National

DENR bans use of piped water for golf courses

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has prohibited golf courses in Metro Manila and nearby areas from using piped water from Maynilad Water Services Inc. and Manila Water amid the continued drop in the water level of Angat Dam. In an interview with select reporters including The STAR, Environment Undersecretary Carlos David said that the latest DENR bulletin, which was released last Friday, directed...

Commune with nature in Northern Samar

CATARMAN, NORTHERN SAMAR—There is more to see in this province than the rock formation on Biri Island that was used as a backdrop of a 1990s movie. Northern Samar is so rich in natural wonders that it has a wide variety of tourist spots that cater to all kinds of tourists. “Name it and we have it,” said Ma. Josette Doctor, the province’s tourism officer. Northern Samar is bounded by the Pacific Ocean and San Bernardino Strait, which makes the...

Mexican authorities confirm missing U.S., Australian tourists have died

MEXICO CITY (Reuters) - Family members of three tourists who went missing in northern Mexico last month have identified their bodies, the state prosecutor's office in Baja California said in a statement on Sunday. The remains of Australian brothers Callum, 33, and Jake Robinson, 30, and American Carter Rhoad, 30, were found in a well earlier this week in what authorities are treating as a murder

While Boeing's passenger planes glitch, NASA is entrusting the company's spaceship with 2 astronauts' lives

Boeing's Starliner spacecraft isn't totally safe from the cost-cutting, KPI-focused company culture that experts blame for the 737 Max incidents.

Win the ultimate golf trip to Las Vegas or choose $40,000 in cash

The Lucky Golfer is giving away the ultimate golf trip to Las Vegas for four people and the prize includes accomodation at the famous MGM Grand and golf games at the best courses in the area

Cebu City planners call for stricter building rules in protected areas

CEBU CITY, Philippines — Cebu City’s top planners want stricter rules for building in protected areas, especially the Cebu City Protected Landscape (CCPL). Architect Joseph Michael “Yumi” Espina, head of the City Planning and Development Office (CPDO), said via the Sugboanon Channel that the Protected Areas Management Board (PAMB) needs to review their rules for construction in the protected landscape. “That is what is happening now in our CCPL,...

Incredible hidden attractions in US cities

Everyone knows the basic monuments you need to see in America's big cities. If you go to New York, see the Empire State Building! If you're in San Francisco, check out the Golden Gate Bridge! However, there are plenty of other attractions in these US cities that you may never have even known were there. Are you looking for a more unusual travel experience? Here are some offbeat and unusual urban must-sees that most tourists fail to find. Browse the gallery for your city and places to go that others will miss.

Europe’s best beach holidays: Arcachon, France

The Bay of Arcachon, on the south-west coast of France, is a happy place. It must be, because I’ve been visiting it with my family nearly every year for the past 15 years. We usually rent a small apartment in Arcachon town for four or five days, but such is the draw that we have been known to make a two-hour drive just to spend the day there when we’ve been in that part of the world. Everything about it speaks of summer joy: the promenade...

Madonna attracts 1.6 million to free concert at Brazil’s Copacabana beach

RIO DE JANEIRO — More than a million people thronged Brazil’s Copacabana beach for a free Madonna concert on Saturday, braving the heat to see the end of her “Celebration” world tour. The sand and oceanfront boulevard around Rio de Janeiro’s famed beach were filled for several blocks by a crowd the city estimated at 1.6 million. Many had been there […]

10 UK stays that take tranquillity to the next level

The Tawny, Staffordshire Bordering the Consall Nature Park, a nature reserve featuring 740 acres of woodland, heath and moor, is The Tawny, a “deconstructed hotel”. This means that instead of a single house with rooms there are a collection of boathouses, huts and treehouses scattered around the woodlands and lakes. At the top of the hill is a modern glass building, the Plumicorn restaurant, and a heated outdoor pool looking out over the...

