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Obama designates 5 new monuments as sequester eats away at national parks
DestinationsPresident Barack Obama is designating five new national monuments, using executive authority to protect historic or ecologically significant sites — including one in Delaware sought by Vice President Joe Biden. The White House said Obama would make the designations Monday, using the century-old Antiquities Act to protect unique natural and historic landmarks. The sites are [...]
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Bolivia mining town takes on both Rio and New York City with giant statue of Virgin
DestinationsThe Carnival celebrations in this Andean mining city already rival Brazil’s Rio de Janeiro for color and culture, if not for size. Now Oruro has erected a huge statue of the Virgin Mary that’s a little taller than Rio’s famed Christ the Redeemer. Oruro formally dedicated the new statue Friday as it kicked off its [...]
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Hollywood sign receives a rigorous restoration prior to its 90th anniversary
DestinationsThe world’s most famous sign has had a makeover. The letters spelling out HOLLYWOOD, high above the traditional home of the film industry, have been buffed, polished and are ready for their close up after undergoing their most extensive refurbishment in nearly 35 years. The 43ft tall sign spent nine weeks preparing for its 90th [...]
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Maya are banned from holding ceremonies at the temples their ancestors built
DestinationsMayan priests started off ceremonies aimed at marking the end of the current era in the Mayan long-count calendar Thursday, with dancing, incense and rituals designed to thank the gods. The Mayas performed the “New Fire” ceremony at a park in Mexico City, but complained they have been barred by authorities from performing rituals at [...]
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A piece of the archeological site in Pompeii crumbles after days of heavy rain
DestinationsThe Italian news agency ANSA says a wall at the Pompeii archeological site has collapsed following days of heavy rain. The collapse Friday of a two-meter (six-foot) section of wall in an area closed to tourists is the latest in a series that has raised concern about the state of the cultural treasure. In 2010, [...]
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Macedonia divided over monuments meant to restore cultural capital
DestinationsConstruction bonanza in Macedonian capital causes controversy: Kitsch or history?
SKOPJE, Macedonia (AP) — Winston Churchill is flashing his trademark victory sign from the rooftop of Macedonia’s shining white new foreign ministry build…
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Visitors can go inside the Statue of Liberty again starting October 28
DestinationsStatue of Liberty interior to re-open to public next month on her 126th birthday
NEW YORK (AP) — Visitors to the Statue of Liberty will once again be able to go inside the monument, starting next month.
David Luchsinger, s…
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Stonehenge is finally ready to step into the world of 21st century tourism
DestinationsIt is one of Britain’s most popular tourist attractions, a Unesco World Heritage Site and a relic of utmost importance in unravelling our past. It serves as an icon of Britain, its trademark trilithons a visual shorthand for heritage, hippies and unkno…
