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Category Archives: Islands

China, Vietnam Clash Over Disputed Islands

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Aerial view of the city of Sansha on an island in the disputed Paracel chain, which China considers part of its territory.

Aerial view of the city of Sansha on an island in the disputed Paracel chain, which China considers part of its territory.

China is once again at odds with a maritime neighbor over disputed islands, this time as often leading to a little shooting and a lot of posturing.

The latest confrontation is with Vietnam over the mostly uninhabited Paracel Islands in the South China Sea. Hanoi has accused Beijing's forces of firing on a Vietnamese vessel engaged in fishing near the islands, which both sides claim.

Vietnam did not say if anyone was hurt in the incident that occurred last Wednesday, but it described the matter as "very serious."

"Vietnam strongly protests, urging China to investigate and seriously deal with the wrongful and inhumane act, and compensate Vietnamese fishermen for their loss," Vietnamese Foreign Ministry spokesman Luong Thanh Nghi was quoted by the BBC as saying.

China's response: "It is necessary and legitimate for China to take action against a Vietnamese shipping boat that has entered China's waters for illegal activity," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei said. "No damage was caused to the fishing boat from Vietnam at the time," he added, without saying what action the Chinese vessel had taken.

Both countries claim the islands, which are rich fishing grounds and also sit above undersea oil and gas fields. China and Vietnam fought a one-day naval battle over the low-lying archipelago in 1974, solidifying Beijing's control.

Besides Vietnam, China has had similar island disputes with Taiwan, Japan, the Philippines and Malaysia, frequently resulting in tense standoffs at sea.

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China, Vietnam Clash Over Disputed Islands

Top Islands in the US

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While Spring may have not exactly "sprung" up yet across the nation, it's never too early to get excited about surf and sun. Today TripAdvisor, the worlds largest travel site, announced this year's winners for the best islands in America.

The surprise champion was a tiny string of islands off the coast of Seattle called the San Juan Islands.

Were delighted that San Juan Island is honored as the top island in the U.S., said Deborah Hopkins, executive director for the San Juan Islands Visitors Bureau. "We'd like to thank the travelers who have made this win possible, simply by sharing their love of the sparkling waters, abundant wildlife, outdoor recreation and vibrant arts scene that San Juan Island offers."

Whether you're craving white sand beaches or rustic wild seascapes, this list will inspire the traveler in all of us.

TripAdvisor

When envisioning an island vacation, probably the last place to cross your mind is the rainy, fog-laden coast of Washington State. Maybe that is why San Juan has been under the radar for so many years. While it's not your typical tropical island retreat, San Juan provides vistas of breaching orca whales and the countrys largest lavender farms. This quaint island underdog has definitely earned its top spot.

TripAdvisor

Kauai is the least commercially developed of the Hawaiian islands. The island is known for its wide array of outdoor attractions. A trip to Kauai may include snorkeling, tide pooling, hiking the Kalalau Trail or swimming in waterfalls.

TripAdvisor

Marco Island what every vacationer hopes for, white sands and sparkling sea. While in Marco Island make sure to take a day off from beaching top explore the Everglades in a swamp buggy.

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Top Islands in the US

3 Hawaii islands make best island list

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Travel website TripAdvisor announced Tuesday the winners of its inaugural Travelers' Choice Islands awards.

Based on millions of valuable traveler reviews and opinions on the site, the awards recognize more than 100 islands across the globe, including dedicated lists for Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, Europe, South America, the South Pacific, and the U.S.

In the list for best U.S. islands, Kauai came in second place, Maui, came in fifth place and the Big Island came in eighth place.

The top island in the U.S. was San Juan Island in Washington.

Whether youre looking for idyllic palm-lined islands, or islands that offer a more cultural experience, youll find inspiration in these lists, said Barbara Messing, chief marketing officer for TripAdvisor. From the world famous to the hidden gems, what unifies every award winner is the fantastic feedback from travelers across the globe.

Were delighted that San Juan Island is honored as both the top island in the U.S. and as a top four world pick in the TripAdvisor Travelers Choice Islands awards, said Deborah Hopkins, executive director for the San Juan Islands Visitors Bureau. We'd like to thank the travelers who have made this win possible, simply by sharing their love of the sparkling waters, abundant wildlife, outdoor recreation and vibrant arts scene that San Juan Island offers on TripAdvisor.

PHOTOS: Best islands in the world

TripAdvisor

Travel website TripAdvisor announced the winners of its inaugural Travelers' Choice Islands awards.

#10. Key West, Florida. Key West has great nightlife and a perfect cover story for someone who wants to enjoy it. A Hemingway fan simply must toss back a few at their heros favorite bar!

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3 Hawaii islands make best island list

TripAdvisor Unveils Travelers’ Choice Islands

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NEWTON, Mass., March 26, 2013 /PRNewswire/ --TripAdvisor, the world's largest travel site*, today announced the winners of its inaugural Travelers' Choice Islands awards. Based on millions of valuable traveler reviews and opinions on the site, the awards recognize more than 100 islands across the globe, including dedicated lists for Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, Europe, South America, the South Pacific, and the U.S.

