Leake Family Reunion 2020

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Taiwan's first 'pretend to go abroad' tour takes off with fake flight

Sixty eager "travelers" showed up to Taipei Songshan Airport on Thursday, boarding passes in hand, to take a rather unusual trip.

It's National Hot Dog month, so grab a "red hot"

From Germany to Coney Island, here's a history lesson on the hot dog, an American icon

Puerto Rico will require Covid-19 test results from visitors

Puerto Rico will have some stringent new rules for people traveling to the island amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Japan debuts new bullet train that can run during an earthquake

Japan's latest record-breaking bullet train doesn't only run faster and smoother -- it's also able to transport passengers to safety in the event of an earthquake.

Face shields AND face masks now mandatory on Qatar Airways

Face masks on flights have quickly become the norm as travelers tentatively return to the skies, but Qatar Airways has taken this a step further, announcing that its passengers will be required to wear a face shield -- in addition to a face mask or face covering.

With Europe off limits, US travelers look to the Caribbean

North American travelers may not be able to head to the Mediterranean, Greek Isles or other iconic European destinations this summer for that idyllic beach vacation, but a dreamy seaside escape isn't out of reach.

Americans denied entry into Italy due to Covid-19 travel restrictions

Five Americans who flew by private jet to the Mediterranean island of Sardinia were refused entry to Italy due to new EU travel restrictions on countries with high coronavirus infection rates. CNN's Barbie Nadeau reports.

Archaeologists find ancient Aboriginal sites underwater, off the coast of Australia

Researchers have found the first confirmed underwater Aboriginal archaeological sites off the coast of Australia, and predict that there are many more to be discovered.

What it's like flying across the US right now

Fiji markets itself as retreat for billionaires during pandemic

With the tourism industry gradually reopening around the world, Fiji has made an unusual appeal to billionaires looking for a retreat during the pandemic.

Is the world turning its back on US tourists?

Once highly sought by destinations around the world, US travelers are increasingly seen as unwelcome as their country's Covid-19 numbers continue to soar.

California struggles to slowly reopen for tourism

As counties reopen for much needed tourism dollars, state health officials urge caution while new covid cases are on the rise.

Democrats want John Wayne Airport renamed after 'I believe in white supremacy' interview resurfaces

Democrats in Orange County, California, are done with The Duke, and they want John Wayne's name and likeness stripped from the county's airport.

Travel relief for Britons as government reviews two-week quarantine

The British government says it will announce travel agreements with countries such as France, Greece and Spain next week as it reviews its policy of imposing a 14-day quarantine for travelers arriving in Britain.

Disneyland fans ask: Should I go when the park eventually reopens?

Disneyland in Southern California, which debuted on July 17, 1955, had been aiming for a phased reopening on its 65th anniversary, July 17.

Giant dinner held at 1,600-foot table to celebrate easing of virus restrictions

People in Prague, the Czech capital, celebrated the country's eased coronavirus restrictions with a giant dinner at a 1,600-foot long table.

Endless summers of the communist riviera

During the communist era, travel options were limited in Hungary and Central Europe, which meant Lake Balaton became the region's most popular vacation destination.

The Covid-19 medics staying in luxury hotels

Upscale hotels like Claridge's in London and the New Yorker Hotel have opened their doors to doctors, nurses and other key workers fighting coronavirus in one of the most unusual chapters of their historic lives.

Saudi Arabia says Hajj pilgrimage is on -- with limited numbers

Saudi Arabia will strictly limit the number of people who can take part in this year's Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca because of the coronavirus, according to state-run media.

Is it safe to stay in a hotel, cabin or rental home yet?

After nearly three months of quarantine, millions of Americans are ready to travel -- an overnight trip, a weekend getaway, a summer sojourn. With states reopening, that's now possible, with a caveat. Before coronavirus, few people likely thought twice about staying in a hotel room, rental home or cabin in the woods. But now, we have to factor in the potential for coronavirus exposure. Even if you're OK with the travel risks taking you to your destination -- plane, train or automobile -- what about the risks of the destination spot itself?

Feeling hot? Kayak through a melting glacier

Compass Heli Tours takes guests to kayak through glacial lakes in a remote area of British Columbia

Why white rhino numbers increased 34,000%

A 'smartpark' in South Africa is responsible for bringing southern white rhinos back from the bring of extinction and keeping them safe from poachers who sell their horns for use as a drug.

Fiji plans to create a post-coronavirus travel bubble with New Zealand and Australia

Fiji is planning to create a travel bubble with Australia and New Zealand, the South Pacific island's leader said on Sunday.

