Lopez wins dual, lifts Larks to win over Liberal – Hays Daily News

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The series opener between the Hays Larks and Liberal BeeJays on Friday night was the textbook definition of a pitchers dual.

Larks starter Alex Lopez won the individual battle with Liberal starter Darin Cook. Lopez picked up his second win of the season with seven shutout innings, scattering five hits in the outing.

Through two starts, Lopez has a pair of wins and is yet to give up a run.

It feels pretty good right now, the Texas Wesleyan product said. Coming back out to Hays is always a great time. It was really good to start off this year with some good games.

Hays manager Frank Leo has come to expect nothing but quality from the second-year Lark.

It helps when youve seen a guy for a year. Its a guy you ran out in the championship game of the (NBC) World Series, Leo said. That tells you we have confidence in him.

Lopez retired the Bee Jays in order in the top of the first before the Larks plated the games only run.

Catcher Nick Jones ripped a one-out double before Jacob Boston plated him with a single for the games only run.

Lopez worked around a two-out single in the second before another 1-2-3 inning in the third. After the Larks stranded two in the bottom half, Lopez had to get himself out of a jam in the fourth.

An error, the only one of the game, put a man on before a single and a walk loaded the bases with two outs. Lopez made one of his better pitches on the night, catching Liberals Zac Cook looking on a 3-2 pitch to get out of the inning unharmed.

Hes an experienced guy that isnt going to get shook out there, Leo said. If he gets himself in a jam, he can step back and make pitches when he needs to.

Hays second baseman Johnathan Soberanes started a 4-6-3 double play to end the Liberal half of the fifth before the Bee Jays had their best opportunity in the sixth.

Jaron Robinson opened the top of the sixth with a double to the gap before Cale ODonnell singled, putting runners on first and third with no outs. Lopez got a strikeout before getting he got Bee Jay catcher Garrett Scott to ground into a double play.

It makes things really easy, said Lopez of pitching in front of a defense he trusts. You can just fill up the zone, and you know theyre going to have your back no matter what happens.

Hays outfielder Trevor Boone smacked a one-out double in the bottom of the sixth but stayed there after a pair of fly outs.

Lopez returned for his final inning in the seventh and sat down the Bee Jays in order, getting a ground out and his sixth and seventh batters.

Alex was really good, Leo said. He made pitches when he had to. Thats a sign of an experienced guy.

The seventh was the pitchers 12th consecutive scoreless inning to open the season. In Fridays seven innings, he said he rarely used his offspeed pitches.

Really working the fastball in on both sides of the plate was really good for me tonight, Lopez said.

Lopez handed it off to Ryan Kotulek for the eighth. After a leadoff single, Boston snagged a liner at short and threw to first for a double play. After playing third and short last year, Boston started the year handling most of the action in right field. With Trey Ochoa gone for the weekend, Leo was comfortable sliding Boston back into one of the most important defensive spots.

Hes a great utility guy, Leo said. Hes a very good athlete. He can handle a lot of spots for us.

Boston led off the bottom half with a walk and moved to second on a Boone single with one out. That ended Cooks night after 7.1 innings. The Liberal starter worked around 10 hits and struck out two with a walk. Derek Craft came on and got a fielders choice that moved Boston to third for Hays third baseman Alex Weiss. Weiss flared a pitch to right but saw it snagged by the Liberal outfielder.

It was far from the only time the Larks sent hard-hit balls right to Liberal fielders.

He barreled too hard, Leo said of Weiss. We did that several times during the night. Im encouraged by what were seeing.

Tyler Starks took the mound in a save situation in the ninth. After a lead off single, the Hays closer got Scott to ground out to Larks first baseman Jace Selsor. Selsor was able to step on first and throw to Boston at short, who tagged ODonnell for the second out of the inning. Starks recorded the save with a called third strike.

The Stephen F. Austin product appears to be in line to hold down the closer role this summer.

Hes the guy, Leo said. He wants the baseball. Hes used to that. Hes a competitor. Hes got the right demeanor for that situation.

The Larks will look to take the series in Saturdays Game 2. First pitch is set for 7 p.m. at Larks Park.

Hays 1, Liberal 0

Liberal 000 000 000 0 7 0

Hays 100 000 00X 1 10 1

Lopez, Kotulek (8th), Starks (9th) and Jones. Cook, Craft (8th) and Scott. W Lopez. L Cook. S Starks. 2B Jones, Boone (Hays); Robinson (Liberal).

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Lopez wins dual, lifts Larks to win over Liberal - Hays Daily News

Cost is one question but partisan politics may undo Liberal defence plan – CBC.ca

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There was a very instructive moment this week amid all of the political messaging, applause and back-slapping involved in the arrival of the long-awaited Liberal foreign policy statement and defence review.

It happened when Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan was asked, in front of a sea of uniforms, to guarantee his exhaustive, occasionally thoughtful piece of policy homeworkwould survive beyond the life of the current government.

The report, after all,is supposed to be a 20-year document.

His response was somewhat awkward: "We as a government and future governments owe it to the Canadian Armed Forces that we fully fund the Canadian Armed Forces on a long-term footing."

Much of the post-policy coverage has, justifiably, focused on fiscal skepticism.

Do the Liberals have the money? If so, where is it? Will it add to the deficit? If so, by how much?

The answers were: Yes. Stay tuned. No. And see the previous answer.

The skepticism, however, has deep and tangled roots, some of them fresh in terms of the string of broken Liberal campaign promises; others stretch back decades where history is littered with well-crafted and some not-so-well-crafted defence policy plans.

The Trudeau government may have given Canadianssome crisp, well-honed ideas and fact-based conclusions in the report about a world in turmoil, many of which run contrary to what they campaigned on.

But what Sajjan's rather tentative call to arms indirectly exposed is perhaps the biggest failing of this latest endeavour and maybe even the ones that preceded it: The absence of clear, unambiguous, long-term political support.

So, forget about the budget for a minute. Think Parliament.

"Unless you do get a consensus, some kind of bipartisan consensus, which I think is possible, then this policy is going to be very short-lived," said Richard Cohen, a retired military officer who servedin the Canadian Forces and the British Army.

He should know.

A member of the military looks on as Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan unveils the Liberal government's long-awaited vision for expanding the Canadian Armed Forces Wednesday. (Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press)

As an adviser to former defence minister Peter MacKay, Cohen was one of the people who helped craft the ephemeral 2008 Conservative defence strategy document.

That 20-year plan survived a little less than 20 months from the time it was introduced, said Dave Perry, of the Canadian Global Affairs Institute.

TheConservative planwas sacrificed in a bid for abalanced budget, but in light of the toxic politics of the day succeeding governments, regardless of their political stripe, would have had a tough time swallowing even the more palatable portions.

The survival of this plan will depend on "whether there is cross-parliamentary and cross-partisan support," Perrysaid.

