Daily Archives: April 22, 2022

Oceania Cruises will refurbish two of its flagship vessels the Riviera and Marina.

The upgraded Rivieria and Marina will debut in December 2022 and November 2023 respectively.

All suites and staterooms will be revamped and the ships public spaces will undergo massive transformations everything from the fabrics, the furnishings, the light fixtures and the ship will showcase new nautical artwork.

The new refurbishments will be completed in time for the arrival of the new Vista, the first new ship in six years from the culinary focused line.

President and CEO of Oceania Cruises Howard Sherman said in a statement: At Oceania Cruises, we continue to raise the bar and elevate the guest experience at every opportunity.

Whether its innovative new culinary concepts, immersive new destination experiences or presenting our guests with ships that are not just better, but better than new, Oceania Cruises sets the standard by which others are judged.

All public areas on the ship, such as the library, the Grand Dining Room and the Lalique crystal-laced Grand Staircase will be refreshed and be as welcoming as always.

Lighter and brighter tones will be used, with custom furnishings, exotic polished wood finishes and designer accessories that will completely transform the guest experience.

The restyled Grand Dining Room will feature soft leather armchairs offering comfort and the chance to relax as you enjoy the culinary delights aboard your Oceania Cruises voyage.

Guests will have the opportunity to savour wood-fired pizza, divine Italian specialities, tantalising salads and sweet desserts every night in a relaxed atmosphere surrounded by ocean breezes and the moonlight in Trattoria.

Staterooms have been designed to glow with the warmth and joie de vivre of a Parisian apartment, with the living and sleeping areas featuring Italian marble and bespoke fabrics, while the tables and chairs will be carefully crafted.

Each stateroom will be upgraded to reflect the modern travellers needs, with an abundance of power outlets and USB ports always within reach.

Concierge-level veranda staterooms and veranda staterooms are the largest standard staterooms at 27 square metres.

Bathrooms will have glittering fixtures and spacious storage and showers will be more spacious than ever before.

Mr Sherman added: Our people remain at the heart of what we do, and the officers and crew of Oceania Cruises are the finest at sea. While the onboard experience continues to surprise and delight, the way our staff approaches the art of service remains delightfully familiar, warm and gracious.

Riviera will debut on 7 December 2022 on a 16-day Mediterranean, Atlantic and Caribbean cruise from Rome to Miami.

Marina will set sail on 13 November 2023 on a seven-day cruise from Barcelona to Lisbon.

Oceanias 656 guest ships, Regatta, Insignia, Nautica and Sirena have recently been re-inspired. Insignia debuted in 2019 on an around the world voyage, followed shortly after by Regatta and Sirena the same year. Nautica recently started cruising again on April 1, 2022.

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Oceania to revamp two more of its ships before the arrival of the new Vista - Cruise Passenger

Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) on Tuesday said that the company has expanded its partnership with The IRONMAN Group Oceania in a multi-year deal, for Sun-Herald City2Surf, the worlds largest fun run.

TCS will continue to power the official event app, enhancing the fun run experience with live results tracking and leader board data. It will also include custom City2Surf selfie frames and a personalised race-ready checklist along with a new feature to highlight Indigenous points of significance along or near to the course.

By marking places of Indigenous historical significance, TCS hopes participants Running on Country will experience a connection with the land and will find the sites of interest. The event is expected to happen on August 14, 2022 with a crowd of 80,000 plus runners, the City2Surf will be the held in-person for the first time since 2019.

Vikram Singh, Country Head, TCS ANZ, said, We are thrilled to extend our partnership with The Sun-Herald City2Surf, the largest fun run in the world. We sponsor running events across Australia and globally because we want to inspire local communities to live healthy and active lifestyles. This year, as part of our ongoing commitment to recognising and celebrating Indigenous culture, we have a new feature in the app to raise awareness of local Indigenous history, drive Connection to Country amongst runners and all Australians, and remind us that this land we tread is steeped in rich Indigenous history and culture.

Globally, TCS currently also sponsors The Canberra Times Marathon Festival and is the title sponsor for several running events, including the TCS NYC and TCS London marathons.

Geoff Meyer, Managing Director, The IRONMAN Group Oceania, added, We are delighted TCS has chosen to expand their partnership as a Major Partner of The Sun-Herald City2Surf. Technology already has a central role to play in physical activity and partners like TCS are crucial in making our vision of inspiring activity a reality. We look forward to continuing to work with the TCS to enhance the City2Surf runners experience with technology.

