Bear on runway forces flight cancellations in Japan
A bear running around the runway at Japan's Yamagata Airport has forced staff to cancel flights on Thursday. Traps set up near the runway have failed to catch the bear but will remain in place, according to airport officials. Flights departing from and arriving at Yamagata Airport on Friday are operating as usual.
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Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
These are the best airlines of 2025 – and no US carrier made the list. Here's why.
Skytrax recently released its World's Best Airline Awards of 2025 – also called the "Oscars of the aviation industry" – with Qatar Airways scoring the top spot for the ninth time and no U.S. airlines making the list. Since 1999, the aviation rankings organization has determined the annual awards based on results from the largest airline passenger satisfaction survey. For this year's list, the global survey was conducted from September 2024 to May 2025, with the winners announced on June 17. "We welcomed back a large number of previous winners and were also delighted to see new faces and airlines represented here today," said Edward Plaisted, CEO of Skytrax, in a statement. "As is indicated by so many former winning airlines being present, quality consistency is clearly well recognised by customers when they vote for these airlines." Not only did Qatar Airways win World's Best Airline, but also Best Airline in the Middle East, World's Best Business Class and Best Business Class Airline Lounge. "This recognition is far more than an award, it is a celebration of the passion, precision and purpose that defines who we are as an airline," Qatar Airways Group CEO Badr Mohammed Al-Meer said in the release. Airlines based in the Middle East and Asia dominated the top 10, with many repeat winners like Singapore Airlines, Cathay Pacific and Emirates, while no U.S. carriers made it into the top 20. Here are the top 20 airlines of 2025, according to Skytrax: Qatar Airways Singapore Airlines Cathay Pacific Emirates ANA All Nippon Airways Turkish Airlines Korean Air Air France Japan Airlines Hainan Airlines Swiss International Air Lines EVA Air British Airways Qantas Airways Lufthansa Virgin Atlantic Saudi Arabian Airlines STARLUX Airlines Air Canada Iberia U.S. carriers were absent from a majority of the Skytrax awards. However, two made it onto lists: Delta Air Lines scored the Best Airline Staff Service in North America, and JetBlue Airways was the sixth Best Regional Airline for 2025. (Regional airline awards are for those with mostly domestic flights and international ones up to six hours.) "This isn't just a ranking problem. It's a reputation and business problem," said Anton Radchenko, aviation expert and founder of air passenger rights company AirAdvisor. "The reason U.S. airlines are failing to crack the top 10 isn't because they're incapable; it's because they're prioritizing margins over meaningful passenger experience." A 2024 report by the Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations found major U.S. airlines generating billions in revenue from charging "sky high junk fees," such as checked bags and seat assignments, to passengers. Between 2018 and 2023, seat reservation fees made a combined $12.4 billion for American, Delta, United, Frontier and Spirit. "U.S. carriers need to understand that international passengers and, increasingly, Americans too, expect more than just an on-time flight," said Radchenko, adding that they should invest in improving the traveler experience instead. "Travelers may not buy tickets based on awards, but they feel the difference, and they vote every day with their wallets and loyalty, he continued. "Until U.S. airlines close the gap on these fundamentals, we'll continue to see them locked out of the global top tier.' This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: These are 2025's best airlines – and none are in the US
Yahoo
10 hours ago
- Yahoo
North Korea just opened a beach resort for 20,000 people. But who will visit?
