Culture and Lifestyle: News & Videos about Culture and Lifestyle - CNN.com

Peter Smith was riding his bike down a particularly busy road in Austin, Texas, when, amid a frightening blur of big-truck traffic, a thought hit him:...

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The State Department condemned Iran's persecution of religious minorities on Friday following the Iranian authorities' detention of Baha'is and Christians in recent months....

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Pope Benedict XVI is distraught by news of a scandal involving allegations of sexual abuse in the Catholic Church in Germany, Germany's highest-ranking Catholic said Friday....

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Deaths from pregnancy and childbirth in the United States have doubled in the past 20 years, a development that a human rights group called "scandalous and disgraceful" Friday....

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Let's imagine this terrifying scenario for a moment. You come home from a long day of work and sit in front of your computer to try out your newly purchased copy of the video game Assassin's Creed 2, and then ... nothing happens. You face an immobile title screen. You...

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When you break up with someone, how do you expect the people in your life to treat your ex?...

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On Wednesday, Sony unveiled Move, its motion-sensitive controller....

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Catholic bishops in the Netherlands have announced an independent investigation into allegations of child abuse by clergy, widening a scandal that touches countries including the United States, Ireland, Germany and Austria....

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A lesbian couple together for more than a decade smiled through tears Tuesday as they became the first same-sex couple to marry in the District of Columbia, on the first day such unions are legal in the nation's capital....

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Jerry Yellin has spent most of his life trying to forget about the stench of death on the island of Iwo Jima 65 years ago....

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"It has been a long road. To be at the finish line is great."...

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At least four masked and armed men robbed an international poker tournament in Berlin, Germany, Saturday, making off with an undisclosed sum of money, police said....

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The terrifying moments on board the Louis Majesty, a cruise ship hit by 26-foot waves off northeast Spain, may be prompting second thoughts among travelers considering a vacation at sea....

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Two passengers aboard a cruise ship were killed when 26-foot waves crashed into the vessel Wednesday off northeast Spain, officials said. Fourteen others were injured....

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The star chef shows you how to make the chicken pot pie dish he'll serve at this year's Governors Ball...

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Suffering a bout of gastrointestinal illness in a cramped cruise ship cabin ranks pretty high on the scale of vacation nightmares. And given the bug going around this year, illness at sea is likely to spike....

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Authorities have raided a monastery in southern Germany as part of a probe into allegations that priests sexually abused children there, prosecutors said....

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Superyacht captains will never be ultra-wealthy like the yacht owners they work for but the lifestyle certainly makes up for it....

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Oprah's wellness guru serves up a healthy - and hot! - dish...

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A cruise ship returned to Charleston, South Carolina, on Friday after more than 400 passengers got sick during a trip to the Caribbean....

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When Jack Rogers first heard media reports of Tiger Woods' multiple extramarital affairs, the first thing he did was say a little prayer for Woods and his wife. The second thing he did was tally up the number of women who claimed to have had sex with the famous golfer....

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If the Omani royal family had its way, the entire world would recognize the country's ancient scent, frankincense -- so highly prized the Magi brought it to celebrate the birth of Jesus....

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When I moved from New York City to Chicago to live with my boyfriend, now husband, I knew I was making sacrifices....

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Sixteen-fifty-one Pennsylvania Avenue isn't quite as famous as the address right across the street....

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Bare backs, plunging necklines and high-cut hems. Western media recently reported that the bold statements made by Pakistan's fashionistas at Lahore Fashion Week demonstrated how designers were rejecting conservative dress in the South Asian nation....

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Some people sickened by an outbreak of a gastrointestinal illness on a U.S. cruise ship have recovered, but hundreds remain ill, the cruise company said Wednesday....

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Hers is the book title that's been heard around the single women's world. It's made 30- and 40-somethings gasp, stomp their feet in defiance and mutter, "How could she?"...

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Like many people, widow Penny Lally plans to be buried alongside her family. But in her case, that includes a menagerie of family pets....

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The outbreak of a gastrointestinal illness has spread to more passengers on a U.S. cruise ship, with nearly 450 falling sick while at sea, the cruise company said Tuesday....

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When Linda Thomas of Frederick, Maryland, found out her 2-year old beagle, Henry, had Lyme disease, she was pretty upset. Her dog hardly went outside. But after his diagnosis, Henry's vet told Thomas that Lyme disease, which is transferred to pets by deer ticks, is fairly common in Maryland, and...

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American venture capitalist and philanthropist Esther Dyson spent part of 2008 and 2009 training to be a cosmonaut. Dyson is a well-known figure in the world of technology. For many years she penned an influential monthly tech newsletter, and she hosted PC Forum, an annual technology conference. (She sold her...

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New York Fashion Week began on a somber note as the first day of shows was marred by news of the tragic death of beloved British designer Alexander McQueen....

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High in fat and calories, nuts were a dieting no-no during the low-fat era. Now these nutrient-packed powerhouses are making a comeback as a top heart-healthy snack....

