New York Times | Sand Between Their Toes, and Blades on Their Feet New York Times GEORGE TOWN, Cayman Islands After trading long Canadian winters for the perpetual summer of this luxurious Caribbean tax haven, Bill Messer was content to enjoy the soft sands and warm waters of island living. The only thing he really missed was ... |
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Sand Between Their Toes, and Blades on Their Feet - New York Times
Plans for a Faroese constitution have been in development for years | Simon Hofmann/Getty Images
Danish territory sets date for 2018 ballot.
By Joshua Posaner
2/12/17, 3:43 PM CET
Updated 2/12/17, 5:11 PM CET
The Faroe Islands will hold a referendum on a new constitution in 2018, in preparation for a possible national ballot on separating from Denmark.
The vote on a new governing document agreed upon by both ruling and opposition parties isscheduledfor April 25.
The Faroese constitution will define our identity as a nation and our fundamental rights and duties as a people, including our right to self-determination, said the Faroe Islands Prime Minister Aksel V. Johannesen in a statement.
This will be clearly reflected in the requirement that the Faroese people must be consulted by referendum on questions related to further independence from, or further integration with, Denmark. The same will also be the case in relation to membership in supra-national organizations, such as the EU, saidJohannesen.
Denmark won control over the archipelago, home to about 50,000 people, in 1814 and Copenhagen continuesto governsuch areas as defense, law enforcement, currency and foreign affairs while the Faroese control most domestic policy.
Despite not being a member of the EU, the Faroe Islands is signed up to a free-trade deal with the bloc and a fisheries agreement. The territory has at timebeen at odds with Brussels over fishing quotas.
Plans for a constitution have been in development for years.
It will also be a safeguard against the abuse of power, said Johannesen of the planned referendum. The Faroese constitution will move the ultimate decision-making power from the parliament to the people on such fundamental questions.
The final text of the document will only be presented to the 33-seat Faroese parliament after it reconvenes for the next annual session on July 29, the government in Trshavn said. A minimum of six months is required after the text is approved by lawmakers before areferendum can take place.
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Faroe Islands to vote on constitution paving way for independence - POLITICO.eu
Thirteen degrees, 30 miles an hour wind, snow devils in my face and whats this? Solar-powered floating islands generating pools of open water?
Yes, two of them, water steaming in the chilly air and a lot of questions. Oxygenating the lake at Frances Slocum State Park? Letting fishermen have an opportunity to wet a line in an unconventional way?
No, its an effort to improve water quality at the lake, says Brian P. Taylor, park manager.
The reason we are installing Floating Wetland Islands (FWIs) is because they are an aesthetically pleasing, ecologically friendly means of reducing in-lake nutrient concentrations originating from nonpoint source pollution, as in the sediment/pollution that comes into the water system from rainfall and snowmelt, he said.
The two new FWIs each have a solar panel with an air-line running directly underneath each island.
The idea is to keep the underneath side of the islands well oxygenated through aeration to increase and maximize nutrient uptake, Taylor said. In other words, the more water that moves through the roots, the more sediment potentially that gets taken out of the lake by the islands.
Taylor said the two new islands brings the number of floating islands at the lake to four, all involved in cleaning the lake of harmful substances.
These islands are a tool we are using to help draw out sediment and phosphorus from our lake, Taylor said. There is a direct relationship between the amount of phosphorus in a lake and the amount of algae growing in it. And the algae blooms can be harmful. These islands help to keep the number and amount of algal blooms down. Long-term management of excessive algae requires the removal of phosphorus sources.
According to Princeton Hydro of New Jersey, which supplied the floating islands, they are constructed of durable, non-toxic post-consumer plastics on the bottom and vegetated with native plants on top. They help assimilate and remove excess phosphorus and nitrogen that fuel algae growth. Additionally, the islands also provide a beautiful habitat for birds, animals and fish.
The 250-square-foot islands are planted with several native plant species, including Joe-Pye weed, common rush, sedges, broadleaf arrowhead, and great blue lobelia. Plants on a single island can remove up to 10 pounds of nutrients per year.
It might not sound like much but it is.
In a published study, Fred S. Lubnow, director of Aquatic Programs for Princeton Hydro, wrote Since one pound of phosphorous has the potential to generate up to 1,100 pounds of wet algae biomass, this also means that one island has the potential to prevent the growth of up to 11,000 pounds of wet algae bloom.
The four floating islands could take out around 44,000 pounds of algae each year, but we are hoping for even more with the help of the aeration systems, Taylor said.
He explained the mechanism at work. The roots of the plants on the island will grow through the bottom of the island and absorb and remove nutrients such as phosphorus and nitrogen. This in turn feeds the plants and helps prevent other nuisance vegetation from growing.
The state of Washingtons Department of Ecology outlines how the phytoplankton that make up the algae blooms can wreak havoc in a freshwater lake.
As phytoplankton use up the nutrients in the surface waters, their growth slows and cells eventually die. Dying blooms can be an environmental concern because as the cells sink and decay, bacteria decompose the organic material, which in turn strips oxygen from the water. This microbial oxygen demand at times leads to very low oxygen conditions in the bottom waters, harming aquatic life.
The solar islands, which have a lifespan of about 15 to 25 years and require little or no maintenance, were installed in September by officials from the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, the Luzerne Conservation District, Nanticoke Conservation Club and students at the Rock Solid Academy in Shavertown.
Taylor noted the same groups installed the earlier islands in the lake in 2013 and they are healthy and well-established, showing vigorous growth. Combined, these two FWIs are reducing the wet algal biomass in Frances Slocum Lake by approximately 22,000 pounds.
Princeton Hydro placed five of the islands in Harveys Lake in 2014 and is planning to install them at Lake Carey next.
Taylor said the funds necessary to acquire the islands came from The Luzerne Conservation District which applied for and was awarded a grant from the federal government to implement a few studies and tasks to help clear up the sediment from the lake. Hopefully we will have a higher quality lake when it is all said and done.
The state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, which oversees Pennsylvanias 120 state parks, started installing the floating islands at state parks beginning with Stephen Foster Lake at Mt. Pisgah State Park in Bradford County in May 2011 as a pilot program that proved successful. Since then, the department has placed them in several other state parks including Raccoon Creek in Beaver County, Shawnee in Bedford County and Marsh Creek in Chester County.