Kim Jong Un personally cut the ribbon on a new resort hailed by state media as a 'national treasure-level tourism city' — a lavish seaside development set against what human rights observers describe as stark realities of hunger and hardship across North Korea. According to the country's official KCNA news service, Kim opened the sprawling Kalma beachside resort with waterparks, high-rise hotels, and accommodation for nearly 20,000 guests — a sweeping display of extravagance in one of the world's most reclusive nations. The Wonsan-Kalma Coastal Tourist Zone, unveiled in a ceremony on June 24, is on North Korea's eastern coast. KCNA reported 'service for domestic guests will begin July 1,' but gave no details on eligibility or transportation. Earlier this month, North Korea announced the opening of Kalma train station, reporting it was built to 'ensure a high level of convenience for travelers to the coastal tourist area.' The Kalma beach resort is next to an international airport, another indication the project is aimed at attracting foreign currency. International attendance at the ribbon-cutting was limited to the Russian ambassador and staff, a nod to Pyongyang's growing alignment with Moscow amid deepening isolation from the West under Kim's authoritarian regime. In 2024 UN human rights chief Volker Turk described North Korea under Kim's rule as 'a stifling, claustrophobic environment, where life is a daily struggle devoid of hope.' Last year, small groups of Russian tourists visited North Korea for three-day ski holidays at Maskiryong resort, which has been a long-standing tourist attraction since its opening in December 2013. These, like all tourist experiences in North Korea, were heavily monitored and controlled by the government. Returning tourists told CNN that they were subject to strict rules about what they could and could not photograph and were required to watch a choreographed dance performance by North Korean children in addition to the outdoor activities. 'Wonsan-Kalma is open to just North Koreans for now, but we should not be surprised to see Russians at the resort in the not-too-distant future,' said Rachel Minyoung Lee, a non-resident fellow with the 38 North program at the Stimson Center. 'More broadly, the opening of a major beach resort like Wonsan-Kalma helps to reinforce the state media narrative of Kim's people-first policy and helps to balance out his greater focus on building up national defense,' Lee added. In a country where international tourism has been open mostly to Russian nationals since the end of the COVID-19 pandemic, and where domestic travel is heavily restricted, the new development raises familiar questions about access, audience, and economic feasibility. 'The initial target for this resort is going to be the privileged domestic elite of Pyongyang, such as party officials and other high-ranking figures,' said Lim Eul-chul, a professor of North Korean Studies at South Korea's Kyungnam University. 'The ceremony of the Wonsan-Kalma resort reflects Kim Jong Un's vision of 'socialist civilization' and is part of his strategic effort to seek economic breakthroughs through the tourism industry.' North Korea's most notable experiment with international tourism came in the late 1990s, when it opened the scenic Mount Kumgang area on its southeastern coast to visitors from South Korea. The project was hailed as a rare symbol of inter-Korean engagement during a period of cautious rapprochement. Nearly two million South Koreans traveled to the site over the next decade, providing Pyongyang with a critical stream of hard currency. But the initiative came to an abrupt halt in 2008, after a North Korean soldier fatally shot a South Korean tourist who had reportedly wandered into a restricted military zone – an incident that underscored the fragility of cross-border cooperation and led Seoul to suspend the tours indefinitely. Many of the sites were demolished in 2022, including the Onjonggak Rest House hotel which had hosted cross-border family reunions. Kim had previously called the area 'shabby' and 'backward' during a visit. Indeed, a central question surrounding the new resort is if one of the world's most secretive and repressive countries is prepared to make a greater foray into international tourism, potentially adding to its foreign cash reserves and prestige. So far, Russians appear to be the only foreign tour groups granted access to the beach resort. Vostok Intur, a Vladivostok-based travel agency, is promoting three tour packages - one in July and two in August - priced at around $1,840. According to its website, the first tour is scheduled to begin on July 7 and will last eight days. Travelers will fly from Pyongyang to Wonsan, spend four nights at the resort, and visit the nearby Masikryong Ski Resort. Kim said an expansion of North Korea's tourism zones would be formalized during the ruling party's next congress, likely in the next few months. The lessons learned at Kalma would also be used to develop 'promising large-scale tourist and cultural zones' in other parts of the country, Kim noted. The personal investment of North Korea's leader was underscored by at least seven visits to the Kalma construction site, where Kim offered what state media called 'on-the-spot guidance' and pushed for 'world-class' standards. For Kim's regime, the resort's completion is perceived at home as a significant win and opportunity to showcase development amid stiff international sanctions. In another dimension of symbolism, the nation's leader was joined by his wife, Ri Sol Ju, and daughter, believed to be named Kim Ju Ae, who is widely seen as his likely successor. 'The apparent full attendance of Kim Jong Un's family at the event implies that the project is intended to carry forward the legacy of his predecessors and be sustained for future generations,' explained Lim of Kyungnam University. Plans for the resort were first announced in 2013 as part of Kim's broader vision to transform Wonsan, a historically significant port city, into a hub of economic and leisure activity. The project was delayed several times, most recently because of the pandemic and international sanctions targeting North Korea's nuclear and missile programs. Despite the projections of glamour across the new resort and images of an enigmatic leader touring wave pools and waterslides, experts expressed skepticism about the destination's prospects. 'Whether this resort will provide Kim Jong Un with his much-needed economic gain in the long-term, however, remains to be seen: Wonsan-Kalma is hardly a tourist hotspot in the first place,' said Dr. Edward Howell, a North Korea expert at the University of Oxford. 'Of note, since 2020, Kim Jong Un has adopted an increasingly severe approach towards social control; quashing any signs of the virus of outside information and ideologies entering the DPRK,' Howell emphasized. 'If any Western tourists do come to the resort, the ruling regime will no doubt want to ensure that their actions and movements remain regulated and controlled.'