The two major overseas deployments in recent years have been either politically divisivethink Afghanistanor languished in misunderstood obscurity, such as Iraq.

The defence minister wasn't the only one in the spotlight this week.

Behind Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland's measured, sometimes chirpy, delivery of a major policy speech on Tuesdaywere some stark words and reality.

"To put it plainly: Canadian diplomacy and development sometimes require the backing of hard power," she saidin her speech.

Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland delivering a speech on Canada's foreign policy future in the House of Commons Tuesday. (Chris Wattie/Reuters)

The notion that Canada can no longer be entirely comfortable under the U.S. security umbrella is remarkable in its sobriety and significance.

Yet, it was politics as usual in the House of Commons after Sajjan delivered his plan.

"The previous government announced a lot of things, didn't put the kind of money forward in stable, long-term predictable ways,and that's what we've done," Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said answering opposition criticism.

What the Liberals haven't done is the kind of painful, political bridge-building that may be necessary in times that they themselves acknowledge are extraordinary, said Cohen.

"Neither [opposition]party is very supportive of the end result it seems to me," he said.

The Liberals would argue that both the Conservatives and NDP had their chance during the months of public consultations held during development of the policy.

And, in fairness, neither opposition party has shown any inclination towards ratcheting back the partisan rhetoric.

But Cohen argues the government has an extraordinary opportunity to take politics out of national defence and build some kind of long-term consensus in the implementation of its policy.

"I think this is a time when parties are moreor lessaligned on what they see in terms of our national goals. It is the means they are arguing about," he said. "I think it's possible to come to a consensus, but who knows, maybe it's too late."

Cohen said an overhaul of the House of Commons and senate defence committees,or creating some other kind of body,might provide a venue for bipartisan co-operation.

The almost-established parliamentary oversight committee on national security promised by the Liberals during the election could have provided such a bipartisan forum.

But defence is not included within its already sprawling mandate.

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ESPN Hides Overwhelming Truth About Liberal Bias – NewsBusters (blog)

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NewsBusters (blog)
ESPN Hides Overwhelming Truth About Liberal Bias
NewsBusters (blog)
Approximately two-thirds (64 percent) of respondents believe ESPN is getting it right in terms of mixing sports news and political issues. Another 10 percent had no opinion and 8 percent said ESPN does not do enough politics in its programming.

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ESPN Hides Overwhelming Truth About Liberal Bias - NewsBusters (blog)

VIDEO: June 9 is Tax Freedom Day – Surrey Now-Leader

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If taxes had to be paid up front, Fraser Insititute calculates it would take until June 8

Today is the first day of the year our income is entirely our own.

Thats according to Fraser Institutes annual calculation that June 9 is this years Tax Freedom Day.

Each year, the Vancouver-based think-tank adds up the total yearly tax burden for Canadian families by federal, provincial and municipal government.

The idea is that if taxes had to be paid up front, Tax Freedom Day marks the first day of the year families can start keeping their entire income, instead of being used to pay their taxes.

In 2017, the average Canadian family will pay about $47,000 in total taxes. Thats 43.4 per cent of their annual income going to income taxes, payroll taxes, health taxes, sales taxes and more.

Its difficult for average Canadians to add up all the taxes they pay in a year because the different levels of government levy such a wide range of taxes, and thats why we do these calculationsto give Canadians a better understanding of exactly how much they pay to government, said Charles Lammam, director of fiscal studies at the institute.

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VIDEO: June 9 is Tax Freedom Day - Surrey Now-Leader

Briefs: Utah Foundation, PECO, Utopia, Inc., PRMI, rural housing – Salt Lake Tribune

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He praised Kroes and his staff for building "a remarkable legacy."

The foundation also hired Samantha Brucker, who has a background in environmental and energy affairs and water resources, as a research analyst and made Shawn Teigen a vice president and research director with responsibilities for the office's day-to-day management.

PECO Real Estate, Almanac Realty to form retail-focused company

Park City-based PECO Real Estate Partners said it has received a $300 million commitment from Almanac Realty Investors to form a retail-focused company called PREP Property Group.

The investment by New York City-based Almanac will enable PREP to grow its business of "repositioning undermanaged, capital-starved, poorly merchandised or distressed" malls and other commercial retail centers.

Michael Phillips will be president and CEO of PREP, which spun out of Phillips Edison and Co.'s former development and strategic divisions. It has expertise in every aspect of retail shopping center operation and management, added chief operating officer Sara Brennan.

Founded in 1981 as Rothschild Realty, Almanac said it has invested $4.4 billion in 39 companies in North America.

Utopia Fiber moves to Murray, will add interactive demo space

The Utah Telecommunication Open Infrastructure Agency, better known as Utopia Fiber, has moved its offices to 5858 S. 900 East in Murray. This summer, the fiber optic network will add an interactive demo space to showcase the bandwidth capabilities of its system, said Executive Director Robert Timmerman.

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Briefs: Utah Foundation, PECO, Utopia, Inc., PRMI, rural housing - Salt Lake Tribune

Let’s break down the incredible Black Panther trailer – The Verge

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The first teaser trailer for Black Panther is finally here, and it looks incredible. If there was ever any doubt about how Black Panther, one of Marvels more enigmatic and under-appreciated superheroes, would fare on the big screen, this two-minute spot should put those fears to rest. Theres political intrigue, a sci-fi utopia, and plenty of action to look forward to, with a largely black cast put right on center stage.

But more than being just generally entertaining, this trailer is dense. Director Ryan Coogler has clearly done his homework on Black Panther lore, pulling in threads and ideas from some of the characters best stories over his 50 year history. Lets break some of them down.

Potential spoilers ahead.

Right off the bat, it should strike you that a movie trailer about the first black superhero in mainstream comics opens on a meeting between two white characters. Thats almost certainly by design. Weve met both of these characters before and they provide a window into a world that has been a complete mystery to us and the Marvel Cinematic Universe up until now.

Lets start with Everett K. Ross, played by Martin Freeman. He was first introduced in a minor role in last years Captain America: Civil War, but hell play a major part in this film as TChallas (Chadwick Boseman) key American ally. His role pulls directly from Christopher Priests classic 1998 Black Panther run, where Ross is a hapless government agent assigned to keep an eye on TChalla during a diplomatic crisis. Just like in the comics, he initially knows little about Wakanda. But is he ever going to learn.

Across from him is the one-armed Ulysses Klaw (Andy Serkis), a traditional Black Panther villain who was first introduced onscreen back in Avengers: Age of Ultron. Hes a gangster and smuggler whos been trying to steal Vibranium the metal Black Panthers suit is made of from Wakanda, the hyper-advanced African nation where TChalla is set to rule as king. Hes likely a pivotal figure in the unrest TChalla will have to face as ruler.

