Pirate Attack on Luxury Cruise Liner

ABC News Reports-
As the Seabourn Spirit (pictured at left) pulled into the Seychelles in the Indian Ocean today, passengers recounted how the ship's captain outran and outmaneuvered the pirates.

"There were two boats altogether, and we tried to run one over and took zigzag evasive measures, and then just blasted out to sea to outrun these guys," said Ray Albers, a passenger onboard the luxury yacht. "And we succeeded."
Related VIDEO- High Seas Dangers

Top 25 Smartest Cities in the U.S.

If you equate education with intelligence, then the smartest city in the United States is Seattle - 52.7 percent of its residents age 25 or older have completed a bachelor's degree or higher.

Seattle's also been ranked as the most literate city in the United States by Central Connecticut State University, beating out Minneapolis, Washington and Atlanta. That rating was based on such things as the number of booksellers, libraries and newspaper circulation - as well as educational attainment.

Many brainy people have flocked to the Seattle area to work in what's called the "knowledge economy." Companies headquartered there and in surrounding towns, including Microsoft, Amazon, Cray, Washington Mutual and Costco, all use heavy doses of information technology. Even another of the area's biggest employers, old-line Boeing, is also a glutton for technological solutions. Source:
http://money.cnn.com/2006/08/29/real_estate/brainiest_cities/

1.)Seattle WA
2.)San Francisco CA
3.)Raleigh NC
4.)Washington DC
5.)Austin TX
6.)Minneapolis MN
7.)Atlanta GA
8.)Boston MA
9.)San Diego CA
10.)Lexington-Fayette KY
11.)Denver CO
12.)Charlotte NC
13.)Portland OR
14.)St. Paul MN
15.)San Jose CA
16.)Colorado Springs CO
17.)Honolulu HI
18.)Oakland CA
19.)Pittsburgh PA
20.)New York NY
21.)Albuquerque NM
22.)Anchorage AK
23.)Omaha NE
24.)Nashville-Davidson TN
25.)Columbus OH

Australia Cruise - Expert Guide

Australia is a country of amazing diversity and awe- inspiring beauty. From grand cities to ancient coral reefs, there is no end of star attractions in the land of Oz and the best way to see them is to book yourself on an Australia cruise.

Sydney and its world famous harbor is a good starting point for an Australia cruise, although it is of course possible to start at other Australian ports, and also at ports outside of Australia. For instance, you could join the US to Australia leg of a round-the-world cruise at Los Angeles and find yourself in Sydney, Australia 30-days later. From Sydney you could depart on a smaller cruise around Australia and/or New Zealand.

Cruise routes around Australia normally concentrate on port stops along the East and North coasts. Brisbane, the Great Barrier Reef, Cairns, Port Douglas, Townsville and Darwin are the main ports of call, with cruise durations typically of between 7-10 days. From Darwin, a few cruise lines offer services westwards towards Broome. Cruises along the southern and western coasts are less popular. Here, the main ports of call are Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth. A port stop in Tasmania is also incorporated into many an Australia cruise, as are ports of call in New Zealand, such as Auckland and Dunedin, and sometimes ports of call in Indonesia.

So, what great treasures await those who adventure to Australia on a cruise? Sydney, Australia's capital and the jewel in the crown of Australia's south-east coastline, offers a whole host of sightseeing opportunities just on its own. Sydney harbor, the Opera House, Bondi Beach and Watson's Bay are among the top attractions. Sydney is also bursting with museums, fine restaurants and excellent shopping facilities. Two hours outside of Sydney is the world renowned Hunter Valley wine region, where you can sample some of Australia's finest wines.

Further to the North, the Gold Coast - one of the world's hottest surfing locations - and the city of Brisbane await. In Brisbane you will have many shore excursions to choose from, including boat trips up the Brisbane River and a bushwalking experience in Brisbane district's forests.

The Great Barrier Reef is one of Australia's main attractions. You can dive the reef to experience its full glory, join a snorkeling tour of the reef or see the reef from the air. There are also opportunities for landward adventures into the great Australian outback.

Cairns offers a further experience with the Great Barrier Reef, as well as beautiful sandy beaches, while Darwin - one of the hottest coastal regions in Australia during the summer - is another great place in which to relax under the hot Australian sun.

Looking for Cruise information?
Go to http://www.azcruises.com/ to find out all you need to know about taking your dream Australia Cruise vacation.

Irwin's Manager Describes Video Footage

Irwin's manager John Stainton said Irwin was being videotaped diving on a reef off Australia's northeast coast for a television show.
He told Australia's Network 10 that Irwin managed to pull the barb out of his chest but said it was too late, as the poison had already entered his body.
Irwin then went into cardiac arrest, news reports said.
Stainton described the footage of his friend dying as "terrible."

"It shows that Steve came over the top of the ray and the tail came up, and spiked him (in the chest), and he pulled it out and the next minute he's gone," Stainton said. (

"That was it. The cameraman had to shut down (after that)," Stainton said. Stainton will talk more about the footage on "Larry King Live" tonight at 9 ET.

Watch Stainton describe Irwin's last moments, and various other videos, including how a Stingray strikes:
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