Category Archives: High Seas

The following is the Oct. 4, 2023, Congressional Research Service report, United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS): Living Resources Provisions.

The United Nations (U.N.) Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) established a comprehensive international legal framework to govern activities related to the global oceans. UNCLOS often is referred to as the constitution of the oceans. The convention was agreed to in 1982 and entered into force in 1994, after the Agreement Relating to the Implementation of Part XI of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (commonly referred to as the 1994 Agreement) amended many of the deep-seabed resources provisions that several industrialized nations found objectionable.

In 1994, President Clinton submitted UNCLOS and the 1994 Agreement as a package to the Senate for its advice and consent. To date, the Senate has not given advice and consent to accession to the convention and ratification of the 1994 Agreement. The Senate Committee on Foreign Relations has considered UNCLOS, most recently in the 112th Congress, when the committee held several hearings. The committee took no further action, and UNCLOS has since remained with the committee.

Measures pertaining to UNCLOS have been introduced in the 117th and 118th Congresses but have not been enacted to date. In general, introduced measures support U.S. accession to UNCLOS (e.g., H.Res. 361 and S.Res. 220 in the 117th Congress). Of relevance to living marine resources, a 117th Congress bill found that as a party to [UNCLOS], the United States would be better able to participate in negotiations regarding the management of high seas fish stocks, migratory fish stocks, and marine mammals (H.R. 3764).

In general, UNCLOS Articles 61-73 address living resources, including highly migratory species, marine mammals, and sedentary species, among others. Other relevant provisions include those that address living resources in the high seas (Articles 116-120) and protection of the marine environment (Articles 192-196), among other provisions. In general, these living resources provisions appear to reflect current U.S. domestic laws, such as the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.), Shark and Fishery Conservation Act (P.L. 111-348), High Seas Driftnet Fishing Moratorium Protection Act (Title VI of the Fisheries Act of 1995; P.L. 104-43), and Marine Mammal Protection Act (16 U.S.C. 1361 et seq.). In addition, the United States participates in several bilateral or multilateral international agreements that are viewed as consistent with UNCLOS (e.g., the 1995 U.N. Fish Stocks Agreement).

Stakeholders have differing views on what U.S. accession to UNCLOS would accomplish. As presently understood and interpreted, UNCLOS provisions generally appear to reflect current U.S. policy with respect to living marine resource management, conservation, and exploitation. Thus, some may not see a benefit of U.S. accession to UNCLOS, given that U.S. policies generally reflect its provisions. However, some experts view certain U.S. living resource laws as exceeding the obligations set forth in UNCLOS, which may complicate U.S. bilateral negotiations with nations party to UNCLOS. Some legal scholars also view many U.S. laws as reflecting use-by-use or issue-by-issue approaches for living marine resources, and thus view U.S. accession to UNCLOS as providing a more comprehensive U.S. approach.

Some stakeholders view U.S. accession as potentially complicating enforcement of domestic marine regulations, such as regulation of pollution from ships. Others remain concerned about UNCLOS language relating to arbitration and potential conflicts should the United States adopt the convention. These uncertainties in part reflect the absence of any comprehensive assessment of the social and economic impacts of UNCLOS implementation by the United States. Congress may wish to consider whether to require preparation of such an assessment by an executive branch agency.

Some in support of U.S. accession to UNCLOS contend that the conventions provisions could provide new privileges for the United States. One potential privilege could be the power to make declarations and statements, which could be useful in promulgating U.S. policy and U.S. interpretation of the convention. Another privilege would be U.S. participation in commissions that develop international ocean policy. Such commissions include the Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf, the International Seabed Authority, and the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea. Participation in these bodies could help forestall future conflicts related to living resources.

