Osaka bans public smoking ahead of Expo 2025
One of Japan’s biggest cities is “beautifying” itself ahead of hosting the World Expo — not by planting flowers, but by banning cigarettes. Osaka will soon host Expo 2025, which runs from April to October, with representatives from 158 countries and regions participating in talks, demonstrations and exhibitions. The ban on public smoking, which took effect on January 27, includes roads, parks, plazas and other public places and applies not only to cigarettes, but also to vapes. Violators will be fined 1,000 yen (about $6).
A food fight with chopsticks? How the ‘prosperity toss’ became one of Lunar New Year’s most fun culinary traditions
Anyone not familiar with the “prosperity toss,” a beloved Lunar New Year culinary tradition, could be forgiven for thinking they’ve just walked in on the world’s strangest food fight. As each ingredient is added to a plate, auspicious words are chanted — first come the vegetables, then the slices of raw fish, followed by the dressing and, finally, garnishes such as nuts or wonton crisps. Everyone then digs into the salad at once, tossing the ingredients higher and higher while shouting louder and louder — all in the hopes of bringing good fortune for the coming year.
‘Things are really changing for them’: Why explorer known as ‘Indiana Jones for girls’ is walking across Saudi Arabia
She’s been described as the “Indiana Jones for girls,” and after becoming the first woman to walk the full length of the Draa River in Morocco, UK explorer Alice Morrison is embarking on a new challenge — walking across Saudi Arabia. Accompanied by camels and local guides, Morrison will traverse through deserts and mountains during the 2,500-kilometer journey, which will take around five months in total.
China and India agree to resume direct commercial flights for first time in five years
China and India have agreed to resume direct commercial flights for the first time in five years, in the latest sign of warming relations between the world’s two most populous countries. Flights between India and mainland China were suspended at the onset of the Covid pandemic in early 2020, and remained halted following subsequent political tensions. The announcement on Monday came as India’s Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri met Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Beijing. In a statement, India’s Ministry of External Affairs said the two countries had reached a consensus “in principle to resume direct air services,” with officials expected to hammer out details “at an early date.”
Japan defeats France to win the Pastry World Cup
Although the 2025 event was held in Lyon, the French team did not win the gold medal, settling for silver. Top honors went to returning champions Japan, whose team put together a lemon, pear, marigold and chocolate granita in the shape of an Asanoha (hemp) leaf for their restaurant dessert entry. For the frozen dessert, the team offered an apricot treat resembling a spinning top toy. “We packed the history and culture of Japan into the design. We were able to incorporate taste and delicate traditional patterns to showcase our techniques,” said chef Masanori Hata, the chocolate expert on his team.
Experienced skydiver plummets to her death despite parachute 'fully deploying as designed'
A 55-year-old woman from Minnesota died Friday, following a parachuting incident in Eloy, Arizona, according to police. Officers with the Eloy Police Department were dispatched to Skydive Arizona on Taylor Street at about 4 p.m. on Friday, after receiving reports of a parachutist who experienced complications during the descent. Also responding to the scene were members of the Eloy Fire District, and when they arrived, medical personnel located the individual, later identified by police as 55-year-old Ann Wick. Emergency crews immediately initiated life-saving measures, though Wick was ultimately pronounced dead at the scene.
Disney Cruise Line increases recommended gratuities
Disney Cruise Line increased its recommended daily gratuity amount, its website announced earlier this week. "We recommend a gratuity amount of $16.00 USD per night, per stateroom Guest, including infants and children," said the Disney Cruise Line Website. Previously, Disney Cruise Line had a recommended gratuity of $14.50 per day for each guest.These pre-paid gratuities are given to dining room servers, their assistants, the head server, and the stateroom host, said Disney Cruise Line. These gratuities do not include tips for room service, any extra items added to including dining, specialty dining locations, port adventures, spa services, or "any other additional services," said Disney Cruise Line.
Edinburgh to tax tourists for overnight stays
Local politicians in Edinburgh have approved a tourist tax for visitors staying overnight the Scottish capital, introducing the first charge of its kind in the United Kingdom. From mid-2026, visitors staying in certain types of accommodation, such a hotel, bed and breakfast, hostel, self-catering apartment or guest house, will be charged a fee of 5% of their accommodation cost per night. The charge is capped at five consecutive nights, according to the local authority. Accommodation providers will be responsible for collecting the fee on behalf of the authority.
Delta Air Lines crew accidentally deploys emergency slide, cancels flight to Honolulu
Delta Air Lines had to call off one of its flights Thursday after crew members accidentally deployed an emergency slide. According to Delta, Delta Flight 419 traveling from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport to Daniel K. Inouye International Airport in Honolulu, was canceled after crew members mistakenly deployed the Boeing 767’s emergency slide and the flight crew timed out before the aircraft could be repaired.
‘Offensive’ tattoos and ‘see-through clothing’ can get you kicked off your next Spirit Airlines flight
Passengers flying Spirit Airlines might need to conceal some tattoos or put on more clothing for their next flight, according to the airline’s updated contract for travelers. As of January 22, Spirit has updated its contract of carriage, declaring passengers “shall not be permitted to board” or “may be required to leave an aircraft” if they are “barefoot or inadequately clothed, or whose clothing or article, including body art, is lewd, obscene, or offensive in nature.” It also describes “inadequately clothed” as “see-through clothing, not adequately covered, exposed breasts, buttocks or other private parts.” Fashion choices have long been a problem for air travelers, as many have been singled out and denied boarding, and in some cases, gone viral for their situations.