The crux of the film looks like itll have to do with TChalla returning to Wakanda to claim the throne. His father, King TChaka, was killed in Civil War, so its now up to TChalla to rule and deal with the drama that comes with his new duties.

Its from his point of view that we really see Wakanda for the first time. The first place we see is Warrior Falls, where his coronation will take place.

This gives us a peek at how Coogler has envisioned Wakanda for the film: a techno-utopia that features both futuristic airships and traditional culture. Its beautiful to behold, but also hints at how complicated life in the country is. TChalla will have to balance his responsibilities as a monarch with his life as a superhero, and thats going to be a difficult task. King TChaka (John Kani) even returns to do voiceover in the second half of the trailer, intoning, You are a good man with a good heart. And its hard for a good man to be king.

A major challenge for TChalla will be the factions vying for supremacy in Wakanda, a theme writer Ta-Nehisi Coates touched on in his recent run in the comics. Wakanda has numerous tribes across its numerous regions with varying levels of influence, even though the Black Panther is the leader of the entire country. One powerful figure among those tribes is Man-Ape (Winston Duke), another Panther villain who appears late in the trailer.

However, the core villain looks like it might be NJadaka, otherwise known as Erik Killmonger (Michael B. Jordan). Killmonger, who first appeared way back in Don McGregors epic 1970s Jungle Action comic run, is a Wakandan exile who holds a powerful grudge against TChallas father. Hes the mental and physical equal of the Black Panther in the comics, and once even managed to best TChalla in combat at Warrior Falls.

Some of Wakandas most powerful figures, both in the comics and in this trailer, are women. The most visible ones are the Dora Milaje, Black Panthers royal guard and traditionally his wive-in-training. They all kick ass. Theres Ayo, played by Florence Kasumba and first seen in Civil War. (You might also recognize her from Wonder Woman, where she played the Amazon Senator Acantha.) She doesnt play around. In the comics, she even helped lead a revolution against Black Panther himself.

Theres Okoye, played by The Walking Deads Danai Gurira, the leader of the Dora Milaje. And theres Nakia, played by Lupita Nyongo. Nakia fell deeply in love with TChalla in the comics, and her obsession with him eventually made her an enemy. Well see where Coogler takes their story in the film.

Even beyond the Dora Milaje, the royal family is sure to be formidable. Angela Bassett plays Queen Mother Ramonda, and even though we see her briefly, shes sure to play an important supporting role to TChalla. And then theres Princess Shuri (Letitia Wright). First introduced in Reginald Hudlins Black Panther run in 2005, shes TChallas kid sister. She eventually goes on to become a Black Panther and Queen of Wakanda, but thats probably a ways off.

One more thing. That purple blast before we see Black Panther flip off a destroyed car almost certainly comes from his suit, meaning well get the chance to see what he can really do. The vibranium armor TChalla wears is arguably as advanced as Tony Starks Iron Man armor, only with the emphasis put on stealth and agility instead of flight. With it, he can fire powerful energy blasts, scale buildings, and take gunfire without so much as blinking an eye.

Theres so much more that we still dont know about whats to come for this movie. (Which is good! Trailers really shouldnt give everything away!) But theres plenty to be excited about, particularly for new and long-time Black Panther fans.

Black Panther hits theaters on February 16th.

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Libya dismantle Seychelles to send stern signal to Nigeria – Goal.com

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The Mediterranean Knights began their quest for a ticket to Cameroon 2019 on a solid note against the Pirates

Libya outclassed Seychelles 5-1 to begin their 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign on a solid note.

Goals from Anis Saltou, Ahmad Benali, Hamdou El Houni, Mohammed Zubya and Muaid Ellafi were all the Mediterranean Knights needed to pummel the east African nation.

However, Leroy Coralie got a goal for the visitors in the 90th minute to leave the Tripoli Stadium with little to cheer about.

With this win, Javier Clementesmen lead Group E with three points and superior goals difference as they await the result of the Nigeria versus South Africa tie in Uyo.

Libya have failed to qualify for the last three editions of Afcon with their last participation at Equatorial Guinea and Gabon 2012.

They would hope to build on this momentum when they travel to South Africa on March 27, 2018, while Seychelles welcome Nigeria toStade Linit.

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Absolute Seychelles: New magazine providing insider’s guide to this island destination – eTurboNews

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A new publication The Absolute Seychelles magazine aimed at enhancing visitors knowledge of the ins and outs of the destination was launched this week.

Featuring a wide selection of photos, editorial pieces and adverts, the magazine depicts the islands history, must-see attractions, as well as the best of accommodations, restaurants, beaches and other products.

The Minister for Tourism, Civil Aviation, Ports and Marine, Mr. Maurice Loustau- Lalanne and Chief Executive of the Seychelles Tourism Board, Mrs. Sherin Francis were among guests present at the launch on Wednesday. The event at the Traders Vic restaurant of the H Resort Beau Vallon Beach was also attended by local tourism trade partners, especially those featured in the magazine.

Absolute Seychelles has been produced by a UK-based company, Make a Difference Media Ltd., in collaboration with the Seychelles Tourism Board (STB), which provided logistical and editorial support.

Mrs. Francis expressed satisfaction with the quality of the product and described the magazine as a perfect coffee table book that should be well-received, especially in the UK where it will be mostly distributed.

Absolute Seychelles is another marketing tool that will help to provide more information about the destination giving us added visibility in the process, said Mrs. Francis.

For his part, Minister Loustau-Lalanne said the magazine depicts Seychelles in the luxury destination category, adding that it also brings out a new definition to luxury, which is isolation. He also seized the occasion to present a new challenge to the publishers aimed at promoting the Seychelles Creole food.

I would love to be able to do a project with your approval about Seychellois food in the not too distant future, said Minister Loustau-Lalanne.

Absolute is a magazine brand based in Brighton, UK that has been going for 12 years. Simon Darcy Abbott and business partner David Camici bought the magazine which comes out every six weeks, about 2 and a half years ago revamping it completely, apart from the name.

Mr. Abbott said the idea for the Seychelles issue emerged about two years ago after discussions with the then Tourism Minister Alain St Ange, who believed that such a publication could help entice visitors to go out of their hotels to experience the culture and the people.

Its been hard work but its been worth it now to see the finished result and see how people are responding to it, said Mr. Abbott.

The first edition of Absolute Seychelles which contains 150 pages has been printed in 10, 000 copies and will be made available in a selected group of hotels and at the airport. The Seychelles Tourism Board will be using the magazine as a marketing tool at its various promotional events around the world.

Mr. Abbott said the bulk of the publication would be distributed in the UK, mostly to high net worth individuals interested in travelling.

Absolute Seychelles also has an electronic version and both the physical and electronic copies are distributed for free, as Abbott said the magazine makes money through advertising.

