Daily Archives: July 7, 2017

Princess Cruises Offers Families Savings for Caribbean Sailings – PR Newswire (press release)

Posted: July 7, 2017 at 2:33 am

Princess offers a wide range of comfortable accommodations for families or groups traveling together. There is room for up to four guests in all types of staterooms -- interior, balcony and mini-suites, many with interconnecting options and each guest can enjoy the ultimate sleep at sea in the Princess Luxury Bed. Developed in collaboration with board-certified sleep expert Dr. Michael Breus and renowned HGTV designer Candice Olson, the bed combines the science of sleep with the pinnacle of design.

New Interactive Games & Family-Friendly Offerings

For game lovers on these Ocean Medallion Class Ships, the following interactive games will be available.

At the newly launched Camp Discovery youth center created in partnership with Discovery Consumer Products, the licensing arm of Discovery Communications -- Princess offers a wide selection of programs and activities where kids and teens will make memories and create keepsakes while sailing on the Caribbean-bound Regal Princess and Royal Princess.

As part of the cruise line's Discovery at Sea program, there are three center themes where kids and teens can make new friends and participate in activities specially designed to help them Discover, Play, Create and Huddle, including

New youth and teen center programming includesMythBustersscience activities with new hands-on challenges, featuring show star Tory Belleci. In addition, new Camp Discovery offers destination-themed programs focusing on the Caribbean to immerse young cruisers into the culture, nature and customs of this region.

Families will also enjoy lively concerts, sporting events and hit blockbuster films at Movies Under the Stars, a giant 300-square foot poolside movie theater. Princess makes this experience even more special with personal touches including comfortable chaise lounges and cozy blankets in the evening.

More information about OCEAN is available at ocean.com

For additional information on Ocean Medallion vacations on Princess Cruises, please visitwww.Princess.Com/Ocean.

Additional information about Princess Cruises is available through a professional travel agent, by calling 1-800-PRINCESS or by visiting the company's website atprincess.com.

About Princess Cruises:One of the best-known names in cruising, Princess Cruises is a global cruise line and tour company operating a fleet of 17 modern cruise ships renowned for their innovative design and wide array of choices in dining, entertainment and amenities, all provided with the experience of exceptional customer service. As the world's largest international premium cruise brand, Princess carries two million guests each year to more than 360 destinations around the globe on more than 150 itineraries ranging in length from three to 114 days. The company is part of Carnival Corporation & plc (NYSE/LSE: CCL; NYSE: CUK).

Newsroom: Additional media information is available at princess.com/news.

1Offer valid on interior, balcony and mini suite cabins on seven-day cruises. Excludes holiday cruises. Third and fourth guests for 10-day cruises start from $199.

2017 Carnival Corporation. OCEAN, Ocean Medallion, and the OCEAN and Carnival Corporationtrademarks are trademarks of Carnival Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/princess-cruises-offers-families-savings-for-caribbean-sailings-300484175.html

SOURCE Princess Cruises

http://www.princess.com

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Princess Cruises Offers Families Savings for Caribbean Sailings - PR Newswire (press release)

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A weak Tropical Depression Four is tracking west toward the Bahamas – Washington Post

Posted: at 2:33 am

Tropical Depression Four the fourth tropical cyclone of the 2017 season developed late Wednesday east of the Caribbean. If the storm strengthens, which seems unlikely, it would become Tropical Storm Don.

On Thursday morning, the depression was about halfway between the Lesser Antilles and the coast of Africa.

The wind shear around the storm has weakened, which should allow it to maintain its intensity over the next day or so. But the shear, which acts to tear storms apart and keep them from strengthening, is expected to increase as the storm drifts west. That alone would probably be enough to keep this weak tropical depression at bay.

But its also surrounded by very dry air with origins in the Sahara Desert, and that will probably be the nail in the coffin for Tropical Depression Four. These cyclones need warm, moist air to strengthen and grow, and it looks like the Saharan air layer is going to wrap around the system over the next couple of days and extinguish thunderstorm development.

A few of the forecast models are predicting that the system will strengthen modestly, though these particular models tend to not perform well in situations like this. The global models (GFS, UKMET and European) are all predicting that the storm will dissipate before it reaches the Bahamas.

For the time being, the the National Hurricane Center predicts that Tropical Depression Four will maintain its weak intensity over the next 48 hours before dissipating by Saturday or Sunday.

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A weak Tropical Depression Four is tracking west toward the Bahamas - Washington Post

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Bahamas Can Advance With Win Over Haiti In Cazova Sr Volleyball – Bahamas Tribune

Posted: at 2:33 am

By RENALDO DORSETT

Tribune Sports Reporter

rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

CONSECUTIVE losses at the CAZOVA Senior Championships for Men have Team Bahamas in an unfavourable position and out of contention at the group stage.