Published onApril 19, 2022

Continued here:

TCS expands multi-year partnership deal with The IRONMAN Group Oceania for Sun-Herald City2Surf - BusinessLine

The establishment of military installations in Oceania could substantially alter the balance of power in the Indo-Pacific. PLA Navy file image

PublishedApr 21, 2022 10:10 PM by The Strategist

[By Anne-Marie Brady]

In the Xi Jinping era, the Chinese Peoples Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (commonly known as the Friendship Association, or Youxie) promotes the Belt and Road Initiative, a strategic, political and economic vehicle driving towards a China-centred global order.

The Friendship Association isa hybrid partystate organisation with three mothers-in-law(to use the argot of the Chinese Communist Party system): the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; the CCP united front organization, the Chinese Peoples Political Consultative Conference; and the CCPs International Liaison Department, which the party uses to conduct foreign policy discussions with foreign political parties.

The Pacific China Friendship Association is Chinas main point of contact for rolling out the Belt and Road Initiative in the Southwest Pacific.

The Pacific branch has been busy.

In 2018, at a meeting of friendship associations from the Americas and Oceania in Hainan, China, Tongas Princess Royal Salote Mafileo Pilolevu Tuita proposed establishing aPearl Maritime Road Initiative, extending the BRI into the Southwest Pacific.

Soon after that, all of Beijings Pacific island diplomatic partners signed agreements on the BRI, with infrastructure development the main theme. Some have already started BRI projects.

In 2019, Siamelie Latu, secretary-general of the Tonga China Friendship Association and a former Tongan ambassador to China, announced that the Pacific China Friendship Association wasworking on a feasibility studyfor a regional airline to connect all Pacific Islands Forum countries with China.

FromKiribati, toVanuatu, toFrench Polynesia, China has repeatedly tried to gain access to militarily significant airfields and ports, all in the name of BRI. Beijing has established military cooperation relations with Fiji, Papua New Guinea and Tonga, and provided police support to Vanuatu and Solomon Islands,frequentlyin combination withhumanitarian aid activities. Just this week, China and Solomon Islands signed a security agreement, despite the protestations of the Australian and US governments.

China is rolling out the Digital Silk Road in the Pacific, using its Pacific embassies to set up ground stations for itsBeidou satellite navigation system. Meanwhile, China makes use of commercial operations for Beidou-equippedreference stationsin the Pacific. Ground stations and reference stations work together to provide centimeter-level accuracy for satellites. Beidou is Chinas GPS equivalent, and it is now on a par with, if not better than, GPS. Like GPS, its a military technology, crucial for missile targeting and timing.

The CCPs political interference and grey-zone activities aim to co-opt Oceanian political and economic elites and to access strategic information, sites and resources in the Southwest Pacific. The establishment of military installations in Oceania could substantially alter the balance of power in the Indo-Pacific. It could cut off the Pacific island nations, Australia and New Zealand from the US and other partners, turning the region into a China-dominated vassal zone.

South Pacific leaders meet regularly to discusscollective securityandgeostrategicmattersin other words, joint concerns about China. However, their worries about this relationship are usually onlyhintedat and rarely madepublic, and their overriding priority tends to be development. China offers assistance with development projects but, unlike most donors, the loan must be paid back, with interest. The Cook Islands, Fiji, Samoa, Tonga and Vanuatu all have crippling levels of debt to China.

Pacific island leaders tend to have a strong sense of history. Few would welcome dependency on China, or the Pacific turning into a Sinocentric order. Yet a degree of reactivity towards calls for vigilance about the CCPs malign activities is usually couched in anti-European, anti-colonial rhetoric.

Given the continued presence of historic colonial powers in the region, its been easy for some to conflate concern about the real dangers of CCP political interference and grey-zone activitieswhen expressed by Western actorswith neo-colonialism and calls ofwhataboutism.

This conflation plays into CCP narratives seeking to equate the party with the Chinese people, recasting any critique that its inherently racist. But imperial power and racism are by no means a monopoly of Western powers.

Theres real a danger that in their kneejerk response against Western colonialism, Pacific elites will embrace external domination in a new and more dangerous form. The air of schadenfreude that some segments of the Pacific elite display towards traditional Pacific powers will be a short-lived pleasure if they cant transcend this reactionism and recognize the need to plan a way forward in an era of dangerous strategic competition.

