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☆ Azerbaijan’s 10 best castles and fortresses
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-20 | by ( Tom Marsden | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

It grew up around a fortress built in the 1750s by Panah Ali Khan, founder of the Karabakh Khanate (1748-1822). Kamilla Rzayeva Tea culture: Azerbaijani tea culture originated in Lankaran and the hospitable locals will often welcome visitors with a refreshing glass. Kamilla Rzayeva Yanar Bulag: Yanar Bulag, meaning "burning spring" is a natural spring which percolates methane gas. Kamilla Rzayeva Hirkan National Park: Home to endangered Persian leopards, Hirkin National Park is a great place for hiking and cooling off. Kamilla Rzayeva Ironwood trees: Hirkan National Park's famous ironwood trees are believed to have survived the last Ice Age.

Persons: ”, Alexander the Great, Timur, Russia –, Elchin Aliyev, who’s, Akhsitan I, Ilisu, Ivan Paskevich, Imam Shamil, Potemkin, Sergei Einstein’s, Panah Ali Khan, Persian Shah, Agha Mohammad Khan Qajar, Joseph Stalin, Kamilla, Stalin, Yanar, Zindan Organizations: CNN, UNESCO, Sheki, of Sheki, Zaqatala Locations: Europe, Asia, Azerbaijan, Russia, USSR, jostle, Old City, Baku, Mardakan, Shabran, Persia, Chirag, Sheki, Caucasus, Ilisu, Ilisu Sultanate, Soviet, Zaqatala, Lesser Caucasus, Shusha, Karabakh, Persian, Alinja, Azerbaijan’s, Nakhchivan, Armenia, Iran, Turkey, Machu Picchu, Azerbaijani, Lankaran, Ironwood, ironwood, Talysh

☆ Massive downtown Mexico City fire blackens skyline
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-17 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

[1/3] Smoke from a fire rises out of a shoe warehouse near the zocalo in Mexico City, Mexico November 16, 2023. Flames were visible from several kilometers away hours after the pillar of smoke began rising. Local media reported that the fire started in a warehouse near the city's historic center, in the Tepito district. Mexico City civil protection authorities said on social media platform X that there were no immediate reports of casualties, and that hundreds of people had been evacuated. Reporting by Mexico City Newsroom, editing by Deepa BabingtonOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Alexandre Meneghini, Deepa Babington Organizations: REUTERS, MEXICO CITY, Mexico City, Local, Thomson Locations: Mexico City, Mexico, MEXICO, Tepito

☆ This US couple sold their house and moved to Italy for good
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-13 | by ( Silvia Marchetti | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

CNN —The pandemic’s enforced period of no travel led an American couple to rethink their life and retire to sunny southern Italy. “We decided to sell our home, our car and all superfluous possessions and make Italy our retirement home for good. The couple looked at different southern Italian regions offering a 7% flat tax for new immigrant retirees, before picking Puglia. The unexpected rising temperatures in southern Italy are too much even for Louisiana natives. “There is a great amount of work that goes into the legal preparations in Italy if you want to actually live there,” says Glenda Tuminello.

Persons: we’ll, Stanley Tucci, Seventysomethings Glenda, Randy Tuminello, Covid, ” Glenda Tuminello, “, –, ”, Glenda Tuminello Randy Tuminello, it’s, Glenda Tuminello, they’ve, Michal Ludwiczak, they’re Organizations: CNN, intel, CNN Travel, “, Louisiana Locations: American, Italy, Spokane , Washington, Polignano, Puglia, Adriatic, Cefalù, Louisiana, Italian, Mare

☆ Harvard is temporarily closing off its historic center to visitors at night, as backlash continues to roil against students blaming Israel for Hamas' attacks
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-13 | by ( Kai Xiang Teo | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Harvard told students in an email that its historic center would be closed to non-ID holders nightly until Monday, the Harvard Crimson reported. Harvard Yard is the oldest part of the university campus and is where most freshman dormitories are housed. The move comes amid an escalating backlash against student groups that cosigned a letter blaming Israel for the Hamas attacks. AdvertisementAdvertisementHarvard is closing off its historic center, Harvard Yard, to visitors at night until Monday, amid an escalating backlash against students who cosigned a letter blaming Israel for the Hamas attacks, the Harvard Crimson reported Thursday, citing an email sent to students. Harvard Yard is a 25-acre green space that is the oldest part of the university campus and is where most freshman dormitories are housed.