What is Cinco de Mayo? Holiday's meaning and origins tied to famous 1862 battle

Cinco de Mayo is celebrated on May 5 every year, the day Mexico won over the Second French Empire in the Battle of Puebla in 1862.

Boracay favorite Nonie's unveils first branch in Metro Manila

Nonie's — a beloved culinary destination in Boracay Island known for its commitment to locally sourced, sustainably produced Filipino-inspired cuisine — has opened its newest location at Molito Lifestyle Center in Alabang, Muntinlupa City. 7 Tuna Tataki Grain Bowl 8 Sparkling Blue Ternate Lemonade Chicken Pork Adobo Nonie’s moves forward from the laidback island life of Boracay to the hustle of Metro Manila. This expansion marks a significant...

Qantas to pay $120m for allegedly selling tickets to flights that had already been cancelled

Qantas will fork out $100m as a civil penalty and pay $20m to customers in compensation, after striking a deal with the consumer watchdog over landmark legal action for allegedly selling tens of thousands of tickets to flights that had already been cancelled in its system. On Monday, Qantas announced it had come to an agreement with the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) to resolve the court proceedings lodged in August last...

Before Summer Vacation, Download Offline Maps on Your iPhone

Here's how you can download portions of the Maps app to use offline.

‘Mama’ comes to Baguio

Nowie and Odette Potenciano of the much-loved Sunny Side Cafe in Boracay—along with their shibas Mari and Luna—have opened a new cafe in the summer city of Baguio! It is the latest addition to the iconic Camp John Hay but it is not inside the Manor; they have opened a standalone cafe! It is called Berry Mama Baguio, an offshoot of the Boracay and La Union favorites of Coco Mama, Ube Mama and Mango Mama. Berry Mama continues the thrust of the...

Young travelers drive surge in global demand for ‘experiential’ tourism

Often, stepping into a new country brings forth a wave of emotions: relief over temporarily getting a break from work or school, or anxiety over having to navigate a new environment and a language barrier. But perhaps the most prominent feeling is excitement over having to go to places long idling in organized itineraries. City tours featuring iconic tourist attractions were once mandatory for travelers, as these offered a glimpse of the history...

What would a £40m Greene King brewery mean for a town?

Greene King calls time on its base of more than 200 years in Bury St Edmunds.

‘Eurail pass’ for Asean air travel

In a bid to shine the spotlight on other tourist destinations in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean), the Asean Business Advisory Council (BAC) has teamed up with budget airlines to help travelers explore hidden gems in all corners of the region. The Asean-BAC brings into focus intra-regional tourism as an engine of growth toward a more prosperous bloc. Nazir Rasak, chair of the Asean-BAC of Malaysia, says there’s a collective...

Qantas Settles ‘Ghost Flight’ Lawsuit as Cleanup Costs Mount

Qantas Airways Ltd. will pay a A$100 million ($66 million) penalty and compensate passengers for selling tickets on thousands of flights it had already decided to cancel, as Chief Executive Officer Vanessa Hudson continues costly repairs to the airline’s battered reputation.

Qantas passengers to receive up to $450 after major blunder

Qantas will pay millions of dollars in compensation to passengers after reaching an agreement with the ACCC to settle a lawsuit against the airline for selling seats on flights that had already been cancelled.

Weekly round-up: Five stories you may have missed

A story about an annual swimming race being cancelled was among our most read in Berkshire.

A Pasig River Esplanade Walking Tour with Paulo Alcazaren

One of the architects behind the popular weekend destination walks with Spot.

Mexico tourist train an environmental ‘nightmare,’ activists say

SOLIDARIDAD, Mexico — In a cave in Mexico’s Riviera Maya, where nature has sculpted a subterranean landscape of stunning beauty, thick steel columns supporting a controversial new tourist railway intrude into a delicate ecosystem. The Yucatan Peninsula boasts an estimated 2,400 of these caverns and sinkholes, which are known as cenotes and are a major attraction for tourists who swim and snorkel in the crystal clear waters that fill some of...

What's next for Boeing Starliner after its 1st crew flight test?

