Life

By Lilit Marcus (CNN) — British mountaineer Kenton Cool has set a record for the most Mount Everest summits by a non-Nepali after reaching the top of the world’s highest mountain for the 17th time. Cool reached the peak alongside Dorjee Gyelzen Sherpa, a local guide who has himself summitted both Everest and K2 multiple

By Oscar Holland, CNN (CNN) — At a park in one of the world’s most polluted cities, a sleek filtration “tower” has been quietly purifying the surrounding air since last summer. Dubbed Verto, the 5.5-meter-tall (18-foot) device reduces levels of nitrogen dioxide and dangerous fine particles in New Delhi’s Sunder Nursery by filtering 600,000 cubic

Aurore Laborie, CNN Paris (CNN) — The third most visited cultural site in Paris needs a makeover. After enchanting art and architecture fans for 50 years with its inside-out construction, the Centre Pompidou is to close for five years for an overhaul. The center, which contains galleries, a library and a restaurant within its groundbreaking

Jacqui Palumbo, CNN (CNN) — Throughout Evelyne Axell’s short but radical career, the Belgian artist revered the female body in psychedelic hues rendered in gleaming enamel. Nude women recline in acid green or cerulean blue fields under open skies; in one portrait, bodies and landscape become indistinguishable, with rings of colors forming the volume of

Julia Buckley, CNN (CNN) — European tourism: it’s as old as time. In the 19th century, the US glitterati would pop over to Paris to refresh their wardrobes. From the 1700s, places like Venice and Rome were becoming essential tourist stops in Italy. In the Classical era there were, famously, the seven wonders of the

Oliver Briscoe, CNN The humble baguette is the epitome of French baking. The perfect loaf, delicately crusty outside, soft and airy inside, is worth the airfare to Paris all on its own. But while its ingredients may be simple, its preparation can be an art form — something recognized annually when judges gather to anoint

Lianne Kolirin, CNN A pair of unknown and “exceptionally rare” portraits by Rembrandt have been discovered in a private collection in the UK. The intimate paintings of relatives of the Dutch master are now expected to sell for between £5 million and £8 million ($6.25 million-$10 million) at auction. Signed and dated 1635, the pictures

By Jessie Yeung and Jake Kwon, CNN Growing up in North Carolina, Kevin Lambert knew he was different from his White peers. The Korean features he inherited from his mother stood out, and he “always felt outcast, always felt outside.” “All my childhood, in the ’80s and ’90s, all I got was: ‘Hey, are you

By Natasha Chen, CNN The US has often been described as a “melting pot” — and though some now consider the metaphor outdated, it still holds true when it comes to food. Immigrants from around the world have for centuries adapted their traditional dishes to incorporate native ingredients or to accommodate other tastes on US

Wayne Chang, CNN Former US President Jimmy Carter’s decision to switch diplomatic recognition from Taipei to Beijing sent shockwaves through Taiwan when it was announced in late 1978. With grave existential concerns arising from fears of an imminent Communist invasion from mainland China, people protested on the streets to vent their anger at America’s perceived

By John Walton, CNN One country, two major airlines operating world-class long-haul fleets out of different major aviation hubs located close to one another. On paper, the United Arab Emirates’ ownership of two powerhouse global longhaul carriers with largely overlapping international air networks that converge so closely might seem an extravagance too far. Isn’t one

Hafsa Khalil, CNN A pair of jars purchased as part of a batch of ceramics from a London thrift store for £20 ($25) actually date back to the 18th century Qing dynasty and could sell for up to £50,000 ($62,700). The two imperial Chinese doucai “lotus and chrysanthemum” jars will be heading under the hammer

By Marie Lodi, CNN Los Angeles (CNN) — The worlds of film and high fashion have long been intertwined. Whether through costume design, red carpet fashion moments or celebrity-led campaigns, the two industries have developed a powerful symbiotic relationship. Which is why the location for Chanel’s 2023/24 peppy and playful Cruise show, which the brand

Oscar Holland, CNN Beyoncé kicked off her hotly anticipated “Renaissance” world tour in Sweden on Wednesday night — and, true to form, it was a night of numerous outfit changes. It was also a night of (nearly as many) custom bodysuits. There was a silvery Courrèges one with an iridescent circular cutout at its center;

By Jake Kwon, CNN When a colony of reddish-yellow furred Hodgson’s bats, once thought extinct in South Korea, was found in an abandoned gold mine in the country’s Hampyeong county in 1999, some saw a chance. It was exactly what a rural county — located 270 km (170 mi) south of Seoul — with an

Jack Guy, CNN The ghostwriter behind Prince Harry’s memoir “Spare” has revealed how the pair sparred during the process of writing the book, and Harry’s joy that he was finally able to communicate directly with the public. The Duke of Sussex’s explosive memoir, published earlier this year, launched a series of incendiary accusations against members

Oscar Holland, CNN A wristwatch once owned by China’s last emperor, Aisin-Gioro Puyi, is expected to fetch over $3 million when it goes on sale in Hong Kong this month. The eye-watering valuation is partly due to the rarity of the Patek Philippe Reference 96 Quantieme Lune, one of just eight known to exist. But

Nicole Mowbray, CNN The details of the Queen Consort’s coronation outfit have been being teased over the past few weeks, but when finally revealed at Westminster Abbey this morning, it did not disappoint—combining a nod to tradition with more modern and personal touches. Arriving at the service, Camilla wore a crimson velvet and ermine Robe

Leah Dolan, CNN Nicole Mowbray, CNN Choosing the ‘right’ outfit to wear to any royal event is of utmost importance, and there can be few moments more historically significant than the coronation of a new monarch. Much has been made of the departures from tradition for the coronation of King Charles III and this extended

By Maureen O’Hare, CNN This week in travel news: Crowns are handed out to pizza joints, bars and an English king. India and Italy are cooking up record-breaking engineering projects. And we reveal why going on a hiking trip might be one of the best ways to find love. Award-winning bars and restaurants Double Chicken

By Greg Wallace, CNN Air traffic control in the United States is understaffed by about 3,000 positions, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg told CNN on Friday, as hiring to fill some of that gap opened. The Federal Aviation Administration ATC workforce currently numbers about 11,500 controllers, but “the optimal number is closer to about 14,500,” the

Francesca Street, CNN Christina Ward had only known Wahid Kandil for six months when he asked her to marry him. The couple were sitting on a bench overlooking the River Nile one evening, the ancient Temple of Luxor illuminated behind them. Wahid turned to Christina. “So, are we getting married or what?” he asked. Christina

Leah Dolan, CNN The British royal family’s wardrobe choices have long been pored over by the public and media alike. The monarchy is an institution where impartiality, political neutrality and professionalism are to be maintained at all costs, even in clothing, lest hemlines, color palettes and even silhouettes become ciphers waiting to be cracked. Was

By Brandon Griggs, CNN You know the old saying, “There’s no such thing as a stupid question?” Turns out, there is. And when it comes to Cinco de Mayo — the annual fiesta that gives Americans an excuse to load up on tacos and margaritas — people ask a LOT of them. These are actual

Nicole Mowbray, CNN It was a beautiful day on Cottesloe Beach in Perth, Western Australia in March 1979. Prince Charles, the then 30-year-old eldest son of Queen Elizabeth II — and future King — was touring the state on behalf of his mother. As he finished his regular 6.30 a.m. swim, Charles was intercepted by

Terry Ward, CNN With thousands of varieties of rice in the world — jasmine, basmati, arborio and Carolina Gold, to name just a few — is it any surprise the grain defines iconic meals everywhere from Singapore to South Carolina? Plus, half the world’s population relies on rice as a staple, so there have been