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The sexual abuse of children is not just a "heinous crime" but a "grave sin" that offends God and wounds human dignity, Pope Benedict XVI said Tuesday after a two-day meeting with Irish Catholic bishops at the Vatican....

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New York Fashion Week kicked off in a literal and figurative storm late last week, as a blizzard rolled through town and designer Alexander McQueen's death shocked participants....

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The fashion world was Friday mourning the death of celebrated British designer Alexander McQueen as questions were raised over the future of his multi-million dollar luxury clothing brand....

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Alleged victims of child abuse by Catholic priests in Ireland called on the Vatican Monday to hold its own investigation into the scandal and punish those responsible....

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You can complain that Valentine's Day is just a commercial holiday, but you won't hear any griping from retailers. A typical panicked shopper searching for the perfect gift on February 13 is expected to spend on average $103, according to the National Retail Federation (NRF). And that's in a shaky...

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OK, so you've exhausted most of those video games you got for Christmas. And you've got a gift card or two burning a hole in your pocket....

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The death of British fashion designer Alexander McQueen has drawn a veil of sadness over the first day of New York City Fashion Week....

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Find out what candy the singer bought for his wife - and what stars at L.A. hot spot the Stone Rose will be drinking on Feb. 14...

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Holidays often mean cookies -- and calories. Here's a way to keep the flavor but trim some of the fat in one tasty treat....

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Iraq's simmering sectarian tension boiled in recent days over a controversial decision banning more than 500 people with alleged ties to Saddam Hussein's Baath Party from running in next month's Iraqi national elections....

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As France moves closer to a partial ban on the burqa, a leading European lawmaker declared Wednesday that the full Muslim veil is a symbol of political Islam and has no place in Europe....

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So you're invited to a Super Bowl party and you're wanting to bring a dish for the pregame feasting that's easy to make....

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In an event considered rare, one of India's low-caste communities has declared its own distinct religion....

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An abstinence-only education program is more effective than other initiatives at keeping sixth- and seventh-graders from having sex within a two-year period, according to a study described by some as a landmark....

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"There's nothing less sexy than data," says yachtsman Michael Moore....

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A furor has erupted in Britain over comments by the pope seen as critical of a new law the Roman Catholic church fears will force it to accept homosexuals into its ranks....

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Allow me to introduce myself. I am a gainfully employed, God-fearing, law-abiding citizen, and I come in peace. I don't bet on baseball, I take excellent care of my gums, I keep my tray table locked and upright from takeoff to landing....

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Pope John Paul II used to beat himself with a belt and sleep on a bare floor to bring himself closer to Christ, a book published Wednesday says....

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You've probably heard eating more fish is good for you. But if selecting and preparing fish feels like entering uncharted waters, you're not alone: Most Americans eat very little fish compared to chicken and beef (just under 7 pounds a year vs. more than 100 pounds, according to the United...

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As 2010 kicks off, CNNHealth Diet & Fitness expert Dr. Melina Jampolis urges you to think beyond calories and working out and focus on bigger changes that could help you live a healthier life....

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My friend posted this message as her Facebook status update: Maybe it's just me, but I am extremely uncomfortable with any married man calling me "just to say hi." Not good! Respect your wife!...

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A Nebraska man is expected to plead guilty next week to launching a cyber attack that shut down the Church of Scientology's Web sites, federal prosecutors said Monday....

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The Buddhist religion has largely remained the same over the past few centuries, but a group of monks in Japan are spicing things up by turning to alcohol and rap music to lure in followers....

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OK, so you've exhausted most of those video games you got for Christmas. And you've got a gift card or two burning a hole in your pocket....

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Outside the 400-year-old Kyoouji Temple, Kansho Tagai, dressed in his traditional monk robes, paused and began a sutra. He bobbed his head and then broke into a lyrical rap....

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The pope has summoned several Irish bishops to the Vatican to discuss a report documenting child abuse by Irish clergy members, the Vatican spokesman said Wednesday....

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Focus on the Family, a Christian non-profit group, said it will air its first Super Bowl spot during the upcoming game....

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Carolyn Fletcher's honeymoon started heading south the moment she and her husband landed in Cancun. No one was there to pick up the newlyweds....

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Pope Benedict XVI met privately on Wednesday with the woman who dragged him to the ground on Christmas Eve, the Vatican said....

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While it's not likely that any new gaming consoles will be released in 2010, there's plenty of new hardware that will change the way we play....

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Seven leaders of Iran's Baha'i minority went on trial in Tehran Tuesday accused of spying for Israel, a charge their supporters say is motivated by religious discrimination....

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A gay couple challenging Proposition 8 in federal court Monday said civil unions and domestic partnerships aren't the same as marriages, something they view as a stepping stone toward starting a family....

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Dear Wendy: I'm 23 years old and have been friends with a 26-year-old guy -- let's call him Ben -- for about two years. We met online, and instantly hit it off....

