Category Archives: High Seas

We greet the 8th Anniversary of the passing of President Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela with news of protest from Nkosi Dalibhungas burial place at Qunu. The community complains that they have not had running water for the past 8 months. Meanwhile barely 20kms away at Madibas birth place Mvezo Komkhulu there hasnt been running water for the past 27 years since the dawn of democracy. As Shakespeare says in Hamlet: Theres something rotten in Denmark.

Its as if we have already forgotten the powder keg of failed insurrection that was lit and erupted this past July 2021. Driven by grinding poverty, rampant unemployment and social discontent over land, housing and lack of access to economic opportunities; the embers of disruption are smoldering and alive.

President Cyril Ramaphosa has been calling for hope and renewal since Nasrec 2017 and yet we have logged our worse Local Government Elections result since the dawn of democracy with the ANC dropping below 50% for the first time. What is amiss and where is the hope?

Undoubtedly, we have entered a new era with the dynamics of coalition politics coming sharply to the fore. However, the vultures and prophets of doom have a lot to do to explain their Armageddon scenario predictions. President Nelson Rolihlahla Mandelas ANC may be in deep trouble but it is far from dead or dying.

LGE 2021 was a shock but not entirely unexpected. Political analysts are at pains to explain that the ANC won an outright majority in 160 or so municipalities in comparison with the largest opposition parties the DA and EFF winning an outright majority in about 20 and 10 municipalities respectively. This requires a myopia of a special kind to justify the public presence and space that the official opposition occupies. That unfortunately is the nature of South African politics and not necessarily a bad thing.

The ANC remains a formidable force for change in South Africa but it better heed President Ramaphosas calls for renewal, rebuilding and restoring hope. We still have much of Tatomkhulus legacy in tact although revisionists pop up now and then with half baked theories of selling out, compromising the poor or other far-fetched conspiracy theories.

We give credence to these false narratives about Nkosi Dalibhunga and the future of the ANC and South Africa when we dont listen to the people. LGE 2021 is now firmly in our past yet it is as if the penny has not dropped and for some its business as usual.

I listened to the impassioned pleas of our communities in Port St John on the eve of elections unhappy with the subversion of the ANCs new candidate selection process. By what logic do we appoint leaders that the community rejects. This is arrogance of the highest order and vitiates against everything Madiba and his generation of elders stood for.

Listening alone wont suffice for as Amilcar Cabral reminds us in

Return to the Source: Always bear in mind that the people are not fighting for ideas, for the things in anyones head. They are fighting to win material benefits, to live better and in peace, to see their lives go forward, to guarantee the future of their children. . .

Our children will have no future if we do not step away from the fires of the July insurrection with a clear plan about what we must do about the underlying problems it highlighted. For one we know it was incited, orchestrated and fanned even as the flames flared. We owe South Africa answers or face the likelihood of a fatal recurrence.

There may well be those who prefer to knock holes into the hull of the ship to spite the captain and crew. President Ramaphosa and our ANC government have this reality to contend with as well as the imperative of rebuilding a ship on the high seas. President Mandela and his leadership collective intervened at a critical moment in our history to avert civil war and bloodshed. I thought of this as the failed July insurrection unfolded and I am on record saying too little too late.

We must honour Nkosi Dalibhungas legacy by doing a deep introspection as individual South Africans and as a nation. Yes there are conflicting interests yet the inevitable destiny awaits if we are lulled back into inaction, indifference or the dreaded silence. We either hold on firmly to the legacy of our founding father of the nation or there will be nobody around to hear the rest is silence.

We have been planning and talking for too long now. Its time we act and act decisively. To have real impact is not to theorise. Our people are tired of promises. Hope doesnt fill stomachs!

See the original post here:

8th Anniversary of Madiba's passing is an opportune moment to reflect - Totalprestige Magazine - Totalprestige Magazine

Light rain expected in some parts of the UAE during the long weekend Image Credit: NCM

Dubai: Ready for the long weekend? Keep your umbrellas handy if you are in these parts of the UAE.

The National Center of Meteorology shared the weather forecast during the period of the 50th National Day weekend from November 30 to December 3, 2021.

On Tuesday,cloudy skies and light rainfall were reported in parts of Dubai, Sharjah and Umm Al Quwain.

Tuesday also sawlight to moderate winds, especiallywith formation of convective clouds.

Over the long weekend, the NCM will continue to dispatch cloud seeding flights to enhance rainfall in the region,depepnding on the formation of convective clouds.