Team Bahamas lost to Jamaica in three sets - 25-18, 25-19 25-18 - last night at the tournament hosted in Couva, Trinidad.

On night one, the Bahamas lost a tough five-set match to Barbados - 22-25, 25-19, 12-25, 25-18, 15-11.

Prince Wilson, captain of Team Bahamas (the 2012 champions) said he felt his team did not play to their true potential.

We only played in patches and we need to improve overall very quickly as we look to win the tournament and qualify to the next round.

Bahamas coach Covance Mortimer echoed the views of his captain, saying: We did not keep focus for the match at all. There were also too many mental errors on our path and in the fifth set our game just broke down completely.

The Bahamas has been placed in Group E with Jamaica, Haiti and Barbados. They face Haiti today in the final game of the group stage. The playoffs are slated to begin on Friday (July 8) and wrap up on Sunday (July 9).

The tournament serves as a qualifier for the World Championships with the first two teams earning their automatic berths into the next round.

The CAZOVA Senior Championships for Women will be hosted July 26-31 at the same venue. The Bahamas will be placed in Group D with Martinique, Trinidad & Tobago and Guadeloupe.

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BAMSI contractor could face jail time in Bahamas – Magnetic Media (press release)

Posted: at 2:33 am

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Bahamas, July 6th 2017 Nassau BAMSI contractor, Audley Hanna has been found guilty of property scam and could face up to three years jail time. Earlier this week, Hanna appeared before Magistrate Samuel McKinney where he pleaded guilty to a charge of stealing by reason of service.

According to reports, Hanna received $50,500 from Tariana Ceremy between September 2007 and September 2012, under the assumption that he was selling a lot in Tellie Court, off Cowpen Road. However, it turned out that Hanna was not owner of the property and cheated the woman into a bogus property sale.

Hanna is the same contractor who was involved in the controversial multi-million dollar BAMSI contract to build a facility in Andros. However, after the institutes dorm was set on fire, officials discovered that Hanna never paid all the risk insurance. This also affected taxpayers money.

Magistrate McKinney has now ordered Hanna to refund the woman $25,000 by September 8 and pay the balance of $25,500 by November 30th or be remanded at the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services.

The Bahamas government has yet to recover the money from the BAMSI contract.

Story By: Kay-Marie Fletcher

#MagneticMediaNews

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BAMSI contractor could face jail time in Bahamas - Magnetic Media (press release)

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Minister Pintard Speaks at NBA/FIBA Event in The Bahamas DH – Magnetic Media (press release)

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Bahamas, July 5, 2017 Nassau Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture the Hon. Michael Pintard speaks at the Basketball Without Borders (BWB) Americas 2017 Press Conference, at the Kendal Isaacs Gymnasium, on July 5, 2017. Also pictured is National Basketball Association (NBA) player Dwight Powell of the Dallas Mavericks.

This is the first BWB camp for The Bahamas and it is a joint initiative of the NBA and the International Basketball Federation (FIBA), with the local Bahamas Basketball Federation (BBF). Players and coaches from the NBA/Womens National Basketball Association (WNBA) and FIBA will facilitate the training of the more than 60 young players from about 16 countries in the region slated to take part in the camp.

Also shown are organizers, facilitators and campers; and photo of Minister Pintard (left), Dwight Powell (centre), and Director of Culture Timothy Munnings.

(BIS Photos/Eric Rose)

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Bahamas Power and Light company may be responsible for their increase in fuel – Magnetic Media (press release)

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Bahamas, July 6th 2017 Nassau Bahamians may now be experiencing the burden of higher fuel charges, and it may be the fault of the company itself. According to the Central Bank of The Bahamas (CBOB), the increase in The Bahamas Power and Light fuel charges is a result of their high use at the Blue Hills Power Station.

A report from the Central Bank has revealed that the BPLs household energy costs increased by almost 50%.

Central Bank said that BPL began a robust plan to overhaul its engines at the Clifton Pier Power Station in preparation for the 2017 summer season since last year. As a result, greater reliance on the units at the Blue Hills Power Station were needed. The heat during the summer period increases the demand for power supply.

In other words, because the company opted to use a more expensive engine this year, a higher fuel charge was demanded. That combined with fuel prices globally determines the monthly fuel charge for customers.

However, Central Bank admitted that the fuel charge is a direct pass through to the customer and is not associate with BPLs operating costs.

Customers may not have any say in this, however, since a five-year legislation called regulatory holiday hinders the Utilities Regulation and Competition Authority (URCA) from intervening with BPLs prices. Basically, it means that URCA cant regular or challenge BPLs prices for the first five years of the agreement that they signed with the government.

Additionally, BPL is not required to advise the public when surcharges increase or decrease.