Persons: Israel, —, Meredith Weenick, Bill Ackman, Larry Summers, Jason Furman, Boaz Barak, Harvard Hillel Organizations: Harvard, Harvard Crimson, Service, Harvard Yard, Harvard University Police Department Locations: Israel

VENICE (AP) — Firefighters worked until dawn Wednesday to remove the wreckage of a bus that crashed in a borough of Venice, Italy, across the lagoon from its historic center, killing 21 people and injuring at least 15, mostly foreign tourists returning to a nearby camping site. The shuttle was connecting Piazzale Roma, in Venice's historic center, to the Hu campground in Marghera, another borough of Venice neighbouring Mestre. He was an experienced driver, Venice city councilor Renato Boraso said. I carried a woman out on my shoulders, then a man,” Erheneden told the Venice daily il Gazzettino. In 2017, 16 people on a bus carrying Hungarian students died in an accident near the northern city of Verona.

Persons: — Firefighters, Michele Di Bari, Alberto Rizzotto, Renato Boraso, Erheneden, ” Erheneden, “, ’, Luigi Brugnaro Organizations: VENICE, —, Venice prefecture, Piazzale Roma, Venice Locations: Venice, Italy, Piazzale, Venice's, Marghera, Mestre, Italian, Verona, Avellino

The Old City of Jerusalem and its walls were inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1981, but UNESCO doesn't list it under Israel or Palestine. Whereas other sites are listed by country, UNESCO lists the site separately, under "Jerusalem (Site proposed by Jordan)." Source: Screenshot from UNESCOIsrael, which joined UNESCO in 1949, has nine sites named to the list, including Masada, the Old City of Acre and the "White City" of Tel Aviv. A backdrop of political alliancesUNESCO's decision to add Tell es-Sultan/Jericho to its World Heritage Site has angered Israeli officials, with Israel's foreign ministry releasing a statement Sunday calling it a "cynical" ploy by the Palestinians to politicize UNESCO. Kyiv's Saint Sophia Cathedral is now on UNESCO's List of World Heritage in Danger.

Persons: Archivio J, Lange, De Agostini, Mounir, Jordan, Masada, Anastas, Saint Sophia Cathedral, Kyiv's, Kyiv's Saint Sophia, Pollex Organizations: UNESCO, Getty, Bank, Saudi Press Agency, The, City of, UNESCO Israel, politicize UNESCO, Saudi, U.S, Biden, United, UNESCO —, World, Saint Locations: Jericho, Palestine, Old City, Jerusalem, City, City of Jerusalem, Israel, Acre, Tel Aviv, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Saudi Arabia, Mecca, Medina, Saudi, United States, Ukraine, Lavra, Kyiv, Pechersk, Lviv, Kyiv's Saint

☆ UNESCO adds new sites to the World Heritage List
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-16 | by ( Tamara Hardingham-Gill | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN —UNESCO’s World Heritage Committee has wrapped up its deliberations related to sites that are in danger and began adding new sites on Saturday to its prestigious World Heritage List. Deliberations started Saturday considering 50 sites nominated for the well-known World Heritage List. Yurii Stefanyak/Global Images Ukraine/Getty ImagesThe World Heritage in Danger List includes heritage sites that are threatened by forces such as armed conflict, natural disasters, pollution and more. World Heritage ListAs discussions moved to contenders for the World Heritage List, the Forest Massif of Odzala-Kokoua in Congo was inscribed on Saturday. Sites must be of “outstanding universal value” to be added to the World Heritage List, according to UNESCO.

Persons: CNN —, Sophia Cathedral, Ukraine —, Mount Pelée, Yurii, Sophia, ”, “, ” CNN’s Marnie Hunter, Francesca Street Organizations: CNN, Kyiv, UNESCO Locations: Ukraine, Kyiv, Pechersk, Lviv, Odzala, Congo, Mount, Martinique, Venice, Long, Ba, Ha Long, Denmark, Ohio

☆ The global treasures in the running for UNESCO’s World Heritage status
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-15 | by ( Tamara Hardingham-Gill | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