Weather on the first day of the long weekend

On Wednesday, which is National Day, theamount of clouds will decrease.

There isa probability of light rain during daytime over some eastern areas and islands of the eastern and northern coast.

Weather on the 50th National Day

The weather is expected tobecome stable by Thursday. High humidity levels are expected by eveningwith a probability of fog or mist formation by the following morning. The skies will bepartly cloudy to clear.

Humid weather and a probability of mist will continue on Friday. Partly cloudy weather is expected northward, probably accompanied withlight rainfall.

Light southeasterly to northeasterly winds are expected on Friday, gradually becoming westerly and northwesterly.

Rough seas at times

If you are planning a beach trip, be on the lookout for rough waves at times, especially on Tuesday, when it is cloudy over the seas.

Over the rest of the week, slight to moderate waves are expected in general in the Arabian Gulf and Oman Sea.

Decrease in temperatures

Maximum expected temperature during this period will be 26 to 29C in coastal areas like Dubai and Sharjah, and the islands.

Internal areas will see temperature highs of 28 to 31C, and mountainous regions will be at 16 to22C.

Minimum expected temperatureduring this period will be 26 to 2918 to 25C in coastal areas like Dubai and Sharjah, and the islands.

Internal areas will see temperature lowsof 13 to 18C, and mountainous regions will be at 10 to 16C.

See the original post here:

UAE's 50th National Day weekend: Rain and cloudy weather in these parts of the country, rough seas at times - Gulf News

Lets call Margaret McHugh troublesome - she wont mind.

And in any case the oh-so-commonly applied description forthright doesnt begin to cover it.

Her new autobiography/cookbook book The Real McHugh stands tangy testimony to her ability to apply heat, spice and dashes of sauciness as artfully in her storytelling as in her cooking.

Nowadays Picton-based, shes a chef sprung from Winton whose already strong sense of independence was further liberated in 1970 Londons still-swinging South Kensington, before she returned to Queenstown where she became a firebrand councillor and deputy mayor.

Hers was a happy upbringing enhanced by good farm cooking centred around the always-alive coal range.

Picture, if you will, a young girl waking to fresh-from-the-oven lamb.

Live ones, mind you.

They had gone into the warm open-door environs half frozen and emerged the next day fighting fit, toddling around the kitchen for a look before returning to the fields.

She grew up learning about good food though the boys on the school bus had their own view about her juvenile palate, twice a day joining in that classic refrain: Catholic dogs, sitting on logs, eating the gutses out of frogs.

To be clear, this was hardly a childhood trauma. She lambasts modern-day mollycoddling with the confidence of one who, even as a child, always felt comfortable in her own skin.

Even so, taunts required response. Hers drew just enough blood that it was deemed best she sit right up front with the driver.

Speaking by phone, she laughs at the life lesson.

The naughtiest girl on the bus gets the best seat on the bus.

Speaking of naughtiness, as a pupil in the cloistered environment of St Philomenas in Dunedin, she read about some carry-on in Britain that piqued her curiosity enough to later ask her mum what she knew about Christine Keeler and Mandy Rice-Davies.

Keystone/Getty Images

Mandy Rice-Davies, left, and Christine Keeler.

A detailed answer would have been that they were two young women central to the 1963 Profumo scandal involving a Government minister and socially unsanctioned rumpy-pumpy.

Her mothers explanation was more pithy

Dirty, dirty girls.

By 1970, living in South Kensington, working at the Turks Head, she came to know Rice-Davies as a regular, and occasionally Keeler, who struck her as less stylish but who showed a rather flattering interest in her.

Here McHughs storytelling forays well away from anything youre likely to read in an Alison Holst-styled book. She recalls Keeler inviting her along to a get-together that had orgiastic intimations. Declined, we should add.

SUPPLIED/Stuff

Margaret McHugh's former place of employment, the Turk's Head in London. She flatted upstairs and her aristocratic neighbour's long-window home was to the left.

It was a vibrant time, living above the Turks Head in an exceedingly posh part of town. Once, hastening with places to go and things to do, she bustled purposefully past a young man and an older figure - her reliably pleasant neighbour, whod struck her as a well-dressed sailor type.

Her colleagues were swift to tell her she was a Kiwi peasant. That pair who had to make way were Lord Mountbatten and his nephew, Charles.

Europe was close at hand but by the end of 1973 she was to be found among Greek hosts during the Athens student uprising against the ruling junta. Amid the turmoil, their son lay dead in the street below, his throat cut.

