Topic: English Channel

Red Bull-fueled daredevil plans record skydive from edge of space

Austrian extreme skydiver Felix Baumgartner plans to ascend in a helium balloon to about 23 miles up, and then jump. He will break the sound barrier during freefall. 

South with the Sun: Roald Amundsen, His Polar Explorations, and the Quest for Discovery

Long-distance swimmer and author Lynne Cox traces the path of polar explorer Roald Amundsen – just in time for the centennial of his arrival at the South Pole.

Andy Rooney: why it's bad he's retiring

Andy Rooney will leave '60 Minutes' as a regular contributor following this Sunday’s broadcast. Here are three reasons that's a sad occasion.

'Jetman' zooms along rim of Grand Canyon in first US flight

Jetman, aka adventurer Yves Rossy, hit 190 m.p.h. Saturday as he flew with a jet-pack above the Grand Canyon. Where some see self-promotional stunt man, others see a boundary-breaker.

Dark Sky movement: British Isle Named Skywatching Paradise

The International Dark-Sky Association recognized Sark Island, which is about 80 miles off the south coast of England, for the quality of its night sky. Sark thus becomes the latest in a select group of dark sky places around the world, and the first island.

What Britain's cuts mean for its place in the world

Britain made deep cuts to social services, government jobs, welfare benefits, and defense spending in order to reduce a mounting deficit. The cuts could dramatically reshape British society.

Five of world's biggest tsunamis

The Japan tsunami was relatively small in size and deadliness compared to those on record. The following five are among the worst in recorded history.

Swiss tunnel: Not actually the world's longest tunnel

When Swiss engineers completed drilling the Gotthard Base Tunnel Friday, they were lauded for finishing the world’s longest tunnel – but actually it's only the world's longest rail tunnel. Read on to find out what underground structures take the honors for being the longest.

Philippe Croizon, a quadriplegic amputee, swims across the English Channel

Philippe Croizon, an amputee who once skydived from a plane, successfully swam across the English Channel this past weekend. Philippe Croizon used special leg prostheses with flippers to make the crossing.

American crosses English Channel in chair tied to helium balloons

American Jonathan Trappe set the world record for the first successful cluster balloon flight across the English Channel today.

Why do so many oil spills happen?

The science and history behind oil spills.

Iceland volcano ash cloud: At least Europe has a backup in trains, ferries, buses

The Iceland volcano underscores the need for the US to invest more heavily in surface transportation -- and move quickly to reauthorize the six-year transportation law.

Silk Parachute

The latest collection of essays by quintessential New Yorker writer John McPhee includes some of his most personal writing to date.

How cold is Europe? Even Norway's buses can't take it.

Bus engine oil is freezing in Norway, and Ireland is reporting its lowest temps in 50 years. In Britain, which looks like a baby Greenland on satellite images, Prime Minister Gordon Brown is turning into the nation's weather comforter-in-chief.

Tarmac delays: how the airlines rank as US cracks down

A new federal rule will prohibit airlines from keeping passengers on the tarmac for more than three hours.

John Morris: An eye-witness to the rise of photojournalism

As a life-long photo editor, John Morris shepherded some of the 20th century's most iconic images and most well-regarded photographers.

"Twilight" has European readers reaching for "Wuthering Heights"

Young Woman & the Sea

The life of Trudy Ederle, first woman to swim the English Channel.

Why it's hard to tweet literature