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Floating Wetland Islands filter pollutants at Frances Slocum - Scranton Times-Tribune
By Jeanne Cooper, San Francisco Chronicle
Photo: John De Mello, Marriott
The Waikoloa Beach Marriott on Anaehoomalu Beach is converting a wing into Marriotts Waikoloa Ocean Club.
The Waikoloa Beach Marriott on Anaehoomalu Beach is converting a wing into Marriotts Waikoloa Ocean Club.
Hawaii: Lodging in the islands on the upswing
Among the record 8.9 million visitors to Hawaii in 2016, more than 5.5 million stayed in hotels, according to the Hawaii Tourism Authority, and the majority of visitors are repeat travelers to the islands. Besides Hilos Grand Naniloa Hotel, here are brand new or newly transformed hotels seeking to keep those statistics equally high in 2017:
Maui: After several years of planning, Westin Nanea Ocean Villas will debut two months early, with reservations accepted for May 1 and a soft opening April 15. The 16-acre beachfront resort in Kaanapali includes 390 one-, two- and three-bedroom residential-style villas, a 10,000-square-foot lagoon pool, childrens pool and a Hawaiian cultural center with extensive offerings. Rates begin at $665. http://www.westinnanea.com
Oahu: The $115 million metamorphosis of Pacific Beach Hotel, set to rebrand itself as Alohilani Resort Waikiki Beach in fall, has completed renovations on the initial round of guest rooms and suites. Rates for a new partial ocean-view king begin at $168 and $216 for a Diamond Head ocean-view room. http://www.pacificbeachhotel.com
Kauai: Luxurious new one- to four-bedroom bungalows and villas have joined the three-bedroom cottages at the Lodge at Kukuiula. The 52 units in total permit access to Kukuiulas championship golf course, spa, restaurant and other facilities otherwise only available to owners of the resorts high-end estates. Nightly rates start at $750 for a 1,235-square-foot, one-bedroom bungalow. https://lodgeatkukuiula.com
Hawaii Island: The Waikoloa Beach Marriott on Anaehoomalu Beach is converting a wing into Marriotts Waikoloa Ocean Club, which will offer one- and two-bedroom villas with kitchenettes, living rooms, sofabeds and washer-dryers, plus free parking (and no resort fee.) Reservations are available starting May 5, with one-bedroom rates starting at $308 and two-bedroom rates at $455. http://www.marriotthawaii.com
Hilo Hawaiian Hotel, near the new Grand Naniloa Hotel Hilo on Banyan Drive, recently completed a half-million-dollar renovation that included a complete makeover of its bayfront pool and ballrooms. Banyan-view rooms start at $157, ocean-view from $189. http://www.castleresorts.com/hilohawaiian
Jeanne Cooper
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FLORIDA TODAY food and dining writer Suzy Fleming Leonards next Suzys Secret Supper will begin at 6 p.m. March 7 at Islands Fish Grill. Theres a reason fish is in the restaurants name. This Indialantic favorite is across the street from the Atlantic Ocean, and thats where most items on the menu were swimming the day before it arrives on your dinner plate. Join Suzy for a five-course dinner, plus an amuse bouche. Meet chefs Nate Saint Denis and Jared Moretti, make new friends, and enjoy the bounty of the Atlantic.We tell you the time and place. The menu and the guest list are our secret!
When: March 7, 2017 Where: Islands Fish Grill, 111 5th Ave, Indialantic, FL 32903 Time: 6:00 p.m.
Insiders recieve$10 off with promo code (log in below to get the code)
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Environment Secretary Regina Paz L. Lopez has ordered the closure of 23 mining operations and suspended five others for failing mining and environmental standards on February 2.
According to Lopez, mining has only caused social injustice in many affected communities, as it causes massive environmental destruction and suffering to the people.
Such happened on Dinagat Islands, the island-province in the Caraga region with a population of 127,152, according to a 2015 census of population. Dinagat Islands is known as the Mystical Island, Province of Love.
Rich in natural resources, it was declared as mineral reservation area by Proclamation 391, s. 1939 on March 13, 1939, by President Manuel L. Quezon. It was declared a province by virtue of Republic Act 9355, signed on October 2, 2006, by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
Dinagat Islands has seven towns: Dinagat, Basilisa, Cagdinao, Libjo, Loreto, San Jose and Tubajon.
Besieged by mining
Lopez, a staunch environmental advocate, now wants to transform the entire island-province from a mining to an ecotourism haven and nature reserve, where the people will be the primary beneficiaries of what its natural wealth on land and surrounding marine environment has to offer, something local officials and its people have been hoping for.
These are mines operated by the AAMPHIL Natural Resources Exploration, Kromico Inc., SinoSteel Philippines H.Y. Mining Corp., Oriental Synergy Mining Corp., Wellex Mining Corp., Libjo Mining Corp. and Oriental Vision Mining Phils. Corp.
For years, since Dinagats declaration as a mineral land reservation, Lopez said mining has caused massive environmental destruction to the islands forest ecosystems.
The massive extraction of its rich mineral deposits caused Dinagat Islands to lose much of its forest ecosystems and severely affected rivers and watersheds, she said.
Biodiversity
The Alyansa Tigil Mina (ATM) said more than 20 mining companies have mining claims over various parts of the province, covering a total of 69,205.74 hectares, or approximately 69 percent of its total land area of 1,036.34 square kilometers or 103,634 hectares.
A total of 19 mining companies have approved Mineral Production Sharing Agreements (MPSAs) over Dinagat Islands, covering a total of 44,480.52 hectares, and many of these mining tenements overlap with supposedly conservation areas.
ATM records showed that the total land area with overlapping mining claims over conservation areas is 6,289.67 hectares, an area larger than Caloocan Citys 5,320 hectares.
ATM said four mining companies have pending applications for MPSAs covering a total of 8,091 hectares.
Green groups back Lopez
ATM and various environmental groups lauded Lopez for her decision to close and suspend some mining operations.
Clemente Bautista, national coordinator of the Kalikasan-Peoples Network for the Environment (Kalikasan-PNE), said the operation of large-scale and corporate mining in Mindanao, especially on Dinagat Islands, has brought so much environmental degradation, resource depletion and widespread poverty to our communities.
Besides closing these mines, Bautista said the government should be ready in providing immediate relief to the affected communities. In the short term, miners should be given alternative livelihoods and financial assistance to cope with their economic displacement. Local industries, particularly agriculture and fishing, should be prioritized for development, particularly in island-based ecosystem like Dinagat, he said.
