Sa Pa in Vietnam's northern province of Lao Cai has become more touristy in recent years, so it is important for those who love the pristine beauty of the town to find a place where they can breath in the fresh air, dive into the green jungle, gaze over the vast paddy fields and experience ethnic culture. Aware of that demand, National Geographic has the answer: Topas Ecolodge in Ban Lech Village. Naming the lodge on its new list of Unique Lodges of the World, the U.S.-based publisher suggests to its readers to “wake in the morning to the mist rising with the sun, and spend your days exploring the surrounding forests and ethnic villages, and you’ll start to feel the pull of the hill tribes’ centuries-old lifestyle, native to these mountains and virtually untouched by the modern world.” This is because “the stilted common buildings at the heart of the lodge were sourced from a nearby community of ethnic Tay people; and private guest bungalows swirl … [Read more...] about Vietnamese mountain lodge named among world’s most unique
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ITV confident of World Cup giving advertising a boost
Advertisers are defying predictions of a gloomy World Cup, an early win for new ITV chief executive Carolyn McCall. The former easyJet boss has embarked on a “strategic refresh” of the broadcaster, as she fends off the growing threat from Netflix. Media buyers were predicting that big advertisers would be less keen on TV World Cup exposure than usual, favouring online. But ITV said it expects a 15% jump in ad sales during June, as viewers tune in to watch an unfancied England team, and perhaps more skilful efforts from Argentina’s Lionel Messi. McCall says ITV’s mainstays — Coronation Street and Emmerdale — are still the core of its success, and Love Island’s return should also help revenues. ITV shares rose 4% to 157p on the news. McCall said online advertising is also up strongly. “Over the full year we are on track to deliver double-digit growth in online revenue and good organic revenue growth in ITV Studios,” she … [Read more...] about ITV confident of World Cup giving advertising a boost
Check out which celebs are attending Wizard World Comic Con in Philly
Wizard World Comic Con will return to Philadelphia Thursday, May 17, through Sunday, May 20.Over the long weekend, pop culture fanatics will flock to the Pennsylvania Convention Center.The countdown is on, but there's still time to grab tickets for either a single day or the full, four-day weekend.At the convention, fans will have the opportunity to get up-close to the celebrities who brought favorite TV show and movie characters to life.Below are some of the big names coming to Philly to participate in exclusive Q&A sessions, pose for photographs and sign autographs.•Sebastian Stan ("Captain America" franchise)•Elijah Wood ("The Lord of the Rings" trilogy)•Jason Momoa ("Game of Thrones," "Justice League")•Natalie Dormer ("Game of Thrones")•Sean Bean ("The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring," "Game of Thrones")•Sean Astin ("The Lord of the Rings" trilogy, "Stranger Things" season 2)•Henry Winkler ("Happy Days," … [Read more...] about Check out which celebs are attending Wizard World Comic Con in Philly
Oil boost helps world stocks turn positive for 2018
LONDON (Reuters) - World stocks hit a three-week high on Thursday and turned positive for the year as rising oil prices gave energy firms a shot in the arm that countered the effects of increased political uncertainty. FILE PHOTO: A gas station attendant pumps fuel into a customer's car at a gas station in Shanghai, China November 17, 2017. REUTERS/Aly Song/File Photo Brent crude rose to another 3-1/2 year high of $77.89 overnight amid fears of supply disruptions after President Donald Trump withdrew the United States from a nuclear accord with Iran and ordered sanctions to be reimposed. The dollar meanwhile eased slightly from 2018 highs ahead of U.S. April inflation numbers later on Thursday and as currency markets eyed the Bank of England’s policy meeting and inflation report. “It’s difficult to know what the principal drivers are given there’s a whole host of events, but it could well be that the effect of oil prices on resources … [Read more...] about Oil boost helps world stocks turn positive for 2018
Alone in the world: Foster kids in Colorado leave system with no home, no family, little support
A sparrow’s feather tattooed on Sarah Janeczko’s forearm and a flock of seven tiny birds stretching across her back remind her to “fly away.” From her mother’s suicide and her father’s death from a “broken heart.” From the foster mothers who tried to give her religion and manners. From the child welfare system she couldn’t wait to escape. And from the terrifying months afterward, when she bounced from couches to motels to boyfriends she used only so she would have a place to sleep. “They couldn’t keep me in a cage,” said the tiny blond with perfect eyeliner, a can of Coke in one hand and a cigarette in the other. “Exhale the past, inhale the future,” says another tattoo. Sarah’s life as a self-described wild child began soon after age 12, when her mother killed herself by swallowing seven bottles of her bipolar medication. Not long after, as Sarah’s dad was drowning in sadness and … [Read more...] about Alone in the world: Foster kids in Colorado leave system with no home, no family, little support