This year, the UNESCO World Heritage Committee is reviewing nominations from both 2022 and 2023, with participants from across the world attending the session in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia to examine almost 50 contenders. According to UNESCO, sites must be of “outstanding universal value” to be included on the World Heritage List. So far, the World Heritage Committee has inscribed approximately 1,157 sites in 167 different countries onto the World Heritage List. Seo Heun Kang/UNESCO World Heritage Nomination OfficeOnly those countries that sign the convention creating the World Heritage Committee and list are permitted to nominate sites. Gordion, the capital city of ancient Phrygia in Ankara, Turkey, is also nominated for a place on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Persons: John E, Seo Heun Kang, Bale, Gordion, Mustafa Ciftci, Midas, Morten Rasmussen, Sarah Langrand, Dominique Marck, Bani Ma’arid, Bani Ma'arid, Hamad Al Qahtani, Koh Ker, Mount Pelée, Canada Bale, Francesca Street Organizations: CNN, UNESCO, United Nations Educational, Cultural Organization, UNESCO World Heritage, Heritage, World, Anadolu Agency, Danish Agency for Culture, Fine Arts Department, de Nîmes, National Center for Wildlife, Architectural Museum, Kazan Federal University, Khinalig, Tunisia ESMA Museum, Clandestine Center of Detention, Wooden Posts, Greece Historic Center of Guimarães Locations: Gaya, Denmark, Thai, Ohio, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Hancock, United States, Goryeong, South Korea, Addis Ababa, Phrygia, Turkey, Ankara, B.C.E, Madagascar, Si Thep, Thailand, Si, Nîmes, France, Gorokhovets, Russia, Vladimir Oblast, Erfurt, Germany, Cambodia, Khmer, Courland, Latvia, Kaunas, Lithuania, Ab’aj, Guatemala, India, Karakum, Tajikistan, Menorca, Spain, Ethiopia, Iran, Klondike, Canada, Czech, Odzala, Kokoua, Congo, Mount, Northern Martinique, Benin Ha Long, Ba Archipelago, Vietnam, Forests, Azerbaijan, Jericho, Palestinian Territories, Kazan, Tunisia, Argentina, Belgium, Suriname Royal, Netherlands, Anatolia, Bisesero, Rwanda, Yogyakarta, Indonesia, Masouleh, Turan, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Northern Apennines, Italy, Tajikistan Highlands, Mongolian, Mongolia, Greece, Portugal

The storied and fragile lagoon city is not alone in its struggle to manage an onslaught of tourists in the low-cost flight era. But the stakes are particularly high this week as the UNESCO World Heritage Committee decides whether to add Venice to its list of endangered world sites. Critics charge that the tax was rushed through to impress the UNESCO committee that the city is acting to curb mass tourism. The recommendation to downgrade Venice cites not only management of mass tourism, but also the impact of climate change. Venice is one of six sites, including two in war-ravaged Ukraine, that the committee may officially declare to be in danger.

Persons: ’ ’, Michele Zuin, Saint Organizations: UNESCO World Heritage Committee, UNESCO, Venice Locations: VENICE, Italy, Venice, Rome, St, Ukraine, Ukraine’s, Kyiv, Lviv, Nessebar, Bulgaria, Turkey, Kamchatka, Russia’s

The earthquake that struck Morocco on Friday night hit near Marrakesh, a popular tourist destination, sending both residents and visitors scrambling for safety. “We didn’t know if we had to stand up, to sit down, to run,” Mr. Ait Chari said. Ms. Lorang and hundreds of others found refuge in a courtyard, where some brought out rugs and blankets to sleep. “It was very chaotic.”Mr. Ait Chari, the tour guide, said he was supposed to pick up more clients on Sunday but was unsure flights would be maintained. Many people were still in shock, he said, but there had also been “great solidarity,” as residents cleared roads.

Persons: “, Jen Lorang, ” Ms, Lorang, “ I’ve, Mr, Ait, ”, Jean, Baptiste Guinet Organizations: Big, ”, UNESCO, Heritage, Tourism, Organization for Economic Cooperation, Development Locations: Morocco, Marrakesh, Ait Chari, Massachusetts, Seattle, San Francisco, ” Morocco, Agadir, ”, Taroudant

Last week, wildfires broke out on the Hawaiian island of Maui that became the deadliest in the United States in over a century. The town of Lahaina, once the royal capital of the kingdom of Hawaii, was one of the places hit hardest — its historic center was decimated, including Waiola Church, the oldest on the island and a cherished meeting place. Today, the minister of Waiola Church, Anela Rosa, explains what it means to lose Lahaina and what it will take to rebuild it.