Rate card for full page A4 is 1590, which weve tried to set at a fair price point so its affordable to all. With that though you would have possible editorial support in the magazine, social media support and website support throughout the year, to send us offers, news events, anything you like email it to us we put online for you, said Mr. Abbott.

Copywriter and Senior Tourism Consultant Mr. Glynn Burridge who works for the Seychelles Tourism Board and worked as a guest editor for the new magazine encouraged businesses present at the launch to get onboard the next edition.

Absolute Seychelles is expected to be a yearly publication. A second edition of around 250 pages is already planned for end of February 2018.

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Further growth in Seychelles’ visitor arrivals from German-speaking market – eTurboNews

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The Seychelles Tourism Board office in Frankfurt along with Air Seychelles and other trade partners have been redoubling efforts to create awareness of the destination across target market in the region in line with recent developments, particularly new nonstop travel options to Seychelles.

Air Seychelles already launched nonstop, twice-weekly flights from Dsseldorf, Germany in March 2017, while Austrian Airlines will be starting once-weekly flight from Vienna to Seychelles as of October this year.Following a series of trade fairs and exhibitions in Austrias capital, Vienna, in the German cities of Stuttgart, Munich, Berlin and in St. Gallen, Switzerland during the first three months of the year, the second quarter of 2017 is focusing on roadshows and workshops aiming to inform travel agents of the new flight options.

Following a series of trade fairs and exhibitions in Austrias capital, Vienna, in the German cities of Stuttgart, Munich, Berlin and in St. Gallen, Switzerland during the first three months of the year, the second quarter of 2017 is focusing on roadshows and workshops aiming to inform travel agents of the new flight options.

Edith Hunzinger, Manager of the Seychelles Tourism Board office in Frankfurt, together with Victor von Schweinitz from Air Seychelles were joined by representatives from several Seychelles hotels including Constance Hotels, Le Duc de Praslin, Eden Bleu Hotel, Hilton Hotels, La Digue Island Lodge, Raffles Hotel and Valmer Resort as well as Destination Management Company, 7South on a three-stop tour of the Western German cities of Dsseldorf, Frankfurt and Stuttgart in April.

Venue in Frankfurt is tastefully and stylishly decorated (left) to welcome the travel agents, who listen attentively to the presentation.

Dsseldorf was of particular interest with the recent introduction of Air Seychelles twice weekly service linking the capital of North-Rhine-Westphalia, Germanys most populous state to Seychelles.

The workshops were supported by two German tour operators, Explorer Fernreisen in Dsseldorf and FTI in Frankfurt and Stuttgart. Over 200 travel agents in total responded to invitations to attend the events across the three cities.

Through a combination of casual talks, dinner, and short presentations by trade partners, the travel agents received first-hand information and were able to ask questions. Air Seychelles and other partners also offered air tickets, accommodation and additional services to two prize winners in each city who will be joining a familiarization trip to Seychelles later this year.

In addition to the national airline, the Seychelles Tourism Board office in Frankfurt is also collaborating with other carriers that are already or will soon be bringing visitors from the German-speaking market to Seychelles. This includes Qatar Airways, Condor, Emirates Airline, Ethiopian Airlines, Etihad Airways, Turkish Airlines and Austrian Airlines.

A radio promotion with Condor, which is currently providing nonstop service from Frankfurt and a workshop with Austrian Airlines from June 18-24 in preparation for the launching of its nonstop service to Seychelles feature on the program of upcoming events. As part of its marketing efforts, STB Frankfurt will also join a workshop being organized by Swiss tour operator Dpart Voyages in the last week of June.

Visitor arrivals from Germany, Switzerland, and Austria stood at 28,354 as of June 4, 2017, according to the Seychelles National Bureau of Statistics representing a 24 percent increase over last years figures for the same period. Germany, which boasts a 28 percent increase in visitor arrivals so far, has sent 19,949 visitors to Seychelles, and is currently the second top market after France, which has sent 20,088 or 139 more visitors to the islands.

Manager of the Seychelles Tourism Board office in Frankfurt Edith Hunzinger is convinced that the ongoing increase in travel options, combined with the booming economy in this market and eagerness of German, Swiss, and Austrian visitors to spend large amounts of their incomes on vacations in far-away places promises an even better performance from these source markets in the coming weeks.

Our steady presence in the media, our strong showing at important travel shows, and our hard training of and close cooperation with travel agents are, of course, helping to steer the market in the right direction. We have to educate the trade continuously, so they can provide knowledgeable advice to their clients. In the immediate wake of our workshops, we have already registered significant boosts in contacts and requests from these areas at our office. However, training of travel agents is a long-term investment, and we are expecting to reap the benefits of what we are doing at present for many years to come, said Hunzinger.

PHOTO (Pictured from left to right): Rui Oliveira (Eden Bleu Hotel), Hubert Hoareau (7 Degrees South), Victor von Schweinitz (Air Seychelles), Katrin Pauli (Constance Hotels), Roya Fadai (STB Frankfurt), Sylvia Fletcher (Raffles Hotel), Edith Hunzinger (STB Frankfurt), Paul Helmo (FTI), Carolin Diesel (Hilton Hotels), and Derek Savy (Le Duc de Praslin, Valmer Resort, La Digue Island Lodge)

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Caribbean must press ahead with adaptation to climate change – South Florida Caribbean News

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Despite US announcement of withdrawal from Paris Accord

MIAMI A grouping of representatives of the Caribbean American and US private sector, non-government organizations and regional governments has urged that the Caribbean region, while disappointed with Americas withdrawal from the Paris Accord, use this development to generate greater enthusiasm among Caribbean populations to move ahead with enhanced measures for adaptation to climate change.

The meeting identified among the possible enhanced measures greater collaboration among stakeholders to include the business sector, intensified public education programs on environmental issues, the establishment of a US/Caribbean Sea Council and strategic use of social media as a means of fundraising so as to be able to execute relevant programs.

The roundtable was put on by Americas Relief Team (ART), Institute of Caribbean Studies (ICS) and the Guyanese American Chamber of Commerce (GCAA) and hosted by Serfaty Law P.A. to commemorate United Nations World Oceans Day which is celebrated each year on June 8.

The discussions focused on preservation of the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean which spans much of the geographic space of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), including Guyana and Surinam in South America and Belize in Central America.

In welcoming participants host Charles Serfaty said that the roundtable is being held at a critical juncture and pointed out that world ocean assets are valued at some $24 trillion (US) with an extra US 2.5 trillion annually from the goods and services derived from the oceans.

He pointed out that while the value of the assets and goods and services from the Caribbean Sea and Atlantic Ocean might not have been assessed, we are well aware of their critical importance to the economic well being of the nations and people of the Caribbean.

Chairman of the event, Wesley Kirton in his remarks pointed to the possible adverse effects climate change through sea level rise would have on CARICOM member states and the wider Caribbean noting that these would impact women and children the most.