More important, Bautista said, it is important to implement a land-transfer program that will benefit farmers and affected miners who stand to lose their jobs and livelihood.
We suggest to Secretary Lopez to directly coordinate with [Agrarian Reform] Secretary [Rafael] Mariano in implementing this. Providing land to the tillers will ensure [their] source of livelihood and food for the family. Simultaneously, the DENR and the government should immediately rehabilitate the affected ecosystems in the area, particularly the water source and marine areas, Bautista said.
Farmers and those living on the Dinagat Islands do not own properties because of the island sstatus as a mineral land reservation. Many of them have been denied the right to own land even for their own homes or small farms.
While lauding Lopezs political will, Bautista said the decision to close the mines is a temporary victory. DENR Secretary Lopez and President Duterte should pass the peoples mining bill, which ensures both the welfare and interest of our people and environment, he added.
Rich biodiversity
Director Theresa Mundita S. Lim of the DENRs Biodiversity Management Bureau (BMB) said the decision to stop mining on Dinagat Islands would boost the government effort to protect and conserve the countrys rich biodiversity.
Lim added that previous studies conducted by the DENR-BMB recommended rationalization of Dinagats land use. Lopezs pronouncement, Lim said, promises to boost the ecological services provided by Dinagat Islandss unique ecosystems.
Ive been to Dinagat. It has a vast bonsai forest. Scientists also discovered a stick insect which could be unique to Dinagat, Lim said.
Lim also noted that, besides being ideal for fishing, Dinagat Islands and its surrounding marine environment is rich in biological diversity.
Unique species
The island is home to unique species of endemic wildlife, such as rodents, tarsiers and several bird species. In 2006 two areas on Dinagat Islandsthe Mount Redondo and Mount Kambinliwwere declared as key biodiversity areas (KBAs), and became part of the 117 KBAs under the Philippine Biodiversity Conservation Priority-Setting Program.
A previously believed to be extinct species of rat, such as the Dinagat cloud rat, was rediscovered by scientists on Dinagat Islands.
The International Union for the Conservation of Nature listed the Dinagat cloud rat to be a critically endangered species.
Dinagat Islands is also home to the endangered Dinagat gymnure or the Dinagat hairy-tailed rat, declared by the EDGE Species Programme of the Zoological Society of London as one of the top 100 most evolutionary distinct and globally endangered species in the world.
The province is also home to the Dinagat tarsier, which scientists recently declared as unique to the island and an entirely different species from the Bohol tarsiers, or those found in other areas in Mindanao.
Bonsai forest
The island-province also hosts around 1,000 hectares of bonsai forest, which Lopez said could be the largest in the country.
Lim added the pygmy forest itself is a promising ecotourism magnet. When tourists start arriving, people can start small environment-friendly and ecosystem-based enterprises.
Lim added that the provinces ecosystem remains vastly unexplored and offers a lot of promising potential for scientific research and discovery, particularly for plants with pharmaceutical potentials.
Its wide variety of plants may have genetic materials where communities can benefit once developed for its medicinal or pharmaceutical value, she said.
Lim added that to maximize Dinagat Islandss potential, it is important to provide alternative jobs and livelihood to the communities.
Side by side with the gradual phaseout of mining in the area, it is important to introduce livelihood opportunities, she said.
Protection against mining
Lopez said she would ask President Duterte to repeal Proclamation 391, which declared Dinagat Islands as a mineral land reservation. She would also push for its declaration as protected area covered under the National Integrated Protected Areas System (Nipas) Act.
Once declared as a protected area, Dinagat Islands would be protected against future mining projects. Executive Order 79 declares protected areas as off-limits to mining.
Repealing Proclamation 391 will require the signing of another presidential proclamation or an executive order by Duterte. Once declared as a protected area, an act of Congress is needed to back it up with adequate funding to sustain rehabilitation and development efforts geared toward conservation.
Ecotourism
Lopez said Dinagat Islands has vast ecotourism potentials. She added there are more reasons to develop it, rather than allowing mining companies to continue exploiting its rich mineral deposits for profit.
Blessed with beautiful beaches, Lopez said Dinagat Islands is a potential ecotourism destination. Pristine waters and corals surrounding the island make it ideal for swimming, water sports and other recreational activities sought by local and foreign tourists.
Still poor
I want to give Dinagat a rest. They [mining companies] have been mining in Dinagat for 77 years, Lopez said.
She lamented that people in the province remain poor after decades of mining.
If it is true that people have benefited from mining, why are the people on the island still poor? she said.
Lopez argued that mining contribution to the national economy is nil, chipping only less than 1 percent to the countrys GDP.
She said 82 percent of the income of all mining companies go to the companies, with only 18 percent going to the government. Of the 18 percent, 95 percent goes to the national government, leaving only 5 percent for the local government.
Lopez said communities rarely benefit from whatever taxes mining companies paid in exchange for the billions worth of mineral deposits they ship out of the country.
She noted that only 20 percent of the people from Dinagat are employed by mining companies.
Mining is not labor-intensive. It is capital-intensive. In 2014 there was a government report that stated that mining has created 235,000 jobs all over the country, while tourism has [provided] 4.7 million [jobs], she said.
More jobs, livelihood
Lopez said more jobs and livelihood opportunities await people in ecotourism more than mining.
She insisted that sustainable economic development could be achieved without destroying the environment and causing suffering to people.
Using the sustainable integrated area development (SIAD) approach, Lopez said the DENR would assume the developmental role of providing sustainable livelihood, while teaching environmental conservation to affected communities, such as the Dinagat Islands.
We will create ecological economic zones where there is respect for nature and value adding in resources, and where people benefit from the resources of the place, Lopez said.
The DENR chief added that massive planning and consultations will be conducted from February 16 to 18 in areas affected by the closure orders, including Dinagat Islands, where alternative jobs for displaced mine workers will be discussed.
Lopez said she is intending to use the mine-rehabilitation fund of the closed mining firms in rehabilitating mining sites to heal the land.
Partnership
The DENR is also tapping the services of a team of experts from the Sixto K. Roxas Foundation in the rehabilitation of the mining sites, and is looking at the potential of biochar as a tool for mine rehabilitation.
Affected mine workers will also be tapped for reforestation under the Enhanced National Greening Program, as well as the governments planned expansion of bamboo and mangrove plantations to fight climate change and poverty.
