this manatee looks like it’s in a skyrim loading screen

Katy says to take your dang vitamins

Cortondo was the next city he’d pass through. He wondered if Katy was working at her bakery today. It had been a good while since he last had a sponge cake.

…

More trekking later, Larry managed to utilize the trip’s time wisely and engage in some battles with the wildlife and the eager eyes of trainers along the path. Cortondo was the next city he’d pass through. He wondered if Katy was working at her bakery today. It had been a good while since he last had a sponge cake.

Cortondo was a very small town, but it was very homey and it gave him a small sense of misplaced nostalgia every time he walked over the brick road and caught sight of all the olive trees that were painstakingly planted across the dark loamy soil. There were so many, the city was famously known for its olive exports and festivals. He wondered why he couldn’t smell any of them.

“Larry! So good to see you!”

“It’s been so long since you last paid me a visit! How are you?”

Larry shrugged. “Same as usual. Busy, busy, tired, and the like.”

She hummed, showing off such a bright and warm smile that it was almost contagious. “Well, have you been taking your vitamins?”

He felt his lips contort into strange shapes. Her inquiry wasn’t sarcastic. Katy almost never used sarcasm and she couldn’t really see the appeal of using it herself, so she expressed genuine concern. But the maternal aura radiating from her tone weirded him out a little. Especially since she was younger.

“N-not really. I tend to forget to take them in the morning.”

The baker shook a gloved finger and winked playfully. “You’ve got to keep taking them! Don’t forget to go outside for a little stroll when you can, you’d be surprised what wonders a little sunshine could do! That’s why all my seating is outdoors.”

Right. Where all the customers were subject to the inevitable harassment of wild and hungry Vivillon.

She let out a soft giggle, reaching for a pair of freshly-cleaned tongs. “Alright, what can I get for you today?”

Larry went with the sponge cake and ordered two slices. He looked down at the enormous stockpile of fresh turrón through the glass that looked seemingly untouched. He ordered a few pieces and caught a glimpse of her growing smile. The cake pops she made were one of her best-sellers. They imitated the design of various Pokémon species, some which were not even found in the region. Her craftsmanship was impeccable and the fondant and icing she used were so vibrant and inviting that it only made sense as to why they were so popular. There was only one left, and it had the shape of a Pikachu’s head. He left it alone, someone else would appreciate that more than he could.

“It was such a pleasure seeing you again, Larry!” The baker handed him his bagged treats. “I certainly appreciate the business. If you stop by Cascaraffa, please do say hi to Kofu for me!”

He nodded, thanking her and carrying on with his way. He reckoned his long journey was made a little sweeter, now that he had some sugar he could distract himself with.

…

✧⋄⋆⋅⋆⋄✧⋄⋆⋅⋆⋄✧

Writing was done by me.

Illustration was drawn by the amazing MsCMB_!

Sandshark

Training pups isn’t easy. On a good day, what we do is dangerous. Every other, it’s suicidal. Taking in a new shiver is never a happy experience. While it might seem awful to convince a group of children that throwing away their lives for banditry and violence is the way to go, there really isn’t much of an alternative. Any life on this planet is already thrown away, at least now they get to do it on their own terms.

This planet only exports two things. Spice, and hopelessness. We take advantage of both. 

With only a few minutes before the drop, I stared at the unshaven, weary, dark-eyed man in front of me. I would have felt sorry for him, had I not known I was staring at a reflection. I rubbed my eyes and left the washroom, and was immediately assailed by a small group of pups. Caught in their way, they almost knocked me over as they excitedly ran past. Usually, I’d have angrily demanded order, but with only a few minutes left to prep, I figured I’d save the lecture for after we returned. 

As the bright red countdown decreased, eventually everyone found their way into the egress bay. Packed in on the long bench were twenty-something bright, childish pairs of eyes. They were excited, and that was a good thing. Adrenaline is what keeps you alive out there. After a minor briefing, they knew all they needed to know. In truth, the hit was meant to be simple. Small size trading skiff, relatively unguarded, on a quiet stretch of sand. As ideal as conditions can be. 

One by one, they stood and claimed their boards and equipment from their lockers, performed final maintenance checks, and then lined up along the launch rails. 

We have three rules. One, your board. Your board is your lifeline, it’s your way in, and your way out. Without it, you’re as good as dead.

Once all of the pups were in position, I strode to the center and set up my own board. As my feet locked into the cuffs, the red countdown appeared along the top of the bay door. 

Two, your buddies. The desert is lethal, no one survives alone. Your cohorts are your lifeline. Without them, you’re as good as dead.

With one minute remaining on the clock, the room creaked, and the bay door slid open. I signaled to the pups, and slid my goggles over my eyes, and my mask over my face. I watched as they did the same. 

Three, the sand. Don’t ever touch the sand. If you do, you’re as good as dead.

I signaled to the pups again, and rose my back foot, slamming it down, priming the ignition against the rail, and watched them do the same. 

In truth though, these rules have little value. The entirety of what we call a “training course” has little value. We can teach you to ride a board, we can teach you to fight, we can even teach you to steal. But, nothing we can ever teach you compares to your first ignition.

The countdown hit zero, and I felt the fresh heat of twenty-some-odd flames at my back, propelling us from the mothership. As we breached the open air, I pulled ahead of the pack to guide them, and began the descent. It wasn’t long until the skiff was in view, a small brown blemish, hovering silently over the bone-white sand. I looked back to confirm that all was in order, then began the final approach. 

I drew my gun, and descended upon the pilots cabin. The pups all spread throughout the ship, as ordered, armed and ready to deal with any personnel. I hovered alongside the port window, and looked inside to find an untouched helm. I slid around onto the deck, and unlatched myself from the board. A breach into the quarters showed no signs of a human occupant. After a brief search, I returned to the deck. One by one, the pups returned, all with the same news. The ship was empty, devoid of life.

It was at that very moment that I should have called off the hit. Automated skiffs weren’t unheard of maybe ten, twenty years ago. But now? It’s like they were asking to be robbed. Regardless, I set the pups to work gathering the spice from the cargo hold. There couldn’t have been more than a kilogram, but even a gram was enough to feed a mouth for a day. Once all the spice bags were collected and distributed, we found ourselves with one, large, untouched wooden crate. No one would ship anything valuable on a spice skiff, too high risk. So, what was it doing here? My curiosity piqued, I levered open the top, and peered inside. It took a moment for what I was looking at to truly register, or at least, I think it did. In truth, the time of the ordeal is sort of a blur. I yelled to the children to abandon ship, and they did, to the best of their ability. I managed to get back to my board, and lift off the deck. I couldn’t have been more than fifty meters from the ship when it erupted into a blaze. The hull shattered from the force of the explosion, and as heat ran over my back, I turned behind me. 

I counted eleven boards in the air. 

They were asking to be robbed, and I obliged happily. 

Behind the eleven boards, the corpse of the skiff drifted to the sand, and contacted with a thunderous clap. A single person touching the sand is enough to guarantee their death. Something of this magnitude was near-hopeless. I began ascending, and registered a call to the mothership, telling them of the situation, and that we’d need an emergency pickup. Just as I finished, I felt the low rumble emanate from the sand. The source moved quickly, snaking its way towards the disturbance. Only a moment later, it exploded from the sand, and propelled itself upward with incredible speed for its size. It cleared the apex of it’s jump, and descended through the middle of the pack. When I looked back again, I counted ten. Just then, another wyrm attempted the same maneuver. I watched as it’s titanic body swatted two more, throwing them down to the sand. 

