(CNN) George Washington University has hired a former Islamic extremist to work at its center on homeland security -- a man who once denounced the United States and made threats against the creators of the TV series "South Park" for depicting the Prophet Muhammad in a bear suit.
While reformed extremists have worked at universities in Europe to help fight terrorism, this is believed to be a first in the United States.
Jesse Morton, who was known as Younus Abdullah Muhammad when he was a recruiter for the al-Qaeda, brings a "unique perspective" to counter-terrorism work, said Seamus Hughes, deputy director of the Program on Extremism at George Washington University's Center for Cyber & Homeland Security
"We haven't figured out how to reach that individual who's going down the path of radicalization," Hughes said. "Jesse has been in that world and got out of that world."
During his days as an extremist, Morton earned a master's degree in international affairs from Columbia University.
Hughes said before making the hiring decision, he discussed Morton with the FBI, leaders in the security community and the lawyers that prosecuted Morton.
He said he's sure Morton is completely reformed from the days he served time in federal prison after inciting people to join a terrorist organization.
"I trust him," he said. "We did our due diligence."
Nadia Oweidat, a fellow at the think tank New America who's interviewed dozens of former extremists, said she doesn't doubt Morton's sincerity.
"People go through phases. They evolve and are finally able to see the light," she said.
She doesn't think Morton made up his de-radicalization to get a shorter prison sentence.
"When an extremist defects, they risk being completely targeted by their community -- it's like saying you're gay publicly," she said. "There are life-altering consequences and you don't approach it lightly."
She said other organizations should also recruit former extremists in the hopes of preventing future massacres such as the San Bernardino shooting or the November terror attack in Paris, both committed by radicalized Islamists.
"Defectors are our greatest treasure and an untapped resource," she said. "They know the way in and they know the way out."
From abused child to al-Qaeda operative
Morton, 37, was born in Pennsylvania and became a choir boy in his grandmother's Baptist church.
He said he came from an abusive household, and as a young man sought out radical groups. Twice he went to jail on drug-related charges.
During one stint in the Richmond City Jail in Virginia he met an Islamic extremist and one of his followers, and began what he described as his "indoctrination" process.
Over a period of years, he said he became radicalized, appreciating the structure of Islam after a tumultuous childhood, and finding a "family" amongst his fellow al-Qaeda members.
He became one of the group's chief propagandists and recruiters.
"It gave me an outlet to have meaning, to have purpose, but it also gave me an outlet to express my rage and my frustration," he said.
Morton and another extremist founded "Revolution Muslim" in 2008. In 2009 the pair praised Nadal Hasan for his attack at Fort Hood, Texas , which left 13 people dead and 32 others wounded.
They called Hassan "an officer and a gentleman."
"We're commanded to terrorize the disbelievers," Morton told CNN's Drew Griffin that year. "Americans will always be a target and a legitimate target until America changes its nature in the international arena."
But during a trip to Morocco, Morton's ideology slowly and subtly started to change as he met young secular Muslims.
"They were bright, they were articulate," he said. "What they really wanted, at the end of the day, was what we have: freedom."
But it was too late -- Morton couldn't escape his extremist past.
A life-changing encounter with an FBI agent
While in Morrocco, Morton was arrested and extradited to face charges in the US connected to the "South Park" threats. He was sentenced in 2012 to more than 11 years in prison.
"They housed me in solitary confinement and I contemplated what I had become," he said in a recent interview.
In prison he spent time in the library, where he read the works of Enlightenment philosophers Jean-Jacques Rousseau and John Locke, and American thinkers such as Thomas Payne, allowing him to "re-identify with Western culture and civilization."
"In Locke, I found tolerance and secularism," he said. "In Rousseau's social contract, I saw the value of democracy."
Then he met a "fabulous" FBI agent who would change his life.
While other law enforcement officers "demonized" him, Morton said this agent showed him respect -- and that changed his entrenched views that the US government was evil.
"She was sincere. All she cared about was protecting the public. She really was a good family person, she loved her country, and it wasn't a manipulation, as far as I saw it, and so I opened up," he said.
Though sentenced to more than 11 years, Morton served less than three years before he was released in February, 2015.
In the past year, Morton has worked with the FBI on "high profile cases," Hughes said, declining to elaborate.
Morton will not be working directly to reform extremists as part of his work at George Washington, nor will he be teaching, Hughes said, but instead will focus on writing and research.
Morton said he thinks his experience as an extremist will help the counter terrorism effort.
"You can learn from books, you can learn from interviews, but having not, as they say, walked in a man's moccasins, you can't really understand totally where a person comes from," he said.
Morton said he knows he has to earn the trust of the George Washington community and the US public.
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"This is an opportunity for me to make amends, to some degree," he said. "I realize that I was completely wrong in my perspectives."
"I suffer from a tremendous amount of guilt," he added. "I have seen things that people have done and to know that I once sympathized and supported that view -- it sickens me."

From terrorist to University expert: GW hires former Islamic extremist


GW hires man who once denounced the US and went to prison for making threats against the creators of "South Park."


Frida Ghitis is a world affairs columnist for The Miami Herald and World Politics Review, and a former CNN producer and correspondent. Follow her @FridaGhitis . The opinions expressed in this commentary are hers.
(CNN) Sometimes a bathing suit is just a bathing suit. But not today. Europeans -- Muslims, Christians, atheists and others -- are fiercely debating the question of what women should be allowed to wear at the beach. It seems like a trivial matter, but it isn't.
More than a dozen French cities, along with some towns in other European countries, have banned the so-called burkini , a bathing suit designed for Muslim women who want to cover more of their body than a bikini or a regular one-piece bathing suit does.
With that, French authorities, aiming to protect women's freedoms, have missed their mark by a mile.
Let's be crystal clear here about two points:
Frida Ghitis
First, women should be allowed to wear what they want. The decision should not be up to men, police, or even society at large. And that should be the case for all women, no matter where they live -- whether it is Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Iran or the French Riviera.
Second, the places where women face the harshest, most oppressive restrictions on that basic expression of human dignity -- the right to wear the clothes you choose -- is not France or other parts of Western Europe. It is in countries ruled by theocratic regimes; countries such as Saudi Arabia and Iran, and territories controlled by the so-called Islamic State or ISIS.
So it is a travesty that we are even discussing a violation of that right in France, one of the freest, most liberal countries on earth.
Indeed, the ban on the burkini has handed a victory to Islamists and to other Muslims who want to restrict women's freedoms. And it has set back the cause of women's empowerment.
Police patrolling the promenade des Anglais beach in Nice fine a woman for wearing a burkini on August 24, 2016.
It is already easy to imagine how the ISIS propaganda department will make the most of the image now making the rounds in social media -- a Muslim woman on the beach in Nice, surrounded by four male policemen requiring her to take off her burkini.
The picture, the law, the decision, play right into the hands of Islamists who claim the West's so-called liberation of women is really the opposite, a way to humiliate them and exploit their sexuality.
Meanwhile, the new rules will inevitably produce exactly the opposite of their intended effect. They will make clothing even more of a political statement. They will alienate part of the population rather than encouraging liberalism and integration.
Even setting aside the propaganda fodder it offers extremists, it is simply unacceptable for the government in a modern, liberal democracy (just as it should be anywhere else) to tell people what they should wear. It is particularly galling to see men ordering women on the subject.
The French, as well as other liberal European societies, want to prevent Muslim communities from changing the character of their country. That is a legitimate concern. After all, they fought revolutions and shed blood to create a free nation. But this is the wrong way to go about it.
If they want laws and police involvement to protect their freedoms, they should make it illegal for a father, a husband or a brother to force his daughter, wife or sister to wear restrictive clothing against her will. If an adult woman wants to wear a bikini at the beach in Cannes, she should be allowed to do it.
Photos: Burqa, hijab, niqab: What's what? Photos: Burqa, hijab, niqab: What's what? Do you know the difference between a hijab and a niqab? How about a burqa and a chador? Click through to read about the different types of headscarves some Muslim women wear. Hide Caption 1 of 6 Photos: Burqa, hijab, niqab: What's what? Burkini: The full-body swimsuit worn by Muslim women leaves only the face, hands and feet exposed. Here a woman in a burkini wades in the water with a child at Ghar El Melh beach in Tunisia. Hide Caption 2 of 6 Photos: Burqa, hijab, niqab: What's what? Burqa: This full-body garment has a mesh over the eyes. The burqa is widely used in Afghanistan and was required under the Taliban. These Afghan women are shopping in Herat. Hide Caption 3 of 6 Photos: Burqa, hijab, niqab: What's what? Niqab: The full-face veil exposes only the eyes. A Palestinian bride in Jericho wears this one. Hide Caption 4 of 6 Photos: Burqa, hijab, niqab: What's what? Hijab: The scarf worn tightly around the head and neck does not cover the face. It is the most common Islamic head covering. This Indonesian girl is shopping for a hijab in Yogyakarta. Hide Caption 5 of 6 Photos: Burqa, hijab, niqab: What's what? Chador: The full-body black garment leaves the face exposed. These Iranian women are wearing chadors at a political meeting in Tehran. Hide Caption 6 of 6
The law should prohibit men from forcing women to wear a niqab, which allows only a slit for the eyes; a burqa, which drapes over the entire body, including the face; or even a simple hair-covering hijab. Adult women should be allowed to make their own decisions.
When it comes to the face-covering garments, such as the burqa or niqab, I believe the government has a legitimate security claim in wanting individuals in public places to be identifiable.
Beyond security concerns, I find the niqab and burqa deeply dehumanizing, not least because they relegate women to beings without an identity. The burqa, common in Afghanistan, is also cumbersome and impractical, making it more difficult to for someone to see.
The right of women to wear comfortable clothing of their own choosing is, in my view, a most fundamental of human rights. Yet it is a right that is violated every day in many countries.
Millions of women endure draconian clothing restrictions every day of their lives. And while Islam dictates that women dress modestly, the definition of modesty is up for interpretation. Plus, the interpreters are usually men.
In Saudi Arabia, women are required to cover up with a dark, loose cloak . Saudi women often wear beautiful, fashionable clothing, but in public they cover up, whether they want to or not. In Iran, women chafe under requirements that they keep their hair covered and wear some type of an overcoat or cloak. In both countries, religious police guard against violations, a deeply offensive affront, particularly to modern women.
In territories where ISIS rules, women are subjected to lashings if they wear the wrong outfits. They are required to wear double-layered veils, niqabs, full-body chadors, as well as gloves.
In all these places, summer temperatures add even more physical distress to the insult.
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In many countries where the law does not create formal restrictions, social pressures have the same effect, forcing women to wear clothes they might not otherwise choose. It is not uncommon to see men on vacation wearing shorts, while women swelter wrapped in yards of dark cloth.
In Egypt, for example, social pressures have made the hijab much more prevalent. But that has not been enough to prevent a pandemic of sexual harassment. A U.N. survey in 2013 found 99% of Egyptian women said they had been victims of harassment, and that was true even for women wearing the face-covering niqab.
All this suggests that if the French want to free women from the oppression of restrictive clothing, they should promote freedom. They should make the case for why everyone, including all women of all religions, should have the freedom to wear what they want. This not only would send a signal of support to women living in countries where they experience much harsher repression, but might mean we see fewer burkinis on Europe's beaches -- for the right reason, because people were free to choose.