Todays event is intended to remind everyone of the importance of the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean to everyday life in the Caribbean and to generate ideas and recommendations for the sustainable management of these bodies of water as well as the need for measures that would help us best adapt to climate change, Kirton said.

President of he Washington-DC based Institute of Caribbean Studies (ICS) Dr. Claire Nelson pointed to the importance of the blue economy to the Caribbean region and the need for heightened recognition of the benefits this economy brings to life in the region.

Against this backdrop Dr. Nelson recommended that efforts be made to put in place a US/Caribbean Sea Council that would include all stakeholders. She also pointed to the need for the Caribbean private sector in the region to play a more active role in developing the blue economy.

Dr. Teo Babun, president and chief executive officer of Americas Relief Team (ART) referenced changing weather patterns caused by climate change which is resulting in extreme conditions including flooding, long dry spells and hurricanes in the Caribbean and Central America.

He said these conditions are negatively impacting the lives of millions of people but resources have dwindled due to budget cuts, as well as the allocation of resources to Africa where much larger numbers have been affected.

Dr. Babun stressed the need for new approaches to resource mobilization and endorsed the suggestion of Ms. Demzy Gueits of Serfaty Law that greater use be made of social media to raise funding for programs and projects in support of climate change adaptation.

Ms. Gueits pointed out that through social media millions of individuals, businesses and organizations can be reached to solicit support for these efforts. She noted that the younger generation has concerns about the environment and would be willing to contribute to such efforts.

Robert Hans, managing partner of IOS Partners told the meeting that US President Donald Trumps recent withdrawal announcement from the Paris Accord should not daunt the spirits of activists and stakeholders but should be used as a call to action to intensify efforts to prepare to effectively address the consequences of climate change.

Hans identified the need for closer collaboration and coordination among stakeholders as they seek to identify strategies and implement projects designed to cushion the worse effects of climate change.

Hanssaid the private sector in both the US and the Caribbean should play a bigger role by supporting research to enhance the blue economy as well as public education programs on preservation of the environment that would appeal to various sections of the population, including children.

Speakers and other participants at the roundtable to commemorate United Nations World Oceans Day.

The chairman of Guyanas Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) Larry London told participants that his country has been working to limit greenhouse gas emissions from aircraft serving the Guyana market. He said that new laws and regulations will form part of an aviation master plan which will be developed over the next year.

London said that Guyanas President David Granger has committed to developing a green economy notwithstanding ExxonMobils oil and gas discoveries. He also pointed to Guyanas commitment to working with the regional and wider international communities through its Low Carbon Development Strategy and its Iwokrama Rainforest Project.

Recommendations emanating from Thursdays meeting are expected to form part of the discussions later this month in Washington, DC during Legislative Week which is part of the Caribbean Heritage Month observance.

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World’s largest cruise ship, Symphony of the Seas, takes to water for first time – USA TODAY

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The world's largest cruise ship, Royal Caribbean's Symphony of the Seas, took to the water for the first time on Friday at a shipyard in France.

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Royal Caribbean's Symphony of the Seas in a dry dock at the Saint-Nazaire, France in June 2017. Soon after this picture was taken, the dry dock was flooded, and Symphony touched water for the first time.(Photo: Royal Caribbean International)

The construction ofSymphony of the Seas, the largest cruise ship ever, hit a major milestone on Friday as the ship took to the water for the first time.

The 230,000-ton Royal Caribbean vessel was floated outfrom a dry dock at thegiant STX shipbuilding facility in St. Nazaire, France, where it has been under construction for more than a year. The float out marks the end of exterior work on the ship. It now will undergo months of finishing work to its interior.

Scheduled to debut in April, Symphonywill be more than 3,000 tons bigger than the current size leader in the cruise world, Royal Caribbean's 226,963-tonHarmony of the Seas.Like Harmony, Symphony will bepart of Royal Caribbean's record-breaking Oasis Class of ships, though it won't be an exactcopy of its sisters. Royal Caribbean has said Symphony will boastseveral new features and additional cabins.

New Royal Caribbean Symphony of the Seas cruise ship will be the world's largest

Symphony is scheduled to sail to the Caribbean out of Miami starting in November 2018. It'll move to the city after spending its first few months operating voyages in the Mediterranean.

Royal Caribbean's Oasis Class vessels have made waves in the cruise industry since they began debuting in 2009. All three of the Oasis Class ships currently at sea are in excess of 225,000 tons more than 30% larger than the next largest cruise ships.

With the arrival of Symphony, Royal Caribbean will have 25vessels.

Five things to love about Royal Caribbean's new Harmony of the Seas

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New Pride Events In The Caribbean Reflect Acceptance And Visibility – NewNowNext

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by Bryan van Gorder 21h ago

The Caribbean is a perennial hotspot for vacationers who seek tropical climes, pristine beaches, and relaxed, island culture. However, LGBT travelers seeking sunny skies and a warm welcome might find themselves left out in the cold on some islands.

Of the 28 island nations that inhabit the Caribbean, nine currently criminalize same-sex sexual relations, particularly between men. In Jamaica, homophobia had become so pervasive that a 2006 Time magazine article questioned if it were The Most Homophobic Place on Earth?, a mantle it has not entirely been able to shed despite a follow up piece in 2015 remarking on the countrys improvements.

Of course, there are some havens friendly to LGBT travelers. In most cases, these bright spots are former commonwealths or current territories of the U.S., the U.K., France, or the Netherlands. St. Barthlemy (a.k.a. St. Barts), the U.S. Virgin Islands, and St. Martin/St. Maarten are all welcoming destinations.

That does not always translate to progressive attitudes toward the islands own citizens, however. Catholicism has a strong foothold in the Caribbean with nearly 60% of the regions population identifying with the Church. Same-sex marriage, adoption rights, and protections from discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity are rare, only occurring in territories and commonwealths where required by law.

Despite all this, attitudes may be shifting, perhaps evidenced by a handful of Pride events starting to appear on the more populated islands.

For instance, CHIC Punta Cana, a resort located on Uvero Alto beach in the Dominican Republic, has announced its plans to host Caribbean Pride, September 16-23. They have already enlisted Torontos Female Delusionist, Miss Conception (above), and New York DJ, Johnny Dynell have already been confirmed to perform.

We are proud to join in the annual pride celebrations that take place all around the world, said Managing Director of Blue Diamond Resorts, Jordi Pelfort, in a statement. Its the perfect time for us to show the global LGBT community were standing alongside them, and we want to give everyone a welcoming and inclusive experience. Last month, Havana celebrated its fourth annual Day Against Homophobia (IDAHO). The two-week event headlined by Cuban superstar, singer Haila Mompie, included symposiums, lectures, films, art exhibits, and live theatre.