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Yoga instructor Sadie Nardini and her husband got an early start on their New Year's resolution: In December, the New York couple decided to have sex every day for the entire month....

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Ladies (and gentlemen): Can you find the G-spot?...

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Divorce is almost always a messy business, but certain settlements between former beloveds can be somewhat absurd. Here's a look at some examples of offbeat divorce settlements....

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The Biggest Loser trainer - and vegetarian - considers cooking his "therapy"...

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Think family vacation -- on steroids....

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Pope Benedict XVI championed the environment in the Vatican's annual World Day of Peace message....

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At least 1 million people marked the passing of another year at the iconic ball drop in New York's Times Square, despite an early morning dusting of snow and late-night freezing rain....

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At least 1 million people marked the passing of another year at the iconic ball drop in New York's Times Square, despite an early morning dusting of snow and late-night freezing rain....

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Celebrity chef Kathy Casey predicts two flavor trends in cocktails for 2010 will be fresh ginger and hibiscus....

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For Min Bahadur Sherchan, being recognized as the oldest person to climb the Mount Everest, the world's tallest peak, was the realization of a half-century old dream....

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In the age of the "cougar," why is there not an equivalent term to describe men in their prime who date younger women?...

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A couple million people will hit Brazil's Copacabana beach in Rio de Janeiro as the final minutes of 2009 are counted down, ready for a mix of spiritual observances, fireworks and full-tilt partying....

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Got a gift card from Wal-Mart, Best Buy or American Express this holiday season?...

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A small town in Luxembourg once destroyed by fierce fighting remembers one of the bright moments in the dark of World War II -- a visit from Saint Nick....

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For all the joy of Christmas morning, there's certainly a lot of waste involved....

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Last Christmas Eve, Jeff Martin found himself forced to explain to a Canadian general why, when Santa Claus passed through Toronto, Ontario, that night, Google Maps had placed the city in the United States....

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It may be the first modern Christmas movie ever made for audiences in Turkey, a mostly Muslim country that does not celebrate Christmas....

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An Irish bishop resigned Wednesday following a government report into the sexual abuse of children by Catholic clergy -- the second to do so....

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What is it about Christmas music that enters our very souls, calms us and even gets us to do things that are right for humanity? This music even has the ability to make us like our old Aunt Emily. If there were a marketing campaign for Christmas, it would be...

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As Christmas season went into full swing this year, Glen Fullmer's 7-year-old son came home from school with an assignment: Make a poster illustrating his family holiday traditions....

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In Europe, "Christmas" lasts much longer than a day. The season stretches well over a month -- not to extend the shopping season, but to fit in the many holy days and festivities....

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The singer surprised for his 27th birthday with a frozen treat in his favorite flavor - chocolate chip cookie dough!...

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It was a Vatican announcement guaranteed to spark controversy....

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In January, sales were up 13 percent over the year before, reported industry analyst the NPD Group, and that trend continued in February, with a 10 percent boost over 2008....

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Over the years I've attended all kinds of work holiday parties. From the afternoon punch and cookies where you just have to show your face for five minutes, to the intimate and extravagant fine dining meal, to the huge blowout with endless food, open bar, chocolate fountains and partying until...

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Thanks to the Web, buying holiday gifts has become much less of a drag than it used to be. In fact, online shopping has made it possible to avoid setting foot in a shopping mall ever again, for which I'll be forever grateful....

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Pope John Paul II was a step closer to sainthood Saturday after Pope Benedict XVI signed a decree recognizing the late pontiff's "heroic virtues" and declaring him "venerable," the Vatican said....

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A mother pleaded Friday with Iran's supreme leader to release her daughter and two other hikers detained in that country since July....

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Gadgets are not soft and cuddly, and there are no downloadable upgrades for slobbering mutts. But with enthusiasm for pets growing unabated, and technology digging ever deeper into our lives, the two seemingly unrelated worlds increasingly touch....

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Now that video game sales have eclipsed Hollywood box office revenues and sales of music CDs, you can bet your bitmaps some extraordinarily good games were released in 2009....

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Evangelist Oral Roberts, founder of the Oral Roberts Evangelistic Association and Oral Roberts University, died Tuesday from complications of pneumonia in Newport Beach, California, his spokeswoman said. He was 91....

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Every family has its own set of holiday traditions. Some spend the day opening gifts and stuffing themselves with turkey, while others volunteer at soups kitchens, sing in the church choir or take in a movie....

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At Lutz Tavern in Portland, Ore., the beer-drinking crowd goes through about 20 to 25 cases of Pabst Blue Ribbon beer on a Friday night. "It's our No. 1 seller, no questions asked, hands down," says Lilias Barisich, whose family has owned the bar since 1954....

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As world leaders gather in Copenhagen to debate the catastrophic effects of climate change there are some places in the world, such as the English vineyards, which stand to benefit from warmer temperatures....

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