If the French want to free women from the oppression of restrictive clothing, they should promote freedom, not ban the burkini, writes Frida Ghitis.


(CNN) When Sotheby's listed a 32-bedroom house in Suzhou last month, it was the property's price tag that made headlines.
Valued at 1 billion yuan (over $150 million), the 72,000-square-foot estate -- nicknamed 'utopia' in Mandarin -- was heralded as China's most expensive home.
The story led to familiar commentary about the country's booming demand for luxury living. But it also represented a subtler trend among the super-rich.
Unapologetically Chinese
Despite having the trappings of a modern Western mansion, including a pool and wine cellar, the property was unapologetically Chinese in style.
The house's rock gardens and curved roofs epitomize a historical aesthetic now being replicated -- to varying degrees of authenticity -- across China's luxury market.
While high-end buyers overall still prefer Western-style villas and apartments, demand is changing, says Sunny Liu, general manager of property research firm China Index Academy.
"We can see this trend of traditional styles becoming more and more popular in the market, especially in the very top-end of the luxury sector," he says. "In Beijing, most of the high-value villa products are traditional now."
'New is better' mentality
Despite this growing fondness for antique design, the history of a home is of less concern to the luxury market.
This is particularly evident in in China's oldest cities, where heritage preservation has taken a backseat to urban regeneration. In Beijing's ancient 'hutong' alleyways, for instance, developers often demolish centuries-old buildings, only to construct tacky replicas of traditional courtyards in their place.
This tendency may be, in part, a legacy of the Cultural Revolution, which saw countless historic buildings and monuments destroyed as part of Mao's war on the 'Four Olds' (old customs, culture, habits and ideas). To this day, local governments across China continue to sanction and carry out the demolition of heritage areas in the name of modernization.
But as well as developers' reluctance to spend time and money on restoration, Chinese consumers also associate luxury and livability with 'newness,' says Samuel Liang, associate professor of urbanism at Utah Valley University and author of 'Remaking China's Great Cities'.
"In China, new is definitely better," he says.
"Even if it's in a traditional style, you have to buy brand new. I think the Chinese learned this from America -- especially the West Coast -- and they now basically have the same mentality when it comes to real estate."
Evolving taste
The popularity of traditional-looking homes among the country's most well-to-do stems in part from its expensive construction costs.
Liu notes that the hand-crafted materials and ornate decorations used in Chinese architecture are often worth more than their Western designs, pricing certain classes of buyer out.
But this cannot fully account for the recent change in taste.
China Index Academy is yet to collect data on architectural styles, but industry insiders like Guo Yi, a marketing executive at the Beijing-based real estate consultancy Yahao, say the shift has taken place within recent years.
"It's been in the last two or three years that traditional design elements have been increasingly employed in high-end properties," she explains. "Fifteen years ago, typical luxury properties in Beijing all took their names from Western buildings. Now, Chinese words with traditional cultural meanings are used more often."
JUST WATCHED House hunting by helicopter takes off amongst Chinese elite Replay More Videos ... MUST WATCH House hunting by helicopter takes off amongst Chinese elite 01:34
Traditional architecture's rising stock may instead reflect new expressions of status. Owning Chinese-style properties allows high-end buyers to distinguish themselves from the country's middle class, who often aspire to western ideals of luxury. If the rich reside in developments with names like "Central Park" and "Orange County" (both of which can be found in Beijing), then the super-rich increasingly eschew mock-Western design.
"A Chinese buyer with this much money has likely traveled extensively and probably already owns property abroad -- maybe even a French château," says Liz Flora, editor-in-chief of Jing Daily, a website covering luxury consumer trends in China.
"It will take something unique to get them to spend huge amounts on property within mainland China. There is a certain segment which sees the 'copycat' European architectural style as a gimmick aimed at nouveau riche buyers."
These new demands are being felt in the real estate market, says Jon O'Brien, founder of luxury property development company Domvs London.
Less than 10 years ago, he was being approached to build European-style villages. Now his firm is considering a trophy "mega-development" near Hangzhou. As well as incorporating the principles of feng shui, the plan includes traditional pavilions on a man-made lake, and a "Chinese-inspired Great Wall" around the perimeter of the complex.
"Buyers are becoming more design savvy," O'Brien says. "As the Chinese market becomes more sophisticated, and [people] travel globally, they quickly learn that pastiche, ill-conceived, mock-Western 'Disneyland' architecture has no longevity in terms of design or investment. That's why there is a recent trend toward Chinese traditional exterior architecture, albeit with contemporary interiors and amenities."
Enduring appeal of a home abroad
But while China's high-end buyers have a new taste for their culture's old styles, design cannot trump the golden rule of property: 82 percent would pay more for location.
For the country's super-rich, the most desired locations still lie overseas, which can often offer a better quality of life and access to top schools for their offspring.

China's super wealthy shun western-looking homes


Traditional-looking luxury homes are now popular among elite Chinese.


Chat with us in Facebook Messenger. Find out what's happening in the world as it unfolds.

Spa Francorchamps: Home of the Belgian Grand Prix


Surrounded by forests, steeped in history -- is there a more picturesque track on the F1 calendar?


A major change could be coming in the 'Greenleaf' finale.


Story highlights 2016 hit with deaths of larger-than-life stars
The toll: David Bowie, Prince, Muhammad Ali
(CNN) Enough already, 2016.
So far through the year, there's a theme: the death of larger-than-life stars. David Bowie, Prince, and Muhammad Ali. How could these giants among us no longer be among us?
We go to social media to mourn. We shake a collective fist at the unfairness of it all.
Comedic actor Chris Rock summed it up when he tweeted a picture of Ali with Prince. "I wish this year would stop already it's just to much," he wrote in June.
I wish this year would stop already it's just to much. pic.twitter.com/QoIwdvWzvL — Chris Rock (@chrisrock) June 4, 2016
Death comes for us all, but when it is a beloved celebrity so recognizable, the grief takes on a different significance. Celebs are as deeply woven into our lives as those we can reach out and touch. They inspire us, entertain us, delight us and sometimes infuriate us.


Story highlights Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie gave a powerful speech on the plight of refugees
Adichie recalled her parents personal experience as refugees
The author said 'creating room' for refugees is a moral imperative
(CNN) Award winning author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, made a powerful speech about the plight of refugees, calling it "the moral imperative of our time" to do more to help.
"There might not be enough room for everyone but there is certainly room to do more," she said.
"We can create room for people, and today in this world that has been scarred by so much suffering creating room for people is not only doable but a moral imperative."
Drawing on personal experience Adichie spoke of her parents who were 'refugees for three years' as a result of the 1967 Nigeria-Biafra war. She noted an incident where her family sought refuge at a house already filled with people.
Despite being overstretched the owner of the house 'made room' for the family.
Read More

Chimamanda Adichie says we must make room for refugees


"There might not be enough room for everyone but there is certainly room to do more" : Award winning author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie speaks on the refugee crisis


Story highlights Miners are protesting for a right to work directly with private companies
Rodolfo Illanes, the deputy minister of interior, was killed Thursday
(CNN) Bolivian miners kidnapped and fatally beat a government minister who was seeking talks with them following weeks of protests, authorities say.
Rodolfo Illanes, the deputy minister of interior, was killed Thursday in Panduro, where he was meeting with miners who had been striking and blockading roads since August 10, according to the attorney general's office.
Three miners have died since the beginning of the protests, state-run ABI reported. The miners are protesting for their right to work directly with private companies.
Bolivian President Evo Morales described the deputy minister as "a hero of natural resources" and declared three days of national mourning.
"It was a cowardly act -- he was kidnapped, tortured and killed," Morales said. "It's unforgivable, and I don't understand how our brothers can hurt us in such a way."
Read More

Bolivian minister beaten to death by miners, government says


Bolivian miners kidnapped and fatally beat a government minister who was seeking talks with them following weeks of protests, authorities say.


Story highlights Amy Sharp, 18, was wanted by police after she escaped from a corrective services complex in Sydney
Police released two mugshots, but the teenager asked a TV station on Facebook to use a different image
(CNN) An 18-year-old woman who was wanted by police in Australia has responded to a post on Facebook asking a TV station to use a different picture of herself.
Amy Sharp escaped from Sydney's Surry Hills Corrective Services Cell Complex August 19 and police released two mugshots of the teenager taken at the facility, draped in a red blanket.
Sharp then commented underneath the post from her personal profile, which called for her arrest, politely requesting that they use a different photo of herself.
She wrote: "Can you use this photo, please and thank you. Yours Truly, Amy Sharp xx"
Read More

Australian escapee Amy Sharp requests different mugshot


A teenager, who escaped from a police station in Sydney, has asked the media to use a different photo of her.