The Cuban governments relatively progressive stance on LGBT issues are due, in large part, to activist Mariela Castro-Espin. A straight ally, Castro-Espin is daughter of President Raul Castro (and niece of Fidel Castro) and has been the director of the Cuban National Center for Sex Education (CENESEX) in Havana, which has led the charge on campaigning for LGBT rights and HIV prevention. HBO recently produced the documentary, Mariela Castros March: Cubas LGBT Revolution (above), about her.

Photo by David Gasser/LatinContent/Getty Images

PRIDE Puerto Rico, will take place in San Juan on June 25, starting at 11:00 a.m. The march originates in Parque del Indio in the Condado area and proceeds to Parque del Tercer Milenio at the entrance of Old San Juan. Vanessa Fox, Sofia Loreins, and Bam Bam Le Blanc, among others, are scheduled to perform. Curaao, an island nation located 30 miles off the coast of Venezuela, held its historic first Pride event last year. Its sophomore outing is scheduled to take place September 28-October 1 with events that include the Navigaytion Sea Parade and a Pride Beach Party.

Bryan van Gorder usually writes about the places he's been or the famous people forced to talk to him.

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New Pride Events In The Caribbean Reflect Acceptance And Visibility - NewNowNext

McDonough festival to showcase Caribbean culture June 17 – Henry Herald

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McDONOUGH The 7th McDonough Caribbean Cultural Festival 2017 will bring Caribbean culture to Alexander Park next Saturday.

Hosted by the Caribbean Association of Georgia Inc., the free event will feature Caribbean-themed music and entertainment, food, prizes, a childrens area, vendors, games, a talent showcase, free medical screenings and more.

Chris Scott, president of the Caribbean Association, said the festival will allow families to experience Caribbean culture in an open environment, in recognition of June as national Caribbean Heritage Month.

The festival is a part of helping people enjoy and understand Caribbean culture and celebrating their contributions to the community, said Scott.

Scott said the festival serves as a fundraiser for things the group does in the community and around the world, such as feeding veterans and the homeless, providing high school scholarships, mission trips and providing homeowner and immigration workshops.

The city of McDonough has partnered with the festival for five years. District 2 Councilwoman Sandra Vincent said the citys willingness to partner with the Caribbean Association stems from the Associations charitable acts.

So this is one way for the city to help indirectly with humanitarian efforts. We thought it would be a good thing to do, Vincent said.

Vincent added that the festival also supports the citys diverse population.

We have a huge Caribbean population in McDonough. One of our goals as a city is to try to be representative of the diversity of our community, and this is just one of the ways to do that, said Vincent.

The festival will be held from 1 to 8 p.m. June 17 at Alexander Park, 300 Atlanta St. in McDonough.

Attendees are encouraged to bring blankets and lawn chairs.

For sponsorship or vendor information, call 404-858-4260 or 678-902-4224.

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McDonough festival to showcase Caribbean culture June 17 - Henry Herald

Visit the Caribbean island that A-list celebrities love and it’ll cost less than you’d expect – The Sun

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THEY say everyones famous for 15 minutes but if youve got 43,000 in your account, you can live like the rich and famous for two weeks every year.

The ultra-exclusive Royal Westmoreland estate in Barbados where Wayne and Coleen Rooney, Joe Calzaghe and Andrew Flintoff own sprawling homes is inviting people to live the showbiz life by offering the chance to buy two weeks (or more) in one of their multi-million pound homes at a fraction of the full price.

The golfing resort, where holidaymakers pay upwards of 25,000 for a week in the Rooneys seven-bedroom villa, boasts one of the poshest addresses in the Caribbean and the views complete with monkeys jumping from palm tree to palm tree are divine.

Sir Cliff Richard, Denise van Outen and Gary Lineker are all regulars in the swish clubhouse or on the tennis courts.

I saw stars from Made In Chelsea sipping cocktails at the laidback Mullins Beach Bar, and Jeremy Clarkson and James May were spotted drinking their famous rum punches a few days later.

Its easy to see what draws the in-crowd to the sun-drenched island.

Barbados is around 300 square miles of breathtaking contrasts, with the Atlantic Ocean sending waves crashing against the rugged cliffs of the less-populated east coast, less than an hours drive away.

While fine dining restaurants and trendy cocktail bars abound, one of the highlights of any week spent in Barbados is a Friday night at Oistins Fish Fry, where locals, celebrities and tourists head for the ultimate street food experience and rub shoulders late into the night.

Delivered from the tiny boats that drop anchor just a few feet away, fish really doesnt come any fresher than from these makeshift market stalls.

And if youve spent the day in the turquoise sea as I did, swimming with turtles and sipping mojitos mixed by the Cool Runnings catamaran captain, a no-frills plate of grilled mahi-mahi and mouthwatering macaroni pie completes what could well be the perfect day.

But while the Fish Fry might be one of Rihannas favourite nights out, the eye-wateringly expensive The Cliff is the number one spot on the celebrity circuit.

We went for drinks at the recently opened Cliff Beach Club an achingly-cool addition where the prices are more reasonable and you can dance the night away under a canopy of cream sails and glitterballs as fish swim up to the decking below.

Foodies should also take in magical Tides restaurant in Holetown the favourite haunt of Royal Westmorelands owner, John Morphet.

He has already started building homes on a 500-acre plot next to his own sprawling estate, which will also accommodate a second world-class golf course.

He said: Barbados is probably the friendliest place on earth and the special thing about Royal Westmoreland is that it doesnt matter if youre a billionaire businessman, pop star or just a regular family here on holiday.

You enjoy exactly the same treatment and that makes it an incredibly relaxed and special place to be.

I want more people to experience that.

Some of the new properties he is building will offer a surprisingly affordable way of owning a luxury home.

Shares in a fabulous four-bedroom Royal Palm Villa, complete with infinity pool and golf buggy for nipping to and from the estates popular rum shack, start from 81,000 for two weeks in low season every year for life.

The only problem I can see is that a fortnight just isnt long enough.

WHILE we dont all have the spending power of Wayne and Coleen Rooney, it is still possible to enjoy a fabulous Barbadian break on a much more down-to-earth budget.

As the endless pictures of the footballer and his offspring show, Barbados fabulous beaches are open to all.

Whether you are splashing out 25,000 a week renting an eight-bedroom villa or enjoying the more humble pleasure of a 3H hotel away from the coast, everyone gets to enjoy the soft white sands.

The western coast beaches are best for classic Caribbean scenery and gentle waves.

Mullins Beach is one of the most popular with a shack behind it selling beer, rum and ice cream.

The rather more upmarket Mullins Beach Bar is a great place to watch the sun set over a more substantial meal.

Also on the west coast, Gibbes Beach is a little bit of a starspotters gem.

