Author: Aurora Lane
Mass evacuations and severe damage Southern China and Hong Kong launched massive cleanup operations on Thursday after Super Typhoon Ragasa, the most powerful tropical cyclone of the year, tore through the region. In Guangdong province, where more than 2 million residents had been evacuated, crews used excavators to clear toppled trees and blocked roads. More than 56,000 households in the province suffered power outages by Wednesday night. Hong Kong resumed international flights, though kindergartens and some schools stayed closed. Authorities reported over 100 injuries in the city, while videos showed storm surges shattering the glass doors of luxury hotels and…
Second wave of layoffs Starbucks announced plans to cut 900 corporate jobs and close about 200 stores in the U.S. and Canada, marking the second round of workforce reductions this year. The company previously cut 1,100 positions in February as part of CEO Brian Niccol’s turnaround strategy. Starbucks expects its total number of stores in the region to decline by about 1 percent, ending the fiscal year with roughly 18,300 locations. The closures target outlets deemed unable to deliver the environment or performance the company envisions. Starbucks plans to reinvest in new store openings and renovate more than 1,000 cafes…
Trump’s criticism and Kremlin’s calm response Donald Trump’s recent remarks on Russia were unusually harsh. He described the country as a “paper tiger” fighting aimlessly in Ukraine and even suggested NATO should shoot down Russian aircraft if they enter allied airspace. Yet, instead of delivering a fiery rebuttal, Moscow’s initial reaction was measured. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov dismissed the “paper tiger” jab with humor, saying Russia is more like a bear, not a “paper bear.” He also rejected the notion that Ukraine could retake occupied territories but stressed that Moscow values Trump’s political will to pursue peace talks. Why Moscow…
The timing sweet spot For years, Tuesdays were considered the go-to day for booking cheap flights. But with airlines now using advanced pricing strategies, travelers need to think differently. Experts suggest that the best window is one to three months before domestic trips and two to six months before international journeys. This period typically balances availability with lower prices before last-minute demand drives fares higher. Dynamic pricing and flexibility Airline pricing shifts constantly with demand, competition, and seasonality. Because of this, setting fare alerts and tracking price trends can often yield better results than relying on old booking rules. Skyscanner…
A fresh look at Oz Universal has released the last trailer for Wicked: For Good, giving audiences a final taste of the highly anticipated conclusion to the two-part film adaptation. With its release set for November 21, the preview highlights several iconic songs from the second act of the beloved musical, including “Thank Goodness,” “No Good Deed,” and the emotional ballad “For Good.” New twists on familiar moments The trailer reveals glimpses of the “Fab Four” — Dorothy and her companions from The Wizard of Oz — as well as a reimagined version of a pivotal moment involving Nessa Rose.…
Ground game dominates Baltimore The Detroit Lions delivered a statement win on Monday night, defeating the Baltimore Ravens 38-30 in a contest defined by sheer power on the ground. Running backs David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs combined for 218 rushing yards and four touchdowns, propelling Detroit to victory. Quarterback Jared Goff described the duo as a “pick your poison” backfield, praising their ability to stay fresh and execute in all facets of the game. Montgomery’s explosive night Montgomery stole the spotlight with a career-best 151 yards on just 12 carries, including a 72-yard burst and a 31-yard touchdown run that…
Compact design with pro-level features DJI has introduced the Osmo Nano, its most compact and lightweight action camera to date. Despite its size, the Nano carries the same 1/1.3-inch sensor, 13.5 stops of dynamic range, and 4K/120fps recording capabilities as the flagship Osmo Action 5 Pro. The camera is pill-shaped, just 57mm long and weighing 52 grams, making it lighter than both the earlier Action 2 and the Insta360 Go Ultra. With its dock, the total weight is 124 grams, still far below the 146-gram Action 5 Pro. Modular dock adds screen and battery life The Osmo Nano comes with…
Landfall in the Philippines Thousands of people have been evacuated from northern Philippines as Super Typhoon Ragasa made landfall on Panuitan Island in Cagayan province at 15:00 local time Monday. The storm, with wind gusts of up to 230 km/h (143 mph), has been described by regional authorities as potentially catastrophic. The Philippine weather bureau warned of life-threatening storm surges exceeding 3 meters, as well as widespread flooding and landslides. Impact on Local Communities Schools and government offices across multiple regions, including Manila, have been shut. The remote Batanes and Babuyan islands, home to about 20,000 residents, were directly hit.…
From Childhood Memories to Adult Experiences For 26-year-old Cammie Craycroft, celebrating a friend’s birthday meant returning to Build-A-Bear Workshop. The retailer, long associated with children’s parties, has successfully repositioned itself to appeal to adults who grew up with the brand. “Build-A-Bear means a lot to me,” Craycroft said. “It really is a nostalgic place, and I have so many happy memories there.” Strong Earnings Amid Tariffs Build-A-Bear reported record-breaking revenue of $252.6 million in the first half of fiscal 2025, up nearly 12% from a year earlier. Its stock has surged roughly 60% this year, nearing a $1 billion market…
New Capability Across Devices Garmin has expanded its recently announced “lifestyle logging” feature, originally unveiled with the Venu 4 watch, to all users of the Garmin Connect app. The update represents a significant step toward matching rivals such as Whoop, Apple Watch apps like Bevel, and the Oura Ring, which already provide ways to link daily habits with health outcomes. What Lifestyle Logging Tracks The feature allows users to log behaviors and environmental factors that may influence health metrics. Examples include alcohol or caffeine intake, late meals, illness, and even self-care practices such as journaling or cold showers. Once recorded,…