(CNN) In the spring of 1972, three Kyoto dropouts -- a folk singer, a photographer and a poet -- decided to build a space where their creative and political ideas could meet.
For the last 17 years, the US and its allies had been fighting communist Vietnam in a brutal and unpopular war.
The trio were antiwar activists -- they had already founded the notorious Hobbit café in Iwakuni, Japan's largest US naval base, which had grown into a hub for US army defectors -- knew Kyoto needed its own counterculture salon -- a meeting place for art, coffee and politics.
And so Café Honyarado was born. The two-floor wooden house served cheap meals and hosted poetry readings, bread-making workshops and parties for its free-thinking clientele.
Frequented by artists and writers from Japan and abroad, the café became a hub for literary and civic engagement, including a campaign to release political prisoners from Korea and Vietnam.
Two million of Fusayoshi's black and white negatives, tens of thousands of prints, as well as precious books and diaries were lost.
Sharing some of his surviving photos, Fusayoshi told CNN Style how Honyarado shaped Kyoto life for almost half a century, and how its artistic legacy will endure the devastating blaze.
Folk singer Nobuyasu Okabayashi, a Honyarado co-founder, was dubbed "the Bob Dylan of Japan."
Before Honyarado, you opened the Hobbit café. Why was that so controversial?
Around 1970 weariness spread within the US forces. People rebelled or ran away to avoid killing the Vietnamese. We made a hub to help active the G.I. activities in Iwakuni, as many soldiers came there.
Japanese police followed me all day long during its two month construction. The US and Japanese governments were worried about this situation. They tried to frame us to stop it, saying that Hobbit had been made by the Japanese Red Army (a militant communist group).
We had the bond of the underdog.
When the JRA attacked Lod Airport [now Israel's Ben Gurion International Airport] in 1972, massacring 26 people, the Japanese government made up a story that the gun had come from the Hobbit cafe. Then the commander of the Iwakuni base issued a ban: Hobbit was off-limits for all G.I.s. It didn't matter if we were JRM or not. Naturally, we went to court and won, but the U.S. and Japanese governments did not apologize.
What was the mood at the time when Honyarado was founded?
After the student power storm [of 1968] had disappeared, a strong apathetic mood had spread in Japanese society despite the many social problems left. However, many still had hidden feelings against the Vietnam War and it was stronger within the artistic community.
How did Café Honyarado community campaign for its causes?
Our first priority was to cherish fun. Before Honyarado started, we were antiwar movement activists, as well as a small team of moving carpenters; a singer, poet, sculptor, professor, kindergarten teacher; all dropouts. It is no exaggeration to say we had the bond of the underdog.
In Honyarado, many groups were born as ad hoc councils -- we used to publish monthly newsletters. Many events there led to the activation of the neighborhood and of Kyoto.
When the oil shock of 1973 occurred, we thought that the US would cut off our food supply. We adopted such a tragicomic operation very seriously. First we rushed to City Hall to appeal the situation. We dressed like Chindon'ya, brightly dressed Japanese street musicians. Fortunately no one was arrested.
Did the police ever try to stop you?
The police followed me whenever I brought something to the coffee shop. Bad rumors had been spreading in the neighborhood. A few months after opening, our singer friend [Nobuyasu Okabayashi] was accused of writing obscene novels for teenagers -- they were actually harmless. We fought this in court for seven years.
A rice cake making party at the Cafe, held "instead of a general shareholders meeting". Pictured left is prominent anti-nuclear activist Aileen Mioko Smith.
Tell us about the poetry readings. Were they wild?
They were unique in style. Not just the poets, but the audience too used to share their here-and-now feelings. It was full of humor.
We welcomed the founder of Beat Generation poetry, Allen Ginsberg, American writer Gary Snyder, and French novelist and film director Jean-Philippe Toussaint, as well as hugely popular Japanese figures like poet Shuntaro Tanigawa and jazz singer Maki Asakawa.
What impact did Honyarado have on you?
I was a dropout since birth. I couldn't speak or walk until four years old. At the café, everyone was supported.
Receiving the news of the fire in bed, it was if I was watching a dream. Some negatives were rescued from the ruin, though only a few.
I think it's important to remember that while living in the same place, we shouldn't forget to consider the world's social problems. It seems like a merry-go-round of history repeating itself.
Thanks to places like Honyarado, we sometimes witness unexpected happenings and encounters. Above all, as a photographer, I have taken millions of pictures with help from those I met there. I hope they are not forgotten.
Fusayoshi now runs Hachimonjiya, another Kyoto haunt for artists & writers.

Cafe Honyarado: The death of Kyoto's counterculture hub


Cafe Honyarado was a hub for counterculture and activism in Kyoto in the 1970s. When it burned down, street photographer Kai Fusayoshi lost a lifetime of work.


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David Coulthard pays tribute to the four-time winner of the Belgian Grand Prix, Jim Clark


Story highlights Gene Wilder was an iconic and much-loved US actor
He took on many comedy roles throughout his prolific career
(CNN) With his crazy unkempt hair and comedic charm, beloved US actor Gene Wilder will forever be remembered for his performances in everything from "Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory" to classic horror parody "Young Frankenstein."
As news broke of Wilder's death Monday, tributes flowed on social media. Mel Brooks, a comedy actor, director and producer who worked with Wilder tweeted that he was one of the "truly great talents" of this time, who had "blessed every film we did with his magic."
Gene Wilder-One of the truly great talents of our time. He blessed every film we did with his magic & he blessed me with his friendship. — Mel Brooks (@MelBrooks) August 29, 2016
Julie Dawn Cole, the child actor who starred alongside Wilder as Veruca Salt, the spoiled and abrasive character in "Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory," tweeted a succinct yet heartfelt message on Twitter.
Such very sad news. Words not enough. Treasured memories 💧 — Julie Dawn Cole (@realverucasalt) August 29, 2016
Film critic Leonard Maltin shared an image of himself taken with the star in 1994.
Gene and I in 1994. This is such a wonderful memory for me. I'll cherish it always... #GeneWilder pic.twitter.com/ravuoBOZnr — Leonard Maltin (@leonardmaltin) August 30, 2016
Read More

'Willy Wonka' star Gene Wilder's death mourned on social media


Tributed flowed for US actor Gene Wilder who died on Monday aged 83. Fans remembered his most famous roles in "Willy Wonka," "Young Frankenstein" and "Blazing Saddles."


Story highlights The European Commission orders Apple to pay $14.5 billion in back taxes to Ireland
Charles Arthur: Big political blocs can prevent multinational corporations from exploiting tax avoidance schemes
Charles Arthur has been a technology and science journalist for more than 20 years, including working as technology editor for UK national newspapers The Independent and The Guardian. The views expressed in this commentary are his own.
(CNN) The tax battle between Apple and the European Commission can seem abstract, especially if you've actually read the EC competition arm's explanation of why it is demanding Apple pay $14.5 billion of back taxes.
How exactly did Apple create a company with no employees, no office and no country of registry? Why did Ireland rule not once, but twice, that such a setup was legal? Why doesn't Ireland want to collect the money the European Commission says it should have received in taxes up to 2014?
Charles Arthur
But beyond these particular questions, there's a much bigger and more important dynamic playing out. Margrethe Vestager, the EC's combative competition commissioner who handed down the ruling on Tuesday, is demonstrating there's only one way to roll back multinational companies' growing exploitation of hugely complex tax avoidance schemes, dubbed "the dark side of globalization" by Nobel prize-winning economist Joseph Stiglitz. And that is for the really big political blocs to act in concert.
United, they can stand against the financial engineering that shifts billions of dollars out of taxation's reach. If they're divided against each other, tax rates and receipts will fall, and government deficits will grow, prompting more austerity even as the big companies grow perplexingly richer.
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Of course that's not how the big companies want to see it. Apple's chief executive Tim Cook released an open letter on Tuesday, complaining that Apple is "the largest taxpayer in Ireland, the largest taxpayer in the United States, and the largest taxpayer in the world." Ireland's tax authorities ruled not once but twice that Apple's evanescent company, untied to any location, was legal. The EC, Cook says, "has launched an effort to rewrite Apple's history in Europe, ignore Ireland's tax laws and upend the international tax system in the process." Apple and the Irish government say they will appeal the ruling.
Read More


After Apple was ordered to pay $14.5 billion in back taxes, Charles Arthur writes that the only way to prevent large-scale tax avoidance is for big political blocs to act in concert against it.


(CNN) In the roughly five minutes Michael Kelly lingered in the hallway at The Beverly Hilton Hotel, four people approached him to tell them how much they loved his work on "House of Cards."
Among them: Mike Colter -- star of Netflix's "Luke Cage" -- and Jeph Loeb, the head of Marvel TV.
Netflix had many of its stars on hand on this particular day -- and the approachable Kelly was a beacon for well wishers.
That's because the Emmy nominee couldn't be any less like the morally ambiguous White House staffer he's played for four seasons on Netflix's political drama.
In an interview with CNN, Kelly talked about how he channels Doug Stamper and why after all this time, he still has a soft spot for one of fictional Washington's toughest characters.
I just saw so many people come up to you in just a few minutes. Do you get that a lot from your peers in the industry?
Yeah. You know, I feel so blessed to have landed this job and to be able to play him for as long as I have. They haven't killed him. I feel so fortunate [to] have respect and admiration from [my] peers. So to meet all these great actors, it's incredible.
Season 4 was a great season for you and Doug. When you begin a season, how do you psych yourself up to get into Doug's mind again? Or is it something you can turn on and turn off at this point?
Turning it on and off is kind of reality. But the drive to Baltimore that I do every time [we start a new season] that's my time to sort of slide back into Doug. I sort of drive in silence or I listen to my lines. And while I'm there, I'm not method. I don't have to live that. But, yeah, it is easier as the years go on. Honestly, I love it so much that when I'm in Baltimore -- and this is no offense to Baltimore because I love it there -- but I'd rather be at work than not. That's how great it is to work on our show.
Last season, Doug fell in love with a widow, he almost killed Seth (Derek Cecil) ...
I fell in love with a widow [and] I indirectly killed the husband...
[Laughs] Of all of that, what was most daunting to you once it was in front of you?
Hands down it was the scene with Seth Grayson where [Doug] put the glass over his mouth and try to intimidatingly suffocate him. [Derek Cecil] and I didn't see eye to eye on that scene going into it. For days leading up to it, we were talking about it and hashing it out it out with the writer, Beau Willimon.
It was the physicality of that — for the character to go from zero to 60 in one second ... it was hard.
Did you all just see the scene differently?
Yeah. He's probably a few inches taller than me; he's a big guy. And he was like, 'Seriously, look at you and look at me. How would you take me down?' And I said, 'Because I'm f—ing Doug Stamper, dude.' [Laughs]
A lot of times it's in the mind, not in the physical.
At this point, do you still root for Doug? Did you ever?
Yeah, I always have. I completely understand everything he's done. I'm not saying that I would do it, but I completely understand Doug Stamper. I understand his addiction issues. I mean, addiction in that it's to everything -- it's to Frank, it's to Rachel, it's to alcohol, it's to the job. His work ethic is something I completely identify with, so you make that applicable to each of the situations, and it works.
What do you think almost losing Frank last year did to him?
As far as the toll it took on him?
Yes.
A lot. Francis is a massive part of his life in so many ways. Those two men trust each other to the ends of the Earth. They're the only two people that each of them could count on. We saw Claire turn on Frank last year. You've never seen Doug turn on Frank. We've never seen Frank turn on Doug. And they trust each other to the ends of the Earth so that's where Doug belongs. That's where he is. That's where he thrives in life.
Lastly, how's it going with the new showrunners?
It's great, man. I'm always going to miss Beau Willimon. I think he's the brightest writer I've ever worked with and just an incredible human being. That's been hard. But Frank [Pugliese] and Melissa [James Gibson] are incredible. I love them, and I love that they love it like Beau loved it. I trusted that [Netflix and Media Rights Capital] would do the right thing, and they did. They hired from within. We're chugging along.
This interview has been condensed and edited for clarity.


