American online marketplace for short- and long-term stays, experiences and services
An 87-year-old tenant, Maricarmen Abascal, has been evicted from her Madrid flat after a 275% rent rise by an investment fund. Protests have erupted across Spain, demanding stronger tenant protections and reforms to curb evictions amid rising housing costs and a shortage of homes.
The UN has updated its human-rights database to list 214 companies across 11 countries, most of them Israeli, with five removals this year. The update, first published in 2020, comes as Britain, France and Canada take steps to restrict settlement-linked trade. Volker Türk reiterates that firms must conduct due diligence to respect human rights.
A set of recent reports cover long Covid rehabilitation, a Parkinson’s diagnosis for Bruce Foxton of The Jam, and Lyme disease campaigning by a Scottish MSP. Also covered are ulcerative colitis coupled with PSC in a Birmingham mother and ongoing chronic illness advocacy in media.
Major tech firms have announced widespread workforce reductions while reporting record AI spending and rising head counts at heavy AI adopters. Oracle, Microsoft, Meta and others have cut roles and cited AI-driven change even as studies from Ramp/Revelio, SignalFire and Draup show engineering hires and entry-level roles growing at AI‑intensive firms and job listings shifting toward judgment and AI-tool fluency.
A chorus of firsthand accounts shows travel and everyday life are being reshaped by technology, cost, and shifting priorities. From AI packing hacks to pandemic-era lessons, readers describe how trips and routines adapt in 2026.
Detroit Lions cornerback Terrion Arnold has been charged in Florida with kidnapping, armed robbery and conspiracy linked to a February incident in Tampa. Prosecutors say he directed associates who abducted and assaulted three men; Arnold was not at the apartment. Six other suspects have been arrested or pleaded guilty. Bond was set at $1 million, and he must remain at home except for games, training and travel.
celebrities are staging a high-profile wedding during a heatwave in New York, drawing massive security, road closures, and public attention. Critics say the spectacle underscores a city increasingly tuned to the needs of the rich while ordinary residents bear the burden.
Travelers are adjusting to higher costs as global tensions shape travel patterns. Data show Americans and others favor road trips, domestic stays and budget options over long-haul, international travel this summer.
Airbnb has purchased its first Manhattan office, a six‑story 42,500‑sq‑ft Beaux‑Arts building at 281 Park Avenue South for $81.5 million. The move accompanies a long-running clash with New York City over Local Law 18 restrictions on short-term rentals and signals a deeper commitment to the city with an employee hub for 600+ staff in the region.
A family renting an Airbnb in Oceanside, California, has discovered a framed beach photo on a wall that features members of their own family from roughly a decade ago. The image has left them astonished as they try to understand how it ended up in a home they rented for a grandfather’s birthday.
The Federal Communications Commission has added "advanced robotic devices" — including humanoid robots, four‑legged machines and some connected power inverters — to a list that blocks new foreign-made models from US markets on national‑security and cybersecurity grounds. The rule has taken effect for models not yet authorised; existing authorised devices remain allowed while exemptions can be requested.
The White House has convened a meeting with AI leaders to review a proposed cybersecurity framework for advanced models, following OpenAI's recent agent hacks and calls for greater government access. Attendees include executives from Hugging Face, Anthropic, and others; Meta and Alphabet may participate. Markets show mixed responses as investors watch the policy discussion unfold.
July payrolls have declined while the unemployment rate has fallen. Private payrolls rose, but government jobs and labor-force participation have weakened. Markets react as traders reassess the path for Federal Reserve policy.
Airbnb has embraced AI across product, search, and customer service, with CEO Brian Chesky saying the company is now “AI-native.” The move follows strong Q2 results, including double-digit revenue growth and a sustained push on AI-powered features that reduce costs and speed up development.
A 12-day Sri Lanka group tour, chronicled by a solo traveler, shows how organised trips now attract millennials while highlighting social dynamics, logistical hiccups, and evolving bonds with local guides. The narrative follows the writer’s shift from solo exploration to extended travel after meeting a guide, amid a backdrop of scenic sites and practical challenges.
Josh Jacobs has been placed on the NFL commissioner’s exempt list as investigations into his May incident continue. The Packers are keeping him on payroll and hope for a return; meanwhile, Seattle signs Terrion Arnold but places him on exempt as eight felony charges loom. The league will decide on playing status as details emerge.
A cross-border sports club in Derry has grown to about 100 members, uniting communities and highlighting the social value of sport beyond wins. A veteran player mentors a younger partner, while supporters emphasise health, inclusion, and cross-border links.
Residents in Ibiza lead a protest against the impact of tourism on housing and public spaces, echoing broader concerns across Barcelona, Marseille and other cities where visitors strain infrastructure and drive up costs. The debate pits economic reliance on tourism against preserving local culture and livability.
Airbnb is testing a pilot program that lowers host take rates from bookings to 6% or 10%, down from the company’s usual 16%. The move accompanies a leadership shift, with a new senior regional leader in the Europe, Middle East and Africa region and heightened emphasis on enterprise growth.
New lawsuits have expanded the OpenAI case load over the February mass shooting at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School in British Columbia. Plaintiffs allege OpenAI knew of the shooter’s violent intent via ChatGPT and failed to warn authorities, adding to already filed suits.
Shinjuku ward will bar private lodgings in residential areas and near schools, reducing days available for rental from 180 to 120. The move follows growing resident complaints about noise, rubbish and trespassing amid Japan’s tourism push toward 2030 targets.
The EU Commission has proposed a framework to let cities curb short-term rentals in areas facing housing stress, with rules that require evidence-based, non-retroactive measures. The plan aims to stabilize urban housing by guiding local enforcement while protecting the housing supply and noting industry pushback.
The Queen's estate home has traded hands multiple times since its construction in 1940. It has recently sold for $1.93 million after a lengthy period of neglect and renovation. The buyer, Trump Birth Home LLC, has moved to update the property that previously fetched higher prices in the market.
The United Nations rights office has added 61 more companies to its database of firms operating in Israeli settlements, bringing the total to 214. Most are Israeli; new entries include ADAMA, Alony Hetz and Salvat Logistica. Several travel platforms were already on the list. Countries are debating or enforcing limits on settlement trade as EU states consider action.