Might be time to come home. Her dad certainly thought so.

Supplied/Stuff

The crew of the TSS Earnslaw in the 1980s. Caterer Margaret McHugh second from left.

Before long she was working in Queenstown as a sous chef at the Skyline. Later , contract caterer on the TSS Earnslaw where, lets just say, we made our own fun.

Come 1985 she scraped on to the Queenstown Lakes District Council by fully 11 votes, which it turns out was a margin gratifyingly similar to the number of her regular bar buddies at Wicked Willies.

Her four terms on the council were never going to be placid and there was an arguably inevitable lawsuit threat resolved by a very insincere apology.

She also rails against and far-from-occasional instances of brown-nosing, coercion and bullying.

McHugh would reliably vote against going into committee as it was so often done to protect staff and councillors arses and do deals behind closed doors.

She writes of one councillor complaining about her comments while rolling on the balls of his feet and with hands thrust in his pockets, the sight of which prompted her to raise a point of order, objecting to him having a good time at my expense.

Councillors, she contends, need to shrug off work pushed at them by the administration, disregard the calls to see themselves as essentially part of a team, and should instead focus on strengthening their connections to the people theyre meant to be representing.

After four terms she resigned and soon moved to Auckland where she ran a delicatessen and out-catering business for eight years.

In time she and her partner Bill Brown tied the knot - their relationship already two years established after shed caught his eye with her big hair, big lipstick, diamonds sparkling on her fingers and a large gin in her hand, holding court

And how did they spend their honeymoon? Apart. She was at sea boatful of blokes.

McHugh had long wanted to do the ship-on-high-seas thing but not on an overcrowded cruise ship with its noise and nonsense.

Instead, seizing a two-month opportunity, the new bride found herself furiously reciting the rosary out of vertiginous fear as she climbed the steep gangway to the mighty container ship - CMA CGM Alexandra Von Huboldt. The length of four footy fields. Just her, 16,000 containers, 16 Filipino crew and 8 Croatian officers.

Settle down.

They were the loveliest guys, she recalls on the phone. Her cooking was gratifyingly appreciated and throughout the trip they were respectful and I was respectful.

She made sure they had dessert every night and she didnt talk too much.

Men, she airily adds, like peace and quiet. Unless theyre on the prowl.

I know men. I know how to get on with them and keep them at arms length with a smile on my face rather than a peg on my nose.

Its a bit of an art, but she finds they appreciate it.

SUPPLIED/Stuff

Margaret McHugh in Marlborough farmers' market mode.

Where McHugh does get in trouble, its often in circumstances that dont have her feeling troubled.

Not even when, by this stage operating the Gourmet Food Store in Picton, she engaged in an email exchange with a customer - who struck her as a tad too entitled - that resulted in international news enlivened by such McHughian observations as: You were probably bottle-fed til late teens.

If Margaret McHugh ran the world, or at least was more persuasive in it, wed certainly eat better, and there would also be a good deal less helicopter parenting and general sense of entitlement.

She doesnt contribute to food banks. She does, however, drop notes into the slots saying shes willing to teach the holder, free, how to cook for themselves. Nobodys ever taken her up, she says. Apparently what they really want is biscuits.

SUPPLIED/Stuff

Margaret McHugh's roasted strawberry shortcake - a signature dish.

Nowadays a familiar figure in the Marlborough firmament, she and Brown run Kippilaw House and do what they can to infuse their community with good food, whether its through farmers market stalls or holding classes - some for women who have had cooking classes all over the world and others for older, single, live alone men.

Within its 400-odd pages,The Real McHugh is prodigiously stocked with recipes and not short of attitude when it comes to topics like the failings of supermarkets and the nonsense of best-by dates.

Copies are available through McHughs Gourmet Deli business in Picton and in Southland will be sold once theyre unloaded on to our shores at Windsor Stationery and Lotto.

She will also be travelling this month on speaking tours, combining promotion, serving gin, juice and gems as charity fundraisers. Shell be at the Winton Garden Bar on December 14, Otatara Golf Club on December 15 and Arrowtown Lodge December 16l]

See original here:

Margaret McHugh: forthright and then some - Stuff.co.nz

The last day of our cruise brings us to Perfect Day at CocoCay.

Ideally, I prefer to have my last day onboard be a sea day, but I will never complain about spending time at CocoCay because of how much fun it is spending time there.