In the roughly five minutes Michael Kelly lingered in the hallway at The Beverly Hilton Hotel, four people approached him to tell them how much they loved his work on "House of Cards."


This business in northeastern France is making pasta out of creepy crawlies.


Silvia Marchetti is a Rome-based freelance reporter and writer. She covers finance, economics, travel and culture for a wide range of media including MNI News, Newsweek and The Guardian. The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely hers.
(CNN) When my bed in Rome rocked Wednesday at 3.36 a.m., I knew an earthquake had hit somewhere close, in central Italy. And hard. But when I switched on the TV and heard the epicenter was in the tiny hilltop town of Accumoli on the Apennine hills, my first question was: Where is that?
Other affected towns were mentioned: Arquata del Tronto, Amandola, Pescara del Tronto, Castelluccio di Norcia. This is the first time most Italians have ever heard of many of these places. And that gives a clue as to why rescue operations are so challenging in the wake of the powerful earthquake that struck the region early Wednesday morning.
The devastated region is a maze of old hamlets, built close to one another. These hamlets and villages are beautiful -- picturesque and in some cases dating back to Roman and medieval times -- with cobbled alleys, frescoed Renaissance churches and gargoyles. Their great appeal is their remoteness and the fact that time seems to have been frozen in the Middle Ages. They're gorgeous spots for a summer break.
But their biggest appeal to visitors -- their remoteness from the rest of the country, the sense of isolation -- also creates the biggest challenge when a crisis hits. There are no major highways leading to the now nearly destroyed town of Amatrice; many nearby areas make do with narrow, dusty country roads where a single fallen tree can cut off access. The houses in the area are typically full of character, cozy, and also unstable, made of bricks that easily crumble to the ground.
As a result, when disaster strikes, bulldozers often can't gain access, and survivors must be searched for with bare hands. The only way to access some isolated villages in a disaster is by helicopter or by going on foot uphill, as volunteers are doing, carrying shovels on their shoulders.
Italy has an estimated 20,000 semi-abandoned villages that are rapidly depopulating and turning into virtual ghost towns. In many cases, locals fled after World War II in search of better living conditions, sometimes to try to avoid the type of natural calamity that has rocked the region since its geological birth.
Even when villagers returned, having made their fortunes elsewhere, they would generally give their homes merely a cosmetic makeover -- they were often simply second, summer homes -- with little to no earthquake-proofing of infrastructure.
Sometimes, these "locals" are actually no longer residents -- coming only at weekends or on vacation. This creates an additional challenge when tracking people down after a disaster such as Wednesday's. Officials in these villages have a hard time establishing exactly how many people are even meant to be in the town. Accumoli, for example, has around 600 permanent residents , spread across 17 subdivisions. But during the summer, vacationers bump that number up to 5,000 or more.
A further challenge is that these off-the-beaten-track destinations also come, almost by definition, with poor mobile and Internet coverage, which is only worsened by a quake that brings down antennas, making it hard for survivors to contact rescue teams.
JUST WATCHED Rescuers search for survivors in Italy after earthquake Replay More Videos ... MUST WATCH Rescuers search for survivors in Italy after earthquake 00:55
So none of this should come as a surprise, especially as the quake-stricken area is not just dotted with these ghost towns, but also rises on the Apennine "red belt," which has the country's highest seismic risk level. Italy, meanwhile, is the most quake-exposed country in the Mediterranean due to being atop the convergence of the African and Eurasian plates; nearly 7 million Italians live in areas at risk of natural calamities including mudslides and floods.
So, if the challenges are no secret, why all the chaos? The truth is that despite the great work being done by rescuers and volunteers, Italy lacks an adequate prevention plan. Of course, earthquakes themselves cannot be accurately predicted, but efficient reconstruction plans could help prevent natural disasters developing into catastrophe.
After the L'Aquila earthquake in 2009, the government allocated €965 million over seven years for seismic prevention. But this is a fraction of what experts believe is required to upgrade national buildings and roads to help them withstand seismic activity. In addition, regular rescue drills should be held, in rural areas as well as densely populated regions, to help ensure an effective response once disaster hits.
Ultimately, though, Italy's many small towns and villages will have to make their own preparations, too. Of course, the ideal of a summer retreat cut off from the outside world is appealing for a summer vacation. But a failure to adapt and upgrade infrastructure will keep coming back to haunt even the most idyllic locations when the ground trembles.

Why Italian region wasn't prepared for earthquake


The main appeal of the Italian region struck by a powerful earthquake is also the thing that makes disaster response so difficult, writes Silvia Marchetti.


Radio signal sparks alien life speculation


CNN's Anderson Cooper speaks with Miles O'Brien about a signal from a sun-like star, sparking speculation of alien life.


(CNN) Mayors do not have the right to ban burkinis, France's highest administrative court ruled Friday.
The Council of State's ruling suspends a ban in the town of Villeneuve-Loubet, near Nice, and could affect cities around the country that have prohibited the full-length swimsuit.
More than 30 French towns have banned burkinis , which cover the whole body except for the face, hands and feet.
Officials say the ban on the burkini -- worn mostly by Muslim women -- was a response to growing terror concerns
Human rights activists argue that such measures are illegal, and that pushes to outlaw the garment are Islamophobic.
Photo sparks outrage
Earlier this week, photos of police enforcing a ban in Nice spread rapidly on social media. The images show armed officers apparently ordering a woman to remove part of her clothing
Police confront a woman in a burkini on the beach along the Promenade des Anglais in Nice this week.
Authorities in Nice say the officers were simply exercising their duties. Deputy Mayor Christian Estrosi denounced the photos, saying they put the officers in danger.
"I condemn these unacceptable provocations," he said.
In London, demonstrators created a makeshift beach Thursday outside the French Embassy for a "Wear what you want beach party."
Jenny Dawkins, a Church of England priest, told CNN she joined the protest after seeing a photo of the incident in Nice.
"I think it's a frightening image," she said. "I find it quite chilling to see an image of a woman surrounded by men with guns being told to take her clothes off."
What are France's burqa laws?
In April 2011, France became the first European country to ban wearing in public the burqa, a full-body covering that includes a mesh over the face, and the niqab, a full-face veil with an opening for the eyes.
And much like the recent burkini bans, opinion in the country is divided between those who see the laws as an infringement on religious freedom, and those who view the Islamic dress as inconsistent with France's rigorously enforced secularism.
Those breaking the law f ace fines of 150 euros (about $205) or public service duties.
The law was upheld by the European Convention on Human Rights in 2014 after a 24-year-old woman brought the case to court, claiming it infringed on her religious freedom.


French mayors do not have the right to ban burkinis, the French Council of State ruled Friday.


(CNN) It all began at the Newport Casino Club on Rhode Island way back in 1881 and since 1978 the US Open has been held at Flushing Meadows.
The last grand slam of the season has been contested on grass, clay as well as the current hard courts but only one player has won the title on all three surfaces.
This year marks another milestone for the tournament as the Arthur Ashe Stadium gets a roof for the first time — making rain delays a thing of the past.


It all began at the Newport Casino Club on Rhode Island way back in 1881 and since 1978 the US Open has been held at Flushing Meadows.


Story highlights Ash Carter has met with his Indian counterpart more than any other
US and India defense cooperation has increased in recent years
Washington (CNN) The US and India's defense chiefs held their sixth meeting Monday, underscoring US efforts to bolster its relationship with India as part of President Barack Obama's pivot to Asia.
US Secretary of Defense Ash Carter said that even before Monday's meeting at the Pentagon, he had spent more time with Indian Defense Minister Manohar Parrikarthan than "any other defense counterpart anywhere in the world."
Carter and Parrikar announced the signing of a logistics exchange memorandum of agreement that will allow the US and Indian navies to receive logistical support at each other's installations.
Though both made it clear that the agreement would not lead to the establishment of American military bases on Indian soil, it is another significant step in building closer ties between the two countries.
The signing came as Secretary of State John Kerry traveled to New Delhi to participate in the US-India Strategic and Commercial Dialogue in another sign of the burgeoning US-India alliance.
Read More

Is the Indian defense minister Ash Carter's new BFF?


The US and India's defense chiefs held their sixth meeting Monday, underscoring US efforts to bolster its relationship with India as part of President Barack Obama's pivot to Asia.


