Edward Johnson 
The cost rivals that of the largest private, personal construction projects in human history. Building permits put the price tag for the main construction at around $100 million, in addition to $170 million in land purchases, but this is likely an underestimate. Building costs on the remote island are still higher than pre-pandemic levels. That … Read more
Bernina Express: Chur, Switzerland, to Tirano, Italy Listed as a Unesco world heritage site since 2008, the Bernina line is one of the highest railways in the Alps, promising four hours of panoramic views from its glass-domed carriages: frozen lakes, rivers crashing down canyons and forests heavy with snow. Departing from Chur, the oldest city … Read more
The U.S. Department of Transportation on Monday said it fined Southwest Airlines $140 million for violating consumer protection laws during last year’s holiday meltdown that stranded millions of customers following severe winter weather. The DOT said the fine is 30 times larger than any fine it has issued for consumer protection violations. It includes a … Read more
(NewsNation) — A policy implemented by Southwest Airlines to accommodate plus-size passengers has gone viral and split opinions. Southwest’s website says customers “who encroach upon any part of the neighboring seat(s)” can book more seats next to them before traveling and get a refund for the cost of the extra seats. While some travelers have … Read more
Maliha Fairooz said her first memory of traveling was from Bangladesh to London when she was four years old. “Most kids, when they’re on an airplane, they’re crying and throwing tantrums,” she said. “But not me — I was so excited. I remember flying through the clouds, looking down at the sky and thinking ‘I’m … Read more
The Queensland government is doubling grants for people buying or building their first home. About 12,000 people are expected to benefit from the $30,000 grants available from Monday and set to remain in place until June 30, 2025. The change will cost $210 million, with the money raised through the government’s coal royalties regime. For … Read more
All adventurers know: the best places to explore are those that feel hidden away from the world. We look for what’s secret, what’s special, and altogether new. The cities, small towns, and countries that surprise us with their magic—turning the experience of travel into something novel and unforeseen. It’s this common pursuit that’s elevated Joshua … Read more
The death toll in the powerful 6.2-magnitude earthquake that jolted a mountainous region of northwestern China late Monday night has risen to 131, local authorities said on Wednesday. A total of 113 people were killed in the Gansu, while the death toll in the neighbouring Qinghai province in the Himalayan region has risen to 18 … Read more
The project meant to debut small modular reactors, the technology the nuclear energy industry hopes will spur a renaissance of atomic power construction, collapsed Wednesday night amid mounting financial troubles. The NuScale Power Corporation based in Portland, Oregon, whose SMR design became the first in U.S. history to win the Nuclear Regulatory Commission’s approval last … Read more
Tove Jansson’s island life, Finland Fans of Finnish author Tove Jansson will love the idyllic Pellinki archipelago, where she spent her summers on a tiny island, Klovharun, described in several of her novels. About 50 miles east of Helsinki, Pellinki forms part of a group of islands, linked by bridges and a delightful ferry, which … Read more
