The Maldives may be the ultimate winter scuba escape. The water is warm throughout the year, visibility is excellent, the accommodations are flawless and the food is both fresh and imaginative. What's more, the beaches are immaculate and there are many opportunities to see large and impressive sea life. .

Take it from Rio: That's entertainment!

Rio Clemente, the "Bishop of Jazz," began performing at age eight. He recently returned to Morristown High School, his alma mater, to share some tips with finalists in the upcoming "Morristown's Got Talent!" show. This video (about two minutes) gives a flavor of the rehearsal.

Rice says Hamas rocket attacks must stop

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said Thursday that Hamas rocket attacks against Israel "need to stop," demanding an end to the escalating violence that has rocked the Gaza Strip and set back U.S. efforts to promote a Mideast peace deal.Her appeal came after she met for an hour with Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, who also was visiting Japan."I am concerned about the humanitarian conditions there and innocent people in Gaza who are being hurt," Rice told reporters following her meeting with Olmert. "We have to remember that the Hamas activities there are responsible for what has happened in Gaza - the illegal coup that they led against the legitimate institutions of the Palestinian Authority. It is very clear where this started."The Rice-Olmert meeting came just hours after Israeli aircraft blasted Hamas government offices and metal shops in the Gaza Strip late Wednesday, killing a baby and wounding more than 30 people in a retaliatory strike after a militant rocket killed an Israeli college student.The bloodshed fed worries about a new outbreak of heavy fighting between the Israeli army and militants in the Gaza Strip.Despite the violence, Rice is planning to visit the region next week to meet with Palestinian and Israeli leaders to discuss the push to negotiate a peace accord, which could lead to a Palestinian state one day.Rice said she assured Olmert of U.S.