Daily Archives: March 11, 2017

Journey through the high seas – Manila Standard – The Standard

Posted: March 11, 2017 at 8:33 am

People nowadays are craving for new experiences. And, the most effective way of getting out of ones comfort zone to find an adventure is through traveling.

With seat sales and travel tour packages left and right, it isnt a secret that traveling has gone from being a luxury to a staple, maybe even a necessity, in peoples lives. But even then, more and more people are now looking to discover new ways on how to make traveling itself more fun and exciting.

Oftentimes these vacation trips entail having to wait for hours just to travel for a couple of more hours to get to the destination. Who says that the journey to satisfying ones wanderlust has to be ordinary, uneventful, maybe even boring?

Try going on a cruise and let yourself experience traveling like never before. Cruising is making waves as it continually evolves into providing the best experience one can get when traveling, continually trying to find new ways of letting passengers enjoy the ride going to the destination just as much as being at the intended vacation place itself. Experience traveling by starting the fun and adventure the moment you set foot on board. Create experiences even before you get to your destination.

The cruising industry has continually evolved in order to keep up with the ever-changing needs and wants that people might have when it comes to traveling. Whatever type of adventure youre after, cruising can definitely provide it for you. With world-class entertainment and state-of-the-art facilities, youre sure to experience traveling in style and in comfort.

Now, when can you exactly say that you were able to swim, exercise in a gym, play basketball, enjoy world-class entertainment, and get all-around service even before arriving at your destination? Experience all these and other luxurious amenities and services offered onboard. With a wide array of dining options, lounges left and right, you wont run out of options and things to do.

Another one of the beauties of traveling via cruise ship is that you get to be a part of a community while on board. Have the opportunity of getting to meet new people, even probably a few famous personalities and celebrities along the way. The environment lets you meet and make friends and new relationships with people who share the same passion in traveling as you do. Share your favorite wanderlust experiences with them as you create another one definitely worth putting in the books. So even if youve gone on multiple cruises, the interactions you get to have onboard makes it all the more memorable and unique for each and every trip.

Have an adventure from Taiwan and see Japan like no other. Visit the pristine beaches and islands on Ishigaki Island in Okinawa, Japan with SuperStar Aquarius. You can also sail from Singapore to the beautiful islands of Malacca, Pulau Redang, Langkawi, and Penang and get to see Malaysia with SuperStar Gemini.

From Penang, you can sail to the scenic ports of Krabbi and Phuket in Thailand aboard the SuperStar Libra. Discover Chinas Pearl River Delta as you sail to Vietnams Halong Bay and culture-rich Danang, Ho Chi Minh City, and Nha Trang with Superstar Virgo or go on and sail and cruise along the South China Sea for a one-night getaway from Hong Kong aboard Star Pisces. The possibilities of breathtaking adventures are limitless with Star Cruises.

Let Star Cruises take you to your destination and start the adventure as soon as you get onboard. When traveling with Star Cruises, you get to experience traveling around Asia like no other. Enjoy world-class amenities and satiate your hunger with the mouth-watering dishes from all types of cuisines prepared by internationally trained chefs.

Dont miss out your chance to go on an adventure for up to 50 percent off. Climb aboard on SuperStar Gemini for as low as $290 USD and on Superstar Aquarius for as low as $397 USD.

Contact your local travel agency to book your tickets now. For inquiries, you can reach Star Cruises at (02) 836-6830 to 32 or email [emailprotected]

COMMENT DISCLAIMER: Reader comments posted on this Web site are not in any way endorsed by The Standard. Comments are views by thestandard.ph readers who exercise their right to free expression and they do not necessarily represent or reflect the position or viewpoint of thestandard.ph. While reserving this publications right to delete comments that are deemed offensive, indecent or inconsistent with The Standard editorial standards, The Standard may not be held liable for any false information posted by readers in this comments section.

Link:

Journey through the high seas - Manila Standard - The Standard

Posted in High Seas | Comments Off on Journey through the high seas – Manila Standard – The Standard

A Cruise Line Commits To Developing Private Island in The Bahamas – Caribbean360.com (subscription)

Posted: at 8:33 am

Prime Minister of The Bahamas Perry Christie (left) and Michael Bayley, president and CEO, Royal Caribbean International (right), committed to a multi-year agreement.