Yahoo
11 hours ago
- Yahoo
Top 11 places at Pasir Ris Central Hawker Centre to Ris-surrect your appetite
Pasir Ris — akin to the ends of the earth if you live in the West. But don't turn up your nose and say it's ulu before you've had a meal here. At Pasir Ris Central Hawker Centre, you can get your fill of nostalgic local fare throughout the day. And if that's not enough for you, there's the Fareground — the second floor where younger hawker stalls reside. Still not convinced? Then come with me as I compile a list of the top stalls that are worth travelling across the country for! It's no wonder Wild Olives appears in almost every Pasir Ris Central Hawker Centre review. With their modern twist on classic Western stall recipes, who could resist? Even with 1.5-hour queues, customers still come back for this hawker fare. You can get their Spaghetti Marinara (S$3.50) for a small bite or indulge in a Chilled NZ Sirloin Steak for only (S$13.90). No matter the occasion, there's something for you! Juicy, tender meat smothered in tangy glaze is the highlight of the Grilled Pork Chop (S$7.20). Their special Apple Cider Whole Grained Mustard Sauce cuts through the pork's richness with refreshing acidity. You can get two sides of your choice with menu items under the Western Food section. Paired with the fragrant Signature Mushroom Rice and crispy Grilled Herb Potatoes, the dish is elevated to a satisfying meal. +65 9684 0689 Wed to Mon: 12pm – 3pm & 5pm – 9pm Closed on Tue Soupy goodness never fails to perk me up on a rainy day. With the sudden downpours occurring across Singapore in the past weeks, Ah Yi Lao Huo Tang has become my go-to for a warm meal. The Buddha Jumps Over The Wall (S$7.50) lures you in with notes of sweet abalone and smoky shiitake mushrooms. One pot is filled to the brim with sliced abalone, chicken, shiitake mushrooms, wolfberries and fish maw. For S$5, the Lotus Root Peanut Pork Ribs Soup brings 5 thick slices of lotus root, 3 chunky pork ribs and soft peanuts to the table. With an add-on of White Rice (S$0.50) or Pumpkin Rice (S$0.80), this is a comforting meal that can't be missed. Wed to Mon: 11.30am – 8.30pm Closed on Tue Paofan, or 'submerged rice', is a popular dish in Teochew cuisine, featuring steamed rice immersed in a broth made from simmered pork, fish bones, and prawn. Liang Liang PaoFan and Ramen serves up this golden soup 6 days a week in Pasir Ris Central Hawker Centre's Fareground. Their Batang Sliced Fish Collagen Broth (S$10.50) is a fan favourite for the sweet, fresh fish in thick collagen broth. You can also find braised rice at Liang Liang Collagen PaoFan and Ramen. The Signature Braised Pork Rice Combo (S$9.30) is topped with juicy pork belly, stir-fried peanuts, soft tau kua and a whole braised egg. Choose to have it with ramen instead of rice, and you get thick braising liquid coating chewy noodles that mesh well with the crunchy peanuts. +65 9690 5638 Tue to Sun: 11am – 2pm & 5pm – 8pm Closed on Mon Facebook | Instagram Order delivery: Deliveroo Peranakan cuisine never fails to scratch my itch for curry dishes. With the sound of a chicken's crow, 'pok pok kay', in the stall name, you can expect tantalising chicken-based dishes here. Spicy, hearty and sedap, the Ayam Curry Kapitan Set (S$8.20) does it all. The butterfly pea rice is speckled with bright blue rice granules, creating an inviting gradient. After all, we eat with both our eyes and our mouths. This set comes with Nyonya Chap Chye, Sambal Egg and Boneless Chicken Leg. Mixed, the boiled egg coats the chicken and rice in a creamy layer that's punctuated by savoury sambal spice. With this line-up, you'll never get tired of each bite! Tue to Sat: 11.30am – 2.30pm & 5pm – 8pm Closed on Sun & Mon | Instagram In Pasir Ris Central Hawker Centre's Fareground, a mix of local flavours and foreign delights takes place. If you're not in the mood for traditional Singaporean noodles, pop by Chi Sen Ramen for a light yet umami-rich broth made from clams and chicken. You can taste the fresh sweetness of seafood in every bite of the Clam Prawn Ramen (S$8.90). Don't even think about those stalls that dump suspiciously Maggi Mee-shaped noodles into a bowl, because it won't happen here. Supple ramen noodles soak up the rich broth enhanced by the prawns' orange hues. With meaty clams, a jammy ajitama egg, seaweed and black fungus, this bowl is top-notch restaurant quality in a hawker setting. #02-21 Fri to Wed: 11am – 9pm Closed on Thu Website Order delivery: foodpanda Between savoury meals, nothing beats a dose of dessert. Divine Bites brings sweet and fluffy baked goods to Pasir Ris Central Hawker Centre to balance out your hearty mukbang. You're in for a surprise if you thought these were your