Quezon City, the Philippines (CNN) It's monsoon season in the Philippines and in a ramshackle neighborhood in Quezon City, near Manila, a sudden downpour has left gray puddles in the rutted streets and fat, dirty drops of rainwater steadily dripping from corrugated metal roofs.
It's getting late as Leny Glivano, the neighborhood captain, a small woman with a zeal in her eye, coordinates with police Senior Superintendent Guillermo Eleazar. Together they go through a master list of suspected drug users in her barangay -- a Filipino word for neighborhood -- as they have done nightly for six weeks.
Soon, they are ducking down dark, narrow, trash-strewn alleyways into the heart of the Barangay Libis slum, accompanied by a slew of uniformed officers and as many as 10 helmeted, assault rifle-toting SWAT officers.
Officers and the neighborhood "captain" Leny Glivano talk to a resident of Barangay Libis during a late night visit.
'Knock and plead'
They're on a "tokhang," or "knock and plead" operation -- a tactic adopted from new President Rodrigo Duterte 's hometown of Davao City, where he was mayor for more than two decades.
The United Nations last week condemned Duterte's violent crackdown on drugs since he assumed office in late June, urging the Philippines government "to protect all persons from targeted killings and extrajudicial executions."
"Knock and plead" involves going to the homes of those suspected of using shabu -- the local name for methamphetamine -- and, with practiced, almost comically overwrought politeness, inviting those inside to accompany the police to the barangay hall.
"You're on our list," Eleazar says to one, who seems disoriented by the visible show of force at his front door.
"When was the last time you used?"
It's been a long time, the dazed occupant says. He's wearing shorts and holds a thin, grubby tank top as he blinks in the light.
"We'd like to invite you to the barangay for some clarifications," Eleazar says. The man meekly complies. The armed entourage moves on to the next address on the list.
Photos: 'Knock and plead': Persuading Quezon City drug users to register A Quezon City SWAT officer holds a shotgun during a "knock and plead" operation, as part of President Rodrigo Duterte's war on drugs. Police officers knock on doors to ask drug users to voluntarily surrender. Hide Caption 1 of 8 Photos: 'Knock and plead': Persuading Quezon City drug users to register An armed officer accompanies a "knock and plead" operation in the Bangaray Labis slum in Quezon City. Hide Caption 2 of 8 Photos: 'Knock and plead': Persuading Quezon City drug users to register Officers and the neighborhood "captain" Leny Glivano talk to a resident during a late night visit. Hide Caption 3 of 8 Photos: 'Knock and plead': Persuading Quezon City drug users to register The "knock and plead" operations involve going to the homes of those suspected of using methamphetamine -- and inviting those inside to accompany the police to the local town hall. Hide Caption 4 of 8 Photos: 'Knock and plead': Persuading Quezon City drug users to register At the hall, those rounded up sit around a starkly lit room, waiting to be registered as drug users. They are interviewed by police about local dealers. Hide Caption 5 of 8 Photos: 'Knock and plead': Persuading Quezon City drug users to register Hands raised, the detainees recite a pledge that affirms that their surrender is voluntary. They promise to "undertake to stop all" drug-related activities. Hide Caption 6 of 8 Photos: 'Knock and plead': Persuading Quezon City drug users to register Mug shots are taken, and those surrendering are required to provide a urine sample for drug testing. Hide Caption 7 of 8 Photos: 'Knock and plead': Persuading Quezon City drug users to register The detainees are also fingerprinted -- but the Philippines National Police Chief, Ronald Dela Rosa, tells CNN that the surrenders are not arrests. Hide Caption 8 of 8
Registration, mug shots -- and ice cream
At the hall, those rounded up sit around a starkly lit room, waiting to be registered as drug users.
There's around 10 of them this night. They listen to a short orientation speech by Glivano while rubbing their heads and looking at the floor.
JUST WATCHED Philippines drug war sparks outrage, fear Replay More Videos ... MUST WATCH Philippines drug war sparks outrage, fear 03:36
There's disbelieving laughter when she shows them a video of those who previously surrendered dancing in unison -- part of an ongoing local rehab program that includes counseling and regular checkups to ensure they stay clean.
One tells CNN he hasn't used shabu for weeks but suspected the cops would pay him a visit. He waited to surrender, hoping they would forget about him but, and under the watchful eye of Eleazar, insists he's happy to be here.
"It's time for a new life," he says.
CNN Map
The surrender process involves signing an affidavit before undergoing interviews with police about local dealers. They then give a urine sample, get fingerprinted and are photographed.
Finally, hands raised, the members of the group recite, in halting English, a pledge that affirms that their surrender is voluntary. They promise to "undertake to stop all" drug-related activities.
Police then hand out ice cream and sodas.
An invitation or de facto arrest?
From the outside, the process smacks of an arrest (except for the ice cream). While the people on the list are invited to attend -- and the country's top police officer, Ronald Dela Rosa, tells CNN it is entirely voluntary -- few dare to decline.
Dela Rosa insists that those who turn themselves in aren't under arrest despite the mugshots, and the presence of an ink pad on the table at the neighborhood hall. He boasts there have been around 600,000 voluntary surrenders since the program went national.
There's a reason for his pride -- he initiated the program as Davao City's police chief before his meteoric rise to Philippine National Police chief under his old friend and colleague, Duterte.
JUST WATCHED A brutal war on drugs in the Philippines. Replay More Videos ... MUST WATCH A brutal war on drugs in the Philippines. 03:24
Climate of fear
The new administration enjoys high public approval ratings for its crackdown on drug crime, but not all are convinced.
"It doesn't sound like proper police procedure to me," says rights advocate Jose Manue Diokno, chairman of the Free Legal Assistance Group (FLAG). "These are in our view warrantless arrests."
There's "a new (climate) of fear in the Philippines," where suspects who don't have legal representation are made to sign documents incriminating themselves, Diokno says. The process, he says, is "a violation of our bill of rights."
There's no doubt it's a dangerous time to be involved in drugs in the Philippines. Since taking office in June, Duterte's time in office has seen over 1,900 deaths -- at least 756 killings of suspected drug offenders by police, and at least another 1160 unsolved killings, many drug related and many by suspected vigilantes, according to senate testimony by PNP police chief Dela Rosa.
"Law officials are acting as judge, jury and executioner," Diokno says.
With voluntary surrenders reaching well over half a million in just a few weeks, it's clear that Duterte and Dela Rosa consider the program a success. But the simple fact is, Eleazar laughs, those turning themselves in in Barangay Libis this rainy night are simply "scared to die."


In a ramshackle neighborhood in Quezon City, police are knocking on doors, asking suspected drug users to turn themselves in voluntarily. "Law officials are acting as judge, jury and executioner," one rights advocate says.


Chat with us in Facebook Messenger. Find out what's happening in the world as it unfolds.

Turkish Military Steps Up Attacks in Northern Syria


Lt. Col. Rick Francona (Ret.) talks to CNNi about the battle in Northern Syria and Turkey's military objectives.


Debbie Wasserman Schultz wins Florida primary


Former DNC chair Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz speaks to a crowd of people after CNN projects she will win her Democratic primary in Florida.


(CNN) The Belgian Grand Prix at the Spa circuit has got off to a chaotic start with the race being red flagged on the 10th lap.
Kevin Magnusson in a Renault had a heavy crash that brought out the safety car.
The drivers returned to the pits but were able to rejoin in race order at the time of the smash.
For championship leader Lewis Hamilton and McLaren driver Fernando Alonso it boosted their chance of scoring points. Both started at the back of the grid after taking penalties but quickly moved into the top five during the track drama.
RAI 📻 (on VES tactics): "His only interest is pushing me off the track completely. This is just ******* ridiculous" pic.twitter.com/0AZPwvtHD0 — Formula 1 (@F1) August 28, 2016
At the start of the race Hamilton enjoyed a 19-point lead over his team mate and closest rival Nico Rosberg, who qualified in pole position, but he faced the possibility of losing the leadership until the crashes.
Read More


The Belgian Grand Prix at the Spa circuit has got off to a chaotic start with the race being red flagged on the 10th lap.


Step inside North Korea's first beer festival


The first-ever beer festival in North Korea is being held from August 15 to September 9 in Pyongyang.


Story highlights The recommendation applies "across the board to anyone collecting blood"
Screening donated blood is already underway in Florida and Puerto Rico
(CNN) The Food and Drug Administration has recommended screening the entire US blood supply for the Zika virus, it announced today, noting that screening donated blood is already underway in Florida and Puerto Rico.
The new recommendation applies "across the board to anyone collecting blood," explained Dr. Peter Marks, director of the FDA's Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research. This includes very large blood collection establishments, such as the American Red Cross, and some very small establishments, such as academic centers, he said.
The Red Cross said it will phase in universal testing. Currently, it is conducting Zika tests in five southeastern states and will expand testing to four additional states in the south central and southwestern US over the next two weeks, the organization said in a statement. The Red Cross did not offer details about which states are covered.
Expanded testing should remain in effect until the risk of transmitting the virus through blood transfusions is reduced, the FDA recommended.
"We've come to a critical juncture: the risk to the blood supply combined with the uncertainty about the nature and extent of Zika virus transmission," Marks said. More than 40 cases of mosquito-transmitted infection have been reported in South Florida.
Read More

US blood supply should be screened for Zika, FDA says


Screening donated blood is already underway in Florida and Puerto Rico, but now rest of the country should follow.