To view the multimedia assets associated with this release, please click: http://www.multivu.com/mnr/57953-tripadvisor-unveils-travelers-choice-islands

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130326/MM82389)

(Logo:http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20080902/TRIPADVISORLOGO)

"Whether you're looking for idyllic palm-lined islands, or islands that offer a more cultural experience, you'll find inspiration in these lists," said Barbara Messing, chief marketing officer for TripAdvisor. "From the world famous to the hidden gems, what unifies every award winner is the fantastic feedback from travelers across the globe."

Top 10 Islands in the U.S.:

Top 10 Islands in the World:

"We're delighted that San Juan Island is honored as both the top island in the U.S. and as a top four world pick in the TripAdvisor Travelers' Choice Islands awards," said Deborah Hopkins, executive director for the San Juan Islands Visitors Bureau. "We'd like to thank the travelers who have made this win possible, simply by sharing their love of the sparkling waters, abundant wildlife, outdoor recreation and vibrant arts scene that San Juan Island offers on TripAdvisor."

For the complete list of winners from the 2013 Travelers' Choice Islands, as well as reviews and candid traveler photos, go to http://www.tripadvisor.com/TravelersChoice-Islands.

To see the best hotels for luxury, service and more, as honored in TripAdvisor Travelers' Choice Awards for Hotels from January, go tohttp://www.tripadvisor.com/TravelersChoice-Hotels.

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TripAdvisor Unveils Travelers' Choice Islands

TripAdvisor Unveils Travellers’ Choice Islands

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Top Islands Worldwide Recognised Based on Opinions of Millions of Travellers Across the Globe

SINGAPORE, March 26, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- TripAdvisor( http://www.tripadvisor.com.sg )(TM), the world's largest travel site*, today announced the winners of its inaugural Travellers' Choice Islands awards. Based on millions of valuable traveller reviews and opinions on the site, the awards recognise more than 100 islands across the globe, including dedicated lists for Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, Europe, South America, the South Pacific, and the U.S.

(Logo: http://www.prnasia.com/sa/2012/01/26/20120126134542864980-l.jpg )

"Whether you're looking for idyllic palm-lined islands, or islands that offer a more cultural experience, you'll find inspiration in these lists," said Barbara Messing, chief marketing officer for TripAdvisor. "From the world famous to the hidden gems, what unifies every award winner is the fantastic feedback from travellers across the globe."

Top 10 Islands in Asia:

1. Koh Tao( http://www.tripadvisor.com.sg/Tourism-g303910-Koh_Tao_Surat_Thani_Province-Vacations.html ), Surat Thani, Thailand

2. Nusa Lembongan( http://www.tripadvisor.com.sg/Tourism-g1137831-Nusa_Lembongan_Bali-Vacations.html ), Bali, Indonesia

3. Ko Lanta( http://www.tripadvisor.com.sg/Tourism-g303905-Ko_Lanta_Krabi_Province-Vacations.html ), Krabi, Thailand

4. Gili Trawangan( http://www.tripadvisor.com.sg/Tourism-g664666-Gili_Trawangan_Gili_Islands_Lombok_West_Nusa_Tenggara-Vacations.html ), Gili Islands, Indonesia

5. Boracay( http://www.tripadvisor.com.sg/Tourism-g294260-Boracay_Visayas-Vacations.html ), Visayas, Philippines

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TripAdvisor Unveils Travellers' Choice Islands

9th Pacific Islands Conference on Nature Conservation

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22 March 2013

Register for the 9th Pacific Islands Conference on Nature Conservation and Protected Areas

Registration is now open for the ninth Pacific Islands Conference on Nature Conservation and Protected Areas to be hosted in Suva, Fiji at the end of the year. This conference is the premier event for nature conservation and protected areas work in the Pacific region, the outcomes of which will shape the direction of this work for the next 5 years.

This major conference is an ideal opportunity to showcase the successes, best practices and lessons learnt from all member countries and territories in our efforts to preserve our unique environment and Pacific way of life from the growing threats of environmental and social change, including the impacts of climate change, said Mr. David Sheppard, the Director General at SPREP.

The very first Pacific Islands Conference on Nature Conservation and Protected Areas took place in New Zealand in 1975. Since then the event has been held every 4 5 years throughout the region, growing in participation each time.

This year the conference theme is Natural Solutions: Building Resilience for a Changing Pacific, highlighting the role of ecosystem services and natural resources to help adapt to the impacts of climate change.

One of the key objectives of this conference is to promote ecosystem based initiatives for climate change adaptation in the Pacific and to identify how such initiatives can be strengthened and more effectively applied as adaptation solutions to climate change impacts, Said Mr. Sheppard.

There will be many opportunities for interested partners and stakeholders to be a part of this conference. These will be announced in due course by the partners coordinating the event - the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP), Government of Fiji, International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN), Pacific Islands Roundtable for Nature Conservation (PIRT) and others.