Story By: Kay-Marie Fletcher

#MagneticMediaNews

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Bahamas Power and Light company may be responsible for their increase in fuel - Magnetic Media (press release)

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Former Bahamas PM warns new Govt to remain humble – Magnetic Media (press release)

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Bahamas, July 6th 2017 Nassau Former Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham is warning the FNM to remain humble. Speaking from experience, former leader of the reigning political party says that he does not want to see the Minnis-administration follow in the footsteps of others by getting swell headed and not being able to regain power.

Ingraham said hes realized a trend amongst Bahamian people over the last 25 years. He noted that every election the people vote against governing parties rather than in support of opposition parties. As a result, the FNM may not have won because the Bahamian people loved Minnis. Rather, it was as a result of more voters being fed up with the PLP. The FNM secured 35 out of 39 seats in the House of Assembly in the May 10th election.

Now that theyre in office, Ingraham says, Populations after theyve voted are sometimes very happy with what they decided and sometimes they have remorse immediately. On Wednesday, Ingraham aired some advice to the government by saying, If I had one word to say to the FNM as the new administration is they have to be on their guard to ensure that the public accepts that theyre going to remain humble.

Ingraham added, and they are going to seek to do the things they said they would do or as many of the things they can do. The former Prime Minister highlighted one common error that he hopes the FNM not repeat, to seek to provide a job for everyone who got elected.

Before his retirement, Hubert Ingraham led the FNM into four elections. He served as Prime Minister from 1992-2002, and 2007-2012.

Story By: Kay-Marie Fletcher

#MagneticMediaNews

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Former Bahamas PM warns new Govt to remain humble - Magnetic Media (press release)

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Bahamas Political leader to be replaced – Magnetic Media (press release)

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Bahamas, July 6th 2017 Nassau Unable to gain any seats in the general election for a second time running, the Democratic National Alliance (DNA) is now restructuring. The party, which is only six years old may also be getting a face lift as the present leader, Branville McCartney may soon be replaced.

After only receiving 7,537 votes in the May 10th election, Branville McCartney seemed to have gone silent and disappeared from the public. The DNA leader is now speaking out for the first time since his defeat but is unable to confirm if he will remain the leader of the political party.

Yesterday McCartney said, In terms of me putting myself forward, that has not been determined as yet. However, Deputy Leader, Chris Mortimer appeared much more confident by stating, I can confirm that I will be looking into the leadership of the DNA fairly soon.

Mortimer also added, I will be looking forward to taking up the mantle of leadership with respect to the DNA and explained, I believe that I have the support of a number of executives in the DNA and Im looking forward to bringing the ideas that will transform our country. And I also believe that I will have the support of Mr. McCartney when I do stretch my wings and become the leader of the DNA.

McCartney revealed that the party will be meeting soon to discuss the way forward.

Story By: Kay-Marie Fletcher

#MagneticMediaNews

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Floating Offshore Wind Has Come of Age. Now It’s Ready to Scale – Greentech Media

Posted: at 2:32 am

Wind energy may have achieved one of its most significant landmarks ever with WindEuropes announcement that floating offshore turbine technology has come of age.

WindEurope, which represents the interests of the most advanced offshore wind markets in the world, last month claimed a breakthrough pipeline of projects proved floating turbine designs had achieved technological maturity.

Floating offshore wind is no longer consigned to the laboratory: Its a viable technology ready to be rolled out on an industrial scale, said the industry body in a recent press release.

WindEurope expects 298 megawatts of floating offshore wind projects to be commissioned between 2017 and 2021, starting with this years 30-megawatt Hywind Scotland wind farm, which is being built by Statoil and Masdar.

By 2030, MAKE Consulting, which is owned by GTMs parent company Wood Mackenzie, predicts around 4 gigawatts of floating offshore capacity will have been installed worldwide.

This is a drop in the ocean compared to the almost 1,260 gigawatts of wind capacity that the Global Wind Energy Council expects to see installed by 2030, under its most conservative forecast.

Long-term, though, MAKE managing consultant Michael Guldbrandtsen said floating offshore could come to dominate the wind industry. "First of all, offshore wind is in a very good position to out-compete onshore wind, at least in some of the key offshore markets," he commented.

"And if we look at offshore wind, I also think that in the long term, sometime post-2030, we definitely see floating wind has the potential to play a bigger role than bottom-fixed foundations in some markets, he said.

When this is going to be the case is difficult to say and will depend on progress when it comes to cost reductions,"Guldbrandtsen added.

Based on figures from the Taiwanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the U.K.-based Carbon Trust, WindEurope estimates there is potential for 4,000 gigawatts of floating offshore wind in Europe, 2,450 gigawatts in the U.S., 500 gigawatts in Japan and 90 gigawatts in Taiwan.