Story highlights Mayor of seaside town of Cogolin stands by burkini ban, despite Friday's court ruling
"If you don't want to live the way we do, don't come," he says
(CNN) The mayor of a seaside town on the French Riviera is sticking by his town's burkini ban, telling beachgoers, "if you don't want to live the way we do, don't come."
"You have to behave in the way that people behave in the country that accepted you, and that is it," Cogolin Mayor Marc Etienne Lansade told CNN.
"If you are accepted in Rome -- do like Romans do," he said, adding, "go in Saudi Arabia and be naked and see what will happen to you."
Lansade, of the right-wing National Front political party, is maintaining the ban despite a ruling by France's highest administrative court that mayors do not have the right to outlaw burkinis.
He's not alone. Several French mayors are also enforcing their bans in the face of Friday's ruling, which concerned the nearby town of Villeneuve-Loubet although it could affect cities around the country.
JUST WATCHED Burkini ban suspended by French court Replay More Videos ... MUST WATCH Burkini ban suspended by French court 01:18
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2 charged in killing of NBA star's cousin


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See the dramatic story of how the United States caught and convicted an American who was spying for China. Watch CNN's "Declassified," Sunday at 10 p.m. ET/PT.
(CNN) About a year ago, China and the United States formally agreed not to conduct or knowingly support the cyber theft of each other's intellectual property.
So, how is that agreement working out?
Not great, said Adm. Mike Rogers, head of US Cyber Command.
"Cyber operations from China are still targeting and exploiting US government, defense industry, academic and private computer networks," Rogers said last April during testimony before a US Senate committee.
Cyber theft of US trade secrets can easily ruin American businesses and result in higher prices for consumers. Even more worrisome, stolen American military secrets could put US servicemen and women at risk during combat.
"Russia and China are growing more assertive and sophisticated in their cyber operations," White House spokesman Josh Earnest told reporters last July.
Despite all the fingers pointed in its direction, Beijing has long denied any responsibility for hacks and attacks — instead blaming internal "criminals" and rogues.
In 2004, an FBI probe nabbed an American engineer named Chi Mak who was convicted of trying to send digital information about secret US Navy technology to the Chinese government. The investigation is detailed in CNN's Original Series "Declassified ."
JUST WATCHED How the US searched a Chinese spy's home without leaving a trace Replay More Videos ... MUST WATCH How the US searched a Chinese spy's home without leaving a trace 01:16
How cyber spies operate
Sometimes cyber-spy targets might surprise you. A June New York Times report described how Chinese hackers took over a "dusty old computer" at a small welding company in Belleville, Wisconsin, to stage global assaults.
"We were totally freaked out," co-owner Lori Cate told The Times. "We had no idea we could be used as an infiltration unit for Chinese attacks."
CBS News reported on how China-based spies use malware and spear phishing to allow hackers to watch you at your desk without your knowledge. Spear phishing is harmful email disguised to look like it's from a familiar business or someone you know.
The bad guys want you to open the email, click on an attachment and boom — your computer is now working for the spies.
Countries like China are turning "to proxies (to) do their bidding in order to provide plausible deniability," said Frank J. Cilluffo the director of the Center for Cyber & Homeland Security, during testimony last February before a US House committee.
Hacker groups known by names like Deep Panda, C0d0so0 (aka Codoso) have been blamed for raiding computer systems at law firms, banks and Forbes
One group which has been "attributed to China" has been dubbed "Mofang," reports Wired
"Mofang has targeted government agencies in the US, military agencies in India and Myanmar, critical infrastructure in Singapore, research and development departments of automotive companies in Germany, and the weapons industry in India," Wired reported in June
Not only could stolen data be used to copy new American products and secret military technology, Cilluffo warned it could be used as a weapon "to blackmail and recruit Americans" — potentially to be forced to act as Chinese agents.
Sometimes the espionage is about defending against an enemy.
"Beijing also selectively uses cyber attacks against targets it believes threaten Chinese domestic stability or regime legitimacy," said James Clapper, US director of national intelligence, during congressional testimony last February
What cyber spies want
"China's aggressive collection efforts appear to be intended to amass data and secrets (military, commercial/proprietary, etc.) that will support and further the country's economic growth, scientific and technological capacities, military power, etc. — all with an eye to securing strategic advantage," Cilluffo said.
Sometimes the spying may be about getting the inside track.
Cyber spying malware has been linked to China in arbitration over islands in the South China Sea claimed by the Philippines but occupied by China, according to a report in The Hill
An antivirus firm called F-Secure found malware linked to China on computers in the Philippines' justice department, a law firm representing a party in the dispute and members of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation Summit, The Hill reported
Sometimes it's simply about copying hardware.
Countries can save untold money and time by stealing information that will help them duplicate rival products and weapons, instead of developing them legitimately. Last March, a 50-year-old Chinese citizen named Su Bin pleaded guilty to conspiring to hack into the computer networks of top US military contractors to pilfer sensitive information to send to China.
Last March a man admitted trying to steal data for China about Boeing's C-17 military transport.
He worked with two unidentified people for more than five years to target military data, including information about Boeing's C-17 transport plane and certain fighter jets, the Justice Department said.
Clapper: Cyber intrusions blur war and peace
Overall, China has been successful in using cyber espionage against the US government, its allies and American companies, said Clapper.
He predicts China will continue to challenge the US at "lower levels of competition," including "cyber intrusions, proxies and other indirect applications of military power — that intentionally blur the distinction between peace and wartime operations."
In other words, get used to looking over your shoulder, because it's likely that the threat of cyber espionage blamed on China will be with us for a long, long time.

Chinese cyber spies may be watching you, experts warn


Despite repeated denials, China's track record points to participation in cyber espionage, say officials.


(CNN) "I cannot stand and sing the anthem. I cannot salute the flag. I know that I am a black man in a white world."
That's not Colin Kaepernick, the San Francisco 49ers quarterback whose refusal to stand during the National Anthem has invited criticism from all corners of the sports world.
That's Jackie Robinson, beloved baseball pioneer and civil rights activist, writing in his 1972 autobiography, " I Never Had It Made ."
After Kaepernick was spotted sitting during the anthem preceding last Friday's NFL preseason game, the struggling quarterback said he would not stand "to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of color."
It's hard not to notice their words are almost perfectly aligned. But it shouldn't be a surprise when you consider some historical context, namely, that the anthem actually contains a reference to slavery and Kaepernick is far from the first athlete to question its scope.
The National Anthem's forgotten lyrics
"The Star Spangled Banner" was written by Francis Scott Key in 1814 about the American victory at the Battle of Fort McHenry. We only sing the first verse, but Key penned three more. This is the third verse:
And where is that band who so vauntingly swore,
That the havoc of war and the battle's confusion
A home and a Country should leave us no more?
Their blood has wash'd out their foul footstep's pollution.
No refuge could save the hireling and slave
From the terror of flight or the gloom of the grave,
And the star-spangled banner in triumph doth wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave.
The mere mention of "slave" is not entirely remarkable; slavery was alive and well in the United States in 1814. Key himself owned slaves, was an anti-abolitionist and once called his African brethren " a distinct and inferior race of people ."
As an anthem, "The Star Spangled Banner" has never been a unanimous fit. Since it was officially designated as the national anthem in 1931, Americans have debated its suitability of its militaristic lyrics and difficult tune. (Some have offered up "God Bless America" and "America the Beautiful" are as alternatives.)
Athletes and the American ritual
JUST WATCHED The salute that changed the world Replay More Videos ... MUST WATCH The salute that changed the world 02:40
The American ritual of the National Anthem has always been a crucible for patriotism and protest. It presents a particularly fraught dynamic for sports stars, since sports events are often so closely tied with the rhetoric of American pride. When a highly visible opinion comes up against a highly visible symbol, the result is always incendiary.
Around the same time, Jackie Robinson was using his achievements to advance Civil Rights causes, two American Olympic runners, Tommie Smith and John Carlos raised their fists in a black power salute during a medal ceremony at the 1968 Olympics in Mexico City as the anthem was playing.
The result was iconic. The reaction was ugly. Racial slurs were hurled at the pair and an article in TIME called it a " public display of petulance ."
Today, similar criticisms have been leveled against Kaepernick, a biracial Super Bowl quarterback who was raised by white adoptive parents and made $13 million in 2014. He was called "spoiled." He was called far worse in his Twitter mentions
It's a lot of ire for a gesture with a strong historical and rhetorical precedent.
One doesn't even need to dip into iconic moments in history to follow the trend.

Slavery and the National Anthem: The surprising history behind Colin Kaepernick's protest


The anthem actually contains a reference to slavery and Kaepernick is far from the first athlete to question it.