While this may have been my fourth time visiting CocoCay in two weeks, the weather last week was far from perfect, so today looked to be a way to end on a high note.

We did not arrive to CocoCay until almost 10am, which meant there would be a rush among guests to get off the ship at the same time. Moreover, we were sharing the island with Independence of the Seas.

What does two ships mean? There are 4100 passengers on Harmony and 3000 passengers on Independence, so while far from a full capacity day (CocoCay can handle 9-12,000 guests), it certainly would be busier than earlier this summer.

We started off with breakfast at Park Cafe, partially because I neglected to put a breakfast order in with my Genie the night before. I certainly don't mind a bagel and schmear to start my day.

By the time we finished eating, the gangway was open and we were on our way downstairs.

Walking down the pier, it certainly looked like a great day. Not oppressively hot and low humidity meant a comfortable outdoor experience.

We had nothing reserved, so grabbed a chair near Oasis Lagoon and then hopped into the pool. The pool was indeed very cold. We all braved the temperature and shivered a bit before getting used to it.

Later in the afternoon, the sun came out more and that helped make being in the water a bit warmer.

The kids went to Splashaway Bay for some kiddy slide time. While not the CocoCay water park by any means, it got some energy out for the kids.

For lunch, I had to go to Snack Shack for my favorite complimentary food: mozzarella sticks and the "secret sandwich".

To my surprise, the line for Snack Shack was really long and moved slowly. I'm not sure if they were just overwhelmed with a lunch rush, or something else, but it was the longest line I've ever experienced there. Regardless, they got the line moving and I had my food soon enough.

The afternoon was spent at the pool, and it was an opportunity to hang out with friends from the group cruise one more time.

All aboard was 4:30, so we headed back to the ship in mid-afternoon.

Since it was a 7-night cruise, unvaccinated kids needs to get a covid test done prior to disembarkation. Our genie escorted us in and got the tests complete quickly.

Back in the room, we showered, changed, and snuck in a quick nap.

Chips and dips from Sabor were waiting for us in the room, which was a nice pre-dinner snack.

We were not sure which restaurant to go to for dinner, but decided on going back to 150 Central Park.

I was glad we went back, because their entrees are really good. I really liked combining the halibut with cauliflower to combine flavor and texture.

After dinner, we said our goodbyes to friends in the pub before calling it a night.

Overall, it was a fantastic group cruise and it felt so good to see friends and make new ones along the way. After two other cancelled group cruises, this was an especially important sailing that I am glad happened without any incident.

If you'd like to join us for a group cruise in 2022, we have two more scheduled.

Thanks for reading this live blog. Our next live blog begins in a month when we fly to California to sail on Navigator of the Seas!

Excerpt from:

Harmony of the Seas Live Blog - Day 7 - Perfect Day at CocoCay - Royal Caribbean Blog

Max Meyer, 22, said he was inspired by some of the founders he met as charter guests during his five months living the Below Deck dream after high school.

Beyond hitting the high seas as a deckhand at 19, he is also the youngest law and commerce school valedictorian to come out of Queenslands Bond University.

Bond University law and commerce graduate Max Meyer says hell be looking for the most ambitious founders.Madeline Begley

Ill be looking for the most ambitious founders in sectors that are going to supercharge tomorrow, Mr Meyer said.

While the Australian venture scene is arguably best known for business-to-business software investment success, Mr Meyer said he was interested in finding founders working in clean technology.

For Silk Kadala, 28, her initial foray into the business world came through watching her parents run a gelato store.

Ms Kadala graduated from high school at 15, obtained three degrees from the University of Western Australia, helped to develop a university-to-industry consultant pipeline start-up called Western Australia University Consultants and, more recently, worked as a product analyst at a medical technology company.

In the last year, I took a step away from consulting to really reflect on what was next in my career, Ms Kadala said. I dived into researching the venture capital space, found out what they do on a day-to-day basis, and now Im super-excited to have a job in the area.

Nicole Marino cut her sales teeth selling off the plan houses at 19. Tash Sorensen

Consulting is a great job, its definitely accelerated learning, but you dont see your impact quite as much. You work really hard, you learn about a whole lot of industries, but I think on the investment side, you have multiple touchpoints, multiple founders and building multiple companies.

Ms Kadala said she was drawn to Blackbird because of its reputation, its technology investment mandate and the visibility of women such as Samantha Wong, Phoebe Harrop and Florence Doreen in senior roles.

