WASHINGTON — In her new memoir, former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice reflects on her decision to take a vacation at the time of Hurricane Katrina, a move that she now describes as tone-deaf.
CHENNAI: You could enjoy a glass of fine wine with gourmet food at the Yarra Valley wineries or take a romantic stroll hand-in-hand with your new life partner down the chic streets, which exude a touch of European charm. And if you are vacationing with your family, you could hit a few at the unique sand golfing courses or take a trip to the Pannyâ??s Chocolate Factory and have a go at the lusciously sinful chocolate fountain. With such and many more tourist attractions to offer, Australia is becoming one of Indiaâ??s favourite retreats.
And it is interesting to note that as of June 2011, the international overnight visitation from India to the state of Victoria, especially, went up by 24.5 per cent, to a total of 62,500 people representing 41.6 percent of all Indian visitors (1,36,000) to Australia. Sixty per cent of this number accounts for those who travel Down Under for leisure.
Victoria, the second smallest state in Australia, is known as the city of four seasons. A typical day there can start off with a shower, leading to a bit of sunshine as you enjoy a leisurely lunch at an outside cafÃ, ending with a calming breeze, rocking you to sleep at night.
Ideally, one could spend a minimum of three nights at Victoria, which will give tourists ample time to explore the city and indulge in some tourist activities such as taking a drive along the Great Ocean Front, shopping and watching tasteful theatre or ski down a mountain top (if you choose to go between August and October)
â??We have an MoU with Singapore Airlines and various other joint-partnerships with others like Quantas. The two-way airfare will cost around `45,000 and we try to provide Indian tourists with travel packages,â? says Celia Ho, Regional Manager â?? South and South East Asia, Tourism Victoria.
So, you can dream of petting a penguin or hopping around with a kangaroo when you plan your next vacation. Who knows, maybe you can even be on the sets of Masterchef Australia and try out some of that accent youâ??ve grown to love!
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STARKE, Fla. — A Florida man convicted of killing an Ohio woman and her two teenage daughters in June 1989 as the victims returned from a dream vacation to Disney World has been executed.
Oba Chandler, 65, was administered a lethal injection and pronounced dead at 4:25 pm Tuesday at the Florida State Prison.
In 1994, Chandler was convicted of killing Joan Rogers, 36, and her daughters Christe and Michelle, from the small farming community of Willshire, Ohio.
The three were vacationing in Florida when they asked Chandler for directions. Authorities said Chandler lured them aboard his boat, tied concrete blocks to ropes around their necks and dumped their bodies in Tampa Bay.
For his last meal, Chandler requested two salami sandwiches on white bread, one peanut butter sandwich on white bread and iced tea.
Chandler had been on death row for 17 years.
His death warrant was the second Gov. Rick Scott has signed since taking office.
LOGAN, W.Va. (AP) — A 7-year-old Mingo County boy is recovering
after being bitten by a shark.
Media outlets report Rudy Varney was bitten while wading in the
Atlantic Ocean at Myrtle Beach, SC, earlier this week.
There are countless ways to prepare for a major championship. And unless youre Jason Dufner, taking three weeks off isnt highly recommended.
Yet thats what Dufner did, vacationing earlier this month in Destin, Fla., with his fiancee, Amanda Boyd. Then he turned up last Friday at Atlanta Athletic Club and got back to work.
Ive had a good year so far, so my motivation probably wasnt what it needed to be, said Dufner, No. 35 on the tour money list, with $1,678,060. Its hard to peak every week out here. I guess I was a little burned out.
Motivation wont be an issue now Dufner will play in the final pairing Saturday at the PGA Championship.
A few months ago, that wouldnt have seemed so far-fetched. He lost in a playoff at the Phoenix Open, then tied for third in New Orleans and sixth at The Players in consecutive starts in May. What came next, however, was part lack of motivation, part bad play: He missed five cuts in his past six starts, then decided to take time off to prepare for the years final major.
I dont get too excited or too down or too up; I just kind of play golf, said Dufner, 34, still searching for his first tour win. I feel like Im one of the best in the world at what I do, and youre going to have good weeks, youre going to have bad weeks, youre going to have disappointing nines, youre going to have disappointing weekends. Thats just part of being a golf professional.
Last year, at Whistling Straits, he finished two shots out of the playoff. He said he didnt get flustered by that moment, and he wont at Atlanta Athletic Club, either.
It doesnt really get you anywhere now, he said. Its important in the fact that Im competitive and in a good spot going into the weekend, but on the same end, its not that important, to be honest with you.
For more coverage of all things golf, go to Golfweek.com.
Sarah Palin had her fair share of Fox News television time on Thursday. It started in the morning where, from her home in Wasilla, she held a coffee mug and looked rested from her recent vacation from her two-plus year vacation. She chatted with Megyn Kelly about sexism in the media, and unemployment. And naturally, she spoke about her possible future presidential plans. She said she’d be willing to run if she can’t find that candidate who she could put her “heart and soul” behind. When Kelly asked her if any candidate who is in the race right now could be that one, she said, quite clearly, “no.”