- Natural Solutions to strengthen resilience in the Pacific Islands -

The 9th Pacific Islands Conference on Nature Conservation and Protected Areas will be held at the University of the South Pacific, Laucala Campus, Suva, Fiji from 2 to 6 December, 2013. For registration please visit: http://www.sprep.org/pacificnatureconference

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9th Pacific Islands Conference on Nature Conservation

Shetland Islands to Host Convention on Scotland’s Independence Referendum

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Alex Salmond (left) and Malcolm Bell (Reuters/malcolmbell.eu)

Leaders from Shetland, Orkney and Western Isles are set to meet later today to discuss Scottish Independence.

The Convention of the Highlands and Islands will be held in Lerwick in Shetland and will discuss plans for a split from the UK government.

On 18 September next year, people in Scotland will vote on whether to become an independent country. The agreement for the referendum was signed by Scotland's Alex Salmond and David Cameron in October last year.

If the nation votes yes, it has been suggested that Scotland could become independent by 2016.

Speaking about the convention, Shetland Islands Council Convener Malcolm Bell says: "As part of Monday's meeting of the Convention of the Highlands and Islands in Shetland, representatives from Shetland, Orkney and Western Isles councils will discuss the various constitutional options presented by the referendum on independence.

"The referendum will create opportunities and challenges for all Scotland's island communities, no matter what the outcome. It's this Council's responsibility to make sure that Shetland's views are represented, and the best results achieved for the isles.

Unique culturally and geographically

"It is right and proper for the three island groups to be in close discussions with each other, and to speak with one voice when appropriate. However, it's equally important that we pursue the best outcome at a local level.

"It would not be in Shetland's interests to be subsumed into a larger local authority controlled from the mainland. We are unique both culturally and geographically and our interests will be best served by local people taking local decisions at a local level."

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Shetland Islands to Host Convention on Scotland's Independence Referendum

Iowa’s river islands need a little pruning

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An employee of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service uses a chain saw to cut down a leaner on pool 9 of the Mississippi River on Wednesday, Feb. 20, 2013. Managers of the Upper Mississippi River National Fish and Wildlife Refuge are cutting trees that are destined to be uprooted by the wind in hopes their stumps and root systems will keep islands from eroding. (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service photo)

Cutting trees to save forests may seem paradoxical, but biologists are doing just that on islands in the Upper Mississippi River.

By cutting trees on the edges of islands, we hope to save the islands themselves and all the other trees growing on them, said Rich King, manager of the McGregor District of the Upper Mississippi River National Fish and Wildlife Refuge.

The trees targeted for cutting, King explained, are leaners that were eventually going to topple into the river anyway.

Were spending millions (through the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Environmental Management Program) to build new islands, and it only makes sense to do what we can to protect the ones we already have, said Mike Griffin, the Iowa Department of Natural Resources biologist who introduced the concept to refuge personnel.

Mike has been talking about it for years. It is a practical and inexpensive way to protect a valuable resource, said Clyde Male, assistant manager of the refuges McGregor District, which covers Mississippi River pools 9, 10 and 11, stretching from Genoa, Wis., to Dubuque.

Griffin said wave action has been eroding refuge islands for decades. The standard response, armoring shorelines with big rocks, is extremely expensive and in many cases cost-prohibitive, he said.

The trees on the edges of islands, mostly silver maple and cottonwood, have shallow root systems limited by the high water table in the rivers backwaters.

With their disproportionately small root systems, they are top-heavy and especially vulnerable to strong winds when they are fully leafed out, said Griffin.

Its just a matter of time before the leaners are uprooted, he said.

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Iowa’s river islands need a little pruning

Islands seek new powers after 2014

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David Ross Highland Correspondent

In anticipation of the Scottish Parliament getting more powers even if the country votes no to inde- pendence, council leaders in the Western Isles, Orkney and Shetland are looking to enhance their decision- making capacity.

Leaders have been examining similar authorities on the Isle of Man and the Faroe Islands and are preparing a "menu of interests" to present to both the pro-independence and pro-union campaigns to establish which offers greater control of their own island affairs and resources.

This document should be ready in the early summer.

The three Independent-controlled councils will discuss their plans at the Convention of the Highlands and Islands in Lerwick today.

Angus Campbell, leader of the Western Isles Council, said the local authority had long campaigned for the control of the sea bed to be devolved to a local level.

He said: "We would like to see which camp would help us solve that problem."

However, he said one of the first demands would be that the three island authorities remain intact.

Shetland Islands Council convener Malcolm Bell said: "We are unique both culturally and geographically and our interests will be best served by local people taking local decisions at a local level."

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Islands seek new powers after 2014

China News – US

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China News - US Japan Prepares for China Attack on Senkaku Islands - NTD China News, March 21, 2013
In today #39;s NTD China News, the US and Japan are in talks over operational plans in case of a Chinese attack on the disputed Diaoyu/Senkaku Islands. South Kor...

By: NTDonChina

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China News - US


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