Alaska's 'Into the Wild' bus, known as a deadly tourist lure, has been removed by air

The abandoned bus on the Stampede Trail in Alaska -- made famous by the book and film "Into the Wild" -- has made its first journey in decades. This time by air.

What it's like to fly on Europe's biggest airline right now

European travelers have begun returning to the air as border restrictions ease, but the experience of a flight on the continent's biggest airline reveals just what's in store for those willing to fly in the wake of the pandemic.

Dr. Gupta on how to stay safe on the road

Traveling by car is more popular than ever, so Dr. Sanjay Gupta offers advice on how to do so safely.

What happened on Santorini when the tourism 'machine' stopped

There's a reason Greece's Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis flew to Santorini earlier this month when he wanted to announce the reopening of his country to tourism.

This Bahamas sculpture garden is underwater

There are 700 islands in the Bahamas, 2,000 beaches, 32 national parks -- and one underwater art installation.

I moved to Asia, got cancer, and then coronavirus happened

I moved to Hong Kong on the day of a huge protest marking China's National Day on October 1 and thought it would probably be the wildest experience I'd have all year. Two months later, during Hanukkah, I found out that I had breast cancer. So, while the global coronavirus crisis was the most challenging thing that happened to nearly everyone else on the planet in 2020, it barely made my top five.

Is this double-decker seat the future of airplane travel?

A design that reconfigures airplane cabins with double-decker lie-flat seats in premium economy is being touted as a possible solution for fliers looking for more protection from the spread of Covid-19.

Swedish tech company Tobii releases $229 eye tracker that may improve gamers' skills

Eye-tracking technology has helped people with medical conditions like autism, traumatic brain injuries and ALS, or amyotropic lateral sclerosis, communicate with others.

7 tips to make you a Slack power user

For years, Slack has been popular among tech startups, media companies and retailers as a tool for employees to chat and collaborate. But as many people have shifted to working from home during the pandemic, services like Slack have become more crucial.

Instagram and Facebook ban all content promoting conversion therapy

Instagram will ban any content that promotes conversion therapy, the tech company told CNN on Friday, after campaigners called on the platform to block providers from advertising their services online.

A new world war over technology

Nations and companies around the world are being sucked into a running battle over the future of technology between the United States and China, forcing them to choose sides in a conflict that is fracturing global supply chains and pushing businesses out of lucrative markets.

Amazon made waves on by ordering employees to remove TikTok from their devices, only to announce hours later that the directive had been sent by mistake.

TikTok users panic as Trump admin considers banning app

Parker Pannell woke up on Thursday to a frantic call from a friend saying that views and likes on TikTok had suddenly reset to zero. The 16-year-old, who has 2.1 million followers on TikTok, panicked, and immediately checked the app and started livestreaming to his fans.

Amazon tells employees to delete TikTok immediately—then takes it back

Amazon made waves on Friday by ordering employees to remove TikTok from their devices, only to announce hours later that the directive had been sent by mistake.

Facebook considers banning political ads in days before US election

Facebook is considering banning political advertising on its platform in the days leading up to the US presidential election in November, a person familiar with the discussions told CNN Business. The potential ban has been under consideration since last fall, the person said.

Twitch pulls Black Lives Matter video after criticism that majority of streamers in it were White

Streaming platform Twitch found itself in hot water for the second time in a week after it posted a video that was intended to support the Black Lives Matter movement but featured an overwhelming number of White creators.

Spotify and other apps crash on iPhones in apparent Facebook bug

Popular apps including Spotify, Pinterest, and Tinder were crashing on iPhones on Friday in what appeared to be a widespread outage linked to a Facebook bug.

A secretive and controversial startup may go public. Here's what you should know about it

In the 17 years since it was founded, Palantir Technologies has received financial backing from the CIA, become one of the most valuable private companies in the US, and earned a seat at the table alongside the biggest tech companies in meeting with President Donald Trump.

Hong Kong was a 'safe harbor' for tech companies shut out of China. Not anymore

For decades, Silicon Valley giants shut out of China by the country's massive censorship apparatus have continued to operate in Hong Kong thanks to the city's unique political status that guaranteed it a free internet.

Sony invests $250 million in Fortnite maker Epic Games

Sony is investing $250 million in Fortnite maker Epic Games, giving the Japanese company a minority stake in Epic.