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Report to Congress on the U.N. Law of the Sea Convention - USNI ... - USNI News

In the boundless ocean of software development, containerization has emerged as the trusty vessel for developers, ensuring smooth sailing even in turbulent waters of system discrepancies and compatibility woes. Among the fleet of containerization tools, Docker shines bright as the beacon of reliability and ease. Docker facilitates wrapping up a piece of software in a complete filesystem that contains everything it needs to run: code, runtime, system tools, system libraries anything that can be installed on a server. This guarantees that the software will always run the same, regardless of its environment. This article unfurls the sails to guide you through the calmest route to installing Docker on your Linux machine, ensuring a swift, hassle-free voyage into the realms of containerization.

Before embarking on this voyage, ensure that your vessel in this case, your Linux machine is sea-worthy and ready to harness the winds of Docker.

Check Your Linux Distribution and Version: Docker supports Ubuntu, Debian, Fedora, CentOS, and many more. Ensure you're running a supported version of your Linux distribution.

Hardware Prerequisites: Although Docker is quite lightweight, ensuring your system meets the minimum hardware requirements is prudent. A system with a 64-bit architecture, and at least 2GB RAM is recommended.

Embarking on the high seas with an outdated map is a recipe for disaster. Likewise, before installing Docker, updating your system's package database ensures a smoother sail.

sudo apt-get update

Sailing through the calm waters is always advisable. Installing Docker from the official repository is akin to such a peaceful voyage.

sudo apt-get update

sudo apt-get install apt-transport-https ca-certificates curl gnupg lsb-release

curl -fsSL https://download.docker.com/linux/ubuntu/gpg | sudo gpg --dearmor -o /usr/share/keyrings/docker-archive-keyring.gpg

echo "deb [arch=$(dpkg --print-architecture) signed-by=/usr/share/keyrings/docker-archive-keyring.gpg] https://download.docker.com/linux/ubuntu $(lsb_release -cs) stable" | sudo tee /etc/apt/sources.list.d/docker.list > /dev/null

sudo apt-get update

sudo apt-get install docker-ce docker-ce-cli containerd.io

sudo docker run hello-world

docker --version

For sailors in a hurry or those favoring a less hands-on approach, Docker provides a convenience script for installation.

curl -fsSL https://get.docker.com | sh

Now with Docker installed, understanding some basic commands will help you navigate through the basics of Docker usage.

sudo systemctl start docker sudo systemctl stop docker sudo systemctl restart docker

docker run [IMAGE]

docker pull [IMAGE]

You've now successfully installed Docker on your Linux machine and taken the first step into a larger world of containerization. With basic commands at your disposal, the vast expanse of Docker's functionality awaits your exploration. The official Docker documentation is an excellent compass for those seeking to delve deeper into advanced configurations and optimizations. As you set sail on the silicon seas with Docker as your vessel, may smooth sailing and calm waters be ever in your favor.

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Simplifying Docker Installation on Linux - Linux Journal

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Tabitha Grace Mallory

The International and Global Studies Program will host the second lecture in their new Speakers' Series on Global Development and Sustainability. Professor Tabitha GraceMallory of the University of Washington will give a talk titled "Oceans Apart: Global Governance Approaches to the Deep-Sea Strategic Frontier."

The talk will be from 4:30-6p.m. Thursday, Oct.12, in the Student Success Center, Cordia Harrington Center for Excellence room324. Mallory will talk about the United Nationsinitiatives to protect marine biodiversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction and the efforts of the International Seabed Authority to hammer out a code to govern commercial seabed mining. These initiatives must balance environmental concerns with access to important resources like metals for renewable-energy technologies and marine genetic resources for new pharmaceuticals.

In her talk, Mallory, an expert on Chinese fisheries and ocean innitiatives, will explain how China hopes to become a leader in these new industries with significant strategic implications. The tradeoffs involve high-seas areas that belong to all of us. How should we approach these global-commons resources from the perspective of a first-come-first-served "freedom of the seas" or a more universal "common heritage of mankind"?