Havana, Cuba (CNN) As the Cubana flight touched down in Havana, the passengers around me broke into raucous applause. It was not polite "nice landing" or "glad we finally arrived" clapping, but the kind of full-throated cheering usually reserved for a last-minute goal at the World Cup.
Looking at the threadbare plane, it was easy to understand why everyone was so happy to be back on the ground. It was 1994 and my first trip to Cuba. The Soviet Union had collapsed three years before. Cuba was no longer receiving much of anything from their former patrons in Moscow; definitely not replacement parts for the island's fleet of aging Yak-42 aircraft.
Then: Part of Cubana's fleet at Jose Marti Airport in Havana in 1988.
My trip to the twilight zone that was the Cuba of that era began on that flight. As we came in for landing, flight attendants walked down the aisles blasting us with insecticide. Later, I would learn the Cuban government claimed the CIA was planting disease-carrying mosquitoes on flights to the island.
As we disembarked onto the runway, I noticed a small uniformed man at the foot of the stairs pointing a Geiger counter at the passengers to make sure no one was smuggling in nuclear material.
Many Caribbean islands greet tourists with steel drum bands and rum drinks. Cuba had more of a "Checkpoint Charlie" vibe. The welcome committee was an official clad in olive green who had some questions about your true motives for coming to Cuba.
Desperate for cash, Cuba in the 1990s had reopened to tourism, but there were few Americans visiting.
Then: Varadero Beach, east of Havana, saw a wave of development with the return of foreign tourists in the 1990s.
The only way for Americans to get to the island was through a third country and they ran the risk of US government fines that considered any commerce with Cuba "trading with the enemy."
My whole childhood I grew up hearing about Cuba. An avid fly fisherman, my grandfather had visited the island every year and was in Havana on New Year's Eve 1958 when Fidel Castro's revolution took power. Every time my grandfather returned home to Ohio he told my dad, Harvey, that next time he would take him with him. But then direct flights were canceled and American tourists were no longer welcome in Cuba.
My grandfather passed away and the trip never happened. Instead, my dad read every book and saw every movie about Cuba. Then, in 1994 when tourism on the island rumbled back to life, he told his 17-year-old son, me, they were going for a trip.
Then: Patrick Oppmann, center, his father and a Cuban resident in 1994.
Going into Havana that first time, I saw far more bikes on the road than cars. There were blackouts everywhere.
As I traveled across the island, Cubans at all times tried to guess what country I was from. "Russian, Bulgarian, Ukrainian, Spanish, Canadian, Italian?" They would ask, trying to break the ice. No one ever guessed that I was from the United States, just 90 miles away.
Flash forward 22 years and I now live in Cuba with my wife and our children. With the warming of relations between the US and Cuba, suddenly there are Americans everywhere.
Now: Passengers from the first US-to-Cuba cruise ship in decades take to the streets of Havana.
All I have to do is walk outside the door of the CNN Havana bureau to see crowds of Americans touring the colonial streets of Old Havana. Sometimes I don't need to even go that far, as every two weeks a Carnival Cruise ship full of US citizens docks in front of our office window.
According to Cuban statistics, the number of American visitors has nearly doubled in the last year to just under 100,000.
Many of the Americans I talk to say they fell in love at first sight with Cuba's warm people and their rich culture and history.
Almost every one of them tells me they wanted to come before "Cuba changes." But Cuba has already changed -- certainly since 1994 and even in the four years I have been living and working here for CNN.
On my drive to work every day, I'm still getting used to seeing the US flag flying at the newly reopened American Embassy.
Photos: The Stars and Stripes in Cuba Women wearing pants designed with the colors of the U.S. flag walk through Old Havana in Cuba in January. Many Cubans say displaying U.S. flags makes them no less patriotic about their own country, according to Patrick Oppmann , CNN's correspondent in Cuba. They have relatives in the States and a positive opinion of their neighbor to the north despite the antagonism between the U.S. and Cuban governments. Hide Caption 1 of 12 Photos: The Stars and Stripes in Cuba A man looks at a magazine stand in Havana in January. Hide Caption 2 of 12 Photos: The Stars and Stripes in Cuba A handkerchief in the colors of the American flag hangs on a clothesline in Havana in February. Hide Caption 3 of 12 Photos: The Stars and Stripes in Cuba A woman has her nails painted in the likeness of the Cuban and U.S. flags inside her Havana home in December. Hide Caption 4 of 12 Photos: The Stars and Stripes in Cuba The American flag is displayed on a Havana cobbler's sewing machine in January. Hide Caption 5 of 12 Photos: The Stars and Stripes in Cuba An American flag hangs next to a Cuban flag in an Havana barbershop in February. Hide Caption 6 of 12 Photos: The Stars and Stripes in Cuba American flags adorn a pedicab in Havana in January. Hide Caption 7 of 12 Photos: The Stars and Stripes in Cuba A woman wearing an American flag bandana gives her son some ice cream in Havana in January. Hide Caption 8 of 12 Photos: The Stars and Stripes in Cuba A car passes a man in Havana wearing a cap displaying the U.S. flag in February. Hide Caption 9 of 12 Photos: The Stars and Stripes in Cuba A man wearing an American flag sweatshirt walks through a street in Havana in February. Hide Caption 10 of 12 Photos: The Stars and Stripes in Cuba A man with the American flag on his sleeve stands with a woman in Havana in January. Hide Caption 11 of 12 Photos: The Stars and Stripes in Cuba Cuban and U.S. flags decorate the dashboard of a car in Havana. Hide Caption 12 of 12
The first of several American-run hotels has opened up, Cubans are sporting once-banned US flags and you can now find Miller Genuine Draft on the shelves of state-run department stores.
A cafe that serves all-day brunch and carrot-ginger smoothies in Old Havana is full of American hipsters who look as if they just strolled in from Brooklyn. Before long, there will probably be five more like just like it.
Cuban officials say they want to proceed slowly with restoration of ties with the US, but the Cuban people have already thrown caution to the wind. They trade the latest US shows and movies on thumb drives and are crazy for American sports and music.
When Madonna came a few weeks ago, her Cuban fans shut down traffic in front of the hotel she was staying in.
And the numbers of Americans will only rise as on Wednesday direct air service between the US and Cuba will resume with an inaugural flight by JetBlue.
That plane will be followed by many, many more. The US and Cuba agreed to allow up to 110 daily flights to the island, with 20 flights going to Havana each day and another 10 flights traveling to nine other international airports in the provinces, according to the US Department of Transportation.
And, for the first time, Americans will be able to book directly with the airline. No longer will US travelers have to fly via third countries on Cubana or deal with four-hour check-in times and exorbitant prices of charter services from Miami.
It's not hard to imagine someone waking up in New York, deciding they want to come to Cuba and being in Havana by day's end.
Under US law, tourism is still illegal in Cuba. But by opening up the number of categories of authorized travel the Obama administration has in many ways done an end run around the travel ban.
Sen. Jeff Flake of Arizona, a rare Republican who has long supported lifting US sanctions on Cuba, likes to say that the best way to challenge Cuba's outdated, authoritarian government is American spring break.
With US airliners charging about $200 for a round-trip ticket to Cuba, the island could indeed become a spring break destination soon.
Is Cuba's aging infrastructure and austere revolution really ready for that?
Photos: Rolling Stones in Cuba The Rolling Stones became the first major international rock band to play in Cuba. More than 100,000 people attended the concert at the Ciudad Deportiva in Havana. Hide Caption 1 of 8 Photos: Rolling Stones in Cuba Cubans celebrated at the concert, the first for the band. Hide Caption 2 of 8 Photos: Rolling Stones in Cuba "Years ago it was difficult to hear our music but here we are," Rolling Stones singer Mick Jagger told the crowd in Spanish. "The times are changing." Hide Caption 3 of 8 Photos: Rolling Stones in Cuba After the Cuban revolution, rock music was banned. Hide Caption 4 of 8 Photos: Rolling Stones in Cuba The concert was the result of months of diplomacy after the United States and Cuba announced that they would repair decades of broken relations.
Hide Caption 5 of 8 Photos: Rolling Stones in Cuba Perhaps aware that many of the Cubans attending had not heard much of the band's music, the Stones played many of their most familiar classics, like "Paint it Black," "Sympathy for the Devil" and "Brown Sugar."
Hide Caption 6 of 8 Photos: Rolling Stones in Cuba Given the low wages of most Cubans, the show was free. Hide Caption 7 of 8 Photos: Rolling Stones in Cuba Cuban police and soldiers walked around the concert but it was marked by a mostly joyous atmosphere. Hide Caption 8 of 8
You hope that Americans will also show Cubans the best of what we have to offer.
They have been waiting a long time to meet us.

One American's view of how Cuba has already changed


The resumption of scheduled US-Cuba flights will bring Americans hoping to see the island "before it changes." But it already has, writes CNN's Patrick Oppmann.


Chat with us in Facebook Messenger. Find out what's happening in the world as it unfolds.


Katie Quinn learns about selfies then has a 3D-printed selfie made.


Story highlights Serena Williams cruises into round two
Sister Venus struggles through
Andy Murray wins in straight sets
Eugenie Bouchard crashes out
(CNN) Serena Williams sailed through her first-round match at the US Open, showing no signs of the shoulder injury that derailed her quest for Olympic gold in Rio -- but she revealed her ailment played some part in her eye-catching new outfit.
The top-seeded American eased to a 6-3 6-3 victory over Russian Ekaterina Makarova Tuesday at the Arthur Ashe Stadium as she bids for an Open-Era record 23rd grand slam singles title.
Williams hit 12 aces during the match but admitted that she was aiming for placement rather than power.
"I didn't hit my serves as hard as I normally hit them," the world No. 1, who next faces compatriot Vania King, told reporters. "I just went for more placement. I didn't go for the big 120s, just the regular.
"I was pleased with my serve because I haven't been hitting a lot of serves at all. In practice, none of them were going in, so I was definitely excited about that."
VERY strong outfit by Serena Williams. Liking the black superhero vibe. But with opera sleeves! Great stuff #USOpen pic.twitter.com/Z385OP7LNd — Uche Amako (@UcheAmako) August 31, 2016

US Open: Serena Williams starts bid for record 23rd slam


The American sailed through her first round tie at the US Open, showing no signs of the shoulder injury that derailed her quest for Olympic gold in Rio.


Aftershocks hamper rescue efforts in Italy quake zone


More aftershocks hit central Italy, making rescue efforts more difficult and hindering the possibility of finding anyone else alive. CNN's Barbie Nadeau reports.


Southwest flight diverted after engine failure


An Orlando-bound Southwest flight experienced a serious mechanical issue and engine failure yet managed to land safely with no injuries. CNN Aviation Analyst Les Abend discusses the details.


Nykea Aldridge, cousin of Chicago Bulls star Dwyane Wade, was shot and killed by crossfire Friday afternoon in Chicago's Parkway Gardens neighborhood.


