Welcome to our weekly round-up of recent stories which might have flown under your radar. Speaking of which: you might expect America’s most valuable airline to earn its keep carrying passengers. But you would be mistaken—and Delta is hardly unique. Instead, a vast loyalty business is keeping airlines aloft.

Think twice before booking a trip to L’Aquila, however. Italy’s next cultural capital looks like a disaster zone, having faltered in its recovery from an earthquake. A preferred destination might be Provence—no longer simply a region of south-eastern France, but a lifestyle brand in its own right.