Persons: Anela Rosa Organizations: Waiola Locations: Maui, United States, Lahaina, Hawaii

CNN —A historic Italian bell tower was recently silenced during the night, in response to protests from B&B owners whose guests complained about the noise—but some locals are now complaining that they can’t sleep without the sound of the chimes. A bell has tolled in the clock tower in the main square of the Tuscan town of Pienza for about 560 years. Pienza's ancient town center is protected by UNESCO. Dragoncello/Getty ImagesManolo Garosi, mayor of Pienza, told CNN that the bell is now silent from midnight to 7 a.m. to conform to a 2017 noise pollution rule that requires silence during those hours. With its ancient buildings, narrow cobbled streets and hilltop position overlooking the rolling Tuscan landscape, Pienza has long been a magnet for tourists.

Persons: Manolo Garosi, “, Pienza, Pope Pius II, Pius, — Organizations: CNN, UNESCO, Dragoncello, RAI Locations: Pienza, ”

☆ A storied cathedral protected by the UN in Ukraine's key port city of Odesa has now been bombed twice — once by Putin and once by Stalin
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-23 | by ( Katie Balevic | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

A Russian missile strike clobbered a Ukrainian cathedral in Odesa, killing one and injuring 19. The strike in the port city of Odesa early Sunday morning left one dead and injured 19 others. Photos from Reuters showed the devastation in the Spaso-Preobrazhenskyi Cathedral — also known as the Transfiguration Cathedral — which is Odesa's largest church building. An interior view shows the Transfiguration Cathedral damaged during a Russian missile strike on Odesa, Ukraine. The destruction of the key port city is a tactic, according to Oleksiy Honcharenko, a Ukrainian MP from Odesa.

Persons: Joseph Stalin, Oleh Kiper, —, Nina Liashonok, Andriy Palchuk, Palchuk, Oleksiy, Odesa, Honcharenko, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Zelenskyy Organizations: Russian, UNESCO, Service, Ukrainian, Reuters, Guardian, Twitter, Odesa Locations: Ukrainian, Odesa, Soviet, Wall, Silicon, Russian, Preobrazhenskyi, Ukraine

CNN —Russian missiles badly damaged dozens of Ukrainian architectural landmarks, including a historic Orthodox cathedral in the southern port city of Odesa, sparking outrage and prompting President Volodymyr Zelensky to vow retaliation. “Russians deliberately aimed their missiles at the historic city center of Odesa, which is under the UNESCO protection. Some of the other cultural sites damaged include the House of Scientists and Zhvanetskyi Boulevard, Odesa’s Mayor Hennadii Trukhanov said Sunday. Jae C. Hong/APThe cathedral lies in Odesa’s city center, which UNESCO named a World Heritage Site amid the threat of Russia’s invasion. “Missiles against peaceful cities, against residential buildings, a cathedral … There can be no excuse for Russian evil,” Zelensky said.

Persons: Volodymyr Zelensky, Odesa –, Oleh Kiper, Hennadii Trukhanov, Jae C, Catherine the Great, Oleksandr Tkachenko, Maia Sandu, Russia’s, Oleksandr Gimanov, ”, Julia Gorodetska, I’ve, Odesa, Zelensky, ” Zelensky, Serhii Smolientsev, Reuters “, Josep Borrell, Oleh Syniehubov, ” Syniehubov Organizations: CNN, UNESCO, Scientists, Zhvanetskyi, Ukrainian, Heritage, Getty, Command, Russian Ministry of Defense, “, Odesa, Reuters, Telegram . Civilian Locations: Russian, Odesa, Odesa’s, Soviet, Ukraine, Russia, Moscow, AFP, Ukrainian, Kharkhiv, Dvorichna, Kharkiv, Chuhuiv, Kupyansk

☆ Protest returns to Peru with fresh demands against official impunity and fears about the economy
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-18 | by ( Karol Suarez | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

Yet many of the protesters’ key demands, such as the resignation of President Dina Boluarte, early elections, and the closure of Congress, remain unanswered. Anger over accountability is what’s driving the new protests, Omar Coronel, a sociologist from the Pontifical Catholic University of Peru, told CNN. At the minimum, a democracy leads to “some kind of political sanction” for protest deaths. At least 24,000 police officers are being mobilized to watch what has been dubbed the “takeover of Lima” protest. What people want is to work and that the businesses and the economy not to come to a standstill,” political analyst Álvarez Rodrich said.