FLORIDA, United States, Friday March 10, 2017 The worlds largest cruise line, Royal Caribbean International, has committed to enhancing a private island destination in The Bahamas.

The plan to construct a pier at Coco Cay, also known as Little Stirrup Cay, situated in the Berry Islands which will include additional guest features and amenities, and new opportunities for vendors and craftsmen is part of a multi-year agreement the cruise company signed with The Bahamas earlier this week.

Royal Caribbean says overall, the agreement will help grow The Bahamas tourism, rapidly increase the cruise lines employment of Bahamian nationals and invest in hospitality training to develop talent in the country.

At a signing ceremony attended by Prime Minister of The Bahamas Perry Christie and president/CEO of Royal Caribbean International Michael Bayley, the cruise line confirmed the plans.

As part of the agreement, Royal Caribbean plans to work with The Bahamas government to develop a training programme to provide those who aspire to a career in hospitality with a unique opportunity to participate in innovative training and development.

The cruise line will create a curriculum that will prepare many thousands of students for careers at sea on board one of Royal Caribbeans ships. In addition to the classroom experience, students will receive on-site guidance and training from shipboard professionals.

Royal Caribbean has committed to rapidly growing the number of Bahamian nationals employed by the cruise line in the next five years. In addition, they have joint ownership of the Grand Bahamas shipyard in Freeport at which major revitalizations and drydock maintenance of its ships take place.

Tourism is an important engine of growth for the economy of destinations in the Caribbean and The Bahamas, and we are excited to bring more visitors on our newest and most innovative ships to this popular vacation spot, said Bayley. Our commitment to The Bahamas is multifold. It is our responsibility to contribute to the countrys economic diversity, to its employment base and the training of Bahamian youth as well as the protection of the environment. We are excited about the continued growth of tourism in The Bahamas, and look forward to doing our part to keep that growth and progress moving along in the years to come.

Operators of the worlds largest ships with an additional two mega ships under construction and four on order, Royal Caribbean currently brings 1.7 million visitors a year to The Bahamas. But it has plans to significantly expand that number in the next decade as they add capacity in the region.

Click hereto receive news via email from Caribbean360. (View sample)

See the original post:

A Cruise Line Commits To Developing Private Island in The Bahamas - Caribbean360.com (subscription)

Posted in Private Islands | Comments Off on A Cruise Line Commits To Developing Private Island in The Bahamas – Caribbean360.com (subscription)

National Expert Shares Thoughts on Environmental Justice – WUWM

Posted: at 8:31 am

Jacqui Patterson works in communities around the country to engage African-Americans on climate issues. She directs the NAACP Environmental and Climate Justice Program and helped build the program from the ground up.

"I think that the biggest thing that was clear from the beginning and continues to be clear is the need to help folks see, whether its environmental issues broadly or climate change specifically how they connect to every day issues that are in our communities. Patterson adds, How they connect to food, water, energy, basically the commons - the things to which we should all have access.

Patterson says its her job to suggest ways to shift away from practices that drive climate change, while at the same time, help prepare for the fact that climate change is already here impacting communities.

Whether its starting local food movements, community-owned solar projects, starting recycling projects helping people know how they can be part of the change that we need to make, she says.

Before Patterson joined the NAACP, her work included teaching, social and tackling a range of social issues.

"I wanted to be part of the systems change to eliminate the inequities as opposed to help people cope better within the inequities."

Every time Ive done those various things, its been clear to me that whatever kind of issue or problem Ive been working toward, theres a deeper systemic underpinning for it that needs to be addressed. Otherwise, its just a band-aid or were just making things better for people who are vulnerable, rather than removing vulnerabilities, Patterson says.

She reports that progress is being made. Were part of a group called the Climate Justice Alliance. We have whats called the Our Power Campaign and the notion is power with pollution, energy without injustice."

Patterson says throughout the country community-owned solar gardens are springing up. That have resulted in coal plants being closed or shifting away from burning coal which is so harmful to communities. We have multiple communities were working in where the communities were previously food insecure and now they have networks of gardens where they have networks of gardens.