Astronauts will board a Boeing Starliner spacecraft for the 1st ISS test flight no earlier than May 6. Boeing says it's already working on first operational mission Starliner-1 for 2025.

Blinken to travel to Guatemala on Tuesday, US State Dept says

(Reuters) - U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken will travel to Guatemala on Tuesday to lead a delegation to the a ministerial meeting of the Los Angeles Declaration on Migration and Protection, the State Department said on Sunday. Blinken will meet with Guatemalan President Bernardo Arevalo and other leaders to discuss enforcement, migration management and refugee integration, State Department

Council to 'eliminate' punctuation mark on signs

A North Yorkshire resident says the punctuation changes risk "everything going downhill".

Tiny Texas town roiled by new German beer festival

Tensions among locals in Muenster, a rural community settled by German immigrants, have been brewing over the competing events which happened over three days in April.

Exploring Palawan in Comfort: A Review of Cherry Bus Palawan

El Nido’s turquoise waters and postcard-perfect islands beckon travelers worldwide. But the journey itself can be an adventure, especially with the right transportation. Enter Cherry Bus Palawan, a luxury bus service promising to whisk you away to paradise in comfort and style. LionhearTV recently had the pleasure of experiencing this firsthand, and here’s why you

I took a 20-minute ferry ride from Europe to Asia for $1. I was shocked I didn't see more tourists on board.

I wanted to visit Europe and Asia during a trip to Istanbul with my kids. The best way to do it was a $1 commuter ferry with great views of the city.

Ruins in ancient Jerusalem could prove the Bible was true

Scientists have linked events mentioned in the Bible to archaeological findings unearthed in the city of David - the historic site that formed the original Jerusalem.

The 20 best summer travel destinations in the US revealed

As the summer travel season fast approaches DailyMail.com takes you through the shortlist for this year's best summer escapes.

Escaped zebra captured near Seattle after gallivanting around Cascade mountain foothills for days

SEATTLE (AP) — A zebra that has been hoofing through the foothills of western Washington for days was recaptured Friday evening, nearly a week after she escaped with three other zebras from a trailer near Seattle. Local residents and animal control officers corralled the zebra named “Shug” in the community of Riverbend, about 30 miles (48 kilometers) east of Seattle, the Regional Animal Services of King County wrote on its website. “The zebra...

Record field in world dragon boat meet

MANILA, Philippines — With six months left before the event, the International Canoe Federation Dragon Boat World Championships to be hosted by Puerto Princesa City is bound to surpass the previous editions in terms of participation. This was announced by Philippine Canoe Kayak Federation president Leonora Escollante who said at least 20 countries have already confirmed their presence for the world-class meet slated Oct. 28 to Nov. 4. The number...

Museum spotlights ancient Egypt beyond the mummies

Curators showcase environment of the ancient Nile Valley in a new display.

Dick Rutan, co-pilot of historic round-the-world flight, dies at 85

MEREDITH, N.H. (AP) — Burt Rutan was alarmed to see the plane he had designed was so loaded with fuel that the wing tips started dragging along the ground as it taxied down the runway. He grabbed the radio to warn the pilot, his older brother Dick Rutan. But Dick never heard the message. Nine days and three minutes later, Dick, along with copilot Jeana Yeager, completed one of the greatest milestones in aviation history: the first...

I left San Francisco and moved to LA. Here are the 5 worst things about leaving the Bay Area.

This artist left San Francisco and moved to LA. She says her new city feels socially distant and she misses the diversity, culture, and support in SF.

Migrants pitch dozens of tents along the banks of Dublin's Grand Canal

Photos show the blue tents lined up along a stretch of the canal near the International Protection Office (IPO) on Mount Street.

Image of Divino Tesoro returned to Calasiao, Pangasinan

The image of Señor Divino Tesoro has returned to the Senior Divino Tesoro Shrine after being displayed at the Calasiao Public Plaza for nine days. A procession and Mass were held before the image was returned, attended by devoted followers who lined up patiently to touch and hold the image. Some devotees shared stories of miracles they attribute to Señor Divino Tesoro. Flora Dela Fuente, a devotee, believes that she survived breast cancer...