Under the SIAD approach, mini economic zones will be created in order to generate employment, livelihood and income-generating activities in communities where mining companies operate, Lopez assured.
Dinagat is beautiful. It has a bonsai forest, I think the largest in the country. That is an ecotourism pull. It has forests, mountains, corals, islands. It has great potential. But, first, the mining must stop, then we can sell the beauty of the place, she said.
According to Lopez, Dinagat has a total of 185 potential ecotourism sites, from which the people can benefit.
It should be Dinagat for the people of Dinagat. That is area development. That is social justice, she said.
Image Credits: DENR Strategic Communication and Initiatives Service
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Heavy rains pass over islands
LIHUE A vigorous cold front generated heavy showers and thunderstorms while passing over the Hawaiian Islands this weekend.
The front dropped 2 to 5 inches of rainfall across much of Kauai and Oahu Friday night and Saturday, and produced strong thunderstorms before moving on to Maui and Hawaii counties, according to the National Weather Service.
All green waste sites were closed Saturday on Kauai due to the weather, according to a county news release.
The Kalalau Trail was also closed due to flooding of Hanakapiai Stream.
Weliweli Road in Koloa between Hapa Road and Ala Kinoiki was closed Saturday due to heavy ponding but reopened.
For updates on road closures, call 241-1725.
For weather updates, tune in to the NOAA weather radio or local media.
Information about the weather is also available online at http://www.weather.gov/hawaii.
Updates about the road and green waste closures will be posted on the county Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/CountyofKauai/.
The Garden Island
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Egyptian media have played a taped conversation between the Egyptian foreign minister and an Israeli envoy, apparently confirming the close coordination between Cairo and Jerusalem over the controversial planned Egyptian transfer of the Red Sea islands of Sanafir and Tiran to Saudi Arabia.
Israel has previously said it gave written approval for the move because the two Red Sea islands figure prominently in the Israeli-Egyptian peace agreement signed in 1979.
But the move is deeply unpopular in Egypt, where it is seen as selling off parts of Egypt in exchange for Saudi cash. Egypts High Administrative Court last month upheld a ruling voiding the government agreement to hand over the two islands.
The taped conversation was played on Egyptian opposition TV channel Mekameleen on Friday, according to the Middle East Eye.
The recording only has the side of Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry in his conversation with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus personal envoy, Yitzhak Molcho. However, Molcho is referred to by name several times in the recording.
Yitzhak Molcho (photo credit: Michal Fattal/Flash90)
I will agree to what you proposed: The ARE (Arab Republic of Egypt) will not agree to any amendment to the agreement without the prior, formal consent of the GOI (Government of Israel), OK?, Shoukry said.
The recordings indicate how eager Egypt was to accommodate Israel in order to see the deal go through.
You had asked on the fourth line to include the word enduring, I am going to go ahead and accept that, OK? Shoukry told Molcho at one point.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife Sara host Egypts Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry in their official residence in Jerusalem, July 10, 2016, during a visit to Israel for the first time in nearly a decade. (Kobi Gideon/GPO)
Let me try again to accommodate you, you can I hope recognize how much I am trying, the Egyptian foreign minister said later.
Cairo said it had agreed to demarcate its maritime borders with Saudi Arabia, officially placing the two islands in the Straits of Tiran in Saudi territory.
The raft of agreements also includes some $16 billion in Saudi investments in the ailing Egyptian economy.
The leak of the recording indicates the depth of opposition to the deal in Egypt, the report said.
The two Red Sea islands figure prominently in the Israeli-Egyptian peace agreement signed in 1979, which promises safe passage to Israeli civilian and military ships through the narrow waterways of the Straits of Tiran. The Egyptian blockade of the waterway to Israeli shipping in 1967 was a key casus belli for Israel that led to the onset of the Six Day War.
Under the Egyptian-Saudi agreement, the islands are to be transferred to Saudi control in 25 years, giving Riyadh a direct hand in ensuring the fulfillment of the peace treaty with Israel.
Saudi officials said they were committed to all Egyptian commitments related to the islands.
Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir said in an interview last April that his country would honor the Israel-Egypt peace treatys terms as regards the islands. Saudi Arabia wont negotiate with Israel about the islands, he said, since the commitments that Egypt approved [in the peace treaty] we are also committed to, including the stationing of an international force on the islands. We looked into the matter and we know our legal position. We are committed to what Egypt committed to before the international community.
The Straits of Tiran are Israels only water passage from Eilat to the open sea, allowing for shipping to and from Africa and Asia without requiring passage through the Suez Canal, as well as passage to and from the Suez Canal. Israel Navy ships use the waterway to reach open seas, where they carry out naval exercises that are not possible in the narrow confines of the Gulf of Aqaba.
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Leaks show Egypt consulted Israel over transfer of Red Sea islands - The Times of Israel
Regional Super50 2017, Group A February 10, 2017
ESPNcricinfo staff
Windward Islands recorded a comfortable six-wicket win over Kent at Coolidge in their final match of the Regional Super50. Kavem Hodge, who had spent most of the tournament batting at No. 6 for Windwards, struck his maiden List A fifty after being promoted to open the batting to chase Kent's 205.
Hodge got the Windwards chase going in the right direction after the early fall of Johnson Charles for 5 by adding 54 for the second wicket with Devon Smith (32) and another 86 for the third wicket with Sunil Ambris. Hodge ended with 68 and Ambris 48, just two shy of what would have been his seventh fifty in eight games during group play. Ambris ends the round-robin stage with 423 runs at 70.50, second overall behind Leeward Islands captain Kieran Powell's aggregate of 509 at 84.83.
When Hodge fell in the 40th, 31 runs were still required for victory. Captain Liam Sebastien and Kyle Mayers knocked off the rest of the runs, securing victory with 13 balls to spare. Kent had stumbled to 35 for 5 after choosing to bat at the toss before a 104-run sixth-wicket stand between Will Gidman and Adam Rouse salvaged their innings. Shane Shillingford eventually dismissed both men for 94 and 40 respectively and Kent's tail fought until the 49th over before they were bowled out with seven balls left in the innings.
Trinidad & Tobago rolled past West Indies Under-19 by 182 runs at North Sound to set up a first-place showdown with Leeward Islands on Sunday. The win over West Indies U-19 moved T&T to 6-1 in Group B, the same record as Leewards though T&T trails Leewards by two points due to the bonus point structure in round-robin play. The winner of Sunday's match will top Group A and most likely face Jamaica while the loser will probably face Barbados, who hold a five-point advantage at the top of Group B heading into the final round of group matches.