Mallory is an affiliate professor at the Henry M. Jackson School of International Studies and specializes in Chinese foreign and environmental policy. She is also CEO of the consulting firm China Ocean Instituteand has consulted for organizations such as the United Nations Foundation, the World Wildlife Fund, the World Bank and the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development.

She is currently conducting research on China and global ocean governance and has published work on China's fisheries and oceans policy. She previously served as a postdoctoral research fellow in the Princeton-Harvard China and the World Program and has also worked for The National Bureau of Asian Research and for the U.S. government. Mallory holds a Ph.D. in international relations from Johns Hopkins University's School of Advanced International Studies. She serves on the board of directors of the China Club of Seattle and is a member of the National Committee on U.S.-China Relations and the Washington State China Relations Council.

This year, the Global Development and Sustainability Series will bring in leading experts on issues concerning global sustainability and development to coincide with programing already being offered by the International and Global Studies Program. Through this speaker series, students will be exposed to a variety of methodological approaches to issues surrounding development and sustainability. Here are the upcoming talks for 2023-24:

"International Trade, Noise Pollution, and Killer Whales"

M. Scott Taylor Professor of economics, University of Calgary Research associate, The National Bureau of Economic Research, Cambridge, Massachusetts Friday, Feb.16, from 3:30-5p.m. in Willard J. Walker Hall room403

"Strong Enough to Remove Dirt Skin: Coconut Soap, and Other Early Histories of Biofuels in the US and Mexico"

Jayson M. Porter Voss Postdoctoral Research Associate in Environment and Society, Brown University Presidential Postdoctoral Fellow, University of Maryland Friday, March 7, at 4:30 p.m. in CORD 349

For questions about this event, please contact the International and Global Studies Programassociate director, Kelly Hammond, atkah018@uark.edu.

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Mallory to Present 'Oceans Apart: Global Governance Approaches to ... - University of Arkansas Newswire

It probably comes as a surprise to ABSOLUTELY NO ONE how pumped we are about the addition of the Disney Treasure to the Disney Cruise Line fleet.

Set to make her debut on the high seas in December of 2024, the Treasure will feature so many great entertainment options, from a Jungle Cruise-themed lounge to an all-new version of the AquaMouse. Now, though, were CERTAIN that this ship features truly one-of-a-kind entertainment, because Disney just shared that something totally NEW was coming aboard.

Disney The Tale of Moana is an all-new show that will join the lineup of entertainment options aboard the Disney Treasure. The show will debut exclusively at the Walt Disney Theater.

This broadway-style show is inspired by the originalMoanafilm and will follow Moana as she embarks on her journey to save her island and restore the heart of Te Fiti.

Characters part of the show include Maui, Gramma Tala, and Tamatoa. Oh, and Disney said that we can expect to hear the iconic songs from the original soundtrack!

This is actually the FIRST TIMEMoanahas ever taken the stage as a show of this type. Were SO excited to check it out.

Well be sure to keep you all updated with more Disney news, so make sure to follow along for more so that you never miss a thing.

What do you think of the addition of this newMoana show? Let us know in the comments!

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NEWS: A NEW 'Moana' Show Is Coming to the Disney Treasure ... - AllEars.Net

Here are some events happening from Oct. 13 to 19 in the Chicago suburbs and Northwest Indiana.

RED ALERT: Beyonc and Taylor are back

Did you miss the boat on the two biggest concerts of the summer Taylor Swifts Eras tour and Beyonc Renaissance tour? Well, fret no more. Both are coming to a movie theater near you this fall. Taylors tour hits the big screen on Oct. 13. Beyonc's hits movie theaters Nov. 30. Go to fandango.com for local showtimes, ticket prices and locations.

Falling for fall

Cantigny Fall Fest is 4-11 p.m. Oct. 13, 10 a.m.-11 p.m. Oct. 14 and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Oct. 15 at Cantigny Park in Wheaton. Tickets are $15 per car. At 1s151 Winfield Road. 630-668-5161; cantigny.org.