I don’t know how long this continued, but when they seemed to have given up their pursuit, I counted only four boards behind me. The mothership appeared soon after, and we boarded in silence. The survivors stowed their gear, and returned to the bench. Four pairs of eyes, downcast, dark. The total take was a little under two-fifty. Before, it would have been enough to feed all the pups for a week or two. But now, those who remained would eat well for a month. 

On a good day, the life of a Sandshark is dangerous. Every other, it’s suicidal.

13 Coolest International Destinations You Can Visit Without a Passport

YOU DON'T NEED A STAMP TO EXPLORE THESE SURPRISING GETAWAYS.

When it involves traveling overseas, there's one essential thing you usually got to bring: a passport. But did you recognize that you simply can attend areas outside of the mainland us without a blue book? (And we're not talking Hawaii or Alaska!) From a tropical paradise in Central America to family-friendly islands across the Caribbean, there are a couple of secret places you'll visit without a passport—and we're here to inform you exactly the way to get there. So, read on, and determine where you'll skip the stamp on your next international vacation.

1 Montego Bay, Jamaica

Montego Bay is possibly the foremost popular tourist destination in Jamaica and a serious cruise liner port. Hit the "Hip Strip," formally referred to as Gloucester Avenue, for shops, art galleries, and colorful cafés. But, of course, you're in Jamaica, so do not forget the beach! Doctor's Cave Beach is that the hottest choice because of its turquoise water perfect for snorkeling. and every one these wonderful Jamaican attractions are often visited without a passport if you're traveling by water. If you're on a cruise that begins and ends within the states, all you would like maybe an occident Travel Initiative-approved document, sort of a certificate and government-issued ID, or an enhanced driver's license.

2 Cabo San Lucas, Mexico

Cabo San Lucas is found below the state of California, down on the southern tip of the Lower California peninsula in Mexico. This beautiful beach resort destination is understood as a favorite amongst the celebs for its proximity to Hollywood. you'll go there year-round and possibly see celebrities like George Clooney, Jennifer Aniston, or maybe Justin Bieber himself. Hit The Spa at Las Ventanas if you would like to urge a Jennifer Lopez-approved glow, and eat fresh at Flora Farms like Adam Levine. and fortunately, consistent with the Los Cabos Airport Immigration regulations, Americans don't need a passport to go to this beautiful destination. Instead, you'll use a certificate, voter registration card, citizenship card, or certificate of naturalization alongside a legitimate photo ID.

3 Puerto Limon, Costa Rica

You may think there is no way you're stepping into Costa Rica without a passport, seeing as it is a country in Central America—but re-evaluate. Many Miami- or San Diego-based cruises sail bent Puerto Limon, one among the most important cities on the coast of Costa Rica. Here, you'll explore the city's untouched nature by taking an open-air tram ride through the Veragua Rainforest or taking a pontoon boat through the Tortuguero Canal. And as a crop-heavy area, don't leave on faith out an area Costa Rican plantation, where you'll see how items like bananas, chocolates, or cacao beans are selected, harvested, and packed for export.

4 Belize City, Belize

You better believe you'll love Belize, even without a passport. This city in Belize (just like its Costa Rican cousin Puerto Limon) is accessible through cruises out of the states, from cities like New Orleans and Miami. And while Belize isn't known for its beaches, per se, here you'll explore the Belize coral reef, which hosts diverse, exotic marine life. But what you absolutely cannot afford to miss in Belize is that the Mayan ruins. the foremost popular is Altun Ha, located just 3o miles northwest of Belize City. For thousands of years, the Mayans occupied this space, and core structures were restored so that today, tours could take visitors to the present historic landmark.

5 Roatán, Honduras

Located off the coast of Honduras, Roatán is an island called in the Caribbean. But unlike other Caribbean destinations, this one offers paradise without the high tag. Around 30 miles long, this small island may be a popular retirement destination thanks to its exotic, yet laid-back tropical nature. And its best secret? it is a hot spot for skin diving. The island is surrounded by the Mesoamerican Reef, a subculture of coral reefs, mangroves, and magnificently unique marine life. While you will need a passport to urge there by plane, countries like Honduras are "waiving the need for cruise passengers unless those passengers start or end their voyage there." So as long as you're on a closed-loop cruise that starts and ends within the states, you're liberal to explore paradise sans passport.

6 Saipan, Northern Mariana Islands

The Northern Mariana Islands have the simplest of both worlds: Scenic oceans and mountainous landscapes. As a commonwealth of the U.S., the 14 islands that structure the Northern Mariana Islands are located within the northwestern Pacific on the brink of Guam, another unincorporated territory. Most of the population lives on Saipan, the most important island. you'll either visit one among its breathtaking beaches like Micro Beach or experience an off-road adventure to the rocky Forbidden Island. But the pièce de résistance is that the Banzai Cliff, a historic war II area on the northern tip of the island. As an area for both reflection and paying respects, the scenery off this cliff is breathtakingly beautiful. And a bit like Guam, per the U.S. Customs and Border Protection's Carrier Information Guide, U.S. citizens who travel directly between the states and one among the territories "without touching a far off port or place," aren't required to present a passport.

7 Hamilton, Bermuda

Nestled within the middle of Bermuda is Hamilton, the island's capital. the town is understood for its pastel-colored buildings that line the harbor and house beach-chic boutiques and native restaurants. Visit the town Hall and humanities Centre for a few fascinating 17th- and 18th-century European paintings or the Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute if you are looking for marine exhibits and ocean artifacts. But if you would like to travel to the simplest a part of Bermuda, you will have to travel across the town to Horseshoe Bay Beach—one of the world's most Instagrammable beaches, with blush pink sand and crystalline water. to urge here without a passport, take a closed-loop Royal Caribbean cruise from Cape Liberty, New Jersey.

8 Tumon, Guam

As an unincorporated U.S. territory, Guam is probably the furthest American-based place you'll visit, nestled within the Philippine Sea near Australia and South Asia. Tumon is found on the northwest coast of the territory, referred to as the middle of Guam tourism. There you'll visit UnderWater World, one among the most important tunnel aquariums within the world. or maybe take a visit to Punta Dos Amantes, a clifftop destination with scenic ocean views. And while having a passport is suggested for anyone traveling to Guam, there are some loopholes for U.S. citizens where they'll be ready to get out of it. Videos say Americans can visit the world passport-free if traveling directly from the mainland, Alaska, or Hawaii, and that they have any proof of citizenship sort of a certificate or certificate of naturalization.

9St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands

Located within the Caribbean, St. John is that the smallest of the U.S. Virgin Islands, but it is the perfect destination for anyone who loves natural beauty. Nearly two-thirds of the island is haunted by Mary Islands park, which shelters forests filled with many colorful birds from cuckoos to warblers and hummingbirds. But when you are not getting your forest fill, visit the gorgeous Trunk Bay beach, which has sugar soft sand and a treasured underwater snorkeling trail. Like most U.S. territories, you do not need a passport to travel here, but the U.S. Virgin Islands tourist center recommends carrying a raised-seal certificate or government-issued photo ID as you would possibly get to "show evidence of citizenship."