Kyle Hope, Jason Mohammed and Denesh Ramdin each struck half-centuries in T&T's total of 290 for 5 after West Indies U-19 opted to bowl. Hope made 70 off 98 balls, adding 58 for the first wicket with Kjorn Ottley before teaming up with Mohammed to add 74 for the third wicket. Mohammed top scored with 84 off 73 balls and produced a 92-run fourth-wicket partnership with Ramdin before falling late in the innings. Ramdin took T&T through to the finish, ending on 60 not out off 42 balls to ensure the target would be well out of reach for West Indies U-19.
Left-arm spinner Khary Pierre continued his fine tournament by doing most of the damage during a seven-over middle overs spell of 3 for 6 that accounted for top-scorer Emmanuel Stewart for 20 and captain Kirstan Kallicharan for 16. West Indies U-19 were eventually bowled out for 108 in 29.2 overs. Their final game is a rematch with Kent, the only side West Indies U-19 has beaten in the competition.
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Windward Islands, Trinidad & Tobago score sizeable victories ... - ESPNcricinfo.com
The Sangihe Islands branch of the General Elections Commission (KPU) in North Sulawesi is prioritizing the distribution of election materials to the regencys outermost islands for its upcoming election.
We have coordinated with Navy and military district command commanders, among others, to distribute the election materials. So, we should be able to overcome any obstacles, said Sinadia on Thursday.
It was hoped the materials could be distributed to the remote islands, including Marore, Nusa Tabukan and Tatoareng, before the Feb. 12 to 14 cooling-off period.
Marore has four polling stations with 1,093 voters while 4,076 voters are registered in Tatoareng, which will open 16 polling stations. Meanwhile, Nusa Tabukan will have 9 polling stations open to serve its 2,455 voters, said Sinadia.
In total, 299 polling stations will be readied for the regency election on Feb. 15. In one polling station, weve found several cases where a voter has been registered twice. But we have cooperated with local polling committees to prevent [such occurrences], Sinadia said.
For voters in hospital undergoing treatment and those incarcerated, the KPU would assist them in obtaining ballot papers to be able to vote, she added.
Meanwhile, the Bolaang Mongondow KPU will start to distribute election materials on Sunday.The commissions planning, logistics and finance division head, Lilik Mahmuda, said the number of ballots prepared amounted to 167,551, in line with the number of voters registered on the final voters list (DPT). The KPU also prepared 4,362 extra ballots, which was 2.5 percent of the DPT.
We have 171,913 ballots prepared in total, said Lilik. (ebf)
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Sangihe outermost islands prioritized in election logistics - Jakarta Post
Hawaii Islands Most Wanted seeks 3 West Hawaii Today The most recent edition of the Crime Stoppers television program Hawaii Island's Most Wanted highlights one man wanted for assaulting a police officer, another man wanted for questioning in an abuse case and a third man wanted on four bench warrants. |
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Future Islands made their triumphant return to the late-night circuit last night, debuting new single "Ran" on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon. The stakes for the rising band were unusually high. Two years ago, the Baltimore trio's Letterman set went viral, garnering themost YouTube views in the show's history.
But Samuel T. Herring never disappoints. Bathed in red light, the effusive vocalist gazes upward like a distracted cherub in a button-down and jeans. Bassist William Cashion (repping Nice Price Book & Records store under his blazer) lays down the song's simple arpeggio that rumbles below Gerrit Welmers' keyboard.
That quixotic bass-keys combination defines the Future Islands sound. And if "Ran" is any indication, they've perfected the balance on their forthcoming album, The Far Field (out April 7th). The buoyant musicianship both informs and heightens Herring's moves, which make sorrow look like it should qualify as an Olympic sport.
On 'Fallon,' Herring throws his right hook through the air, wildly wondering "how it feels when we fall, when we fold." He testifies one moment and slaps his cheek hard in the next. Even Fallon seemed breathless. When the host walked onstage to shake Herring's hand, it felt more like he was handing him a warm towel and life preserver.
Future Islands will perform main stage sets at Coachella, Panorama and Bonnaroo this year in addition to a massive U.S. tour.
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Watch Future Islands Debut Fiery New Anthem on 'Fallon' - RollingStone.com
Middle East Eye | REVEALED: Egypt consulted Israel in Red Sea islands transfer Middle East Eye The government says the islands had always belonged to Saudi Arabia and that Egypt had merely administered them while on lease since the 1950s. Critics, however, accuse President Abdel Fatah al-Sisi of "selling" the islands in return for Saudi ... New leak expose Israel's involvement in Egyptian-Saudi island swap scandal |
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REVEALED: Egypt consulted Israel in Red Sea islands transfer - Middle East Eye
Kaoha nui! The team recently spent three days on Eiao and Hatutaa, Marquesas Islands. They are fascinating places to visit.
Offloading supplies onto Eiao Island. Credit: Richard Griffiths
Eiao, where I spent my time, is 5,600ha and is probably one of the largest uninhabited islands of the Pacific. Yet, the island has been extensively modified by the presence of invasive sheep, pigs, cats and rats. Massive soil erosion (more than 6 feet in places) has reduced much of the islands plateau to a sun-bleached desert.
Invasive species have caused significant erosion on Eiao Island. Credit: Richard Griffiths
In the midst of this devastation, pockets of relatively intact forest remain in gullies too steep for invasive sheep and pigs to access. It is also likely, although we were unable to confirm this, that there are places on the island where even invasive cats and rats cannot reach. These protected regions could still support birds such as the Endangered Polynesian Storm Petrel. Our take-home message for Eiao was that the potential for biodiversity recovery is enormous. To restoring the island we would firstneed agreement from residents.
Hatutaa (640ha) is another story altogether. With only invasive Pacific rats to contend with, the island is a stronghold for the Marquesan Ground Dove. Phoenix Petrels (I got to see my first) and many other seabird species also nest there.
Phoneix Petrel in flight. Credit: Richard Griffiths
My colleagues Jason, Tehani and Fred spent three days on the island, documenting seabird numbers, counting crabs and describing the islands vegetation among other activities. Due to limited options for shelter, the team had to sleep under a patch of Pisonia forest. Needless to say the black tarp that Jason slept under changed from black to white, courtesy of the Black Noddies nesting above.