The Cantigny Fall Festival expands to a full weekend of activities this year. Look for a biergarten serving Oktoberfest beer and food, a craft fair, live entertainment, hayrides, a petting zoo, pumpkins and kids activities.

Pumpkins galore

Jack OLantern World continues Oct. 13-29 (excluding Oct. 16-18) at The Forge in Lemont. At 227 Heritage Quarries Drive. Tickets are $14.99-$24.99. thejackolanternworld.com.

Walk a half-mile trail filled with thousands of jack-o-lanterns hand carved by more than 50 artists, including giant pumpkins.

Author event

Emmy Award-winning actor and comedian Bob Odenkirk, with his daughter Erin Odenkirk, will appear at 7 p.m. Oct. 13 Community Christian Church in Naperville. Tickets are $29. At 1635 Emerson Lane. 630-355-2665; andersonsbookshop.com.

Odenkirk, a Naperville native, and Erin Odenkirk, celebrate the release of their new book of poetry, Zilot and Other Important Rhymes. They will be in conversation, followed by an audience Q&A. After their talk, there will be a signing line and photo opportunity.

High-seas high jinks

Footlight Players presents Four Old Broads of the High Seas at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 12-13 and 2 p.m. Oct. 14-15 at Footlight Players in Michigan City, Indiana. Tickets are $12-$17. At 1705 Franklin St. 219-874-4035; footlightplayers.org.

The titular old broads are on a sassy seniors cruise that includes a topless sun deck, a fabulous drag queen, costume contest and a murder mystery.

Orchestral performance

Fire and Ice is presented by the Lake County Symphony Orchestra at 5 p.m. Oct. 14 at The Barn at Hawthorne Woods in Hawthorne Woods. Tickets are $40. At 2 Lagoon Drive. 847-746-3472; lakecountysymphonyorchestra.com.

A chamber performance pairs musicians from the Lake County Symphony Orchestra string quartet with dancers.

Annie Alleman is a freelance reporter for the Naperville Sun.

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Things to do Oct. 13-19 in the Chicago suburbs, Northwest Indiana - Chicago Tribune

Humpback whale calf, Tonga, 2015. The bumps on the whale's head reduce drag and have inspired many engineered applications (GRID-Arendal / Glenn Edney / CC BY NC SA 2.0)

Published Oct 9, 2023 2:32 PM by China Dialogue Ocean

[By Emma Bryce]

Deep in the Pacific Ocean, a strange, diaphanous balloon drifts by. Inside, tunnels and chambers coil like a miniature floating Guggenheim around the talented architect within: a tadpole-like creature called a larvacean. Incredibly, the organism has crafted this entire structure out of mucus.

This is an animal without legs, arms, or eyes, and it secretes this complex house of mucus around itself, explains Joost Daniels, a research engineer. Daniels is part of a team at the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute that has3Dmodelled these structures, which theyve christened snot palaces. Their modelling work, carried out at the institutes Bioinspiration Lab, revealed how the larvacean uses its tail to pump detritus-filled water through the passageways of the snot palace, using it like a filter to snag food.

The magnificent structure could inspire inventions on land. This could be very interesting for very efficient vehicle propulsion or other pumping systems. There are lots of medical applications as well, says Daniels.

Such innovations belong to the growing collection of biomimetic products which mimic the form, structure, or function of organisms. Taking inspiration from nature isnt new, but marine biomimetics is relatively nascent partly becausejust 5%of the ocean has been explored. And yet, the ocean is where all life started, and where a lot of things have evolved from, says Daniels, which creates huge potential for discovery in its vast depths.

Researchers think that, as discoveries related to marine biomimetics grow, they could contribute billions to the economy annually, with applications across diverse industries including energy, transport, pharmaceuticals, and deep-sea exploration. This could also serve as a more sustainable source of marine revenue than industries likedeep-sea mining, believes Robert Blasiak, a researcher in the sustainable management of ocean resources at the Stockholm Resilience Centre. I think it gives a bit of a different flavour to how we can explore this final frontier, he says.