10 Montreal, Canada

Contrary to popular belief, as long as you're traveling by land or sea—so as an example, in your car—you aren't required to point out a U.S. passport thanks to the occident Travel Initiative. Instead, you ought to carry along proof of your citizenship and a legitimate photo ID. But if that creates you nervous, there are closed-loop cruises that begin from various New England cities and sail to Montreal. This French-speaking Canadian city is as close as you'll get to Europe without a passport. Here, you'll enjoy French pastries like macarons or visit historic landmarks that rival those in Paris, just like the Notre-Dame Basilica of Montreal.

11 Nassau, Bahamas

The Bahamas is one of the foremost popular cruise destinations from the states, and like many who've gone known, you do not need a passport. because the capital of the Bahamas, Nassau is found off the shore of the mainland on its island. One feature that draws tourists is the pastel-colored Colonial buildings, just like the Government House which may be a bright shade of pink. But Nassau, of course, is not just about the buildings—it's about the beach retreats. Within the past few years, a mega-resorts opened in Nassau called Baha Mar. The 1,000-acre, $4.2 billion property is comprised of three hotels: the Grand Hyatt, SLS Baha Mar, and Rosewood Baha Mar. And when hunger strikes, breeze by The Cove at Atlantis for fresh seafood at Fish by chef José Andrés.

12 Vieques, Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico is perhaps the foremost well-known U.S. territory, so there is no got to stress over getting a passport before visiting. As long as you're directly traveling from the states or another territory, it isn't necessary. So while you're there, you ought to visit Vieques, a little Caribbean Island off the territory's eastern coast. This area offers secluded beaches, beautiful blue-green waters, and therefore the best part? Wild horses that just roam the countryside. But if that does not roll in the hay for you, visit Mosquito Bay, a bioluminescent bay that gives other-worldly views that can't be missed.

13 San Juan, Puerto Rico

Don't recoil from the mainland of Puerto Rico, however. San Juan, the capital and largest city, sits beautifully on its northern coast. If you are looking for a wild tropical trip, visit the Isla Verde resort strip, filled with buzzing bars, nightclubs, and casinos. need a more calm, historic vacation? Take a visit to Old San Juan, the center of colorful Spanish colonial buildings and historic landmarks like La Fortaleza, where the governor resides, or El Morro, a Spanish fort that dates back to the 1500s.

New Post has been published on Trekking in Pakistan

New Post has been published on https://trek.pk/kamalia/

Kamalia

Kamalia (Urdu/Punjabi: کمالیہ) is a city in the Toba Tek Singh District of Punjab, Pakistan. It is the administrative center of Kamalia Tehsil.[2] It is the 67th largest city of Pakistan by population and having the nearest cities like Rajana, Chichawatni, Pir Mahal.

Location

Kamalia is bounded in the South by River Ravi and Chichawatni, in the West by Pir Mahal, in the North by Rajana and Mamu-Kanjan, and in the East by Harappa and Sahiwal.

History

Kamalia is said to be existing even before the Alexander the Great. The legend suggests that Alexander tried to invade and win the then walled city (with used to exist some prehistoric name) in the morning when the people of the city opened its gate for a morning walk! Then the city was attacked and captured. But the conqueror moved on to some other places. Since the neighboring city Harappa is also prehistoric (but ruins now), so, it seems that Kamalia must be part of an ancient civilization who remained untouched from the wrath of the nature which could otherwise cause extinction. The old buildings amidst the “Iqbal Bazar” at the vantage point of the city, tell the story of a then progressive era.

The 1947 Partition caused the Sikh and Hindu population to migrate from the area with many of their hidden items still being found after ages. Some nobles even donated their properties to the trust of the Government. Government Praim Sati Trust (P.S.T) College is one of those properties; which is the only public (general-subjects) college in Kamalia other than the Government Technical College of Commerce.

A number of archaic and archaeological sites exist in Kamalia including Shamshan Ghat, Gurdawara and the ancient havelis with a grandeur.

Climate

The climate keeps changing with weathers. Summers are usually very hot and the temperatures may exceed 40 degrees, then comes Monsoon (Rainy season) with much closed environment and comparatively lesser rains as compared to the surrounding areas, then the Autumn with pleasant weather, then the Winters remain foggy and cold.

The most hazardous climatic threat to Kamalia is the flooding of River Ravi which is luckily a very rare phenomena.

Importance

Kamalia is famous for many things including the hand-woven or machine-woven cloth called “Khaddar”, poultry, sugarcane crop and not the least the Okra crop. Although the land is fertile and many other crops are also cultivated around the year which include Wheat, Cotton, Maze and Rice besides the “off-season” crops. Such variety of crops make it an important place for the Agriculture market. These crops are so much in abundance that many of these are exported to the other areas of the country. The Okra is dispatched across the country and even exported to Afghanistan. Whilst the poultry is also supplied to bigger cities like Lahore and Islamabad.

Dynamics

The people of Kamalia are mostly courteous and friendly. It is a very peaceful city with a minimal crime rate as compared to many other cities. The streets are mostly very narrow but surprisingly, this has increased closeness amongst the neighboring families who take care of each other through thick and thin.

Most of the people run their own micro-scale businesses including vendors selling in the main bazaars, the farmers, the commission agents at the agriculture and dry ration markets, and not the least; the owners and workers of the weaving machine units (looms).

Just like other areas of Pakistan, People are typically fond of politics. Pre-elections and the elections of every kind are enthusiastically participated in, with a handsome turnout. The local sports of Pigeon-keeping and kite-flying are also much liked. Rooftops are filled with pigeon-houses and kite-flying kits. The youth, by virtue of being Pakistani, are fond of Cricket. Although gone are the days when ample grounds including “Master-11” and others used to be heavens of the teens.

The availability of pure drinking water is yet another challenge. The city water table is getting lower gradually. But that is one issue. Fresh underground water is getting yellowish-brown and impure in more and more areas thereby making it inevitable for one to live comfortably.

Sources: Wikipedia

5 Coolest International Destinations You Can Visit Without a Passport

When it involves traveling overseas, there's one essential thing you usually got to bring: a passport. But did you recognize that you simply can actually attend areas outside of the mainland us without a blue book? (And we're not talking Hawaii or Alaska!) From a tropical paradise in Central America to family-friendly islands across the Caribbean, there are a couple of secret places you'll visit without a passport—and we're here to inform you exactly the way to get there. So, read on, and determine where you'll skip the stamp on your next international vacation.

1 Montego Bay, Jamaica people enjoy a boat tour in Montego Bay Jamaica on a cloudy day. iStock Montego Bay is possibly the foremost popular tourist destination in Jamaica and a serious cruise liner port. Hit the "Hip Strip," formally referred to as Gloucester Avenue, for shops, art galleries, and colorful cafés. But, of course, you're in Jamaica, so do not forget the beach! Doctor's Cave Beach is that the hottest choice because of its turquoise water perfect for snorkeling. and every one of these wonderful Jamaican attractions is often visited without a passport if you're traveling by water. If you're on a cruise that begins and ends within the states, all you would like maybe an occident Travel Initiative-approved document, sort of a certificate and government-issued ID, or an enhanced driver's license.