Camp on Hatutaa Island. Credit: Richard Griffiths
Upon returning from Eiao and Hatutaa we met with the mayor and community leaders of Nuku Hiva to discuss the goals and objectives of the restoration project. Rat eradication on Hatutaa and Hatu iti (a smaller island also with Phoenix petrel) is fully supported by the community. The subject of removing invasive pigs and sheep from Eiao is another story; we may consider setting up some fenced enclosures on the island to demonstrate the impacts that ungulates are having and the potential for recovery.
South Coast of Eiao. Credit: Richard Griffiths
From Nuku Hiva the team (sans moi) has now sailed off to Ua Pou and then to Fatu Uku and Mohotani, two more of the projects priority sites.I stayed in Nuku Hiva with Fred and will fly out tomorrow morning. While here, Fred and I got a spot on Marquesan breakfast radio to discuss the project which was a sore test for my poor French.
The crew aboard the Shark. Credit: Richard Griffiths
Look out for the next installment from Jason.
Featured photo: Approaching Hatutaa. Credit: Richard Griffiths
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Exploring the Marquesas Islands - Island Conservation News (press release) (blog)
Ferry Slip and South Pelican islands in the Cape Fear River are nesting habitats for birds such as royal and sandwich terns.
SOUTHEASTERN N.C. -- Its been 13 years since South Pelican and Ferry Slip islands were replenished with fresh sand.
The two islands in the Cape Fear River between Southport and Fort Fisher are nesting habitats for native birds such as royal, sandwich and gull-billed terns, and the American oystercatcher. The birds prefer an open, sandy habitat in which to lay their eggs.
The islands are owned by the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission but maintained by Audubon North Carolina. Last year the islands missed out on a chance to receive sand from a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers dredging project, which is done periodically to keep the channel clear. A permit was not completed in time to receive dredge material. The islands will likely have to wait a couple to several more years before a new opportunity arises to be replenished with beach-quality sand.
The Cape Fear River is an important site for these birds, said Lindsay Addison, an Audubon coastal biologist. Thirty percent of the states royal and sandwich terns nest on the Cape Fear River. With a third of the states nesting population in need of the right habitat, its concerning to lose that open bare sand they like to the natural progression of grasses and vegetation growing up on the island.
While waiting for another opportunity to replenish the islands with sand, Addison said Audubon will be working on a vegetation management project with a grant administered by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation.
The project involves applying herbicide to vegetation that has grown considerably on the islands, as well as pulling the vegetation and exposing bare sand.
While the islands not only provide the right habitat for the birds, Addison said the islands also offer safety from predators such as foxes, raccoons and opossums.
In a good year, Addison said about 3,000 pairs of royal and sandwich terns will nest on the river, which makes caring for the island habitats important. Sandy beach habitats birds nested on years ago have been lost to tourism, development, erosion and sea level rise, leaving a limited number of habitats left, Addison said.
These birds dont have other places to go, she said. Out of the entire state for royal and sandwich terns, there are five or six islands theyll occupy in a year. Ferry Slip and South Pelican are two of those islands.
David Allen, wildlife diversity supervisor with the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission, said protecting the few habitats these particular birds have to nest in is important for maintaining the finite number of birds left.
Addison said she hopes a dredge project will occur sooner rather than later for the sake of the islands, which could suffer in the long run should sand not be replenished.
These are sand islands, there are waves, currents and storms on the river and over time they do erode, Addison said. So if you were to just not put sand on them over several decades, quite a long time perhaps, in the end they would eventually erode away.
Reporter Makenzie Holland can be reached at 910-343-2371 or Makenzie.Holland@StarNewsOnline.com.
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Cape Fear River islands that host nesting birds need sand - StarNewsOnline.com
Guernsey-based Channel Islands Securities Exchange (CISE), a stock exchange that lists bonds issued by some of the worlds biggest companies, has announced that it is rebranding as The International Stock Exchange (TISE), effective next month.
To unlock the Asian market, register now to the iFX EXPO in Hong Kong
As well as new name and a new look the company said it plans to launch its presence in the Isle of Man on 9 March to simplify the way it communicates with customers.
Having launched more than three years ago, after acquiring the Channel Islands Stock Exchange, the CISE currently has over 2,000 listed securities on its official list with a total market capitalization of more than 300 billion. In addition to its headquarter in Guernsey, the exchange maintains an office in nearby Jersey, both of which are located outside of the European Union.
The exchange is an affiliate member of both the International Organisation of Securities Commissions and the World Federation of Exchanges. It operates as arecognised bourseby the UK tax authority and the Australian stock exchange, for the purposes of investment by personal pensions and individual savings accounts.
The Channel Islands are an archipelago in the English Channel, off the French coast of Normandy. They include two Crown dependencies, Jersey and Guernsey, which have become major offshore financial centres on the scale of the Cayman Islands.
Jon Moulton, Chairman of the CISE, commented: We already have business coming to us from many different parts of the world. Also, last year we made changes so that listing sponsors no longer have to be based in the Channel Islands but can be from further afield and we signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Bermuda Stock Exchange (BSX) to explore opportunities for working together. In addition, next month we will be launching a presence in the Isle of Man where there is real enthusiasm for local access to an international exchange.
Fiona Le Poidevin, Chief Executive of the CISE, said: I have made several visits to the Isle of Man in the last year and it is clear that there is significant interest from businesses in the island to have access to an exchange. The Isle of Man has trading companies within a diverse range of industries, including in the technology sector, who will be able to use the Exchange to raise capital to help them grow and the Exchange will also offer other firms the opportunity to participate in its success by being a listing sponsor or providing legal or administrative services to those companies being listed.
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Channel Islands Exchange CISE Rebrands as TISE - Finance Magnates
Seattle Island Paradise, A Ferry Ride Away
Bainbridge Island Ferry Dock.
Contributing Editor: Lynn Marshall, Seattle Washington
A great way to get on the water in Seattle is to take a 35 minute ferry trip across Elliott Bay to Bainbridge Island. The view of the city skyline from the ferry deck is well worth the price of your trip and the island itself has a lot to offer.