Wild inventions

It was Blasiaks personal enthusiasm for the subject that drove him to start cataloguing marine biomimetic inventions, which together with his colleagues he described in a 2022research article. The paper explored a glittering array of innovations some under development, and several already on the market.

One of them takes inspiration from the tapering fins of the humpback whale. These leviathans glide effortlessly through the water, despite having knobbly fins that look like they would slow them down. In the early 2000s, engineersdiscoveredthat those bumps, called tubercles, actually generate lift, reducing drag in the water. This has sinceinspiredthe design of bumpy fan blades andsurfboard fins, as well as patents to apply tubercles to wind farms.

Another source of inspiration is shark skin, which bristles with billions of microscopic scales called denticles. Arranged in adiamond patternand imprinted with peaks and troughs, these channel water and allow the animals to glide seamlessly through it. This structure has inspired newcar tyresthat aim to reduce the risk of aquaplaning, and materials foraircraftthat streamline airflow and cut carbon emissions by1.1%. Sharks arent coated in algae and barnacles, Blasiak explains, because their skin is very hard for stuff to settle on, to actually stick to. Materials scientists have replicated this microscopic architecture inantibacterial surfacesfor hospitals, andantifouling materialsto protect ships from organisms that may latch on to their hulls, affecting their speed and seaworthiness.

Meanwhile, animals such as therams horn squidhave inspired better ways to explore the ocean itself. The creature controls itsbuoyancywith the help of an internal coil-shaped shell containing gas-filled compartments. As the squid grows, explains Blasiak, more of these compartments appear. Most famously, these inspired the submersible used by filmmaker James Cameron totravelto the bottom of the Mariana Trench.

In 2021, scientists successfully mimicked the jelly-like structure of the deep sea snailfish to create a remotely operatedsoft robot, made of flexible materials, capable of withstanding the crushing ocean pressure at depths of 11,000 metres.

Many more biomimetic inventions are in the works. Materials scientists are developinghyper-strong materialsfor buildings based on the chitin structure of the mantis shrimps crack-resistant club. Others have found unlikely fashion inspiration in theslime-producing hagfish, whose goo contains thousands of silken but powerful strands that could inspire next-generation textiles. Elsewhere, researchers havepatentedthe unique water-repellingproteinsinbyssus threads the strong filaments that tether mussels to rocks which could lead to corrosion-resistant steel for ships.

Big money in the blue economy

Marine biomimetics could generate significant revenue through novel products, designs, patents, and by reducing maintenance and materials costs in several industries, Blasiak believes. One significant area is shipping, which spends US$30 billiona year dealing with the added fuel and cleaning costs of biofouling by barnacles and other creatures. Biomimetic antifoulants, such as sharkskin-inspired coatings, could offset this expense, while also supplying the marine coatings industry that is worth nearly$15 billion.

According to Blasiaks research, biomimetics could add billions to the tissue-engineering industry, which generated sales of$9 billionin 2017, with corals and sponges becoming increasingly important ingredients. Underwater robotics, meanwhile, is projected to reach almost $7 billion by 2025. And, in 2010, researchersestimatethat cancer drugs derived from yet-to-be-discovered compounds in marine organisms could be worth between $0.5 trillion and $5.7 trillion.

Yet this huge potential is being overlooked, Blasiak believes. All these conceptualisations of the ocean economy, theyre all looking at fisheries, cruise tourism, containerships, mining of aggregates but theyre never looking at biomimetics, he says. In his view, not only can marine biomimetics contribute significantly to economic growth, it also aligns with the emerging blue economy growth thats derived from the sustainable use of the oceans resources.

