Online Features
Travel
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Capturing outdoor travel moments: How to bring back great audio and video
A vacation full of action and adventure creates fantastic memories that many travelers want to capture "on film" to share with friends and family. But how do you bring back great audio and video footage that captivatingly transports your viewers to your destination?
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A parent's guide to taking a summer travel adventure without leaving home
Summer is often associated with learning loss, and parents also express difficulty finding productive activities for their children to do during the summer months. So, rather than allow this break from learning, turn this time into a learning opportunity to broaden your child's global mindset.
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Why travelers should seek an Italy tour that goes beyond the expected
Italy has been a hot travel destination since the age of the "Grand Tour." Its allure hasn't faded at all, thanks to the country's astonishing natural beauty, cultural diversity, historical riches, delectable cuisine and welcoming people. But for travelers who want to really get in touch with the country, and experience ...
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Beyond the beach: Great ideas for outdoor activities this summer
Basking on the beach or playing in the surf are high points of summer vacation for many people. In fact, going to the beach is among the top five activities for American leisure travelers. While beach time will always have its place in the hearts of anyone who loves being outside in summer, there are plenty more ways to ...
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Tips for a healthy, safe and fun active outdoor vacation
Mom zip-lining, Dad mountain biking, a sibling hike at sunrise - for many travelers, a vacation isn't just for relaxation, it's the perfect opportunity for adventure in the great outdoors. The summer travel season is ideal for camping, hiking and biking - great travel activities for couples and families alike. With a lit...
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America's history etched in hardwood
The story of our architecture is literally written in wood - underfoot in planks polished by thousands of footsteps; on walls enriched with carved hardwood mouldings and paneling; even on ceilings, where load-bearing structural beams have assumed decorative roles, too.
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Top national parks for families
Each year, hundreds of millions of people visit the 397 destinations that comprise the country's National Park System. Summer is the ideal time to explore many of these parks, as the kids are out of school and activities in the parks are in full swing. Here are four national parks that are worth putting on your family's ...
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Explore a world of exotic natural beauty on a Costa Rica vacation
Explore a world of exotic natural beauty on a Costa Rica vacation Laying on the beach and relaxing away your vacation days definitely has its appeal. But those who want to pack a little more into their getaway might just find that a Costa Rica vacation is the perfect solution. A Costa Rica vacation puts some of the...
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See the jewels of the Mediterranean on an Italy cruise
From the countryside to the capital, Italy draws travelers in with its beauty, history and zest for living. But what about the Italian seaside? That's where you'll find spectacular scenery, unique lifestyles and cultural richness, all with a dash of fresh sea air and the opportunity to indulge in delicious seafood dishes...
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Five Asia travel destinations that aren't to be missed
A wall that stretches across the biggest country in the world, some of the world's largest and most well-known ancient palaces and even elephant rides - Asia offers some of the most unique travel experiences imaginable. For Americans, Asia travel means seeing a world completely different than their own and embarking on t...
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The secret to a great, low-cost summer vacation: Get outside
Fresh air, sunshine, activities for the whole family, and new sights to see: outdoor vacations offer many advantages, including the opportunity to do more for less money.
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Spring's greatest showcase: the Centennial National Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington, D.C.
Spring's greatest showcase: the Centennial National Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington, D.C. (ARA) - There's nothing more beautiful than the coming of spring after a long winter. As grass grows green and the air warms, nature puts on a spectacular show that manages to impress year after year. Nowhere is spring's beauty more vibrantly on display than at the National Cherry Blossom Festival Celebration in Washington, D.C. This year marks a storied and once-in-a-lifetime event, the 100 year...
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national news
Whole neighborhoods razed by Oklahoma tornado that killed 24

People look at the destruction after a huge tornado struck Moore, OklahomaBy Carey Gillam and Ian Simpson MOORE, Oklahoma (Reuters) - Rescuers went building to building in search of victims and thousands of survivors were homeless on Tuesday, a day after a massive tornado tore through a suburb of Oklahoma City, wiping out whole blocks of homes and killing at least 24 people. The death toll was lower than initially feared, but nine children were among the dead, including seven who died at Plaza Towers Elementary School, which took a direct hit in the deadliest tornado to hit the United States in two years. ...


Tue May 21 16:23:34 UTC 2013
Moore shows that as cities grow, tornado damage grows with them

Rescue workers look through the rubble at Plaza Towers Elementary school in MooreBy Ben Berkowitz and Julie Steenhuysen (Reuters) - Moore, Oklahoma, has had the bad luck of being hit by two highly destructive tornadoes, both in the month of May, 14 years apart. But the Moore that got struck on Monday is not the same as in 1999. Like a lot of towns across America and in the so-called "Tornado Alley," rapid growth has made it a bigger target, vulnerable to more damage. The tornado, with winds that may have topped 200 miles per hour, killed at least 24 people and injured hundreds more, with many of the casualties children from two schools that were destroyed. ...


Tue May 21 15:34:25 UTC 2013
Peace Corps says same-sex couples can apply to serve together
(Reuters) - The Peace Corps said on Tuesday it will start accepting applications next month from same-sex couples who want to volunteer together as part of the overseas service program. But not all of the 76 countries that host the program established by former U.S. President John F. Kennedy in 1961 will be open as assignments for those couples, an agency spokeswoman said. "The Peace Corps is only going to consider placement for same-sex couples in countries where homosexual acts are not criminalized," spokeswoman Shira Kramer said. ...
Tue May 21 16:28:14 UTC 2013
Man watched tornado destroy his home: ‘I just felt totally helpless’
OKLAHOMA CITY—Anthony Connel was sitting in traffic off of South 149th Street, about a mile from his home, when he saw it happen: A dark black cloud, so ominous and wide that it didn’t even look like a tornado, dropped to the ground—and headed straight for his house. Connel, a sales manager at Anheuser-Busch, had [...]
Tue May 21 15:58:37 UTC 2013