In Milwaukee, Patterson cites the Urban Ecology Center as a model.

Seeing those centers having formal relationships with schools where theyre including in the curriculum this hands on connection with nature and our role within our role within the ecosystem, she says. We need to be active and intentional about fostering harmony with nature in order for us to have a sustainable place of habitation.

Patterson also points to community activism that helped shift the power plant in downtown Milwaukee from coal to natural gas.

(And) the situation of the lead in the water, the coalition of folks coming together from all walks of Milwaukee society, health, civil rights all coming together to protect the well-being of the community, she n says.

She calls these examples of intersecting efforts, fighting against the bad and advancing the good.

Yet, a myriad of environmental and climate justice issues remain to be conquered. Patterson says solutions need to come from within.

Patterson spent time in Flint, Michigan after its water crisis. We sat down and had a series of visioning sessions. Its not like I came in and I said, you should do this and this. They came up with all of the ideas and I was literally just the scribe. The best people to prescribe the solutions for Milwaukee is Milwaukee, for sure.

More of Susan Bence's conversation with Jacqui Patterson.

Follow this link:

National Expert Shares Thoughts on Environmental Justice - WUWM

Posted in Intentional Communities | Comments Off on National Expert Shares Thoughts on Environmental Justice – WUWM

More Evidence for How a Trip to Mars Will Wreck the Human Body – Inverse

Posted: at 8:31 am

With Congress passing a bill authorizing NASA to prioritize sending humans to Mars, were likely to see some deep space travel in the next two decades. However, we need to consider how to protect astronauts health, since extended space missions increase the risk of developing cancer.

In a study published in the journal Leukemia, researchers at the Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine and colleagues further investigated the effects of exposing astronauts to radiation levels present in outer space, and found a greatly increased risk of developing leukemia. This poses as a threat to astronauts, since there currently isnt a way of treating leukemia on board.

That would be physically troubling from the standpoint of astronauts, Christopher Porada, Ph.D., associate professor of regenerative medicine and senior researcher on the project, tells Inverse. These were the first findings to suggest space radiation may have the possibility of inducing leukemia. We are trying to find out what the risk may be.

Researchers used mice transplanted with healthy human stem cells from donors between ages 30 and 55 to study the health risks from space radiation. They found that exposure to these types of radiation over long periods of time causes mutations in certain genes, and these mice ended up developing T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

These mutations would reduce the human hematopoietic stem cells ability to make mature blood cells, which are crucial to transporting oxygen and fighting infections.

A round-trip mission to Mars would take three years, and extended exposure would increase the likelihood of leukemia. Whats more, radiation isnt the only threat to astronauts microgravity conditions also affect astronauts immune systems. That along with radiation raise the risk of immune-dysfunction and cancer.

Previously, scientists had found that the Apollo astronauts are dying from cardiovascular risks four to five times the rate of their counterparts, likely due to deep space radiation. Cosmic radiation can also impair the brain, and its a major obstacle thats preventing us from embarking on longer space missions.

To prepare for deep space missions, scientists must work to estimate the risks from space radiation and identify ways to prevent its effects. Right now, the research team is working to quantify how dangerous the risk of leukemia is, since the human cells they collected were only a small sample. NASA is also working on a galactic cosmic ray simulator to further test the effects of radiation.

Poradas team is currently testing a dietary supplement for its ability to protect astronauts from radiation effects. The researchers have tested an agent and found that if they administer the agent to the cells before, during and after radiation exposure, it reverses the effects of space radiation by 50 to 70 percent. This is still in the works though.

Were going to quantify the risk and find if theres some way to prevent and mitigate the risk, Porada says. Well see if there are counter measures that can be given to the astronauts as a dietary supplement to shield their systems from the radiation theyre exposed to.