2 Cabo San Lucas, Mexico the Cabo San Lucas arch in Mexico iStock Cabo San Lucas is found below the state of California, down on the southern tip of the Lower California peninsula in Mexico. This beautiful beach resort destination is understood as a favorite amongst the celebs for its proximity to Hollywood. you'll go there year-round and possibly see celebrities like George Clooney, Jennifer Aniston, or maybe Justin Bieber himself. Hit The Spa at Las Ventanas if you would like to urge a Jennifer Lopez-approved glow, and eat fresh at Flora Farms like Adam Levine. and fortunately, consistent with the Los Cabos Airport Immigration regulations, Americans don't need a passport to go to this beautiful destination. Instead, you'll use a certificate, voter registration card, citizenship card, or certificate of naturalization alongside a legitimate photo ID.

3 Puerto Limon, Costa Rica Port Limon seaport in Costa Rica iStock You may think there is no way you're stepping into Costa Rica without a passport, seeing as it is a country in Central America—but re-evaluate. Many Miami- or San Diego-based cruises sail bent Puerto Limon, one among the most important cities on the coast of Costa Rica. Here, you'll explore the city's untouched nature by taking an open-air tram ride through the Veragua Rainforest or taking a pontoon boat through the Tortuguero Canal. And as a crop-heavy area, don't leave on faith out an area Costa Rican plantation, where you'll see how items like bananas, chocolates, or cacao beans are selected, harvested, and packed for export.

4 Belize City, Belize aerial view of waterfront bungalows and a ship in crystal clear water Shutterstock You better believe you'll love Belize, even without a passport. This city in Belize (just like its Costa Rican cousin Puerto Limon) is accessible through cruises out of the states, from cities like New Orleans and Miami. And while Belize isn't known for its beaches, per se, here you'll explore the Belize coral reef, which hosts diverse, exotic marine life. But what you absolutely cannot afford to miss in Belize is that the Mayan ruins. the foremost popular is Altun Ha, located just 3o miles northwest of Belize City. For thousands of years, the Mayans occupied this space, and core structures were restored in order that today, tours could take visitors to the present historic landmark.

5 Roatán, Honduras Roatan Island Honduras Jan 28, 2016:¬†Coxen Hole, also called Roatan Town is that the largest city on the island and also the capital of the Bay Islands of Honduras with a population of 5070.¬†The island within the Caribbean, about 65 kilometers off the northern coast of Honduras. iStock Located off the coast of Honduras, Roatán is an island call in the Caribbean. But unlike other Caribbean destinations, this one offers paradise without the high tag. Around 30 miles long, this small island may be a popular withdrawal destination thanks to its exotic, yet laid-back tropical nature. And its best secret? it is a hot spot for skin diving. The island is surrounded by the Mesoamerican Reef, a subculture of coral reefs, mangroves, and magnificently unique marine life. While you will need a passport to urge there by plane, countries like Honduras are "waiving the need for cruise passengers unless those passengers start or end their voyage there." So as long as you're on a closed-loop cruise that starts and ends within the states, you're liberal to explore paradise sans passport.

Rent a motorhome, discover New Zealand - TUI CAMPER

Popular tours around the South Island

Would you like to integrate New Zealand into your Around the World route? Nothing easier than that! Your 16 day road trip around the South Island of New Zealand starts and ends in Christchurch. At table with Bilbo Baggins - enjoy dinner followed by a movie set tour in Hobbiton. Do you need a taxi? The price for a trip starts around 3 NZD (approx. € 1.9). Alternatively, you can also put your trust in something cheaper.

How much does a visa for New Zealand cost?

To apply for the Working Holiday Visa for New Zealand online you need a passport that is valid for at least the whole Travel duration is valid. A valid credit card to pay for the visa (fees are currently NZ $ 245, equivalent to approximately € 150).

Bungee jumping was practically invented here on a bridge over the Kawaru River. The most impressive peak in the New Zealand Alps is Mount Cook (3754 m), shaped like an invading tent, the also under the Maori name Aoraki ( which pierces the clouds) is known. The mountain is in the center of Mount Cook National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We leave the Coromandel Peninsula and drive to Orewa, north of Auckland. In the evening, visit the pubs and beer gardens of Queenstown. The German Tourism Award is one of the most important awards in the German tourism industry. The German Tourism Association has been awarding the innovation prize for forward-looking projects in Germany tourism since 2005. Since 2015, the nominees have also been able to win an audience award.

New Zealand "Fascination New Zealand" dates 2020/2021

Detailed information can be found at New Zealand customs.

Wild camping (Freedom Camping) has risen in some places in New Zealand, so that many residents defend themselves against it.

>

The island is crossed by the Southern Alps, the highest point of which is Mount Cook (3754 m).

In the big cities, the average price for a single trip is approx.

The park offers a rocky coastline, long golden beaches, crystal clear water, a seal colony and numerous bird species.

And do you know what is good about it?

ul > The next stop on our New Zealand tour is Whakatane in the Bay of Plenty region. The absolute highlight here is a trip to Whakaari Island, which is also called White Island. The Whanganui National Park, which stretches along the banks of the river, mainly consists of untouched bush landscape, in which the remains of the Bridge to Nowhere can be found, a remnant of the failed attempt to establish a settlement in this wonderful wilderness. Beyond Foveaux Street is New Zealand's third largest island, which has only a few residents and can be reached by plane (20 minutes) or by motor catamaran from Bluff. With maximums of 30 degrees in summer and snowfalls on the South Island in New Zealand winter. You don't want to do without skis and snowboards even in summer? Then fly to New Zealand between June and September and benefit from the country's fantastic slopes. Travelers are obliged to declare products or objects in question as a risk when entering the country. These include u.

What is self contained?

cheap campervan hire NZ

Self-Contained means nothing else than independent and means that a vehicle has the following equipment: fresh water supply. Sink. Toilet div> div> div>

Vaccination regulations can change at short notice. If in doubt, please seek medical advice in good time. No restrictions, but there is a border cash report for the import and export of amounts (including checks and securities) with a value of at least NZ $ 10,000. Many hosts once again outdid themselves with breakfast (especially Eden Park in Auckland should be mentioned here). We had the penultimate night in New Zealand and now drove again with Inga along the west coast with fantastic views again. The journey then led us inland through a rainforest that was unique for us with huge tree ferns and huge ancient kauri trees, among other things. also called the oldest still standing tree Tane Mahute.

A bonfire of the tax reliefs?