Bainbridge is unquestionably a bedroom community for Seattle, but it has worked hard to curb development and retain its rural character. The island covers almost 28 square miles, and has a population of just over 20,000. If you have the patience to bring a car over on the ferry you can explore the islands back roads and more remote nooks and crannies. If you walk on, there is little need to plan ahead, and you will still find plenty to see in the town of Winslow, just up the hill from the ferry dock. The best compromise is to bring a bike, or rent one in Winslow as long as you dont mind some hills, Bainbridge is a great place to explore by bike and you get to work off some vacation calories.
Location:
Catch the ferry at Pier 52, on Alaskan Way. For summer 2008, a car and one driver will pay ~$15, in both directions, while a walk on adult passenger will pay ~$7 island bound only with an additional dollar surcharge for a bicycle. Check out the official ferry schedule and prices here. Note that if you are planning to drive on, especially on a weekend, go early and be patient; you may have to sit through a boat or two to get aboard. Also, be sure to approach Pier 52 from the south if you approach from the north you will not be able to make a right turn into the terminal and will have to go a frustrating distance just to get into the ferry lane. On foot, you simply enter the terminal, go upstairs, buy your tickets and wait for the boat.
The trip is wonderful; the ferry has great views, both inside and outside on the upper decks. The 35 minute trip passes very quickly.
Once you arrive in Winslow, by car, follow everyone else up the road, and into the center of town. Find a parking place and get your bearings. You can rent a bike right off of the ferry dock from Classic Cycles Bike Barn (206) 842-3434. Bicycle rentals (Summer 2008) are $25 for 2 hours or $35 for the full day from the helpful folks at Classic Cycles Bike Barn. Bainbridge Island Taxi at 206 482 1041, can arrange car transportation to more outlying spots via taxi cab.
Docking at Bainbridge Island near Seattle.
History:
Bainbridge was named by an 1841 Navy survey team for Commodore William Bainbridge, a frigate captain in the war of 1812. The island had several towns in the early years (all of Bainbridge is incorporated together today), and a thriving economy based on the timber industry. By 1900, the island had a shipyard and a large wood preservative plant. Most people traveled by boat, and few roads actually crossed the island. Bainbridge was home to many Japanese farmers by the start of World War II, and the island was the first place to be effected by the interment order of 1942. Snow Falling on Cedars, by Bainbridge based writer David Gutterson, brings this time vividly to life. A effort is underway to create a memorial on the Winslow waterfront honoring the 227 island residents who were forced from their homes and into the interment camps.
In the 90s the islands city government worked hard to develop a plan that would allow for growth, but focus development in the area of Winslow, leaving the rest of the island as rural in character as possible. You see the results of this plan today. There are big houses along the shorelines, but the condos and other dense development is found only in town. A new village green, city hall, performance center, and waterfront park have given the island a commercial and social center that help attract people to the art galleries, coffee shops, and restaurants. These days, traffic is heavy on route 305, the main drag crossing the island, but turn down any side road and you recapture the spirit of Bainbridge.
Seattle Views from Bainbridge Island Ferries
Highlights:
As always, the best advise is to explore. There are many galleries, shops, and restaurants to catch your eye. The village green is a great spot for people watching, and for food it is hard to go wrong at the Bainbridge Bakery, Nola cafe, or the Pleasant Beach Bistro just to name a few eateries. If you want to tour Bloedel Reserve, remember to call them (see below) and make reservations a day or two in advance.
In Winslow:
Eagle Harbor Books 157 Winslow Way East
This bookstore is a wonderful literary oasis. Serving the Island since 1970, Eagle Harbor Books always has something that wont have seen anywhere else and a knowledgeable staff who will be glad to help you find the perfect book, or tell you about their favorite spots on the island.
Pegasus Coffee House and Art Gallery 131 Parfitt Way SW
Pegasus is a little bit out of the way from downtown Winslow, but worth the extra effort. Pegasus is housed in a brick building, covered with ivy, said to be one of the oldest building on Winslows waterfront. If you walk up Winslow Way from the ferry, turn left on Madison Ave and follow it to the end, you will find Pegasus, and see why it has been a Bainbridge institution since opening in 1979.
Waterfront Park Across from the Bainbridge Commons, on Brien Drive
This 5.5 acre park along the Eagle Harbor waterfront makes a great place for a picnic. It has a kids play area, and public restrooms; it is almost always a quiet and relaxing spot.
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Bloedel Reserve 7571 NE Dolphin Dr. (206) 843-7631
The Bloedel Reserve is one of the most beautiful gardens open for public touring in the greater Seattle area. The cost of admission for adults is $13 with discounts forseniors, military, and students. Children under 13 are free.Bloedels 150 acres are tranquil and orderly, even though a little more than half of the property is undeveloped forest land. The hard working gardeners who cherish the reserve work very hard to keep the gardens tranquil and lush. The self-guided walking tour takes about two hours, and includes the family house, a Japanese guest house, (set in a Zen garden), a waterfall overlook, a reflecting pool, and much more. Bloedel is a must stop for gardeners, and a joy for others as well.
Bainbridge Island Winery 8989 E. Day Road
After 26 years in a blue building close to the ferry dock, the Bainbridge Winery has moved onto the vineyard. All the grapes and fruits that go into the wine are grown on the island, and while not world-class, the wine is certainly respectable, and the staff friendly. The strawberry wine is reputed to be fantastic, but has been unavailable for the past few years do to a limited strawberry crop on the island. Though the new facility is not quite finished, the tasting room is open Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 11 am 5 pm.
Fay Bainbridge State Park 15446 Sunrise Drive NE
Fay Bainbridge is a 17 acre park, on the beach with picnic areas and a childrens play area. The outstanding thing about this park are the views. On a clear day you can see Mt. Rainer, Mt. Baker, and the Seattle skyline. This is a great picnic destination for bike riders.
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MELBOURNE, AustraliaChina is continuing to expand its construction activities in a second group of disputed South China Sea islands, according to a Washington-based think tank on Wednesday.
The report, released Wednesday by the Center for Strategic and International Studies Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative, says Beijing has undertaken substantial upgrades to its military infrastructure in the Paracel Islands, with the construction of harbors, helipads and a full-fledged helicopter base on several islands in the chain.
Also claimed by Vietnam, the Paracels already play a key role in Chinas goal of establishing surveillance and power projection capabilities throughout the South China Sea. Their location, less than 200 miles from the southern Chinese island of Hainan, means that bases and facilities on the Paracels can serve to bridge the distance between Hainan and outposts farther south.