Nicole Marino, 24, was the first person in her family to go to university. She learnt the art of sales and negotiation at 19 by selling off the plan houses often by pretending to be 25 at the time.

Ms Marino then studied economics at the University of Melbourne, graduating with first class honours.

She said Blackbirds contemporary branding was appealing and very tech.

At Blackbird, they said to me that they want to create a meritocracy, and while I dont yet know if thatll be the case, I did like the fact that they said theyd be open to my opinions, even if Im a junior, she said.

Christie Jenkins, 33, an elite athlete who learnt about the art of start-up investors as a partner at Athletic Ventures, is also joining the crew in Melbourne.

The final member of the contingent is Clare Birch, 25, a quantum chemist and former programs co-ordinator at Deadly Science, which teaches STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) skills to young Indigenous students.

The rest is here:

Young high-achievers head to VC land to hunt unicorns at Blackbird - The Australian Financial Review

The Rotary Club of Rutherglen marked a welcome return to regular, in-person meetings with a fascinating insight into all things maritime.

President Eddie Goldberg confirmed that meetings have resumed on a bi-weekly basis on Thursday evenings at 5.30pm in the Kings Park Hotel in Rutherglen. These will alternate with online virtual meetings on Zoom every other Thursday evening at the same time.

At the most recent, well-attended get together, everyone enjoyed an excellent presentation by member, Elizabeth Nairn.

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Elizabeths knowledge of the high seas, which began with an interest in stamps, has developed into a true passion, judging by her comprehensive description of Clyde-built shipping.

In particular, Elizabeth gave a very interesting description of the history of the worlds oldest clipper, the City of Adelaide. Built in 1864 to carry immigrants to Australia and later renamed The Carrick, the ship saw service in the North American timber trade, then as a hospital ship, and ended its working life as a Royal Navy Training Ship, finally retiring as the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve Club (RNVR ), moored on the Clyde.

Elizabeth followed this with a potted history of the huge contribution made by shipbuilding on the Clyde in both the Merchant Navy and Royal Navy, as set out in her excellent display, and ended with a poignant section relating to Remembrance Day.

A well-deserved vote of thanks was given on behalf of the club by Past President David Paul.

While the pandemic prohibited physical meetings, the club continued to make contributions to local and international good causes.

Recent donations included three Shelter Boxes for the European Flooding Disaster. Erskine Hospital was the worthy recipient of 1000, and a further contribution was made to the local Cambuslang and Rutherglen food bank.

The Club donated 500 towards the National APS awareness and fundraising campaign of recent guest speaker, Rotarian Phil Godfrey. It will go to APS Support UK, which helps people with antiphospholipid syndrome - an auto-immune disease which affects the blood's ability to clot.

Another recipient of a 500 donation was Kay Aschaber, daughter of former Rotary member, the late Phil Spence. Kay completed a sponsored West Highland Way walk in aid of the Queen Elizabeth Colorectal Service, which cared for her dad.

During the pandemic, The Rotary Club of Rutherglen made donations to: CHAS; Christian Aid; Healthy n Happy (CamGlen COVID) Rain or Shine; Shelter Box; Erskine; PoppyScotland; Disaster Aid; MS Society Scotland; Freedom from Fistula; Brothers in Arms; Rutherglen High School; Ashton School Fund; Haiti Disaster Appeal; Salvation Army; Kilbryde Hospice; Well-Fed Scotland; Kidney Kids Scotland; Polio Plus; The Haven; Rutherglen Social Work; APS Support UK; Colorectal Surgery Fund; CamGlen Food Bank.

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Continued here:

Good causes ride on the crest of a wave, thanks to Lanarkshire Rotarians - Daily Record

The word odyssey means an adventurous journey and there are indeed many adventures awaiting guests on every journey of Odyssey of the Seas, one of Royal Caribbeans newest and most advanced ships. How many of these thrilling features will you attempt on your next cruise?

Odyssey of the Seas is a Quantum-Ultra class ship, measuring 1,139 feet in length and weighing in at 169,379 gross tons. This provides plenty of room for amazing adventures on board, and Odyssey is packed with thrills for passengers of all ages and interests.

Royal Caribbean is well known for offering adventurous thrills on every ship in its fleet, and Odyssey of the Seas continues that tradition with several classic thrills that have come to be expected on many Royal Caribbean ships.

The first thrill Royal Caribbean ever offered is the rock wall, which was introduced in 1999 and then added to every ship in the fleet in 2002. Odysseys rock wall is a colorful climbing adventure located on deck 15, on the starboard side of the ships funnel.