Persons: ” Alex Mendoza, Pedro Castillo, Dina Boluarte, Mendoza, ”, “, Ernesto Benavides, ’, Castillo, Boluarte, Anger, Omar Coronel, Marisol Perez Tello, ” Ivette, Vicente Romero, Perez Tello, ” Perez Tello, Cris Bouroncle, ” Augusto Álvarez Rodrich, Coronel, Ronderos, –, ’ ” Coronel, Álvarez Rodrich, ” Jacinto Amansio López Delgado, ” López Organizations: Peru CNN, CNN, Getty, Pontifical Catholic University of Peru, ”, “, Commerce Locations: Lima, Peru, AFP, Ivette, Peruvian, ’ Lima, ”

CNN —Construction workers have unearthed a white marble head in the historic center of Rome, the city’s mayor has revealed on social media. It said that the head was found on the eastern side of the area currently being worked on. “The newly found head, of elegant craftsmanship, sculpted in Greek marble, probably belongs to a statue of a female divinity, perhaps Aphrodite, of natural dimensions. He explained that the head was unearthed, intact, in the foundation of a late antique wall. The head was found to be in the foundations of this wall.

Persons: Roberto Gualtieri, Roma, Piazza Augusto Imperatore, ” Gualtieri, Augustus, Aphrodite, ”, Claudio Parisi Presicce, Parisi Presicce, conservators Organizations: CNN, Roma Press, Roma Locations: Rome, Piazza, ”

☆ Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh: India's wrestling chief charged in sexual harassment case
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-15 | by ( Rhea Mogul | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN —Delhi police on Thursday formally pressed charges against Indian wrestling chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, following weeks of protests by female athletes over claims of sexual harassment. Singh has been accused of assault, stalking, and sexual harassment, senior Delhi police official Suman Nalwa told CNN. Singh, who denies all allegations of sexual harassment, has not been arrested. CNN has reached out to Singh and some wrestlers who have participated in the protests for comment. The allegations against Singh came to light in January, when several leading wrestlers demanded an inquiry into claims of sexual harassment by younger athletes against him.

Persons: Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, Singh, Suman Nalwa, “, ”, Nalwa, Singh –, Narendra Modi, Brij Bhushan Singh, Arun Thakur, Vinesh Phogat, Sakshi Malik, Malik, Sangeeta Phogat, Vinesh Organizations: CNN, Delhi, Bharatiya Janata Party, BJP, Supreme, Getty, Police, Indian Olympic Association, Twitter Locations: Singh, Delhi, New Delhi, AFP, New, Phogat

☆ Croatia's little-visited coastline above Dubrovnik
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-05 | by ( Mary Novakovich | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +11 min

There’s even Kornati National Park, one of Croatia’s most compelling natural spaces, spread over 89 islands. Meanwhile, Trogir – whose old town occupies its own little island – is a magical place protected by UNESCO World Heritage status. In just one square within the walled old town you’ll be immersed in centuries of history. Primošten’s old town is on its own little island connected to the newer town by a causeway. Look out for a little promontory just to the north of the old town, where you’ll see pebbly beaches backed by pine trees.

Persons: Trogir, Anastasia, Danny Lehman, –, you’ll, Trg, Mary’s, Boonchet, Nikola Bašić, you’ve, Nin, Veli, it’s, Anton Petrus, there’s, Jakov, Ivan Coric, You’ll, George, Andrey Omelyanchuk, Mary Novakovich, “ Organizations: CNN, Dalmatia, UNESCO World, Kolovare, Getty, Yugoslav, UNESCO Locations: Split, Dubrovnik, Croatian, Croatia’s, Zadar, Trogir, You’ll, Šibenik, Zadar's, Donat’s, St, Mary’s, you’re, Kolovare, Bibinje, Nin, –, Sakarun, Dugi, Murter, Sibenik's, Lawrence’s, Krka, Skradin, Primošten, Čiovo, Riva

☆ Travel news: Best airlines, city break inspirations and ambitious bridges
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-03 | by ( Maureen O'Hare | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN —In CNN Travel’s latest news roundup, we bring you the world’s best airlines for 2023, city break inspiration from Texas to Mongolia to Ecuador and why China might have overstretched itself by building a 15-mile, $6.7 billion bridge. Air New Zealand – which just topped a list of 2023’s best airlines – is on the case by asking all of its international departing travelers to hop on the scales as part of a passenger weight survey, the results of which are thankfully anonymous. Destination inspirationPop quiz: What was the world’s first capital city be listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site? And now that the country’s president has vowed to revitalize the city, the future’s looking bright, too. Here’s our roundup of 20 of the world’s best nude beaches.