(CNN) Americans are perhaps the standard bearers of the "barbecue."
Come summer, US backyards and parks are full of people gathering around sauce-slathered chicken and other meats.
But famed as America's grill skills may be, many would claim it can't hold a glowing charcoal ember to the meat-charring culture of, say, Argentina or South Africa.
History isn't clear on where the term "barbecue" comes from -- one explanation is that it comes from "barbacoa," a term used by Spanish explorers to describe the Caribbean's indigenous Taino people's cooking technique.
In any case, barbecue as we know it today covers multiple cooking methods: On grills, above fire pits, under the ground and in clay ovens.
There are regional variations and customs everywhere from South America to Africa to Asia.
Read on for further proof that the lip-smacking barbecue experience is a universal tradition, not just an American one.
Braai (South Africa)
The South African braai ("barbecue" in Afrikaans) is the nation's top culinary custom.
Here, the frequent gathering of friends and family over grilled, juicy cuts of steak, sausage and chicken sosaties (skewers) cuts through all racial and socioeconomic lines.
And no place does "Sunday Funday" quite like the townships, where shisa nyama ("burn meat" in Zulu) venues elevate the braai experience with on-site butchers, cooks, drinks and party-starting DJs.
Chicago native and model Unique Love spent three years living in Cape Town and fondly recalls her first shisa nyama.
"Having a braai in Cape Town's Mzoli's Meat felt like home," she says. "After eating, I never wanted to [leave] because the community's ambience felt comforting."
Mzoli's Meat, M18/M36 Gugulethu, Cape Town Central 8001; +27 722 556 239
Asado (Argentina)
Weekly meat treat: The Argentinan asado.
Though its place as the world's top consumer of beef fluctuates each year, many would claim Argentina will forever be the grande dame of barbecued meats.
Like South Africa's braai culture, Argentina's affinity for the grill is more entrenched than in the States.
Attending a sociable, gut-busting asado ("barbecue") on an almost weekly basis is the norm.
Though a variety of meats and cuts can be experienced at any gathering, Argentinian chef Guillermo Pernot insists: "For the absolute best asado, one should cook a sweet pork and beef sausage, sweetbreads, thigh intestines and blood sausages."
Other asado tips from the two-time winner of the James Beard Award include using coarse salt to coat meats and to have the "indispensable" chimichurri -- a sauce and marinade which usually consists of parsley, garlic, oregano, vinegar and chili flakes -- at the ready.
Don Julio , Calle Guatemala 4699, Palermo Viejo, Buenos Aires; +54 1148 319 564
Yakitori (Japan)
Yakitori, a Japanese favorite, consists of diced chicken assembled onto bamboo skewers and cooked over a smoldering layer of charcoal.
Yakitori variations are labeled by chicken parts (strips of chicken skin make up "towikawa" and "negima" consists of thigh meat with leeks).
Its definition has expanded to include any grilled, skewered food, including vegetables, seafood, pork and beef.
While there are several ways to enjoy authentic yakitori in Japan, travel blogger Tanya Spaulding shares her tips for maximum enjoyment.
"The best way to savor yakitori is either from a street vendor, or sitting on the floor in your yukata (a sort of summer kimono), cooking your skewers over the shichirin (a small charcoal grill) in the middle of your table," she claims.
Yakitori Imai, 2-29-4 Sendagi, 102 City Heights Sendagi, Bunkyo, Tokyo; +81 3 3821 2989
Churrasco (Brazil)
Most visitors to Brazil get their barbecue fix at a churrascaria.
Barbecue enthusiasts with sizable appetites will love Brazil's churrasco (Portuguese and Spanish for "barbecue").
Most visitors to Brazil will get their barbecue fix at a churrascaria, where restaurant servers provide an endless supply of grilled meat cuts directly to patrons' tables.
While Brazilian churrasco might be the most famous, it's found in several other countries, including Bolivia, Ecuador, Guatemala and Portugal.
Dan Clark, a tour specialist who frequents South America, believes Brazilian barbecues offer more options for vegetarians than neighboring, meat-loving Argentina.
"At an Argentinian asado, you're really stuck with the salad and fries," he says. "But it's much better in Brazil because most churrascarias feature salad bars with dozens of kinds of fresh salads, pasta salads, pickles, breads, olives and all the other sides you could wish for."
Churrascaria Palace , Rua Rodolfo Dantas 16, Copacabana, Rio de Janeiro; +55 21 2541 5898
Lechon (Philippines)
Lechon (Spanish for "suckling pig") features a whole, impaled pig spit-roasted over a charcoal bed or in an oven.
Many Filipinos declare the tasty, porky treat to be their national dish although the same claim is made by Puerto Ricans.
The lechon cooked in the Filipino island of Cebu is often considered the best in the country, if not the world.
Fun fact: Every June 24 in Balayan, Philippines, the locals pay a special, religious-themed homage to roasted pig at the Parada ng Lechon (Parade of Spit-Roast Pig).
It involves lechons getting blessed at a church mass followed by a lively parade of floats, music, water guns (for the baptism) and lechons "dressed" in outlandish garments and accessories.
Rico's Lechon, Highway 77 talamban, Cebu City 6000, Philippines; +63 3 440 119
Tandoor (India)
It's true: that iconic Indian tandoori chicken you've known (and perhaps loved) for ages is considered a barbecue dish.
Tandoori food derives its name from the tandoor, the cauldron-like clay oven in which dishes such as naan bread, chicken, seafood and other meats are cooked under high-heat charcoal.
"The art of the tandoor originated centuries ago as a nomadic style of cooking in Central Asia [where] food was cooked on charcoal pits and meat was spit-roasted," says Manjit Gill, an Indian celebrity chef behind several acclaimed restaurants including Bukhara in New Delhi.
"The Tandoori cuisine as we know it today was introduced in the late 1940s in post-partition India, when people discovered that it was a better medium to cook meat in a tandoor rather than on the spit."
Dum Pukht, ITC Maurya Diplomatic Enclave, Sardar Patel Marg, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi; +91 11 2611 2233
Mongolian BBQ (Taiwan)
Mongolian BBQ -- not really Mongolian.
"Surprisingly, despite the name, Taiwan is the origin of Mongolian barbecue," reveals travel enthusiast and native Taiwanese Erin Yang, "[and] consists of the combination of sliced meat, noodles and vegetables quickly cooked over a flat circular metal surface."
Mongolian barbecue is a relatively new food trend, emerging in Taiwan in the 1950s and influenced by Japanese teppanyaki and Chinese stir-fry.
It's also popular in certain regions of China.
Beijing-based food and travel blogger Monica Weintraub says beef and lamb feature heavily in the north of the country.
"Whether you're sharing a leg of lamb between four or five friends or ordering single lamb skewers (yang rou chuan), be expected to intake meat heavily doused in chili powder, cumin seeds and salt," she says.
Lovo (Fiji)
Fiji's barbecue tradition has more of an underground approach compared to other nations.
Erin Yang explains: "Unlike many other barbecue styles, Fijian barbecue is cooked in a 'lovo,' an earth oven."
Lovo involves piping-hot stones placed into a large opening in the ground to allow slowly smoked cooking.
"Ingredients such as pork, chicken, vegetables, taro root and seafood are wrapped in taro or banana leaves and placed onto the stones," Yang says. "After 2-3 hours, the savory lovo will be ready to serve."
Unearthing the pit-smoked food is met with jubilation from feasters, perhaps due to the hours-long wait for the cooking to be completed.
TovuTovu Resort, TovuTovu Estate Naselesele, Taveuni Island Fiji; +679 888 0560
Umu (Samoa)
A fish is wrapped in taro leaves ahead of being cooked.
Umu, Samoa's version of the barbecue, is similar to the underground cooking customs of Fijian lovo.
Avichai Ben Tzur, a travel writer/entrepreneur who's spent significant time in the South Pacific, describes barbecue prep work as a family task.
"Young men of the extended Samoan family gather together to prepare the 'umu,' hours before the traditional Sunday feast commences... catching fresh fish or slaughtering a pig, collecting taro leaves and breadfruit from the family's agricultural plot and cracking open coconuts for the palusami."
The palusami, a Samoan staple made of coconut cream (often seasoned with onions, lemon juice and simple spices) wrapped in taro leaves, is "a delicious calorie bomb that cannot be resisted by Samoans," says Tzur.
Gogigui (Korea)
Gogigui (Korean for "meat roast") is a favorite of both Koreans and international eaters.
Dining at a Korean BBQ usually consists of sliced beef, pork and chicken with an assortment of banchan (side dishes) and rice cooked in the center of a table, which is either cooked by the chefs or the diners themselves.
Should you choose to cook your own gogigui, "Masterchef Korea" finalist Diane Sooyeon Kang shares some tips.
"For thin slices of meat like chadolbaegi (thinly sliced beef brisket), you should lie it flat and cook it quickly for a few seconds on each side," she says.
"For meats like yangnyeom galbi (marinated short ribs), high heat and fire will be best as it will caramelize the outside while keeping the meat juicy inside."
Jessica Mehta, who's lived in Korea for a year, suggests: "You're not really having Korean BBQ if you don't pair it with soju, a clear liquor somewhat similar to sake."
Seoseo Meokneun Galbi Jip,109-69 Nogosan-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul; +82 02 716 2520
Pachamanca (Peru)
Though Peruvian cuisine is known the world over for ceviche and Pisco sour cocktails, one of Peru's most traditional Incan cooking customs, pachamanca, is still under the radar to many.
Pachamanca (meaning "earth pot" in the Quechua language) involves digging to create a ground oven and lining the cavity with fire-heated stones to cook the food.
A variety of potatoes, corn, legumes and marinated meats are enclosed in banana leaves and placed into the earth oven for hours.
Authentic pachamanca are served sitting on the ground, and mostly take place on special occasions (especially religious ceremonies) and during harvest time every February and March.
Machu Picchu Pueblo, Next to the BCP Bank, by the railroad tracks, Aguas Calientes, Peru; +51 984 382 567

Food on fire: The world's best barbecues


US backyard grills might lead the charge, but plenty of other nations are cooking on flames


(CNN) "I'm very proud of my size 14 hips," Ashley Graham told CNN at the MTV Video Music Awards on Sunday night.
"The only pressure that I feel is to continue to represent women of all shapes and sizes in a correct manner," she said. "I think that I'm doing that by eating healthy, working out and staying true to who I am. I am a very curvy, voluptuous woman."
Graham, who was featured on the 2016 cover of Sports Illustrated's swimsuit edition, has been vocal about her experiences being body shamed -- no matter her size.
"I'm too big. I'm too small. I'm too pretty. I'm too ugly. And I think at the end of the day, no woman is ever going to be good enough for society," Graham said. "So why not just start embracing what is the difference in you and saying that is beautiful."
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Ashley Graham: Embracing my cellulite helped me land the cover of Sports Illustrated


"I'm very proud of my size 14 hips," Ashley Graham told CNN at the MTV Video Music Awards on Sunday night.


Story highlights NASA first developed a thermal cloak to protect Skylab after it lost a heat shield at launch
The technology was used to manufacture reflective space blankets that help protect people from cold
(CNN) They appear after shark attacks, marathons, earthquakes and even terrorist attacks like the one in Paris last year. And they have appeared en masse most recently in images of migrants and refugees attempting deadly crossings of the Mediterranean Sea to reach Europe.
They are commonly called space blankets and they look like sheets of foil, silver on one side and gold on the other.
They look that way for a reason. They're flyweight, plastic sheets layered with an infrared coating of vaporized aluminum that make them super reflective so they can effectively shield a person from cold temperatures and brisk winds and help retain body heat.
NASA developed insulation material for Skylab after it lost a heat shield at launch.
But why are they called space blankets? They actually do have an interstellar connection.
NASA used the same shiny insulation material to protect many of its Earth-made crafts from the much harsher environment of space. It was first used as a parasol-type shield to keep Skylab from overheating after the spacecraft lost a heat shield during launch, according to NASA.
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From outer space to migrant boats: Blankets


NASA technology is behind space blankets used to protect marathon runners, earthquake victims and now, the migrants and refugees heading to Europe.