CSIS-AMTI suggests the Duncan Island heliport could play an important role in Chinese anti-submarine warfare efforts in the region, although it is also possible that helicopters based there could be used to service the less well-equipped outposts in the Paracels.
In addition, large harbors have also been expanded or dredged at Palm and Duncan islands as well as Tree Island. Smaller harbors also exist on several smallerParacelislands, with some having been built only in the last few years. Dredging and construction on several other islands on the Paracels have been observed on the satellite imagery obtained by CSIS-AMTI, suggesting that China intends to carry out more work to add to the facilities in the Paracels.
Defense News believes that the former are climate-controlled to better protect aircraft from the humid, salty environment. The two sheltered harbors on the island have also received substantial upgrades, while HQ-9 and anti-ship cruise missiles have also been deployed on site.
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China upgrades military infrastructure on South China Sea islands, report claims - DefenseNews.com
12 Photos
Our readers have loved Palawan and Borocay of late, but from a local's perspective, we're missing out on the Calamian Islands just north of Palawan. Hidden for decades behind the shadow of more popular Philippine destinations, the Calamian Islands (or Calamianes) are finally getting their turn in the spotlight. This cluster of islands hugging the South China Sea is a vast playground of stunning waterborne landscapes and dive sites. It wasn't all that long ago that it would take an eight hour ferry ride to get there from the capital, Manila. These days, improved transport and tourism infrastructure (daily flights and luxury hotels) makes the area more traveler-friendly. It's far from crowded, thoughwith more than a hundred islands scattered over 680-square-miles of crystalline sea, its still shockingly easy to find your very own stretch of sand.
Our readers have loved Palawan and Borocay of late, but from a local's perspective, we're missing out on the Calamian Islands just north of Palawan. Hidden for decades behind the shadow of more popular Philippine destinations, the Calamian Islands (or Calamianes) are finally getting their turn in the spotlight. This cluster of islands hugging the South China Sea is a vast playground of stunning waterborne landscapes and dive sites. It wasn't all that long ago that it would take an eight hour ferry ride to get there from the capital, Manila. These days, improved transport and tourism infrastructure (daily flights and luxury hotels) makes the area more traveler-friendly. It's far from crowded, thoughwith more than a hundred islands scattered over 680-square-miles of crystalline sea, its still shockingly easy to find your very own stretch of sand.
Most of the Calamianes, a group of islands north of Palawan, host karst limestone formations, a landscape feature that (in the Philippines) is distinct to the region.
A pair of giraffes get a closer look at their human visitors at a wildlife sanctuary on Calauit Island. Established in 1976 in response to a Kenyan plea to help preserve its wildlife, the Calauit Wildlife Park hosts eight African species and over a hundred varieties endemic to the Philippines.
A handmade, paddle-powered banca sits beside a considerably larger motorized version. These traditional outrigger boats are a common sight throughout the Philippines.
A local fisherman produces daing na pusitdried salted squidin his backyard on the island village of Panlaitan. Cottage industries like these have benefited greatly from tourism. This is simple food for us fisherfolk, says one of the residents, we were surprised that people from other countries would travel all the way here just to try it.
La Estancia Busuanga is one of dozens of private resorts that have sprung up on the main island of Busuanga. Filipinos have visited the Calamianes for decades, but only in recent years has its reputation grown among foreign tourists.
With over a hundred islands spread out over 680 square miles of sea, the Calamian archipelago is a dream destination for kayakers and paddle-boarders.
The classic islanders meal: grilled fish, eggplant salad, and chicken, served on a boat over clear, blue waters.
Pristine beaches are a common sight throughout the Calamianes. Shown here is Black Island, home to just a small handful of residents.
Seashells hang from the window of a local hut in Coron, the Calamian archipelagos third-largest island at 266-square-miles. With its 11 inland lakes, mangrove forests and karst limestone formations, this island is the areas most popular destination.
The waters surrounding the Calamianes teem with marine life. The area is also host to a number of World War II-era shipwrecks.
A village elder sings a traditional love song called tablay. The Tagbanua people have inhabited the Calamian archipelago for centuries, and today many of these islands are officially recognized as Tagbanua ancestral domains.
Karst limestone cliff meets sun, sand, and sea at Isla Bulungan, one of the many islands that make up the archipelago.
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The Philippines' Calamian Islands May Compete as 'Most Beautiful' - Cond Nast Traveler
President Obama kitesurfs with Richard Branson in the British Virgin Islands as part of his post-White House vacation.
Jack Brockway/Virgin.com
Golf was not the only activity President Obama partook in during his post-White House vacation, but he also spent his free time kitesurfing and foilboarding in the British Virgin Islands with billionaire entrepreneur Sir Richard Branson.
Virgin, the company Branson founded, released images and a video of Obama kitesurfing with him on Tuesday.
President Obama kitesurfs with Richard Branson in the British Virgin Islands as part of his post-White House vacation.
Jack Brockway/Virgin.com
One of the first stories Barack told me when he and Michelle arrived on Moskito Island was how, just before he became President, he had been surfing on a dangerous break in Hawaii, Branson wrote in a blog post on Virgins website. When he came in from an exhilarating session, the new head of his security team turned to him and said: This will be the last time you surf for eight years. For the next eight years he didnt have the chance to surf, enjoy watersports or do many of the things he loved.
President Obama kitesurfs with Richard Branson in the British Virgin Islands as part of his post-White House vacation.
Jack Brockway/Virgin.com
So it was tremendous to offer him the chance to learn to kitesurf. The sport has really taken off in the past decade and we have the perfect conditions and team to help anyone learn, Branson said. I have also wanted to learn foilboard surfing. So we decided to set up a friendly challenge: could Barack learn to kitesurf before I learned to foilboard? We agreed to have a final day battle to see who could stay up the longest.
Spoiler alert: Obama won.
Branson said the former president learned the basics of kitesurfing for two days before trying it out in the water.
Finally, he put the board at his feet and gave it a go. Being the former president of America, there was lots of security around, but Barack was able to really relax and get into it, Branson said.
President Obama kitesurfs with Richard Branson in the British Virgin Islands as part of his post-White House vacation.
Jack Brockway/Virgin.com
The former first family also spent part of their vacation following President Trumps inauguration in Palm Springs, California. They are expected to live in Washington, D.C. until at least Sasha graduates from high school.
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Watch Obama kitesurf with Richard Branson in the British Virgin Islands - CBS News