TikTok may undergo corporate changes to distance from China amid US scrutiny

The short-form video app TikTok could soon see a shakeup of its corporate structure as it confronts mounting criticism from politicians in the US over ties to its Chinese parent company.

TikTok is a national security threat, US politicians say. Here's what experts think

The short-form video app TikTok has quickly become a key part of popular culture in the US, serving as a platform for viral memes as well as political satire and activism. Facebook, the dominant force in social media, has tried to copy the app, but so far that has not slowed down its rapid rise.

Twitter could launch a subscription option

Twitter may be working on a paid product and investors seem thrilled about it.

Facebook removes Roger Stone from Instagram after linking him to fake accounts

Facebook announced Wednesday it had shut down pages and accounts linked to Roger Stone and Proud Boys, a far-right group Facebook has banned under its hate policies. Stone's own Instagram account was shut down as part of the takedown.

Ultrasound machines that connect to smartphones are helping doctors safely scan coronavirus patients

When Butterfly Network first began rolling out its handheld ultrasound scanners in 2018, much of the focus was on providing tools to parts of Africa and Latin America, where access to large and more traditional ultrasound machines was far more restricted. But two years later, a technology that was positioned to help the developing world may find a new use in the United States as hospitals adapt to the new challenges of the coronavirus pandemic.

Genius Bar Index: How Apple Stores track the reopening

Last month, as Covid-19 cases increased in Texas and Arizona, Apple opted to shut stores in those states. Shortly after, the states themselves would either pause or roll back their reopenings.

Oscar Hammerstein II (1895)

The grandson of an opera impresario of the same name, Hammerstein studied law before beginning the theater career that made him one of the foremost songwriters in the US. In the early 1940s, he began a prolific and successful collaboration with Richard Rodgers that resulted in plays like The King and I, The Sound of Music, and the Pulitzer Prize winners Oklahoma! and South Pacific. The eight-time Tony Award winner is also the only person named Oscar to have done what? Discuss

John Quincy Adams (1767)

The son of a US president, Adams accompanied his father on diplomatic missions as a child and began his own political career at 14. A talented ambassador, he became secretary of state under President James Monroe. In 1824, he defeated Andrew Jackson in the presidential race, but he was unpopular in this role and lost to Jackson in the next election. He was then elected to Congress, where he served until his death. An outspoken opponent of slavery, he defended what famous mutineers in 1841?

Nikola Tesla (1856)

Tesla was an inventor and engineer known for his revolutionary contributions to the fields of electricity and magnetism. His inventions made possible the production of alternating-current electric power, and his Tesla coil is still used in radio technology. In 1912, he refused a Nobel Prize because he felt his co-recipient, Thomas Edison, was undeserving of the honor. He spent his final years caring for pigeons. What strange habits earned him a reputation as the quintessential "mad scientist"?

King Henry VIII of England Marries Sixth and Last Wife, Catherine Parr (1543)

By 1543, Henry VIII had had five marriages, which respectively ended in one divorce, one annulment, and three deaths—two by beheading. He then married Parr, his sixth and final wife. She had a good influence on the increasingly paranoid king—her third husband—and developed close friendships with his children, even acting as guardian of one of Henry's daughters after his death in 1547. Why, then, did Parr send her beloved stepdaughter, the future Queen Elizabeth I, away the next year? Discuss

Skylab Returns to Earth (1979)

Five years after it was abandoned in orbit, the US space laboratory Skylab began to fall back toward Earth. The impending re-entry and breakup became an international media event, as it was unclear exactly when or where the debris would land. News organizations went so far as to offer rewards for surviving pieces of the spacecraft. The debris finally crashed to Earth in Western Australia, earning NASA a $400 fine for littering from the Shire of Esperance. When was the fine paid?

Rubens's Massacre of the Innocents Sells for £49.5 million (2002)

Misattributed to an assistant of Baroque painter Peter Paul Rubens until 2002, when an expert from Sotheby's auction house identified it as the work of the master himself, Massacre of the Innocents is an early 17th-century painting depicting Herod's slaughter of the infants of Bethlehem. One of two paintings Rubens made of the Biblical scene, it fetched £49.5 million ($76 million) at auction and is one of the priciest paintings ever sold. Its style is reminiscent of which Italian painter?

W. Somerset Maugham

Excess on occasion is exhilarating. It prevents moderation from acquiring the deadening effect of a habit. Discuss

George Eliot

Friendships begin with liking or gratitude — roots that can be pulled up.

Ambrose Bierce

The gambling known as business looks with austere disfavor upon the business known as gambling.