Avalara, Brighton, profile photos, head shots, 2016Short of £20 billion? ‘Spreadsheet Phil’ Hammond, the UK Chancellor, is. And with the Brexit dividend funding source melting away at the prospect of stuttering negotiations, a fresh look at a number of questionable tax reliefs is timely. But a lack of HRMC data, erratic forecasting and management will put billions of potential savings beyond his reach. £400bn tax reliefs overdue scrapping HMRC says the UK provides £400bn in tax reliefs each year – that’s 50 percent of the UK’s annual tax revenues. The top ten reliefs account for 94% of this; mostly income tax and NIC thresholds (38%), and reduced VAT reliefs. These are probably going to stay untouched given the Conservative party’s desperation to cling onto its low-tax credentials as Brexit risks a new general election. So what else is lurking in the pot of over 1,100 tax reliefs that could cover the promised health care funding deficit?  Three stick out particularly as ineffective and failing to meet the criteria for an effective relief – creating positive behaviours to engender wealth creation, and curb profligacy. A relief deserving retirement Everyone likes to forecast the end of higher tax rate relief on pension contributions. But the £24 billion relief has never looked more past its sell-by-date – almost 70 percent of the relief goes to higher and additional rate payers. A progressive reform would end a tax break for the middle class that has never been particularly efficient at encouraging widespread retirement savings. It’s time to end, or at least curb it, and redirect the savings to boost pensions for the lowed income tax payers, and fund healthcare needs. Entrepreneurs rewarded after crossing the finishing line Entrepreneurs’ Relief, costing the Exchequer £2.7 billion, is a reduced Capital Gains Tax of ten percent on the first £10 million gain (the standard CGT rate is 18 percent or 28 percent) for small business owners when they sell up. Most of us would agree start-ups are a key foundation for innovation and thriving economy, particularly as the economy pivots to the self-employed ‘gig’ model. But providing a tax break after the business is sold-up seems a perverse point to try incentivize any owner, and unlikely to be an incentive for someone considering creating a new business. The relief was initially expected to cost less than £500m per annum. So the sums and rational look poor enough to withdraw it. Cheering on the low-skilled economy to subsidise Corporation Tax cuts Not all reliefs are poorly directed. Research & Development credits are good value – studies show for every £1 of R&D tax credit, UK firms spend an additional £1.53 to £2.35 on innovation. Yet the UK only grants £2.5 billion in credits compared to France’s £5.5m or Germany’s £4.5m (grants). The outcome is the UK significantly lagging all other EU countries in productivity due to lack of investment. In the first quarter of 2018, UK productivity actually fell by 0.4 percent, and continues to rely on a low-skill and poorly-paid workers to maintain its international competitiveness. With this lack of reliable inputs to comprehensively evaluate the £400bn in tax relief, the government is more likely to put most of the worst offenders on the bonfire. So why do we have such a dysfunctional innovation relief? Well. it’s largely to fund the headline-grabbing Corporation Tax cuts from 28 percent in 2010 to 17 percent in 2020.  These reductions did not fund themselves as often claimed by supporters pointing to unchanged revenues. Instead, they were flattered by the reductions to capital allowances. Again, a rethink is called for to stop the wasted investment in innovation. This will become particularly important as the government tries to redefine what the UK is post-Brexit – an offshore low-cost manufacturer, and a technology-driven global exporter. HMRC culpable of incomplete evaluation puts shroud over further £14bn reliefs There are many more such poor designed reliefs which probably need pairing back, from Agricultural Property Relief through to VAT relief on new constructions. But the necessary inputs for evaluation are inadequate, and it is unclear if their objectives are being met. The way HMRC looks at reliefs is to consider the tax they generate and the administrative burden they create for tax payers. But there is not enough focus on the costs incurred, and much of what exists is estimated, so comparisons are difficult. This is a major reason why there are so many poorly evaluated reliefs. With this lack of reliable inputs to comprehensively evaluate the £400bn in tax relief, the government is more likely to put most of the worst offenders on the bonfire. The post A bonfire of the tax reliefs? appeared first on Accountancy Age.

https://www.accountancyage.com/2018/09/27/a-bonfire-of-the-tax-reliefs/

‘Lightening’ creams go through a remodeling however colorism continues

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP)– The world’s greatest cosmetics companies have actually been offering a fairy tale that frequently goes something like this: If your partner’s disliked you, if your coworkers dismiss you at work, if your skills are ignored, whiten your skin to turn your love life around, boost your profession and command center stage.

No business has actually had greater success marketing this message throughout Asia, Africa and the Middle East than Unilever’s Fair & Lovely brand name, which sells countless tubes of skin lightening cream every year for just $2 a piece in India.

The 45- year-old brand name makes the Anglo-Dutch corporation Unilever more than $500 million in annual revenue in India alone, according to Jefferies financial analysts.

Following decades of pervasive marketing promoting the power of lighter skin, a re-branding is striking shelves internationally However it’s not likely that fresh marketing by the world’s greatest brands in beauty will reverse deeply rooted prejudices around “colorism,” the concept that fair skin is better than dark skin.

Unilever said it is getting rid of words like “reasonable”, “white” and “light” from its marketing and product packaging, explaining the choice as a move toward “a more inclusive vision of charm.” Unilever’s Indian subsidiary, Hindustan Unilever Limited, stated the Fair & Lovely brand name will instead be referred to as “Radiance & Lovely.”

French cosmetics huge L’Oreal followed suit, saying it too would get rid of comparable phrasing from its items. Johnson & Johnson said it will stop selling Neutrogena’s fairness and skin-whitening lines altogether.

The makeover is happening in the wake of mass demonstrations against racial oppression following the death of George Floyd, a black guy pinned to the ground by a white law enforcement officer in the U.S.

It’s the current in a series of modifications as business rethink their policies amidst Black Lives Matter demonstrations, which have actually spread out around the world and reignited discussions about race.

Activists worldwide have actually long looked for to counter Unilever’s aggressive marketing of Fair & Lovely, with the brand name’s advertisements criticized by females’s groups from Egypt to Malaysia.

Kavitha Emmanuel established the “Dark is Beautiful” project in India more than a decade ago to counter perceptions that lighter skin is more gorgeous than naturally darker skin. She stated international companies like Unilever did not initiate complexion predisposition, however have profited from it.

” Backing such a belief for 45 years is definitely quite damaging,” Emmanuel said, adding that it has worn down the self-worth of lots of girls across India.

For women raised on these repaired requirements of charm, the marketplace is awash in product or services that can both brighten pigmentation from skin damage and outright lighten skin.

At the Skin and Body International beauty clinic in South Africa, owner Tabby Kara said she sees a lot of individuals asking about going one or two tones lighter.

” It’s a general need in Africa,” she stated. “People do wish to be a bit fairer simply due to the fact that society anticipates or is more thinking about the fairness of an individual.”

Historically, throughout North Africa and Asia, darker skin has actually been related to bad laborers who operate in the sun– unlike in Western cultures, where tanned skin is frequently an indication of time for leisure and beauty.

India’s cultural fixation with lighter skin is embedded in everyday matrimonial advertisements, which frequently note the skin tone of groom and brides as “fair” or “wheatish” alongside their height, age and education.

The ancient Hindu caste system has actually helped uphold a few of the bias, with darker-skinned individuals often seen as “untouchables” and relegated to the dirtiest jobs, such as cleaning sewage.

The power of whiter, fairer skin in lots of countries was additional reinforced by European guideline, and later on by Hollywood and Bollywood film stars who have actually included in skin lightening ads.

In Japan, pale translucent skin has actually been coveted because at least the 11 th Century. So-called “bihaku” products, based on the Japanese characters for “beauty” and “white,” remain popular today amongst major brands.

The high-end Tokyo-based skin care brand name Shiseido states none of its “bihaku” products include ingredients that bleach skin, however do decrease melanin that can lead to blemishes. The company says it has no strategies to alter its product names, consisting of the “White Lucent” line, just because other international companies have actually done so.

