CULTURE

A string of new polls seems to show that America’s belief in the wonder-working power of Obamanomics has begun to fade.

The severe U.S. recession is likely to end by year-end but the recovery will be weak and leave the economy vulnerable to new shocks, according to some of Wall Streets top strategists.

He remains personally popular, but President Barack Obama is starting to see signs that some of his economic policies are causing doubts among many Americans.

It’s mid-winter and you’ve had it. The snow is piled up outside, the perma-frost extends to your finger tips and you see shadowy reflections of palm trees and beaches in your rear view mirror as you sit in the traffic jam during your morning commute.

You should have been here in October,” the man on the Flight Deck told me. It was mid-January and he was fiddling with his camera and a lens so long and powerful that I’m surprised he ever had to leave home.

Most of us find ourselves broke at one time or another, but it is never a bigger problem then when you find yourself broke when you traveling and stuck overseas.

Korean food is as adventurous as the land and culture it comes from. Mountains of side dishes, paired with a sensory overload that is typical of Korean dining and you have yourself an experience, not just a meal.

President Barack Obama said Tuesday that today’s antiquated U.S. financial system puts “American dreams” in “consistent danger,” as he announced his proposals to change the laws which govern how financial companies are run.

At a time when the press is filled with sometimes confusing economic news, one can use some simple economic concepts in understanding the economic outlook.

Matsuyama usually doesn’t roll off the tongue when Japan’s most popular tourist destinations are mentioned. But Shikoku’s largest city features a landmark that has appeared in several literary works and is considered very soothing.

In the wake of the latest economic crisis, President Obama’s top economic officials today issued five proposals for improving the U.S. financial system that would expand the government’s authority to regulate financial companies and their products.

Tikal, Machu Picchu, the Roman Forums … world history is told through the lasting legacies of our ancestors’ ruins. We have uncovered ancient relics, unearthed mysterious symbols and discovered secrets and traditions of long-forgotten rituals.

Afghanistan has released its first list of protected wildlife that can no longer be hunted or harvested. 32 species are on the initial list, with conservationists hoping to list 70 species by the end of the year.

You know the neighborhood straightaway – Chinese signage, glowing red lanterns everywhere, maybe even some neon: you’ve stumbled into another urban Chinatown.

If you are paying attention to such trivial things, you’ll eventually hear of many cities that have a nickname claiming they are the “Venice of” something.

Many European cities have the bad reputation of being expensive to visit. And when you plan to see as much as you can during your vacation, the entrance fees really add up.

Bone churches, more accurately called

For many people, sampling local food is the most important part of travel. For others it’s the bane of their trip, a massive stress that leads them all over their chosen countries in search of a familiar lunch.

President Barack Obama sought on Tuesday to show he was serious about improving the U.S. budget picture as he called on Congress to pass new limits on tax cuts and spending programs to avoid adding to deficits.

U.S. President Barack Obama on Tuesday welcomed the repayments to the government of $68 billion in bank bailout funds but said the problems in the financial markets were not over yet.

When you tell your friends that a trip looms sparkly on the horizon, the next question is often, “Who are you going with?” As they mentally click on the dropdown friend list, scrolling for your best, brightest, most-likely-to-get-someplace-on-time friends…and you’ll really enjoy lobbing this showstopper.

Whether you come by your sweet tooth naturally, suddenly find your pants slipping southward from too much road grub, or just can’t face another plate of mystery meat, desserts on the road are a great way to get to know a country’s culinary culture.

Harvard University is creating an endowed professorship in lesbian, gay, bisexual and transsexual studies, the first of its kind in the United States and reflecting a rise in sex-related academia nationwide.

South Carolina's top court on Thursday ordered Governor Mark Sanford, a fierce critic of President Obama's economic stimulus program, to take $700 million in federal stimulus money.

A much-anticipated package of financial regulations from the Obama administration will call for a financial products safety commission and new rules on executive pay, hedge funds and derivatives, the chairman of the U.S. House of Representatives Financial Services Committee told Reuters on Wednesday.

Officials at Cambodia’s Angkor Wat have been accused of damaging the ancient site by installing light bulbs.

My travel agent had found me a ticket from San Francisco to Kolkata that was $200 cheaper. Downside being a 12 hour layover at Suvarnabhumi, Bangkok's brand new multi-billion dollar airport.

It’s easy for avid equestrians to add some horseback riding into almost any trip - you can even ride horses in New York’s Central Park. But why not experience something more than a simple follow-the-leader trail ride? These trips each offer something more for horse lovers.

Star chefs are ditching foie gras and foam for tacos and French fries. From Los Angeles to Lyon, here’s where to sample their delicious cheap eats.