Fringed by mega mansions, you may share the 300-yard arc of soft sand with villa owners such as Michael Flatley.

But to truly mix with the locals, head down to Miami Beach, also known as Enterprise Beach, outside the fishing village of Oistins.

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Barbadians gather here at weekends and at sunrise and sunset to jog along the sand.

Its not great for swimming as the main beach can attract the rolling surf and bigger waves but enjoying a Bajan fishcake from Mr Delicious Snack Bar is a must.

If you want to splash out on one mega-meal while youre on the island, head to The Cliff on the west coast where you can spot manta rays swimming under the impossibly romantic terrace.

Also popular with the stars but surprisingly welcoming for all is Daphnes right on Paynes Bay Beach offering classic Italian favourites with a Caribbean twist.

Rooney and his family are often seen enjoying the incredible watersports on offer from the islands beaches.

Spyswatersports.com offers flyboard and hoverboard rentals, as well as waterskiing and paddle boards.

For a more relaxed way to enjoy the crystal clear waters, check out Cool Runnings (coolrunningsbarbados.com) which offers a variety of cruises, giving you the chance to either chill with a cocktail as the sun sets, swim with sea turtles or snorkle a shipwreck with colourful tropical fish.

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Visit the Caribbean island that A-list celebrities love and it'll cost less than you'd expect - The Sun

Travel Impressions Talks Caribbean Travel, Millennials – TravelPulse

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PHOTO: The Caribbean may have some competition. (photo via Flickr/Travelbusy.com)

The modern travel agent has an amazing opportunity as well as some hurdles in the Caribbean as well as for travel in general.

Travel Impressions president Scott Wiseman was at the Caribbean Tourism Marketing Conference and spoke to the audience gathered at the Wyndham New Yorker Hotel during Caribbean Week New York.

Wiseman took the opportunity to bolster confidence in the industry and tout the Caribbean as a market that remains one of the best products in the world.

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The president also had comments for the way the industry has shifted thanks to a younger generation eager to enjoy both the Caribbean and the great beyond.

He offered some words of caution as Latin American countries promise to entice a great deal of travelers in the near future:You can look at any tourism barometer and see that travel to the Caribbean is trending upwards.

As the press release further explained: Wiseman cautioned attendees about some of the Caribbeans tourism-hungry neighbors, many of which are on pace to provide stiff competition in the coming decade. He noted Central American destinations such as Costa Rica, Panama and Nicaragua in particular.

When it comes to selling the Caribbean, Wiseman offered salient adviceto anyone in the industry: Marketing is a lot like agriculture. Its an essential exercise to grow your tourism product. As decision-makers for your destinations, youre responsible for planting the seeds that will ensure your tourism appeal remains vibrant for years to come. This is true for destinations worldwide, but is especially crucial for the Caribbean because of your economic dependencies on tourism.

In particular, Wiseman points to the millennial generation that has forced travel marketing to evolve:

Pristine pictures in ads have given way to social media accounts that show more raw images, footage and on-the-fly media sourced organically by influencers they trust or hope to emulate. This group and the rising generation are looking for more connected experiencespictures and quick videos that are immersive, destination-specific, and happening in real time. They dont want to be sold; they want authenticity, visual storytelling and virtual experience.

Bank of America unveiled its study of 40 million transactions this past April and showed millennials illustrated a remarkable growth in the sector with a 31 percent increase in travel transactions. FutureCast announced last year that it found this younger generation was responsible for $200 billion annually on travel.

The younger generation, however, also continues to find value in a classic booking model. TravelPulses Janeen Christoff previously explained millennials are using travel agents to book family travel and quotes Eileen Ogintz of the website Taking the Kids: Advisers in the Virtuoso network, which specializes in luxury travel, gathered recently in Las Vegas and reported that families, in particular, are looking for special experiences that they may not be able to arrange on their own.

Its that urge to find a unique trip and the means to experience it that should have travel agents targeting this demographic en masse.

READ MORE: Travel Agents Make Their Case With US Legislators

Wiseman echoes that sentiment, stating, Millennials are more likely to book their vacation through a travel agent than any other age demographic.

And it would be wrong to dismiss them: a lot more complex than the selfie generation label might suggest. Millennials arent coming to your shores to spend their entire week tanning poolside. They come to experience things worthy of their Instagram feedand they want to cram as much into their vacation as possible.

The younger generation is getting older, however.

That means its important to stay ahead of the curve and utilize such budding Google searches as the ones pointed out by Wiseman: Best Vacations for Kids Under 10, Inexpensive Family Vacations, Baby-Friendly Vacations, Family Trip Ideas, and Family Vacation Ideas with Toddlers were the top five breakout search trends.

Using the generations online vernacular is paramount for travel agents. The most important takeaway, however, is that this generation understands how indispensable agents are to the cause.

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UK May Get Subsidy-Free Power From Offshore Wind Farms – Bloomberg

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Britain may soon join Germany in harvesting subsidy-free electricity from offshore wind farms, giving government ministers new options in securing power supplies that dont pollute.

Until recently, turbines based at sea were among the most costly forms of power generation, requiring more than $100 a megawatt-hour, which is more than the cost of the latest nuclear power station in the U.K. Across Europe, costs have fallen rapidly in the last year and industry experts say the U.K. could see equally aggressive bidding this year.

In April, Germany accepted bids from developers to build offshore wind farms for an average of 4.40 euros ($4.93) a megawatt-hour, below the current market price for power meaning the facilities essentially will work without subsidy.

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The British government soon will collect bids for a 290 million pound ($375 million) funding round for offshore-wind projects to be completed in the early 2020s, and industry officials are speculating how low developers might bid. While the headline cost reported in the U.K. wont be directly comparable with Germanys, its likely to show progress toward the goal having the technology work without government support.

If they dont do that, then they will not be competitive, Torben Hvid Larsen, chief technology officer at MHI Vestas Offshore Wind A/S, said in an interview in London on Thursday.

A spokesman for MHI Vestas said the companys official outlook is for the technology to still require some support from government, though the results will indicate a trajectory toward subsidy-free pricing in future offshore wind auctions.

Winners are expected to be announced later this year, and as many as seven offshore wind farms may qualify to bid, according to Bloomberg New Energy Finance.

British projects have higher prices than those in Denmark or the Netherlands, where either utilities companies or the government absorb the costs of hooking the wind farms into the grid. In the U.K., developers must pay for site surveys and grid connections, making projects in Britain appear more expensive than those elsewhere, according to the trade association RenewableUK.

The amount of subsidy paid is the difference between the wholesale price of energy and the investment required to make a return on a renewable energy plant. To match Denmark, the Netherlands and excluding grid costs, the U.K. would need to see bids from 60 pounds to 69 pounds a megawatt-hour, said RenewableUK.