Several skill levels are incorporated into the wall, and climbers of all experience levels or no experience at all! can climb to new heights to ring the bell at the top, signifying their success.

The FlowRider is another classic adventure first introduced by Royal Caribbean in 2006 and now widespread throughout the fleet. This 40-foot long surfing simulator lets guests catch perfect waves and show off boogie boarding and surfing skills right on deck.

The Odyssey of the Seas FlowRider is located on deck 16, aft, and offers both free surfing opportunities as well as private lessons (for a fee).

Sky Pad is a newer adventure on Royal Caribbean ships and was just introduced in 2018. This bungee trampoline offers both an open-view as well as a virtual-reality experience, and guests can choose whether to enjoy classic jumping or to engage in a high-tech adventure with the VR headset option.

Sky Pad has four jump pads to accommodate multiple guests at once, and on Odyssey of the Seas, guests will find the iconic yellow bubble that encases Sky Pad on deck 16.

Royal Caribbean has amped up the thrills on Odyssey with several next-level adventures that allow guests to take to the skies literally!

North Star is the ultimate observation deck, available exclusively on Royal Caribbeans Quantum-class ships. Odyssey of the Seas features the worlds tallest North Star pod, with the ability to extend more than 300 feet above sea level 1.2 degrees higher than the North Star on Spectrum of the Seas, and the tallest of any cruise ship in the world.

While the observation pod operates slowly and gently to suit any passenger, the thrilling views it offers cannot be matched. North Star experiences will vary based on the ships itinerary and whether it is in port or not, and some experiences require additional fees. Access to North Star is on deck 15.

Guests who want an even more thrilling view can take to the skies on Ripcord by iFly, a skydiving simulator that lifts guests to new heights with the guidance of an experienced skydiving instructor.

Available exclusively on the Quantum-class ships, this flight offers just a minute of airtime in the specially designed vertical wind tunnel, but the thrilling memories last a lifetime. Guests can find the access to Ripcord by iFly on deck 15, aft, and view the wind tunnel on deck 16, just forward of FlowRider.

Guests who prefer to stay grounded in their adventures wont want to miss the bumper cars in the SeaPlex on deck 15. This multi-use space is transformed into different adventures throughout every cruise, from pickleball tournaments to soccer shootouts, but the biggest thrill is when the electric bumper cars take the floor.

These full-size bumper cars offer full-size thrills that arent scaled down just because theyre on a cruise ship. The floor is generously spaced so the dozen or so cars reach top speeds and the collisions can be intense be sure your seatbelt is fastened and all belongings are tightly secured! Rides last several generous minutes and there is no charge for the adventure.

With so many adventures on available, everyone can be thrilled at this new ship and this list doesnt cover nearly every thrill on board!

Dont miss the interactive video game arcade, the robot bartenders, Splashaway Bay, the deck games, multi-sensory high-tech shows, and other thrills onboard, not to mention the thrilling destinations Odyssey of the Seas visits, including top ports of call and Perfect Day at CocoCay!

Where will your odyssey of adventures take you with Royal Caribbeans Odyssey of the Seas?

Disclaimer Cruise Hive was invited to participate in a complimentary 2-night trade sailing of Odyssey of the Seas to explore the ships thrills firsthand, but that experience in no way influences the impressions made of the ship or the recommendations made in various articles.

Read more:

What Thrilling Features Can You Find on Odyssey of the Seas? - Cruise Hive

Twelve days ago, US President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping spoke to each other by video conference and then tried to convey as optimistic a message about the relations between the two countries and about global issues as they could manage. The offices of the two presidents issued statements saying they had just had the most substantial talks between them since Biden took office in January. Both sides highlighted the personal relationship the two leaders shared and that the summit was an attempt to ease tensions between the two countries. Yet, no one around the world, and perhaps the two presidents themselves, thought that the talks went well and the world can breathe easy.

The Chinese government mouthpiece Global Times had commented before the summit that The Taiwan question is the ultimate red line of China. And the daggers were out even before the two leaders had logged off from the video call. China warned the US not to play with fire over the Taiwan issue; the US warned Beijing of stricter action against Chinese companies that flout US laws. It is evident that the fig leaf of agreement between the two countries on climate change during the CoP-26 in Glasgow is hardly wide enough to cover all the unpleasant and multiplying differences between the two powers.