This will be the largest city in the world with 500 million inhabitants

Parents of US, Australian tourists presumed killed in Mexico to try identifying bodies

By Raul Cortes and Lizbeth Diaz MEXICO CITY (Reuters) - The parents of an American and two Australian surfers presumed to have been killed in northern Mexico have arrived in the country and will try to identify the dead bodies believed to be their children, a Mexican regional official said on Sunday. Authorities in the Baja California state are conducting forensic tests on three corpses they

Camping warning as numbers increase at beauty spot

The narrow South Gare Road becomes congested with mobile homes and caravans at busy times.

The American paradox of protest: Celebrated and condemned, welcomed and muzzled

NEW YORK (AP) — They’re hallmarks of American history: protests, rallies, sit-ins, marches, disruptions. They date from the early days of what would become the United States to the sights and sounds echoing across the landscapes of the nation’s colleges and universities during this activist spring. And just as much a part of that American history? Those same events being met with irritation, condemnation, anger, calls to desist, and at times the...

Sweetens Cove, the top public course in Tennessee, to close all summer

Sweetens Cove, Golfweek's No. 1-rated public-access golf course in Tennessee, announced Sunday it will be closed all of June, July and August this year. In a social media post announcing the move Sunday, the course owners explained ho

Qantas agrees payouts over 'ghost flights'

Qantas agrees to pay millions to settle lawsuit accusing it of selling tickets to cancelled flights.

The Beatle who never was

LIVERPOOL — It was supposed to be the usual one and a half-hour, hop-on, hop-off ride on a double-deck bus taking tourists around this English port city. The itinerary included stops at Penny Lane and Strawberry Fields, two subjects of Beatles songs with pass-throughs of the homes where John Lennon and Paul McCartney grew up. What made the trip interesting was guide Chris Hough’s historical anecdotes not just on the Beatles but also on the city....

Can cherished former hostel be saved from ruin?

Many people have happy memories of Viewhill House youth hostel which was destroyed by fire in 2007.

What is culture shock, and how can you deal with it?

Whether you're a tourist or moving somewhere unfamiliar to study, work, or retire, you are at risk of suffering from culture shock. But what is culture shock, exactly? How does it manifest, when, what are the symptoms, and what can you do about it? In this gallery, you'll find the answers to these and many other questions. Click on for more.

Snakes almost on a plane: TSA discovers a bag with small snakes in passenger's pants

MIAMI (AP) — Airport security officers in Miami found a slithering surprise last week — a bag of snakes hidden in a passenger's pants. According to an X post by the Transportation Security Administration, officers at the Miami International Airport found the small bag of snakes hidden in a passenger's trousers on April 26 at a checkpoint. The post included a photo of two small snakes that were found in what appeared to be a sunglasses bag. TSA...

In Zamboanga del Norte, tourism seen thriving in former conflict zone

SERGIO OSMEÑA, ZAMBOANGA DEL NORTE, Philippines — The Malindang mountain range, which used to be the site of countless battles between government troops and communist New People’s Army (NPA) rebels, is now being promoted as a tourist destination. After government forces gained the upper hand in the long-drawn war against communist rebels who used to control the area, resort owners formed themselves into a consortium called Mt. Malindang...

Make trips exciting this 2024 with Megaworld Hotels and Resorts

MEGAWORLD Hotels and Resorts (MHR), the Philippines' largest hotel operator, is offering awesome discounts in this year's biggest International Travel Fair, happening at the Waterfront Hotel Cebu on May 3 to 5. Stay at the Boracay Newcoast's Belmont Hotel Boracay and enjoy the township's exclusive stretch of powdery white sand beaches with high-speed internet. For those craving for a party, opt for Savoy Hotel Boracay, where they'll find the...