Sharing the oceans treasures

But there are growing concerns about how to share these benefits fairly. Blasiak has found that 98% of the several thousand patent applications related to marine genetic resources belong to institutions in just10 countries. Typically, ocean discoveries are made by a small number of wealthy nations, often off the shores of less wealthy nations.

The highly productive seas surrounding the Caribbean are one example, says Judith Gobin, a professor of marine biology at the University of the West Indies in Trinidad and Tobago. If you look [at] the literature, you will see [that] quite a few commercial drugs, already on the market, have been found from Caribbean sponges [and] organisms, she says. And a lot of it, we in the Caribbean werent even aware of. She describes some of these scientific expeditions as ships passing in the night, explaining that even though they were legal, they have failed to share their benefits.

The inequality has only grown as wealthier nations have been able to advance into the little-explored deep sea that often falls beyond the jurisdiction of any one nation. But Gobin is hopeful that the recently agreedHigh Seas Treatywill start to even out this playing field. She explains that the historic treaty, formallyadoptedin June this year, includes requirements to share the scientific and financial benefits of any marine genetic resources discovered in the high seas. Gobin participated in the treaty negotiations as an adviser with CARICOM, an intergovernmental organisation that represents the interests of Caribbean countries.

More important than financial benefits is the treatys hard-won obligation for countries to share resources, she says. Ideally, this means that future marine expeditions led by wealthy nations will be treated as an opportunity to bring scientists from developing nations on board, to share training, technologies, and expertise. Lets get the local scientists involved, and then lets build the capacity, Gobin says.

According to Blasiak, its this spirit of shared curiosity and discovery that drives marine biomimetics in the first place, and which he believes could turn it into a force for the good of the ocean. I think that one of the most attractive things about biomimetics is that it first requires you to look at the natural world, to interact with it, be curious about it, and try to understand it better, he says. Thats the starting point for caring about the ocean, and then for thinking we should be stewards of it.

Emma Bryce is a freelance journalist who covers stories focused on the environment, conservation and climate change.

This article appears courtesy of China Dialogue Ocean and may be found in its original form here.

Top image: Humpback whale calf, Tonga, 2015 (GRID-Arendal / Glenn Edney / CC BY NC SA 2.0)ww.grida.no/resources/3544

The opinions expressed herein are the author's and not necessarily those of The Maritime Executive.

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Marine "Biomimetics" Could Be the Blue Economy's Next Big Hit - The Maritime Executive

TV WEEK (Wednesday 11th to Tuesday 17th)

Published: Tue 10 Oct 2023, 4:45 PM

This critically acclaimed drama series returns for a fourth season, as the World War II focus shifts to the Mediterranean, where Germanys U-Boats face impossible odds. At home, secrecy and intrigue lurk within their ranks at German Navy Command in Berlin, where a dangerous conspiracy unfolds.

In this first episode of season three an unforeseen UK environmental disaster causes enormous destruction and loss of life, and the crisis spirals to encompass the governments secret connections to the malignant corruption of the arms industry and the rise of shadowy corporate security firms.

Mary Lamb Waugh, daughter of renowned painter Charles Lamb, is 90 and blessed with an unquenchable zest for life. Her story is a kaleidoscope of subjects that bookend the emerging nation: feminism, emigration, art, education, sailing the high seas, and a deep and abiding love of Connemara, an affection she carried all her life.

Lifts the lid to reveal the inner workings of various areas of life in Ireland, the Secrets series takes audiences behind the scenes and into the shoes of some remarkable people. With an access-all-areas approach, these stories take us into the private thoughts of often unsung everyday heroes.

Sun, Sea and Scalpels follows some of the thousands of Irish people opting to travel abroad for cosmetic surgery, and delves behind their stories to outcomes where many Mummy makeover dreams of whiter teeth, tighter tummies and pert posteriors are fulfilled but also including the traumatic downside where botched work causes some tales of terrible trauma.