Persons: CNN —, CNN Travel’s, Genghis, Kublai, it’s, Richard Linklater’s, Matthew McConaughey’s, San, Trevi Fountain, Venice, ”, Mount Everest’s Organizations: CNN, Air, Zealand, Federal Aviation Administration, Airbus, UNESCO, Developers, Pride Locations: Texas, Mongolia, Ecuador, China, United States, America, Rome, Athens, Quito, Inca, Karakorum, Austin , Texas, Bay Area, San Francisco, New York, Rwanda, Kigali, Dubai, Nantucket, Mount

☆ Airbnb is suing New York City over short-term rental rules. The outcome could disrupt your next vacation in cities across the US.
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-02 | by ( Will Gendron | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

In 2022, New York City passed a law that imposed restrictions on short-term rentals. On Thursday, Airbnb, along with a trio of local hosts, sued New York City, filing two separate lawsuits in Manhattan's state court. The more properties are turned into short-term rentals, the fewer housing options are available for actual residents. This isn't the first time Airbnb has battled short-term rental rules, and the court's ruling may affect how lawmakers approach the issue. In 2020, the company agreed to settle a dispute with New York City over a 2018 law that attempted to curb the practice.

Persons: Airbnb, Karen Dunn, Dunn, Gia Briscoe, Eric Adams Organizations: Morning, New York City's, New Locations: New York City, New York, Airbnb, Cities, Brooklyn, New Orleans, Florence

☆ India's top female wrestlers detained in New Delhi as Modi inaugurates new Parliament
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-29 | by ( Rhea Mogul | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

According to Malik, one of India’s most celebrated female wrestlers, some protesters were peacefully marching to Parliament when scuffles broke out with police. Indian wrestlers Sangeeta Phogat and Vinesh Phogat struggle as they are detained by the police while attempting to march to India's new parliament in New Delhi on May 28, 2023. Indian wrestler Sakshi Malik is detained by the police while attempting to march to India's new parliament in New Delhi on May 28, 2023. Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat is detained by the police while attempting to march to India's new parliament in New Delhi on May 28, 2023. Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses at the inauguration ceremony of the new Parliament House, in New Delhi on Sunday, May 28, 2023.

☆ Modi inaugurates controversial new parliament building in India
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-26 | by ( Rhea Mogul | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

A cyclist rides past the construction site for the new Parliament building in January 2021. Controversial projectThe new triangular parliament building is part of a major overhaul of New Delhi’s colonial-era administrative center dubbed the Central Vista Redevelopment Project. The rush was widely thought to have resulted from hopes of opening the parliament building by the 75th anniversary of Indian independence in August 2022. Capacity is also limited — a concern magnified by growing calls to increase the number of MPs sitting in India’s parliament. A photo of the parliament's interior taken during a visit to the building by Modi earlier this year.

☆ Quito: Ecuador’s underrated capital city was the first to become a UNESCO site
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-22 | by ( Sandra Macgregor | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

CNN —It’s hard not to feel a little sorry for the Ecuadorian capital of Quito. Singular churchesInside the Spanish colonial church of San Francisco in the city center of Quito. The museum even puts on a variety of shows, including a karaoke night of traditional Ecuadorian song. It’s especially busy at lunchtime when it fills to capacity with locals looking to indulge in affordable traditional Ecuadorian cuisine. Guided toursMetropolitan Touring’s “Live Quito Like a Local” walking tour is great for visitors with only a day or two to explore Quito.

☆ Rome, Sacred Ground for Nearly 3,000 Years, and Counting
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-01 | by ( David Laskin | Martin Pauer | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

“There is not a corner of it that is not full of our cults and our gods.”Rome, in a sense, has been sacred ground right from the start. To many, Rome is the epicenter of Catholicism, the seat of the Vatican and home to a seemingly infinite number of churches. Rome has sheltered polytheistic pagans and monotheistic Jews, adherents of Middle Eastern cults, and, in more recent times, a sizable multinational Muslim community. All have left traces — altars, temples, shrines, mosques, inscriptions — some hauntingly beautiful, others erased to stubs. But Rome and its environs conceal many holy places beyond the ken of the Bible.

☆ Irsina, the Italian village being repopulated by Americans
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-25 | by ( Silvia Marchetti | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +13 min

More than 15 families from the US and Canada have bought old properties in this remote village, known for its premium wheat fields and olive groves. The first foreign “pioneer” to buy a house in Irsina was Sandy Webster, a 63-year-old writer from San Diego. The couple fell in love with the village, bought an old house with thick stone walls, antique furniture and ancient maiolica-tile floors, and spent four years renovating it. “When we got here in 2016, over 80% of the population had fled to the newer district of Irsina, the old Irsina was empty and we loved how it looked. Their house, built into the old village walls, was on sale for 70,000 euros ($77,000).

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