For it to be shockingly cheap in the way that Denmark and the German auction have been, a price in the 60s would be amazing,said Emma Pinchbeck, executive director of RenewableUK. My personal view is that a price in the 70s is not unlikley.

Prices for offshore wind in Europe have fallen dramatically in the last half decade and plunged 22 percent in 2016 alone, according to BNEF.

While the U.K. auction system operates differently to that in the U.K., calculations can be made that allow companies to compare costs, said MHI Vestas Larsen.

MHI Vestas, a joint venture between Denmarks Vestas Wind Systems and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, this week unveiled a 9.5-megawatt machine, the worlds most powerful wind turbine, as part of its efforts to increase the size of turbines and reduce their costs.

Wind turbines account for about 40 percent of the cost of offshore projects, said Larsen. Bigger blades are at the heart of Germanys subsidy free bids. Dong has said it expects machines able to produce 13 to 15 megawatts each for its projects when theyre due to be completed in 2025.

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UK May Get Subsidy-Free Power From Offshore Wind Farms - Bloomberg

Why Teekay Corporation and Teekay Offshore Partners Got Fried on Friday – Motley Fool

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Morgan Stanley just torpedoed these tanker stocks. What happened

Shares of Teekay Corporation (NYSE:TK) and of its Teekay Offshore Partners (NYSE:TOO) subsidiary are down 6.1% and 19.5%, respectively, as of 12:15 p.m. EDT.

This morning, investment banker Morgan Stanley cut its rating on both stocks from "equalweight" to "underweight."

Citing Teekay proper's "fragile ... liquidity," Morgan Stanleyhoned in on the even greater vulnerability of the Teekay subsidiary, warning that "TOO's balance sheet remains under stress as the company has large unfunded liabilities and a considerable portion of its cash flow is at risk as many of its offshore contracts come to expiration." To keep itself solvent, Morgan Stanley believes Teekay Offshore may be forced "to issue large amounts of new equity [to raise cash] to meet its obligations," diluting Teekay Corporation's stake in the stock -- and individual investors' stakes as well.

Image source: Getty Images.

It gets worse. Citing a "sum-of-the-parts" valuation of Teekay Corporation's "three daughters," and subtracting "the net liabilities at the parent level and after applying a 25% discount on the $251m net claims from TOO," Morgan Stanley believesTeekay Corporation itself is worth only $3 per share (half of what the stock sells for today), while Teekay Offshore is worth only $1.50 (barely half what its stock sells for).

So, what's the upshot for investors today? Both of these stocks have roughly 50% downside risk to them.

No wonder investors aren't sticking around to find out if Morgan Stanley is right.

Rich Smith has no position in any stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

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Why Teekay Corporation and Teekay Offshore Partners Got Fried on Friday - Motley Fool

Sea Shepherd’s New Film Documents the Fight Against Offshore Oil in the Australian Bight – TheInertia.com

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The Inertia Contributing Writer

Southern right whales are at the center of the fight against offshore oil development in the Great Australian Bight. Photo: Sea Shepherd

'Operation Jeedara' Sea Shepherd from Fair Projects on Vimeo.

Within a year of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill which spewed 140 million gallons into the Gulf of Mexico the Australian government began greenlighting offshore oil drilling in the Great Australian Bight, a vast undeveloped bay on the continents southern coast.

The region is one of the last large remaining areas of marine wilderness on the planet, and a critical nursery for southern right whales, among other species. As the Great Australian Bight Alliance puts it: BIG OIL=BIG RISKS, and the group has mounted a campaign to prevent offshore drilling in waters it calls far rougher, far more remote and far riskier than the Gulf of Mexico.

Those efforts are the focus of Operation Jeedara, a forthcoming documentary by Sea Shepherd, the ocean conservation group, which debuted in Australia around Earth Day. The film premiered in the United States on World Ocean Day, June 8, at the Harmony Gold Preview House in Hollywood.

Weve got to protect these healthy intact marine ecosystems for our own survival on this planet, says Jeff Hansen, Director of ship operations for Sea Shepherd Global.

From the looks of the trailer, the film promises to be a powerful look at the lives human and otherwise that could be in jeopardy from offshore drilling in the region.

The bight supports an incredible number of sea life, including whales and marine mammals thanks to nutrient upwellings. Scientists estimate that around 85 percent of the species that live in the Great Australian Bight are found nowhere else on Earth, according to the alliance.

A spill on the scale of the Deepwater Horizon must never happen to the Bight whose clean and healthy waters support peoples lifestyles and local industries right across southern Australia, the Alliance says on its website. Coastal communities people from Western Australias southern coastlines, across the coasts and peninsulas of South Australia and Victoria, to the beaches of Tasmania value and rely on our clean oceans, beaches, islands, reefs and fisheries.

Appearing in the film alongside Sea Shepherd founder Paul Watson, will be a few recognizable faces from Hollywood: actors Holly Combs, Richard Dean Anderson and Cliff Simon.

Sea Shepherd is currently figuring out its distribution strategy, so be on the lookout for the film.

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Sea Shepherd's New Film Documents the Fight Against Offshore Oil in the Australian Bight - TheInertia.com

BSEE doubles offshore oil lease time limits to one year | WorkBoat – WorkBoat (blog)

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A final regulation by the federal Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement doubles to one year the time offshore oil and gas operators will have to coordinate development operations and retain their leases in federal waters of the U.S. Outer Continental Shelf.

This rulemaking extends the time from 180 days to one year between production, drilling or well-reworking operations on a lease, said BSEE Director Scott Angelle. These additional months mean companies doing business on the Outer Continental Shelf will have more planning flexibility, which will help them be more cost efficient, create more jobs and maximize the economic benefit for the entire nation.

The change was mandated by Congress with the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2017 that became law in March. BSEE set to amending its regulations in response, and a notice of the final rule, titledOil and Gas and Sulphur Operations on the Outer Continental Shelf Lease Continuation Through Operations,was published in the June 9 issue of the Federal Register.

The extension of time also affects related BSEE guidance documents, such as NTL No. 2008-N09, and unitization agreements that follow a BSEE-approved model, the bureau said in announcing the rule adoption. BSEE plans to revise the relevant notices to reflect the extension of the 180-day requirement to one year, and encourages parties with existing unit agreements to consider revising those agreements to reflect the change.

The lease time extension comes as Trump administration officials promised sweeping reform and streamlining of permit processes, to expedite new transportation and energy infrastructure projects. At the Department of Transportation in Washington, D.C. Friday, DOT Secretary Elaine Chao and Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke appeared with President Trump to talk about permit reform.

Its a new Interior, we want to be a partnerwe are about to embark on one of the largest reorganizations in department history, said Zinke, whose agency is also looking to revamp how it manages offshore energy. Were going to change that because America wants action.

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BSEE doubles offshore oil lease time limits to one year | WorkBoat - WorkBoat (blog)