From Steven Spielberg comes a loosely autobiographical drama based on the directors own childhood, which shaped his life and career. Its a universal coming-of-age story about an isolated young mans pursuit of his dreams and artistic ambition. An all-star cast includes Michelle Williams, Paul Dano and Seth Rogen.

This modern take on Cyrano de Bergerac stars Steve Martin as a witty fire chief of a small Pacific Northwest town who, due to his enormous nose, indirectly pursues the girl of his dreams by feeding a colleague the words of love to win her heart. A winning romcom with Daryl Hannah.

Ben Affleck is a mathematics savant who makes his living as a freelance accountant for some of the worlds most dangerous criminal organisations. But with a Treasury agent hot on his trail, the million dollar secret accounts are in jeopardy as the body count starts to rise.

Tom Hanks stars in this winning adaptation of one of Stephen Kings most acclaimed novels. He plays a kindly death row chief warder who has walked the final mile with a variety of convicts on their way to the electric chair. Then he meets John Coffey a man possessing a supernatural gift at odds with his supposed guilt as a murderer.

An all-star Irish cast led by Cillian Murphy, Eva Birthistle, Adam Scott and Laoise Murray is set around two apparently happy Dublin couples and the deadly ripples into everybodys lives that follow an affair. Written and directed by Mark ORowe, the engaging plot explores modern ideas of love, lust, and family relationships,

The hilarious antics of Lulu, Frankie and Bruce as they move from Australia to a B&B in an isolated west of Ireland seaside town called Tubbershandy with their parents who happen to be zombies

Cameras in space tell stories of life on our planet from a new perspective the weird and wonderful patterns covering Earth. The Australian outback is covered in pale spots; a clearing in the Congo rainforest has been created by an elephant gathering; and the twists and turns of the Amazon make a home for rehabilitated manatees.

Mass UFO sightings from the last 50 years are investigated in this docuseries featuring eyewitness accounts, expert interviews and new evidence. Strange lights over a small town in Texas; submersible space crafts haunting a Welsh coast village; an alien encounter with schoolchildren in Zimbabwe; and non-human intelligence reportedly interfering with a nuclear power plant in Japan.

A musical comedy-drama film written and directed by John Carney, Flora And Son features original songs by the late, great Gary Clark. Starring Eve Hewson, Jack Reynor and Orn Kinlan, the plot centres on a Dublin single mother trying to keep her rebellious son out of jail by finding an old guitar in a skip discovering one persons rubbish can be another persons salvation.

Delta Goodrem is a fiercely independent private plane pilot fighting to keep her family business afloat who starts to fall for the man sent by a large corporate rival to ground her operation forever. A watchable romcom whose main appeals are the spectacular locations filmed in Australias Whitsunday islands.

Brie Larson takes a break from the Marvel franchise to play a disrespected scientist in the early 60s who becomes a TV chef. Despite her skill as a chemist, the male dominated field leads to her sacking. Nurturing a desire for revenge, she becomes a TV cook using her experience to teach housewives more than the kitchen allows.

Here we are, at that fateful place where Ireland have sadly met the end of the dream down the decades of the Rugby World Cup theyve beaten them before, and whod bet against them repeating the feat?

Published: Tue 10 Oct 2023, 4:45 PM

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All eyes on France this Saturday evening - Offaly Independent

This 80s-themed cruise by P&O lets passengers line up in colorful 80s attire, complete with neon colors, side ponytails, and parachute tracksuits, ready to relive the vibrant era. Photo / Supplied

Frankie says relax... onboard an 80s-themed high-sea adventure with P&O Cruises. Melinda Healy dons her legwarmers and gives it a whirl.

Rocking up anywhere in daylight hours decked out in 80s gear can be a daunting proposition, perhaps even more so in 2023 when neon is so not a thing.

Uber drivers across Brisbane are no doubt provided with their entertainment for the day, and as the cohort of lairy 80-inspired passengers come into sight the fear of embarrassment swiftly turns to excitement.

