Minnesota offers pristine lakes, dense forests, and abundant wildlife for nature enthusiasts. This roadless wilderness is pristine, a place to fish for […]
Angela Merkel’s and the Ukraine-Georgia Controversy at 2008 NATO Summit
At the NATO summit in Bucharest in April 2008, Germany, along with France and several other NATO members, expressed reservations about extending Membership Action Plans (MAPs) to Ukraine and Georgia. Angela Merkel’s cautious stance was due to concerns about provoking Russia and exacerbating tensions in the region. Aaron Burnett of the German news outlet The […]
Salar de Uyuni: Bolivia’s Mesmerizing Salt Flat
Bolivia’s Salar de Uyuni is noted by Lucinda Hahn of The New York Times as a top destination for 2024. Marvel at the world’s largest salt flat, while concerns about potential environmental impact from mining activities loom over its surreal beauty and wildlife. Like all the best places, Salar de Uyuni, 12,000 feet high in […]