Lifestyle

The world has not one new best restaurant, but seven. That’s according to La Liste, one of a crowded field of companies publishing restaurant ratings that are increasingly used by diners who travel around the world in search of culinary excellence. Unlike some other companies that dole out stars or crown the No 1 restaurant in the world, La Liste compiles scores based on online reviews from casual diners and influencers, magazine and newspaper ratings, and scores from guides and other lists. The more than 1,000 sources include online travel guides, the food publisher Eater and the Black Pearl guide by Meituan Dianping in China. “We believe by aggregating these subjective choices, reviews and critics, we end up with a ranking that is a bit more objective,” said La Liste MD Hél...

Credit: Instagram The opulent wedding of 26-year-old Madelaine Brockway and her partner Jacob LaGrone has ignited a social media storm, with their extravagant celebrations in Paris making headlines as the 'wedding of the century'. The event, reportedly costing a staggering $59 million, captivated viewers with its luxury and grandeur. Brockway, the heiress of a South Florida car dealership fortune, tied the knot with LaGrone on November 18 in a ceremony that garnered widespread attention for its lavishness. Videos from the event showcased exclusive performances by Maroon 5 and an indulgent stay at the Palace of Versailles, where guests were flown in on private jets. While the internet buzzes with details of the extravagant affair, curiosity around Brockway's background soared. Acc...

A 1962 Ferrari 330 LM / 250 GTO by Scaglietti, the coveted Italian coachbuilder, sold for US$51.7 million (RM244.02 million) at an RM Sotheby’s auction on Nov 13 in New York City. It was the most expensive Ferrari ever to sell at auction and the most expensive classic car sold publicly anywhere in the world this year. Jim Jaeger, a prominent collector in Ohio and co-founder of the company that came to manufacture Escort radars, owned the car for nearly four decades prior to the sale. A spokesperson from RM Sotheby’s did not identify the new owner. The final hammer price was US$47 million — a buyer’s premium of 10% brought the tally to its total price to US$51.7 million. Despite the record, the final sale price was lower than expected. In the days leading up to the sale, RM So...

Credit: AFP A spate of thefts of rare Russian classics worth millions of euros from libraries across Eastern Europe has left a trail that points all the way to auctions in Russia. Shelves of 19th century Russian literature have been ransacked over the past two years in Poland and the Baltic states, with originals replaced by fakes. The University of Warsaw library only found out last month about the thefts, including first editions of works by Alexander Pushkin and Nikolai Gogol. A university employee with knowledge of the matter estimated the value of the stolen books at “around a million euros”. “It was like gouging out the crown jewels,” Hieronim Grala, a former diplomat, an expert in Russia policy and professor at the University of Warsaw told AFP. “Fortunately, not ...

In a heartwarming tale merging music, compassion, and the majesty of nature, celebrated pianist and artist Paul Barton has captivated the world with his extraordinary performances for rescued elephants at the Elephants World sanctuary near Kanchanaburi, Thailand. Barton's enchanting journey began in the quaint town of Hornsea, East Yorkshire, in the 1970s, where his love affair with music blossomed. A chance encounter with Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata at a local supermarket sparked his passion for the piano, leading him to hone his craft by ear on the instrument available at his grandmother's care home. Undeterred by the absence of a piano at home, Barton would trek miles to a village church, finding solace amidst pig farms and nettles while honing his musical talent. His dedica...

Americans are shifting their job aspirations away from degree-centric roles, opting for well-paying, college-free careers. Searches for "no degree jobs" hit a record high on Google in the U.S. this year. While about 75% of U.S. jobs paying over $35,000 annually traditionally require a college degree, only 38% of Americans hold a bachelor's degree. Google's research highlights a growing interest in jobs offering travel opportunities, flexible schedules, and paths to entrepreneurship. The three most Googled jobs in 2023 are Real Estate Agent, Notary, and Travel Agent, all of which generally require a high school diploma and specific certifications but no formal degree. Job seekers are increasingly drawn to high-paying roles without the need for a degree, noting the importanc...