Read more:Chinas Arunachal strategy comes into full view

The US has continuously raised the issue of human rights violations in the Xinjiang province where the Uyghur population has been systematically subjected to inhuman treatment by the Chinese State machinery. Beijing has dismissed these charges as baseless allegations and dumped the American protestations with contempt. Beijing has warned the US not to oppress Chinese companies under the guise of protecting American industry and workers from unfair trade practices.

International politics is all about the rise and fall of nations that once were considered leaders of the world order. In about a centurys time, the superpower crown has passed and fallen off multiple heads between the two World Wars and a Cold War and globalisation. Existing powers were challenged by emerging powers, which themselves were sometimes relegated to the background by yet another new comer on the international horizon.

While generally, scholars point out to the exertions of the US post-World War II to build the existing international order, I would think a rather more defining moment to think of in our times is the October 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis for the strong US decision-making in those 13 days in the face of another superpowers nuclear threat to the Continental United States itself. Will the crisis brewing over Taiwan blow up into such a situation and test the resolve of the US to stand by an ally and a fellow democracy? If it does, how will the US fare today?

The White House has called a conclave of democracies in the second week of December. More than 100 countries have been invited. Of course, China and Russia cant be part of it. Will the conclave signal the resolve of democracies to stand up to authoritarian states and to defeat their hegemonic designs? Will such a conclave help prevent war erupting over flashpoints?

Closer home, India has a vastly challenging regional imbalance to worry about. Geographically contiguous but highly heterogeneous in social, political and economic terms, Indias immediate and extended neighbourhood offers both serious challenges and immense opportunities to New Delhi to lead the emerging multipolar arrangement. The Indo-Pacific region requires an institutional framework and platforms for building supply chains and facilitating trade, transport and technology transfers. A large body of estranged democracies with varied agenda and lacking a unified objective cannot be of much help to New Delhi to play a leading role in the region. Ironically, while Bangladesh, which is playing a greater role in strengthening democracy and fighting terrorism, is not invited to the conclave of democracies, Pakistan, which uses terrorism as State policy and which is Chinas iron brother ally, is invited!

It will be futile to expect such a conclave to add any value to our democratic system, economic revival through supply chain systems or the regional security architecture that we seek to build.

Meanwhile, the Biden-Xi talks were overshadowed by the increasing number of sorties undertaken by Chinese fighter jets into Taiwans Air Defence Zone (ADZ) recently. The US has upped its military posture and put into action its Air Sea Battle Concept and the Joint Concept for Access and Manoeuvre in the Global Commons. These are in response to Chinese anti-access and area denial activities that is affecting freedom of movement in the air and sea in the East and South China Seas. It is clear that Taiwans status has emerged as the focal point and the bone of contention between the competing powers, fuelling questions about the need for countries, including India, to recalibrate their positions on the One China policy.

There is a visible rise in authoritarianism of the State and Party in China, the increasing power of Xi Jinping as its ruler for life, and growing belligerence in Chinas international attitude. On the other hand, Chinas economy is slowing down, its credibility is plummeting, and global acceptance of its leadership is doubtful. In such a situation, the demand for boycott of the Winter Olympics in China is gaining ground. India should support the boycott demand and signal Delhis displeasure to Beijing over the range of issues that bedevil our relations, from whats happening on our Himalayan borders to Chinas disrespect for international law and rules-based behaviour on the high seas.

A coordinated approach to counter Chinas hegemonic objectives is necessary but given the prevarications of the global powers, Delhi needs to look for new partnerships while building up its own capabilities.

(Seshadri Chari reads between the lines on big national and international developments from his vantage point in the BJP National Executive and the RSS)

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The conclave of democracies is fine, but its not going to work for India - Deccan Herald

On 2003, I arrive NCIS with the aim of showing a fiction starring a team of special agents from the Criminal Investigation Service of the United States Navy. Since then, the success has been enormous: today it is one of the quintessential police series and has become a franchise with different locations. This monday will arrive The end of NCIS: New Orleans and here we tell you everything you need to know before seeing it.

From November 8, A&E began broadcasting the episodes of the seventh season of this derived production. In this way, the series starring Scott Bakula came to the homes of Argentina, Colombia and Mexico With 15 episodes and in just two days, the outcome of the investigators who delve into the crimes and cases involving New Orleans military personnel will be known.

It is not a simple farewell: seven years have passed since this spin-off began with the agent Dwayne Pride to the head. And now, it will not only involve seeing the fight against crime in the city, but also the team led by the so-called King will need all its reserves to be able to face the terrible crisis that caused the coronavirus pandemic worldwide.