In South Korea, the words “whitening” or “mibaek” have actually been utilized in about 1,200 sort of cosmetics items since 2001, according to the Ministry of Food and Drug Security.

About $283 million worth of “mibaek” items were manufactured last year in South Korea, the ministry has actually said.

South Korean appeal company Amore Pacific stated it uses the word “brightening” for exports to the U.S. to appreciate cultural diversity. Domestically, nevertheless, they can not change words like “mibaek” on creams sold in South Korea since of laws needing using specific terms to describe the function of skin lightening items.

The U.S.-based Proctor & Gamble, which sells Olay brands “Natural White” and “White Radiance”, declined to comment when asked whether it had strategies to re-brand internationally.

Emmanuel stated she invites the choices by Unilever and L’Oreal, but wishes to know whether they will progress their entire narrative around skin lightening.

” We’re actually thrilled it’s occurring, but we’re yet to see what is truly going to alter,” she said.

Unilever said in its announcement that it recognizes “using the words ‘fair’, ‘white’ and ‘light’ suggest a singular perfect of appeal that we do not think is right.” Instead, the declaration described products that provide “radiance, even tone, skin clearness and radiance.”

Alex Malouf, a Dubai-based marketing executive who was previously at Proctor & Gamble, said business had been playing to different audiences all over the world but are now taking note of the societal changes happening in the U.S. and Europe, where investors are mostly based.

L’Oreal, for instance, tweeted last month it “stands in uniformity with the Black neighborhood and versus injustice of any kind.” Its items in the U.S. include the Dark & Charming brand name, focused on black ladies.

Outside the U.S., however, the business was marketing its “White Perfect” line for a “reasonable, flawless skin.”

” However you can’t do that in the digital age since I can see what you guys are performing in the U.S.,” Malouf stated. “I can see what you do over here,”

___

Associated Press writers Emily Schmall in New Delhi, Yuri Kageyama in Tokyo, and Hyung-Jin Kim and Kim Tong-Hyung in Seoul, South Korea added to this report.

___

Follow Aya Batrawy on Twitter at www.twitter.com/ayaelb

%.

from Job Search Tips https://jobsearchtips.net/lightening-creams-go-through-a-remodeling-however-colorism-continues/

Top 10 luxury hotels in Vietnam

It is amazing how things can change in half a century. After World War II, decades of war, political upheaval, and social conflict were all anyone thought of when you mentioned any of the countries in Southeast Asia, especially Vietnam. But here we are, in the twenty-first century, and Vietnam has made leaps and bounds in their development to now become a pristine vacation location for people around the world.

Due in part to their limited export capacity, Vietnam’s economy is heavily reliant on the tourism industry these days. This means they understand that getting visitors into the country is paramount, and offering them an unsurpassed stay is the key to getting them to come back. Because of this, Vietnamese luxury hotels have become world-renowned for their unique experiences and fantastic service that will leave you wanting to come back again and again. So before you book your flight, have a look at these top ten luxury hotels in this ancient land of culture and beauty.

1. Amanoi, Vinh Hy Village

This resort is the hidden jewel of Vinh Hy Bay, tucked into tumbling jungles and surrounded by crystal-clear waters along 32 km of pristine coastline. They feature three different accommodation styles; villas, residencies, and spa houses. The spa houses are world-renowned, even earning the title of “Best Spa for Wellness” in Harper’s Bazaar Travel Guide to the 100 Greatest Hotels in the World.

They feature a variety of packages that can be tailored to fit your personal style. Want to spend your luxury vacation enjoying nothing but spa treatments and good food? They have it. Want to experience the culture and wonder of Indochina? They’ve got you covered. Want to merely sit and relax in the untouched majesty of nature? Your wish is their command. Dining in this resort has several experiences in and of itself. They provide ancient and contemporary Vietnamese dishes cooked both in the restaurant or served to you beach-side with a flute of champagne. Specialties include braised abalone with shiitake mushrooms, whole live crab fried with tamarind sauce, fresh spring rolls with shrimp and pork, and grilled beef in bamboo. And to top it off, every herb they use in the resort is grown in their own garden.

2. InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort, Danang

This hotel is built around lush gardens, a private beach, is inspired by Vietnamese temples and traditional villages in its blended designs. The hotel itself boasts a classy stay in one of their world-renowned rooms, classic suites, or executive rooms. But even the standard room in this hotel boasts a balcony view of the East Sea and incredible Vietnamese architecture, and they start at around $500 US dollars a night.

In addition to immaculate suites, this resort boasts access to some of the finest restaurants in the country. Treat yourself to an experience at La Maison 1888, where your tastebuds will be caressed by the artistry of three-star Michelin chef, Pierre Gagnaire. You can also take advantages of the many spa treatments available at this location, including the HARNN Heritage Spa or partake in the ultimate pedicure regimen by world renowned posiatrist, Bastien Gonzalez.

3. Sofitel Legend Metropol, Hanoi

Like the city of Hanoi itself, this first-class hotel is designed to reflect the colorful tradition of the city’s history as well as the modern elegance first-class travel requires. The resort is mere steps away from the Old Opera House in Hanoi’s historic and vibrant French Quarter, bathing you in the opulence of the Era of Empires while also immersing you in local artistic culture, Vietnamese cuisine and dream-like architecture that includes the original wrought iron details and stately wood paneling residing through over a century of history. Stays begin at around $250 US.

4. The Reverie Saigon, Ho Chi Minh City

This hotel is best known for its incredible hospitality and absolutely stunning list of services offered during your stay here. From spa getaway suites to expensive luxury car chauffeuring services, the Reverie has thought of nearly everything. And with luxury suites starting in the $600 ballpark, it’s easy to see why this is such a popular destination. And don’t even get us started on the food; the acclaimed Reverie Lounge and dozens of high end traditional and international restaurants will leave you with an experience that will last you a lifetime, and yet leave you wanting to come back for more.

5. Park Hyatt Saigon, Hồ Chí Minh

Shifting gears, the urban luxury in Ho Chi Minh is no better experience than in the Park Hyatt Saigon hotel. The hotel has 245 rooms including 23 suites, which recently underwent a complete upgrade to French-colonial style rooms that combine elegant, traditional “old-world” comfort with the latest in technology, including in-room mini iPads, Nespresso machines, and sensor lighting systems. The Suites are large and spacious, perfect for making an extended stay as comfortable as is humanly possible.

The Hyatt’s signature restaurant, Square One, features authentic Vietnamese and French cuisine, while Opera offers traditional Italian dishes prepared in a large open kitchen. If the nightlife is what you crave, the 2 Lam Son brags itself the liveliest nightspot in Ho Chi Minh City. Even the Lounge is alive with local live musicians several nights of the week.

6. The Nam Hai Four Seasons Resort, Hoi An

Ideally located in Vietnam’s rich central coast, The Nam Hai offers a portal to some of the most popular and celebrated beaches in this coastal country. They offer sunsets on the East Sea by kayak, historic trips of imperial Hue and world-class restaurants in the area. Their villas are proclaimed as the best in central Vietnam and a stay in this exotic utopia starts at only around $700 US. The Four Seasons is also known for its fantastic culinary options and state of the art luxury dining facilities.