Its a blue-sky Saturday thats ideal for cruising and the Brisbane International Cruise Terminal is a sea of parachute tracksuits, side ponytails, body suits, legwarmers, and neon as far as the eye can see; passengers lined up for their right to paaartay. See what I did there?

Laughter fills the air from he lively crowd, some of whom have taken adopting the 80s as far as dressing up as Fleetwood Macs frontwoman Stevie Nicks. Others are repping Aerobics Oz Style as they prepare to board the 281-metre, 998-cabin cruiser theyll be calling home for the next three nights.

Recognising friends who have arrived separately proves the ultimate challenge, especially given the number of fluorescent wigs, big sunglasses, tie dyed shirts and leather pants going around not the usual everyday garb these days.

Themed cruises are having a moment, with travellers opting for easy, relaxing holidays offering that added entertainment factor, whether it be a decade like the 80s or 90s, tributes to personalities like Elvis, or comedy cruises, there appears to be fun for everyone.

P&O is one of a number of companies that service the Queensland hub, and its obvious that P&Os Pacific Explorer is a well-equipped to handle the fun and frivolity of the 1998 passengers now onboard.

Formerly the Dawn Princess, this vessel was built in 1997 and last refurbished in 2017. It has six pools, a casino and is bursting with restaurants, bars and public spaces ideal for 80s tragics to let their hair down and celebrate.

Simone Baker has chosen this liner for her 50th birthday celebrations, and with 18 friends and family in tow, the Mackay local who flew down from North Queensland is prepped and ready to let loose with dancing, laughing, and tunes from Cyndi Lauper, Salt n Pepa and Men At Work firmly in her sights.

For us its about leaving the daily stresses at the dock, throwing our hands in the air and singing our hearts out, the marine teacher and avid cruiser tells me.

The 80s were some of the best times of my life, it was a time when our family was living under the same roof, I was at school, such good times. It feels like I am back there, its such a great feeling!

From the time we arrived at the terminal cars were beeping with people yelling out love your outfit.

A group ranging in age between 34 and 75, Simone and her crew are in their element, throwing themselves into it, no energy spared.

A big chunk of the appeal of P&Os 80s cruises is the non-stop fun factor. Passengers can do as much or as little as they like, the most dedicated of them lining up for not only the Neon Sailaway and 80s Icons nights but also the Totally Awesome Costume Party, which is just as crazy and outrageous as it sounds.

If thats not enough, there are feature performances to sing and dance to with headlining acts Tina Unleashed, The Badloves, Popsicle and the Forever 80s Band keeping the crowds entertained.

Like many of the groups on board, whether they be families or retirees, Simones gang didnt shy away from the karaoke sessions or aerobics classes, some even lining up to learn the Thriller dance, while others preferred to test their trivia skills.

After 76+ hours of high 80s spirits on the high seas, even if it was just to Yeppoon and back with not much to see on the horizon apart from clear skies, ocean for miles and a few dolphins for good measure, the verdict is, in Simones book at least, that Girls Just Want to Have Fun and that happens Time After Time on P&Os themed cruises.

A Little Less Conversation and definitely no Suspicious Minds! Prepare to get All Shook Up on this three-night cruise from Sydney. With themed parties, karaoke, trivia, a movie and a concert marathon on the menu, youll be saying Thank You Very Much the whole time. From $539 per person twin share.

For those who take their laughter seriously. Passengers are offered front row seats to shows by the best and brightest comedic talent from Australia and beyond. Departures from Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne, Auckland and Adelaide. From $674 per person twin share.

P&Os new country music-themed cruises offer an incredible range of toe-tappin acts, events, and experiences sure to delight country music fans of all ages and backgrounds. Pack your cowboy hat and boots and brush up on your yee-haws. Departs from Auckland. From $453 per person twin share.

For more go to pocruises.com.au

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80s-themed cruise: A blast to the past with P&O's high-sea adventure - New Zealand Herald