During this last season, agents have been seen Tammy Gregorio (Vanessa Ferlito) and Quentin Carter (Charles Michael Davis) They are sent by Scott Bakulas character to investigate a suspicious death aboard a humanitarian ship on the high seas, where they learn that some of the crew are infected with the deadly disease.

Also, they have had their participation the special agent Christopher Lasalle (Lucas Black), the forensic agent Sebastian Lund (Rob Kerkovich y Hannah Khoury (Necar Zadegan), an agent specialized in international counterintelligence. In addition to the support of Dr. Loretta, the team includes a specialist in research informatics Patton Plame (Daryl Chill Mitchell).

I am a very lucky guy, who has had a long career. I am a stage, theater and film actor and I was also able to do musical work. NCIS: New Orleans gave me many opportunities to combine all those rolesSaid the leading actor. Somewhat excited, he remarked: I had never done a series with more than 100 episodes, there were many first times for me on this. It was very hard work, but a very exciting time. I love the real man DWayne Swear, which was who my character was based on. Sadly he passed away a few years ago, but he was the heart and soul of our program, and I did my best to maintain his reputation and memory..

About the filming, Scott Bakula assured: Everything was filmed in the middle of the pandemic, with all kinds of security protocols, in a very careful way so that it is a program that could keep people safe. I was lucky enough to convince the company and the writers that we should include the theme in the series. We show how it affected all the characters on the show, how it affected the members of the forces, and how it affected the city as well. Because once again, that city was the heart of our series.

Titled as Let the good times begin, the last chapter of the series will arrive next Monday, November 29 at A&E. It will be set on the eve of Prides wedding to Rita, just as Connor (Drew Scheid) is entering witness protection. In this framework, the character of Bakula must find who attacked Jimmy (Jason Alan Carvell), while discovering the hidden motives of Sasha (Callie Thorne) regarding his son. Both in Colombia and in Mexico and Argentina, will be broadcast at 22 hours.

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NCIS New Orleans premieres its last episode and this is how the series will end - Market Research Telecast

November 28, 2021

For the honor of the flag, in order not to fall into German hands which had just invaded the free zone, the French navy sank all its ships.

Two years after Mers-el-Kbir in 1940, on November 27, 1942, the French fleet once again saw a large part of its ships sink. But this time, it will be scuttling by the very hand of the French. On the evening of November 27, 90% of the ships moored in Toulon harbor were scuttled. All large ocean-going combat vessels are sunk or unrecoverable. A total of 235,000 tonnes rendered useless i.e. three battleships, seven cruisers, fifteen destroyers, thirteen torpedo boats, six avisos, twelve submarines, nine patrol boats and dredgers, nineteen service vessels, one vessel school, twenty-eight tugs and four lifting docks. A suicide for the glory and in respect of the promise made by the admiralty never to fall into the hands of the Germans.

On November 11, Hitler launched Operation Anton in total violation of the armistice agreement signed in June 1940. The Germans invaded the free zone. An invasion in their eyes necessary since the Allies landed on November 8 in North Africa, Morocco and Algeria.

But above all, Hitler feared that the French fleet consigned to the Toulon naval base would consider that after the invasion of the free zone, it was released from article 8 of the armistice agreement which imposed neutrality on it, and does not join the allied forces. The city is now the only unoccupied enclave in mainland France.

On November 26, two panzer columns set in motion to take the arsenal. Code name of the operation: Lila. On the morning of the 27th, the German soldiers arrested the maritime prefect, Admiral Marquis. His Chief of Staff, Rear Admiral Robin, manages to escape and transmit to the Arsenal Major General, Rear Admiral Dornon, the scuttling order which he immediately retransmits to the Admiral. Laborde aboard the Strasbourg, flagship of the high seas forces. This radio launches the general destruction order, also reflected by optical signals. The scuttling teams must act quickly. The German tanks entered the arsenal but lost precious time, being unable to find their way around. This leaves time for the scutters to finish their work.

At 6 am, the first explosions are heard then follow one another. The teams light the wicks, open the valves, drown the bunkers sometimes under the threat of German soldiers. Some ships like cruisers Algeria, Marseillaise Where Dupleix will burn for several days. Three submarines manage to reach Algeria and join the Free French Naval Forces (FNFL). That day, the Royale the nickname given to the navy saved the honor of its flag.

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the scuttling of the fleet in Toulon Liberation - The Times Hub