In Europe and Japan, 80 percent of all offshore wind resource is in waters beyond 60 meters in depth, noted WindEurope in its Floating Offshore Wind Vision Statement last month. In the U.S., the figure is 60 percent.

Dr. R.V.Ahilan, group director of renewables advisory and energy technology at LOC Group, a marine engineering consultancy, said: As a technology, [floating wind] has certainly come of age. In terms of commercialization, I believe it has some time to run.

Achieving a commercial scale of several hundreds of megawatts' worth of production capacity would still be challenging, he said. One hurdle is that there is no consensus on what kind of floating substructure should be used for the turbines.

Currently, WindEurope lists four substructure designs for floating offshore wind.

The spar buoy design planned for Hywind and the semi-submersible platforms slated for the 10-megawatt Dounreay Tr project next year are considered to have a technology readiness level of more than eight, meaning they have been qualified through tests and demonstrations.

A third design, the barge, is expected to surpass a technology readiness level of eight this year, with the fourth configuration, called a tension leg platform, following in 2018. It is still unclear which of these will be best suited to the upcoming generation of mega-turbines, though.

The size of turbines is rapidly increasing, with MHI Vestas currently proposing 9.5 megawatts, and I believe by early to mid-2020s we will be at 15 or more, Ahilan said.

That plays beautifully into reducing the numbers of floating foundations and building foundations that are very large, he said.

Another issue is how quickly floating offshore wind will be able to slide down the cost curve. There is some debate about this.

A studyreleased last year by the International Energy Agency forecasted a median cost reduction of 38 percent by 2050, and a more optimistic prospect of up to 53 percent, which was identical to the most aggressive forecasts for onshore and fixed-bottom offshore technologies.

What is clear, if the onshore and fixed-bottom offshore experience is anything to go by, is that floating wind may not take long to become competitive. And then the sky is the limit. The real estate that will become available will be in the thousands of gigawatts, said Ahilan.

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Floating Offshore Wind Has Come of Age. Now It's Ready to Scale - Greentech Media

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Stand firm against offshore oil | Editorials | postandcourier.com – Charleston Post Courier

Posted: at 2:32 am

When President Obama considered opening the Atlantic Coast to offshore oil exploration, he rightly got an earful from concerned coastal communities. Now that President Trump has brashly begun work on an early do-over of Mr. Obamas plan, he should expect the same.

Indeed, given the universal coastal opposition to Mr. Obamas plan, one wonders why the Trump administration is venturing again into those chilly waters.

Mr. Obamas five-year National Outer Continental Shelf Oil and Gas Leasing Program runs from 2017-2022 and does not allow for oil drilling on the Atlantic Coast. In December, he also permanently barred oil drilling in North Atlantic waters under the 1953 Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act.

Those protections were implemented almost entirely thanks to the unified voices of hundreds of coastal municipalities and elected officials representing millions of residents from Florida to Virginia.

Every coastal government in South Carolina publicly opposed offshore oil, as did Reps. Mark Sanford, R-S.C., Tom Rice, R-S.C., and James Clyburn, D-S.C.

Their voices made a difference.

But in April, Mr. Trump signed an executive order that calls for a new review of his predecessors offshore oil rules. And this week, he announced that the Interior Department would begin updating its five-year plan earlier than scheduled.

Before the Trump administration can rewrite the rules, however, the public will have a chance to weigh in.

The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management will be accepting public comments on the five-year plan update through Aug. 17. And the National Ocean and Atmospheric Administration is accepting public comments on seismic testing a damaging precursor to offshore drilling that can harm marine life through July 21.

It is time, once again, for coastal voices to let the president know that the Atlantic is not open to the oil business.

Coastal recreation accounts for more than $20 billion in annual economic impact for South Carolina alone. About 60 percent of the states tourists visit a coastal area, according to the state Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism.

Optimistic estimates contend that oil and gas drilling could bring the state about $2.7 billion over a two-decade period.

In other words, South Carolina and other Atlantic states would be risking their valuable tourism and recreation economies, not to mention priceless marine ecosystems, for a risky, dirty industry that would at best generate less than 1 percent of the value of existing coastal businesses.

It doesnt make sense at any level.

The rest of South Carolinas legislative delegation particularly Republican Sens. Tim Scott and Lindsey Graham should take note of the unrelenting coastal opposition to oil and gas drilling and stand against Mr. Trumps plans.

So should Gov. Henry McMaster, who opposed the proposal as lieutenant governor, but has been silent on the issue since taking office in January.

A change in the White House does not signal a change in public opinion on a dangerous, wrongheaded plan to drill in Atlantic waters. Coastal communities must remain firm in letting federal agencies and elected officials know that we still oppose offshore oil.

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Stand firm against offshore oil | Editorials | postandcourier.com - Charleston Post Courier

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