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Travel
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From golf to fishing: America's ultimate destinations for active travel
(BPT) - The word “vacation” means different things to different people. For some, it’s lounging poolside and sleeping until noon. Others, however, savor the opportunity to get outside, try some new activities and indulge in their favorite pastimes for days on end. If you’re one of the latter group, there are few better ...
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A feast for the senses: The top five sights to see on an India tour
When planning a vacation, you have two primary choices: exploring places you are familiar with or exploring somewhere new. While there’s comfort in the former, the latter choice holds the promise of new discoveries, unique experiences and the most enduring memories. For those who want to explore off the beaten track, th...
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Get your car road trip ready for spring
(BPT) - You may be dreaming about escaping on a vacation, but the sky-high costs of flights and cruises can quickly turn into a nightmare. If you’re looking to take a break without breaking the bank, a good, old-fashioned road trip could be the way to escape. Aside from packing snacks and preparing the perfect playlist,...
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Sacred valleys, mysterious mountains: Peru tours capture the magic of the country
There are some destinations that blend spellbinding scenery, a sense of exotic remoteness and a touch of ancient mystery, creating an irresistible appeal to travelers. Perhaps the best example of that unique combination is Machu Picchu. The mist-shrouded “Lost City of the Incas,” hidden in the Andean mountain jungle, to...
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Outdoor gear that performs year-round
(BPT) - Rugged camping gear is no longer just for adventurers and niche outdoor sports. High-tech or activity-specific outdoor products are gaining popularity because they also come in handy every day and around the house. “As it turns out, the durability and dependability of gear needed on remote hikes or climbs has m...
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Foot care tips to keep you moving while on vacation
(BPT) - Decongestant, check. Sunscreen, check. Antacids, check. So you’re going on vacation and your bag is well-stocked with remedies for every illness that could possibly derail your good time – from sunburn to an upset stomach. While you’re taking steps to preserve your good health on vacation, don’t overlook the bod...
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Exploring America: Mississippi steamboat cruises take travelers through the heartland of history
They say that travel is about the journey, not the destination. While there’s plenty of room to argue that destinations really do matter, there’s no disputing that going on a journey is one of the most enriching experiences you can have. When it comes to travel in America, perhaps the greatest journeys to be taken are ...
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Travel: cruising 101
(BPT) - If you’re thinking of taking a cruise, there are a lot of options to consider, from the cruise line and style to the destinations, vacation length and types of on-board amenities. Cruising is a fun (and economical) way to see several places in a relatively short amount of time without having to unpack and repack...
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Planning your next vacation? Think about a tour
Creating the perfect vacation can be confusing: putting together an itinerary for a place you’ve never been, finding the right hotels and arranging the intricate details. Going on vacation can be stressful too: knowing where to go, what to see and how to get there. More often than not, the joy of actually going on vacat...
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Want to see more on a Mediterranean cruise? Consider ship size and itinerary
It’s hard to imagine a more perfect travel destination than the Mediterranean – from the sea to the land, natural and cultural treasures enrich and inspire. Rugged cliffs, deep blue seascapes and historic cities hugging the coast all contribute to create a place that is truly unique in the world. There are a number of w...
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Responsible ridership and safety are the first steps toward personal watercraft fun
(BPT) - One of the easiest and most fun ways to enjoy everything the water has to offer is on a personal watercraft (PWC). Personal watercrafts have taken great strides toward modernization; the PWCs of today are quiet, run on clean four-stroke technology engines, include significant safety features, are more stable, an...
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The top 5 experiences you can't miss on a London tour
If watching all the London-centered festivities of 2012, from the Queen’s Jubilee to the opening ceremonies, whetted your appetite for a trip to England’s capital, rest assured that there’s never been a better time to embark on a London tour . London is a city for the ages, and you’ll find layer upon layer of fascinati...
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national news
Winning ticket for $590.5 million Powerball lottery sold in Florida

The winning Powerball number is shown after being drawn at the Florida Lottery studio in TallahasseeBy Brendan O'Brien (Reuters) - A single winning ticket for a record Powerball lottery jackpot worth $590.5 million was sold in Florida, organizers said late on Saturday, but there was no immediate word about who won one of the largest jackpots in U.S. history. The winning numbers from Saturday night's drawing were: 10, 13, 14, 22 and 52, with a Powerball number of 11. The odds of winning were put at 1 in 175 million. The winning ticket was sold at a Publix supermarket in Zephyrhills, a suburb of Tampa, according to the Florida Lottery. ...


Sun May 19 11:23:19 UTC 2013
Ghosts of incinerator bond deal haunt Harrisburg election

City of Harrisburg Mayor Linda Thompson holds a news conference in Harrisburg PennsylvaniaBy Hilary Russ (Reuters) - In Harrisburg, Pennsylvania's cash-hungry capital city, local political battles are waged much as they are across the United States: with big personalities and bare-knuckled verbal brawls. But unlike most cities, Harrisburg's financial troubles have thrust it into the national spotlight, most recently with a slap from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission for fraud. Financing for a single incinerator has been driving the city toward insolvency since 2009. The $3.7 trillion U.S. ...


Sun May 19 09:30:28 UTC 2013
Danger and separation from families changing job of U.S. diplomats

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry speaks during dedication ceremonies at State Department in WashingtonBy Susan Cornwell WASHINGTON (Reuters) - When the Yemen-based branch of al Qaeda placed a bounty on her husband's head, Mary Feierstein learned of it from a friend who called and said, "You must be a mess!" U.S. Ambassador Gerald Feierstein was thousands of miles (km) away at the U.S. Embassy in Sanaa, without his wife and family on what is called an "unaccompanied" posting. He is one of more than a thousand U.S. diplomats on such tours of duty in danger spots around the world, part of a trend that is changing the definition of being a diplomat. ...


Sun May 19 04:53:32 UTC 2013
Residents capture amazing videos in the face of tornadoes
A series of 16 violent tornadoes ransacked north Texas this week, killing six people and flattening entire neighborhoods. Seven people who were reported missing early Friday morning have now been accounted for, but the storms aren't over yet. Severe thunderstorms are expected late Friday in Alabama and Mississippi, and the Plains and the Midwest face [...]
Fri May 17 19:53:22 UTC 2013