Perhaps surprisingly to some, the return of a more active role of the US, UK, Japan, India and the EU in the Pacific, and a resurgence of Australian, New Zealand and French presence and assistance, has beenappreciatedandwelcomedby many Pacific governments. But Pacific leaders want to be treated as equals, not pawns in an international power play, and not as somenameless group of islandsin a strategically important region. The US, EU and other partners need to take the time to better understand the individual countries of the Pacific, their histories and their concerns.

Its especially important that Pacific nations not just be the subject of analysis about CCP political interference in the region. They should be drawn into the international conversation. Pacific civil society must be engaged in this work too, not just governments. In many of the Pacific states, elements within the government are already compromised, and they will not welcome discussions on CCP political interference. Further, CCP united front work is often comingled into corruption and organized crime, which has entangled many political and policy actors, making raising the issues even more difficult.

Pacific journalists also needmore supportso they can do the due diligence that will enable a factual, informed, depoliticized and public conversation about the CCPs foreign interference activities in their respective states and territories.

Anne-Marie Bradyis a professor of Chinese domestic and foreign policy, New Zealand foreign policy, and Antarctic and Pacific politics at the University of Canterbury in Christchurch. This article appears courtesy of The Strategist and may be found in its original form here.

The opinions expressed herein are the author's and not necessarily those of The Maritime Executive.

Excerpt from:

From "Friendship" to Bases: China's Growing Influence in the Pacific - The Maritime Executive

United States, Rockville, MD, April 18, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The surge in manufacturing of paints, automotive, aerospace, medical, and packaging is set to boost the demand for thermal spray coatings. Features such as anti-corrosion coupled with enhanced coating consistency are working in favor of thermal spray coatings. The global thermal spray coatings market will grow at an impressive 6.5% CAGR during the forecast period (2019-2029). Increasing penetration of coating applications in niche end-use industries such as gas turbines, locomotives, and modern helicopters will continue to bolster demand for thermal spray coatings. Rampant space exploration by companies such as SpaceX is encouraging the application of thermal spray carbide coating in advanced landing gears.

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Industrial Gas Turbines to Grow 4.2X through Forecast PeriodUptake in aerospace projects in developing regions is driving demand for thermal spray coatings from the application segment. Aerospace is poised to hold a majority share of over of the total market value.

The segment exhibits a healthy growth trajectory through 2029. Industrial gas turbines account for the second largest market share with of the total market value.

Manufacturing trends such as higher firing temperatures and increased levels of oxidation and corrosion resistance in hard environments are favorable developments for thermal spray coatings.

Industrial gas turbine segment exhibits highest growth among various applications such as automotive, medical, steel, pulp, and paper.

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Global Thermal Spray Coatings Market: In-Depth Assessment on Key SegmentsThe global thermal spray coatings market is segmented on the basis of product, technology, application and region.

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Region

This taxonomy and the detailed TOC prepared are confidential and intended exclusively for the individual or entity with whom it is being shared. Reading, disseminating, distributing, or copying this to any party other than addressee(s) is unauthorized and prohibited.

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The Prominent manufacturers covered:Praxair Surface Technologies, Inc., Hgans AB, H.C. Starck Inc., Castolin Eutectic, Wall Colmonoy Corporation, Powder Alloy Corporation, Saint-Gobain S.A., Carpenter Technology Corporation

South Asia & Oceania to Remain Key Revenue PocketsNorth America and Europe collectively account for a lions share of more than 61% of the total market value. The US, Canada, and the UK are catapulting the demand for advanced coating of equipment used in aerospace, industrial gas turbines, and oil & gas applications.

South Asia & Oceania offers high-growth opportunities on the back of stupendous 9.5% CAGR during the forecast period.

Countries in the region such as Indonesia are investing in development of modern aircrafts and aerospace inventories which employ thermal spray coating.

Increasing penetration of thermal spray coatings in medical, steel, pulp, and paper also stimulates the demand for the product in developing countries.