Clutching a coffee mug, looking rested from her vacation from her vacation, she spoke of President Obama’s vacation, which he is on, and according to Palin, he shouldn’t be on. Hes keeping, she said, “his head in the sand, there in Martha’s Vineyard even.”
Then later in the day in was on to Lou Dobbs. When Dobbs asked her if Republicans are being too tough on each other in debates, she said: “We need ideas expressed, we need solutions articulated, we need experience compared … I’m all for these candidates taking the gloves off. And the general election is going to be tough. It’s going to be rough and tumble. Going through the primary, you kind of get tested through that…”
She told Dobbs she might be willing to step into the race. “I’m still considering it,” she said.
They skipped the vacation talk.
Savannah Guthrie seems determined to make the most of her first outing as the moderator of Meet the Press.
Guthrie was filling in for a vacationing David Gregory, and she proved to be a very aggressive substitute, grilling former White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs and Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels with gusto.
A sample question from Guthrie to Gibbs: Does the president have it done, or should we take him at his word, hold him accountable–its three years passed now–and make this a one-term presidency?
Gibbs parried Guthries jabs, saying that President Obama would be forthrightly squaring off against Republicans in Congress. Were going to have a choice, and its going to be based on some very simple values, he said.
Guthrie also seemed critical of Gibbs prescription for job growth. He called for cutting the payroll and Social Security taxes as part of Obamas plan. As he was describing these views, Guthrie cut him off.
If the president thinks more should be done, if he thinks there should be more stimulus, why doesnt he just go for broke? she asked. Why doesnt he go out there and ask for it, make a case for it?
Guthrie also quizzed Daniels about the controversial rhetoric coming from some presidential candidates, including Texas Gov. Rick Perry. Theres nobody more effective than the president and his allies at vilifying people, challenging their character, Daniels said at one point.
By Matt Moore
You already know that Delonte West has been applying at the Home Depot for a job during the lockout. But it turns out West isnt limiting himself to just the orange big box store. Hes got a whole range of places hes trying to get a gig to fill his time and pocket book. ESPN caught up with West this weekend at the Drew-Goodman showdown and he has other places hes looking, including an odd choice for wares to pitch. From ESPN:
I actually might have work with Sams [Club], BJs, selling knives, West said. Thats pretty cool too. I get a microphone and everything.
via Delonte West looking for a position in retail – TrueHoop Blog – ESPN.
Delonte West. Selling knives. OK. Could be worse, could be Cabellas or something.
West also had a quality statement regarding the relationship of the NBA fans to the lockout.
With the lockout going on, guys could be anywhere in the world vacationing, but theyre right here supporting the people, he said. The people are going through a lockout just like we are. They make it a lot about us, but the average American is going through a lockout themselves.
Of course, the average American isnt being deprived of their profession over a multi-billion-dollar entity somehow losing money, but then, the average American isnt making between $2.5 million and $5 million annually, either.
West continues to be an enigma on and off the floor. Maybe some time slinging in a big-box store will actually help his leadership skills. And hey, if Delonte West walked up to you, looked you in the eye and told you to buy something, youd buy it wouldnt you? One tip for his employer, though? Better keep the break room stacked with doughnuts. Just a heads up.
Celestrellas.com
Pop star Ricky Martin has made it a point to keep his personal life, well, private. That includes any mention of his two children, and his involvement with long-time partner, Carlos Gonzalez. The pair was seen vacationing this weekend for a very quick jaunt in the Mediterranean.
According to the Daily Mail, the multi-million album selling pop star and his financier boyfriend were spotted in the island of Sardinia this weekend. The pair took a much needed respite on the heels of Rickys demanding touring schedule.
Read the whole story
Charlie Sheen and Brooke Mueller had heads spinning when they jetted off to Mexico this weekend together. So, could the exes really be trying to work things out?
While a source told UsMagazine.com that Mueller, 34, and Sheen, 45, are thinking of getting back together, the former Two and a Half Men actor says thats not what this getaway was about.
Charlie told TMZ.com that he and his ex aregood friends trying to be great parents to their 2-year-old twins, Bob and Max. Mueller has been getting treatment for her substance abuse issues, and Sheen says their trip was simply abirthday/youre doing great in rehab present to the mother of his children.
But no matter how friendly these two may seem, Sheen says a reconciliation is not part of the plan. After splitting in 2009, and finalizing their divorce this past May, the actor claims he and Mueller are justworking on mending the bridges, replanting scorched earth. The goal is harmony.
After all the craziness that has come out of Charlie Sheens mouth over the past year, its almost hard to believe that he could actually be thinking rationally. But his brother, Emilio Estevez, did recently say that Charlie was a changed man, and asource close to the actor concurs that hes really committed to making things right for his children.
He hates that hes made [his kids] so unhappy, the insider says. No one believes anything he says, but the truth is hes been clean since February.