7. Six Senses Ninh Van Bay, Khanh Hoa Province

The dramatic rocky bay of Van Bay in Khanh Hoa gives visitors to the Six Senses the sense that they are on an island unto themselves. The secluded nature of this tropical paradise includes such experiences as the renowned sauna and fitness center, playing tennis, volleyball or badminton, and long mountain walks around the bay area. They also specialize in watersports such as scuba diving, paddle boarding, sailing, kayaking, snorkeling, waterskiing, tubing, and even fishing charters. From the front desk, you can also schedule an excursion into Nha Trang City for a tour or take a guided trip to the Cai River and Mud Baths nearby. Also available are world-class restaurants and spa treatments

8. Anantara Quy Nhon Villas, Bình Định

Touted as one of the “finest beach resorts in Vietnam”, Anantara is a paradise surrounded by mountains on three sides and overlooking the Bay of Quy Nhon, one of the world’s most beautiful beach fronts. With only 26 villas dotting the lush landscape, it’s no wonder a stay at Anantara is one of the most sought after reservations in Indochina. With full-service butlers, four-hand massages, ancient local ruins, and traditional fisherman’s villages, there’s plenty to do and be pampered by in this corner of the jungle. The cuisine is also incredible, featuring restaurants serving you experiences in local seafood, gourmet street eats, traditional hot pot grilling and island picnics on the surrounding uninhabited islands.

9. Six Senses Con Dao, Vũng Tàu

For those of you looking for sustainable opulence, look no further than Six Senses Con Dao, another premier location for the discerning luxury stay. This remote, secluded island has many things the mainland just cannot offer, like the protected national and marine park that surround this remote archipelago. With pristine villas designed to mimic a traditional fishing village, this spa getaway is a vacation you don’t want to miss out on starting at $600 US per night.

Cuisine in the area includes Vietnamese by the Market, an immersive experience featuring traditional local flavors. By the Beach is the resort’s official seafood restaurant sporting a panoramic ocean view and continual sea breezes. Outings and activities include touring the islands around the hotel, paddleboarding the natural reef, and guided scuba diving outings.

10. Anantara Hoi An Resort, Quảng Nam

Another location steeped in tradition and history, Anantara Hoi An Resort is less than a kilometer from the historic quarter of Hoi An, in lush gardens fronting the Thu Bon River. Riverfront dining, blissful spa treatments, and sunset river cruises along the river are only a couple of the things this enticing resort has in store for its guests. Enjoy the views as you saunter down the promenade past shrines, modern art galleries, teahouses, and small cafes, An Bang Beach, one of the country’s most famous beach fonts, is just down the way from the resort’s own private jetty. Whether you plan on spending the day in one of their elegant 93 rooms or venturing out to see all that Hoi An has to offer, Anantara Hoi An is a fantastic option.

Now you can begin planning your dream vacation to the mysterious lands of the Orient. Whether your personal taste resides in the simple pleasures of a spa secluded in nature or a highrise, state of the art suite in the city, Vietnam has a luxury destination just waiting for you.

Guido Graf is Founder of Privateupgrades. Privateupgrades is a global luxury travel club with over 20 years of experience in luxury hotels, ensuring exclusive VIP privileges like upgrades, free breakfast, free nights, rate discounts, free airport transfers, free massages and much more.

If you would like to be a guest blogger on A Luxury Travel Blog in order to raise your profile, please contact us.

The post Top 10 luxury hotels in Vietnam appeared first on Tripstations.

from Tripstations https://ift.tt/313isMD via IFTTT

Brazil’s Next Tropical Hot Spot Is Getting Hotter

(Bloomberg Opinion) -- With peak burning season in the Amazon basin still to come, the commotion over destruction of the storied rain forest will grow. Yet even as Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro prepares to lecture the United Nations General Assembly on who’s boss in the jungle and enjoins Brazilians to don the national colors to show that “Amazonia is ours,” the next tropical hot spot is already under duress. And given the economic stakes, expect the outrage to spread.No one marches along Ipanema beach to save the Brazilian savanna. Still, the sprawl of scrub and low-lying forest three times the size of Texas on the lower lip of the Amazon basin is falling fast, and so has become cause for global concern. The heightened scrutiny is an opportunity for officials already on the defensive to get something right. That won’t happen, however, unless producers, politicians and environmentalists drop their fists, use their collective heads and stop treating the savanna as a zero-sum game.The first step is to recognize that the cerrado is not a second Amazon. Yes, it is a natural wonder: home to 4,800 unique plant and vertebrate animal species, and 800 kinds of fish, a quarter of which are found nowhere else, and the source of 43% of Brazil’s fresh water outside the Amazon basin. It’s also one of the world’s most promising agricultural frontiers, where enterprising planters sow some 60% of the national crop, including soybeans, cotton, corn and sugarcane, and herders graze beef cattle from horizon to horizon. Year-round harvests on these tablelands are the engine of Brazilian agribusiness, which kicks in nearly a quarter of Brazilian gross domestic product, and have kept Latin America’s economy growing even when industry tanked and services stalled.Yet such bounty has come at a cost. The drive to the grain belt has already leveled close to half (46%) the cerrado forest and scrub, leaving untouched only 20% of the original vegetation. Between 2002 and 2011, deforestation increased 2.5 times faster in the cerrado than the Amazon, according to a study by Bernardo Strassburg of the International Institute for Sustainability. By one estimate, soy in the cerrado contributed 80% of Brazil’s climate-warming carbon gas emissions in 2016.Fortunately, the rate of felling has decreased. But for how long? While the Amazon’s fragile soils are a natural barrier to big agriculture, soy can be sown on more than 88% of what remains of the savanna. Under farmland business as usual, that’s an invitation to a conflagration.  Some cerrado champions now want to import the rules of the Amazon soy moratorium, under which planters and traders are barred from trading in soy grown on recently cleared land. That arrangement helped brake land-clearing in the Amazon basin earlier this decade and slashed carbon emissions.It’s also tricky politics. Cerrado farmers have cash and clout. They control some of the world’s most productive farmland. Maligned as predators, many of them heard in Bolsonaro’s aggressive campaign cant an ode to creative destruction. Yet if Brazil wants to refurbish its soiled international brand, farmers need to listen to another tune.  The timing couldn’t be better. When Bolsonaro sacked the respected head of the space research institute over unflattering deforestation data and dismissed critics as vegans and arsonists, he brought farmers risk instead of redemption. The blazing rhetoric has spooked grain dealers and Swedish pension funds, driven away retailers from Kipling  to Timberland, and shaken Brazil’s trade partners.To reach a better green deal, Brazil needs its best farmers to become partners, not targets or martyrs. Wonks, scholars and green activists can help by hacking through the bureaucratic deadwood. There’s an awful lot of green tape in Brazil. No other country holds its farmers to such severe environmental standards, according to Earth Innovation Institute president Daniel Nepstad, a scholar of tropical forests. Soy producers need 20 permits just to do their jobs.In a region where converting forests to crops is the leading source of greenhouse emissions, tough standards for farmers make good sense. Yet without assurances that leaving forests standing can be as rewarding as clearing them for export crops, the push for zero deforestation to the savanna will likely come up short.Enterprising cerrado planters know that the world has turned and customers expect conservation on the farm and good green governance from the silo to the supermarket. Most planters in the grain-belt state of Mato Grosso have reportedly committed to zero deforestation and want to be recognized and compensated for their troubles. That’s one reason why companies selling verification and inspection services are part of a new growth industry in the grain trade, according to Bloomberg Intelligence.Grupo Amaggi, Brazil’s biggest soybean producer, helps planters upgrade their operations to qualify for environmental certificates, which now cover 3% of the local crop. However, few farmers have qualified for the much-heralded market in carbon credits and most are frustrated that certified green soy fetches only slightly higher prices than conventional grain. “The message here is confusing,” Juliana Lopes, chief sustainability officer at Amaggi, told me. “Buyers want certified grain but they aren’t willing to pay for it.”Another problem: securing credit to convert to environmental best practices. “The law obliges producers to maintain a forest reserve, but just try to use your standing forest as collateral for a farm loan,” said Aline Maldonado, CEO of the Aliança da Terra (Land Alliance), which advises more than 1,300 farmers on greener ways. “The forest reserve still has no value.”Fortunately, such quandaries have brought together onetime adversaries. Farmers, academics, green groups, traders and government officials are speaking out in forums such as the Roundtable on Responsible Soy and the Soy Buyers Coalition. Even Chinese buyers, better known for their appetite for natural resources than for environmental stewardship, have joined the conversation.The savanna is the key to success. “There’s skepticism among producers who have heard lots of promises but seen few results,” says Strassburg. “They need to be brought to the table.” That’s a cause worth wearing the national colors for.To contact the author of this story: Mac Margolis at [email protected] contact the editor responsible for this story: James Gibney at [email protected] column does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the editorial board or Bloomberg LP and its owners.Mac Margolis is a Bloomberg Opinion columnist covering Latin and South America. He was a reporter for Newsweek and is the author of “The Last New World: The Conquest of the Amazon Frontier.”For more articles like this, please visit us at bloomberg.com/opinion©2019 Bloomberg L.P.