regular treats because the Signature Longan Walnut Muffin (S$1.90) is anything but. Divine Bites mixes the traditional Chinese flavours of longan and walnut into moist muffin batter for a twist. Each bite is interspaced by a sweet pop of dried longan flesh, followed by the brittle crunch of walnut. If muffins aren't your thing, the creamy, melt-in-your-mouth consistency of the Basque Burnt Cheesecake (S$6.70) will get you hooked. It's not every day you see café-style desserts in a hawker bakery, so go give it a try! +65 8152 2880 Daily: 11am – 9pm Instagram Order Delivery: foodpanda J & J Special Beef Noodle: 74-year-old uncle serving braised beef noodles & wagyu beef rice for past 16 years Simful Nasi Lemak reminds us that behind every sinful bite is 幸福 (xing fu) — bliss. Boasting plates loaded with goodies, you know they're ready to give you the most indulgent nasi lemak you'll have. The most popular Simful Set (A) (S$6.50) comes with a whole heap of ingredients. Otah, a fried sunny-side-up egg, chicken wings, stir-fried French beans, ikan bilis and cucumber join the party on your palate. The word 'hunger' isn't in Simful Nasi Lemak's dictionary, so once you step into Pasir Ris Central Hawker Centre, you know you'll leave full! +65 8444 8878 Wed to Mon: 11am – 8pm Closed on Tue Facebook | Instagram | Website Order Delivery: foodpanda There are many prized cuts of meat in the food industry. Yon Ho Hainanese Cuisine whips up aromatic stock to go with delicate organ meat for a clean, healthy broth. Packed with protein, collagen and iron, this is the place to be if you've been feeling worse for wear. The Signature Claypot Herbal Mutton Soup (S$14) enriches every spoonful with simmered lamb ribs, black fungus and herbal wine. Soothing on the stomach, this warm soup is comfort in a bowl. Yon Ho Hainanese Cuisine uses every part of the pig in their dishes. From Braised Knuckles (S$10.50) to Braised Pork Skin (S$5), this zero-waste agenda is a tasty one. Wed to Mon: 11am – 9.30pm Closed on Tue Order Delivery: foodpanda Deliveroo This may not be the House of Gucci, but gold's hidden within nonetheless. Jun Yuan House Of Fish focuses on bringing its Michelin Bib recipes to your table. Fresh seafood is placed in the spotlight here, enhanced by XO sauce and fragrant herbal stock. The Herbal Grouper Soup (S$13.80) features snow-white grouper slices in a light broth. With large prawns and chewy noodles, this bowl is nothing short of warm comfort. XO sauce is made with dried scallops, fish and shrimp cooked with chilli peppers, onions and garlic. It's the star of the show in the XO Fried Fish Soup (S$10.80), a perfect backdrop for crunchy chunks of fried fish. Silky strands of egg floss coat the tongue as you sip the milky-white broth, a duo you can't resist. Fri to Wed: 11.30am – 8.30pm Closed on Thu Facebook | Instagram | Website Order Delivery: Deliveroo Nothing says 'customisation' like yong tau foo. But if there is another way to change things up, it'd be the Hakka version of these delicious fish cakes. True to its name, 家 (jia) Authentic Hakka Yong Tau Foo lets you taste a traditional Hakka household's recipes right in Pasir Ris Central Hawker Centre. The 6-piece Yong Tau Foo With Bee Hoon (S$5.50) is everything it claims to be and more. Fish or meat paste mixed with aromatics are stuffed into hollowed tofu or vegetables and cooked. The result is a juicy, savoury pocket that goes so well with soup and your carb of choice. For extra crunch and sweetness, get the Cabbage Rice instead of bee hoon. If you're looking for an after-work snack, the 6-piece Yong Tau Foo (S$5) will be a piping hot way to end the day! +65 8188 1868 Daily: 11am – 8pm Facebook | Instagram Order Delivery: foodpanda Deliveroo Last but certainly not least, we have Uncle Penyet dishing up ayam penyet from 12 stores island-wide. Since 2005, tantalising Indonesian food has been served here daily, ensuring everyone gets a taste. The Nasi Ayam Penyet (S$9.50) gets a huge chicken drumstick, rice smothered in creamy curry sauce, fried tofu and fresh vegetables. The chicken is usually marinated and boiled in a variety of spices before it's fried in a rice flour batter. Sprinkled with bits of fried batter, the crunch of this drumstick is sensational. Pair it with the curry rice for a spicy kick or have a piece of refreshing, crisp lettuce to wash it down. Either way, this ayam penyet will not disappoint! For a list of locations, phone numbers and opening hours, please click . +65 9621 7358 Daily: 10.30am – 9.30pm Instagram | Website Order Delivery: foodpanda Basil King: Can this viral pad kra pao rival Phed Mark's? The post Top 11 places at Pasir Ris Central Hawker Centre to Ris-surrect your appetite appeared first on