Photos via Flickr / NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center

Read the rest here:

More Evidence for How a Trip to Mars Will Wreck the Human Body - Inverse

Posted in Space Travel | Comments Off on More Evidence for How a Trip to Mars Will Wreck the Human Body – Inverse

Extropy SHIFT>

Posted: at 8:28 am

Extropy is the idea that human intelligence and technology will enable life to expand in an orderly way throughout the entire universe. Extropy expresses a metaphor, rather than serving as a technical term, and so is not simply the opposite of entropy. Extropy presents the idea that advances in science and technology will some day let people live indefinitely and that humans alive today have a good chance of seeing that day. It also describes a pragmatic consilience of transhumanist thought guided by a proactionary approach to human evolution and progress.

Extropian thinking places strong emphasis on rational thinking and practical optimism. These principles do not specify particular beliefs, technologies, or policies. Extropians share an optimistic view of the future, expecting considerable advances in computational power, life extension, nanotechnology and the like.

Many extropians foresee the eventual realization of unlimited maximum life spans, and the recovery, thanks to future advances in biomedical technology, of those whose bodies/brains have been preserved by means of cryonics or some similar method. Extropy emphasizes finding solutions to problems of the human condition, as well proactively considering potential unwanted side-effects of new technologies.

It should be understood that since the term extropy is a metaphor, a name for a moderately integrated group of values and attitudes, and it is not a force or a thing or a single value or principle; it cannot be measured.

Principles of Extropy

Perpetual Progress

Extropy means seeking more intelligence, wisdom, and effectiveness, an open-ended lifespan, and the removal of political, cultural, biological, and psychological limits to continuing development. Perpetually overcoming constraints on our progress and possibilities as individuals, as organizations, and as a species. Growing in healthy directions without bound.

Self-Transformation

Extropy means affirming continual ethical, intellectual, and physical self-improvement, through critical and creative thinking, perpetual learning, personal responsibility, proactivity, and experimentation. Using technology in the widest sense to seek physiological and neurological augmentation along with emotional and psychological refinement.

Practical Optimism

Extropy means fueling action with positive expectations individuals and organizations being tirelessly proactive. Adopting a rational, action-based optimism or proaction, in place of both blind faith and stagnant pessimism.

Intelligent Technology

Extropy means designing and managing technologies not as ends in themselves but as effective means for improving life. Applying science and technology creatively and courageously to transcend natural but harmful, confining qualities derived from our biological heritage, culture, and environment.

Open Society information and democracy

Extropy means supporting social orders that foster freedom of communication, freedom of action, experimentation, innovation, questioning, and learning. Opposing authoritarian social control and unnecessary hierarchy and favoring the rule of law and decentralization of power and responsibility. Preferring bargaining over battling, exchange over extortion, and communication over compulsion. Openness to improvement rather than a static utopia. Extropia (ever-receding stretch goals for society) over utopia (no place).

Self-Direction

Extropy means valuing independent thinking, individual freedom, personal responsibility, self-direction, self-respect, and a parallel respect for others.

Rational Thinking

Extropy means favoring reason over blind faith and questioning over dogma. It means understanding, experimenting, learning, challenging, and innovating rather than clinging to beliefs.

References

http://www.ultim8team.com/modules/future/extropy_faq.php

http://www.extropy.org/

Originally posted here:

Extropy SHIFT>

Posted in Extropy | Comments Off on Extropy SHIFT>

Greydon Square Extropy Lyrics | Genius Lyrics

Posted: at 8:28 am

[Verse 1: Greydon] Waves. A behavior in space-time. Vibration. Sound. Oscillation Light. A fancy way of saying electromagnetic radiation Sight. Visual perception. The ability to discern direction Might. What I bring to the mic. When these emcees gonna learn they lesson? ...Line throwin' mind blowing rhyme poet, that flows While you condone your time stolen Astro. Greek. Meaning star. Flaming plasma ball Equations embedded in space-time while adinkran images mask it all Some of us were passed down martial science from the ancients A one inch punch? I could pull a strike off from the planck length ....Among humans, the differences are marginal Free to move at light anywhere, like any massless particle Chart and go, spark and blow dro, then explain a parallax And how a nearer object moves faster than when its there in the back We deal in octaves Physics, math, chemistry, logic Enemy? stop it. Youre better off described as an entropy novice

