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As 2025 wraps up, The Associated Press has curated a list of memorable stories and enjoyable reads published this year that you may have missed in the flurry of news and the busyness of living.There are storybook endings and heartbreak. Some are stranger than fiction, and others take you behind the scenes. Even if you read them the first time around, the stories on this “in case you missed it” list are worth revisiting. A story for the super sleuthsIf you have ever felt that nagging sense of the unknown, you may be able to relate to Robert Friedrichs and…
As epicurean travelers look beyond traditional Michelin-ranked foodie hubs for 2026, more overlooked destinations around the globe are gaining momentum. A rising luxury destination delivering technique and terroir where culinary experiences reach beyond beach bars and barbeque, the British Virgin Islands (BVI) is leading the charge of unsung foodie destinations just waiting to be discovered. “The British Virgin Islands is quickly emerging as the Caribbean’s next best foodie hotspot,” said Clive McCoy, Director of Tourism at The British Virgin Islands Tourist Board & Film Commission in a statement. “From the continued success of signature events like Anegada Lobster Festival to…
DORAL, Fla. (AP) — When Fernando Dávila was 8 years old in Colombia, he failed a drawing class because he painted donkeys red.There was a reason for that: He is colorblind.Now the 72-year-old Dávila is an established and respected artist whose vibrant paintings have been exhibited in South America, Europe and the United States.“I have the most wonderful job in the world, which is painting every morning,” Dávila said from his studio in a Miami suburb. “To mix colors. To have joy to share with the world, that’s really my passion.”He started off painting only in black and white until…
by Sarah Kuta Last updated: 10:15 AM ET, Wed December 24, 2025 Guests aboard Holland America Line’s 2026 Grand Voyages will receive the line’s signature tote bags—with a sustainable twist.This year, the brand made the bags using upcycle ship textiles. The two-year initiative transformed retired fabrics into functional keepsakes, keeping 30,000 yards of soft textiles out of landfills. It’s already created 4,000 of the eco-friendly tote bags, and plans to make another 25,000 for upcoming Legendary Voyages. The effort began during ship renovations, when fabrics such as drapery and bed runners were collected instead of discarded. Those materials were shipped…
After 33 years, Bernardo Quintero decided it was time to find the person who changed his life — the anonymous programmer who created a computer virus that had infected his university decades earlier. The virus, called Virus Málaga, was mostly harmless. But the challenge of defeating it sparked Quintero’s passion for cybersecurity, eventually leading him to found VirusTotal, a startup that Google acquired in 2012. That acquisition brought Google’s flagship European cybersecurity center to Málaga, transforming the Spanish city into a tech hub. All because of a small malware program created by someone whose identity Quintero had never known.Moved by…
by Sarah Kuta Last updated: 9:35 AM ET, Wed December 24, 2025 Bookings are now open for Seabourn’s 2028 world cruise, a 120-day voyage aboard the Seabourn Quest.Called the “2028 Cape to Cape World Cruise,” the itinerary will cover more than 26,000 nautical miles, exploring five continents. Travelers will have a chance to visit more than 50 destinations and 38 UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The ship will depart from Miami on January 7, 2028, traveling from Cape Horn in South America and Cape of Good Hope in South Africa. The ship will also visit Antarctica, Easter Island, the Falkland Islands…
If you’re someone who struggles to stay on task or simply want to boost your productivity as the new year approaches, there are several apps and extensions you can try that are designed to help you focus by blocking out distractions. Whether you need to limit social media scrolling or block off time to be productive, these tools will keep you focused. Here are some of the best options. Freedom Image Credits:Freedom If you want to block distractions across all of your devices at once, Freedom is a good option. You can choose which websites and apps to block for…
by Sarah Kuta Last updated: 9:30 AM ET, Wed December 24, 2025 Princess Cruises christened its Rose Parade float with a bottle of tequila, a unique twist on the cherished maritime tradition of breaking a bottle of Champagne against a ship’s hull.The christening took place at the Pasadena facilities of Artistic Entertainment Services, which designed and built the 55-foot-long float for Princess for the New Year’s Day Tournament of Roses Parade. “I name this float Star Princess—may God bless her and all who cruise down Colorado Boulevard on her,” said Jill Whelan, who serves as “celebration ambassador” for the line.Jill…
Different types of leather are seen at the Rio of Mercedes cowboy boot factory, on July 31, 2025, in Mercedes, Texas. Ronaldo Schemidt | AFP | Getty ImagesBootmaker Twisted X — known for its Western footwear — was thrown into chaos overnight when President Donald Trump imposed sweeping tariffs on imports in April. The company turned a conference room at its Decatur, Texas, headquarters into a “tariff war room” as import costs on its finished work boots surged, shipments were paused mid-transit and invoices fluctuated so wildly that staff found themselves recalculating margins by the hour. “A lot of other…
by Brian Major Last updated: 8:00 AM ET, Wed December 24, 2025 Enhanced air connections are enabling the Bahamas to diversify its visitor base and manage arrivals of new travelers from diverse source markets. The new routes are also bringing activity to less-traveled areas of the territory.In September, the Ministry of Tourism, Investments & Aviation announced the launch of the first-ever nonstop service from the USA to Bimini via American Airlines. Beginning Feb. 14, 2026, this new flight from Miami International to South Bimini Airport will offer travelers expanded access to The Bahamas’ Out Islands beyond the capital of Nassau. “This…