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Global Billhook Market Geographical Outlook The demand for billhook has been studied for seven prominent regions including North America, Latin America, Europe, East-Asia, South-Asia, Oceania and Middle-East & Africa. Among these, the Asia Pacific owns the maximum share which is responsible for bringing in most of the revenue for the market. The increasing activities in the agricultural sector, particularly in India has provided necessary thrust to the rise in sales of billhook. The agricultural sector is the dominant sector in the country which contributes to potential share of GDP

Covid-19 Impact on Global Bar Clamp Market - Since the beginning of 2020 manufactures have had to shut down their factories owing to the pandemic. The disruption in the supply chain kept manufacturers from procuring raw materials for the production of these clamps which affected the supply of the product.

North America Cordless Impact Wrench Market Geographical Outlook - North America is anticipated to encounter striking development due to the generous commitment of the U.S., inferable from the profound established avionic business around here. Moreover, the rising population of multiple cars owners, real estate business boom, escalating residual income and execution of the cutting-edge innovations are a portion of the striking variables that can support the utilization in the forecast period 2021-31.

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Application for Aerospace Industry to Hold Nearly 33% of the Thermal Spray Coatings Market; Demand to Grow by 6.5% CAGR Through 2030 - Fact.MR -...

Pokemon's European International Championships kick off on Apr. 22.

Pokemon is hosting its European International Championships this weekend, and everyone who tunes in to the stream will get a free Pokemon for Pokemon Sword and Shield.

The Pokemon Company has announced it will distribute a special Dracovish during this weekend's competition. The company will share a Mystery Gift code for the free Pokemon during the stream. Once the code has been revealed, you can redeem it in the Nintendo Switch games to claim the Pokemon.

The Dracovish being given away is based on the one used by competitor Marco Silva during the 2020 Pokemon Oceania International Championships.

The European International Championships kick off on Friday, Apr. 22, and run through Sunday, Apr. 24, with dedicated tournaments for Pokemon Sword and Shield, Pokken Tournament DX, Pokemon Go and the Pokemon Trading Card Game. Each competition will be streamed on its own Twitch channel. You can learn more about when each stream will begin and how to watch them on the official Pokemon website.

Spice up your small talk with the latest tech news, products and reviews. Delivered on weekdays.

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Get a Free Pokemon This Weekend for Pokemon Sword and Shield - CNET

The Socceroos are once again bound for the World Cup play-offs after failing to qualify directly for Qatar.

Australia finished third in their group after a poor run saw them win just one of their last seven games.

That means they'll now have to navigate two play-off matches if they are to make a fifth-straight World Cup.

Here's what you need to know about what lies ahead for the Socceroos...

The Socceroos will face the United Arab Emirates in the AFC third-place play-off.

One win from seven games saw Australia finish third in their group, while UAE clinched the position after beating South Korea 1-0 in their final group game.

The AFC third-place play-off is currently scheduled to take place somewhere in Qatar on June 7 or 8 (AEST).

Unlike in 2017 when Australia beat Syria 3-2 on aggregate, all play-offs for the 2022 World Cup will consist of a single leg.

The winner of the AFC play-off will then back up one week later against Peru aftertheyfinished fifth in CONMEBOL qualifying.

The South Americans clinched the play-off place after beating Paraguay 2-0 on March 30 which saw them edge out Colombia by a single point.

Peru faced off against Australia at the 2018 World Cup in Russia where they claimed a 2-0 win.

The inter-continental play-off will also consist of a single leg played in Qatar.

Australia are no strangers to a World Cup play-off having experienced plenty of heartache and some ecstasy over the years.

In 2017, the Socceroos beat Syria 3-2 on aggregate in their AFC play-off before beating Honduras 3-1 across two legsin the inter-confederation play-off.

In 2005 and still part of the Oceania confederation, Australia faced off against Uruguay with their inter-continental play-off ending 1-1 after two legs before the green and gold triumphed 4-2 on penalties in Sydney.

The Socceroos had previously suffered plenty of pain in play-offs, falling short against Uruguay in 2001, Iran in 1997 and Argentina in 1993.

Australia, UAE and Peru have been given a placeholder spot in Group D for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

Whichever nation triumphs in the final play-off game in June will then face France, Denmark and Tunisia in group matches later this year.

The Socceroos and Peru both faced off against France and Denmark at the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

France and Denmark progressed from the group on that occasion and will be the favourites to do so again.

See more here:

Socceroos World Cup play-offs: When, where and possible opponents as Australia try to qualify for Qatar - Sporting News