[Chorus] Wake up They want to know how far into the future youre gonna take them Then want to know just.. how stark the view is through an ape lense Cause theyll only respond to perpetual progress if its flagrant Complacent with life, yet are fearful of death

[Verse 2: Greydon] Let me see, while you still stuck on the collection fee Im wreckin' beats, when you check for me Mark the box that says, Extra heat! Technically. Peep it, its like trying to keep a secret the DMT trip When youve already had ego death and your heart is ready to release it This oceanll make you seasick But at least you under the night sky Not only in the right place, but even born in the right time To make music, dj, and write rhymes Everyone has a crew, but no ones doing it like mine Verbal graffiti we spray and hurl in your city The ruckus we create interrupts the early committees ...Theyll scramble in panic thinking that its a takeover But in the context of #GU, were just a placeholder The most powerful of us havent even been born yet Formed yet Why do you think they call us the Hornet's Nest? But, we wont stop until we see, civilization level Z And the only language wed have is Peace, knowledge, and extropy

[Chorus] (x2) Wake up They want to know how far into the future youre gonna take them Then want to know just.. how stark the view is through an ape lense Cause theyll only respond to perpetual progress if its flagrant Complacent with life, yet are fearful of death

More on Genius

Dev Hynes & Starchild Debut VeilHymn Project With New Track Hymn

View post:

Greydon Square Extropy Lyrics | Genius Lyrics

Posted in Extropy | Comments Off on Greydon Square Extropy Lyrics | Genius Lyrics

Man arrested, $20,000 worth of marijuana seized in Ascension – WBRZ

Posted: at 8:26 am

ASCENSION A nine-month investigation led to the arrest of a man in possession of an estimated $20,000 worth of marijuana in Ascension Parish.

The Ascension Parish Sheriff's Office arrested 47-year-old Ron McZeal on Mar. 9 following the investigation into drugs being shipped to his home.

Detectives began a joint investigation with the Baton Rouge Police Department and saw McZeal get a package from his home and then leave the area.

Detectives initiated a traffic stop of his vehicle and McZeal agreed for detectives to conduct a search of his vehicle. Detectives found a package with five pounds of marijuana with an estimated street value of $20,000. A digital scale and $1,500 in cash was also seized from the vehicle.

McZeal was arrested and charged with possession with intent to distribute schedule I drugs, drug paraphernalia and no use of turn signals. He was booked on the above charges into the Ascension Parish Jail.

Read more:

Man arrested, $20,000 worth of marijuana seized in Ascension - WBRZ

Posted in Ascension | Comments Off on Man arrested, $20,000 worth of marijuana seized in Ascension – WBRZ

Ascension Parish President Matassa indicted – Weekly Citizen

Posted: at 8:26 am

Greg Fischer

After months of uncertainty and a continued push from some Ascension residents Parish President Kenny Matassa was indicted by a grand jury on Friday, March 10, 2017.

Gonzales businessman Olin Berthelot was indicted separately. Both men are officially charged with offering a bribe to former candidate for Gonzales City Council, Wayne Lawson. This was said to be done in order to get Lawson to drop out of the council race, last Summer.

"Those indictments were based on a bribery scheme perfected by Mr. Matassa and Mr. Berthelot wherein they attempted to induce a candidate for a city council election to withdraw in exchange for cash and political favors," Brandon J. Fremin, Director of the Criminal Division with the Attorney General said.

Their bonds have been set at $5,000 each. The men now have warrants out for their arrest but will most likely be given a chance to turn themselves in, according to Assistant Attorney General Jeff Traylor, who will also serve as lead prosecutor. They will likely post bond.

The jury began their proceedings at 10:30 a.m., and finished near 3 p.m.

"Attorney General Jeff Landry has on many occasions said that public officials have to be held accountable for their actions," Fremin said. "They must hold themselves to a higher standard. They must be fair, honest and ethical, and that they must follow the law. If that does not happen it undermines the public trust in our system of government, and that is absolutely unacceptable."

Berthelot's lawyer Steven Moore maintains that his client is not guilty. He said particularly that he would like the case to play out in the courtroom.

"I think I should let it play out in the courtrooms," Moore said. "And not in the media, and not in blogs that people have, and just kind of let that ridiculousness go away."

Moore is most likely referring to a July 31 blog posted in the Pelican Post, owned by Wade Petit, who posted a video of the bribe almost as it occurred. And which can still be viewed as of today.

However, both sides maintain that this is just the beginning.

"At the outset, we started this investigation at the request of the locals here," Fremin said. "Following the recusal of attorney Ricky Babin, our attorneys took the lead in the case, brought the case to the grand jury, which culminated in the events for which we're here right now."

The charge carries 0-2 years imprisonment with or without hard labor, or a maximum $2,000 fine, according to Fremin.

Follow Greg on Twitter @AscensionEditor

See the original post:

Ascension Parish President Matassa indicted - Weekly Citizen

Posted in Ascension | Comments Off on Ascension Parish President Matassa indicted – Weekly Citizen

Skeletal remains found January in Ascension Parish identified … – The Advocate

Posted: at 8:26 am

PRAIRIEVILLE The skeletal remains found in a wooded area of Prairieville in January have been identified as those of William Winters, 55, Ascension Sheriff's Chief Deputy Bobby Webre said.

Foul play is not suspected in his death, Webre said.

On Jan. 30, deputies responded to a call to a wooded area off Germany Road after a family's dog found a human skull in a wooded area.

The LSU FACES lab assisted in the identification of the remains.

Webre said that investigators had suspected that Winters might be the person whose remains were found, but that two sets of indentification were found at the site, one belonging to Winters and one to a relative of Winters.

A DNA match was made with Winters' son, who is currently an inmate at the Ascension Parish jail, Webre said.

William Winters had been living with others in a trailer park in an area behind where the remains were found.

"The people he was staying with were evicted. I think he was staying in the woods there. He had no place to go," Webre said.

See the article here:

Skeletal remains found January in Ascension Parish identified ... - The Advocate

Posted in Ascension | Comments Off on Skeletal remains found January in Ascension Parish identified … – The Advocate

Congress Passes Space Exploration Act, Targets Mars – America Now

Posted: at 8:25 am

Both the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives have officially passed the NASA Transition Authorization Act of 2017, a piece of legislation that grants $19.5 billion to the agency to get humans to Mars.

Members of Congress have stated that NASA is tasked with getting human beings "near or on the surface of Mars in the 2030s," according to the language of the bill itself.

"It is the sense of Congress that (1) expanding human presence beyond low-Earth orbit and advancing toward human missions to Mars in the 2030s requires early strategic planning and timely decisions to be made in the near-term on the necessary courses of action for commitments to achieve short-term and long-term goals and objective."

NASA was the benefactor of $19.3 billion in federal money during 2016.

The document details not only Mars and Mars orbit as possible destinations for targeted space exploration, but interim destinations as well, such as cis-lunar space and the moons of Mars.

To accomplish this, the newly recognized bill orders the design and construction of a Space Launch System, or a rocket of massive scale that will be able to propel a space capsule across the chasm of space between Earth and Mars.

The Act calls for "a specific process for the evolution of the capabilities of the fully integrated Orion with the Space Launch System," as well as an explanation of how these specifications will help further the cause of getting a human safely to Mars.

The lengthy bill does not limit itself to the subject of traveling to Mars, either, but continues with a list of auxiliary projects that could further humanity's reach into space.

The bill approved a long-standing plan NASA has had to send a probe to Europa, a moon of Jupiter that may host a subsurface ocean.

The Act details numerous other explorations of "near-Earth objects," exoplanets, as well as design and build probes and instruments to gather critically important data.

President Donald Trump has shared brief words about Congress' move to further space exploration, saying he is "ready to unlock the mysteries of space."

Though reportedly supportive of continued exploration of the moon, President Trump has expressed intent to end NASA's long-established studies of Earth and its climate.

At this point, the Act is at the discretion of the President, though the passage of the bill is a likely prospect, according to Business Insider.

The current President has not yet made public any plans he may have for the bill or its passage.

Follow this link:

Congress Passes Space Exploration Act, Targets Mars - America Now

Posted in Space Exploration | Comments Off on Congress Passes Space Exploration Act, Targets Mars – America Now