from Yahoo News - Latest News & Headlines

(Bloomberg Opinion) -- With peak burning season in the Amazon basin still to come, the commotion over destruction of the storied rain forest will grow. Yet even as Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro prepares to lecture the United Nations General Assembly on who’s boss in the jungle and enjoins Brazilians to don the national colors to show that “Amazonia is ours,” the next tropical hot spot is already under duress. And given the economic stakes, expect the outrage to spread.No one marches along Ipanema beach to save the Brazilian savanna. Still, the sprawl of scrub and low-lying forest three times the size of Texas on the lower lip of the Amazon basin is falling fast, and so has become cause for global concern. The heightened scrutiny is an opportunity for officials already on the defensive to get something right. That won’t happen, however, unless producers, politicians and environmentalists drop their fists, use their collective heads and stop treating the savanna as a zero-sum game.The first step is to recognize that the cerrado is not a second Amazon. Yes, it is a natural wonder: home to 4,800 unique plant and vertebrate animal species, and 800 kinds of fish, a quarter of which are found nowhere else, and the source of 43% of Brazil’s fresh water outside the Amazon basin. It’s also one of the world’s most promising agricultural frontiers, where enterprising planters sow some 60% of the national crop, including soybeans, cotton, corn and sugarcane, and herders graze beef cattle from horizon to horizon. Year-round harvests on these tablelands are the engine of Brazilian agribusiness, which kicks in nearly a quarter of Brazilian gross domestic product, and have kept Latin America’s economy growing even when industry tanked and services stalled.Yet such bounty has come at a cost. The drive to the grain belt has already leveled close to half (46%) the cerrado forest and scrub, leaving untouched only 20% of the original vegetation. Between 2002 and 2011, deforestation increased 2.5 times faster in the cerrado than the Amazon, according to a study by Bernardo Strassburg of the International Institute for Sustainability. By one estimate, soy in the cerrado contributed 80% of Brazil’s climate-warming carbon gas emissions in 2016.Fortunately, the rate of felling has decreased. But for how long? While the Amazon’s fragile soils are a natural barrier to big agriculture, soy can be sown on more than 88% of what remains of the savanna. Under farmland business as usual, that’s an invitation to a conflagration.  Some cerrado champions now want to import the rules of the Amazon soy moratorium, under which planters and traders are barred from trading in soy grown on recently cleared land. That arrangement helped brake land-clearing in the Amazon basin earlier this decade and slashed carbon emissions.It’s also tricky politics. Cerrado farmers have cash and clout. They control some of the world’s most productive farmland. Maligned as predators, many of them heard in Bolsonaro’s aggressive campaign cant an ode to creative destruction. Yet if Brazil wants to refurbish its soiled international brand, farmers need to listen to another tune.  The timing couldn’t be better. When Bolsonaro sacked the respected head of the space research institute over unflattering deforestation data and dismissed critics as vegans and arsonists, he brought farmers risk instead of redemption. The blazing rhetoric has spooked grain dealers and Swedish pension funds, driven away retailers from Kipling  to Timberland, and shaken Brazil’s trade partners.To reach a better green deal, Brazil needs its best farmers to become partners, not targets or martyrs. Wonks, scholars and green activists can help by hacking through the bureaucratic deadwood. There’s an awful lot of green tape in Brazil. No other country holds its farmers to such severe environmental standards, according to Earth Innovation Institute president Daniel Nepstad, a scholar of tropical forests. Soy producers need 20 permits just to do their jobs.In a region where converting forests to crops is the leading source of greenhouse emissions, tough standards for farmers make good sense. Yet without assurances that leaving forests standing can be as rewarding as clearing them for export crops, the push for zero deforestation to the savanna will likely come up short.Enterprising cerrado planters know that the world has turned and customers expect conservation on the farm and good green governance from the silo to the supermarket. Most planters in the grain-belt state of Mato Grosso have reportedly committed to zero deforestation and want to be recognized and compensated for their troubles. That’s one reason why companies selling verification and inspection services are part of a new growth industry in the grain trade, according to Bloomberg Intelligence.Grupo Amaggi, Brazil’s biggest soybean producer, helps planters upgrade their operations to qualify for environmental certificates, which now cover 3% of the local crop. However, few farmers have qualified for the much-heralded market in carbon credits and most are frustrated that certified green soy fetches only slightly higher prices than conventional grain. “The message here is confusing,” Juliana Lopes, chief sustainability officer at Amaggi, told me. “Buyers want certified grain but they aren’t willing to pay for it.”Another problem: securing credit to convert to environmental best practices. “The law obliges producers to maintain a forest reserve, but just try to use your standing forest as collateral for a farm loan,” said Aline Maldonado, CEO of the Aliança da Terra (Land Alliance), which advises more than 1,300 farmers on greener ways. “The forest reserve still has no value.”Fortunately, such quandaries have brought together onetime adversaries. Farmers, academics, green groups, traders and government officials are speaking out in forums such as the Roundtable on Responsible Soy and the Soy Buyers Coalition. Even Chinese buyers, better known for their appetite for natural resources than for environmental stewardship, have joined the conversation.The savanna is the key to success. “There’s skepticism among producers who have heard lots of promises but seen few results,” says Strassburg. “They need to be brought to the table.” That’s a cause worth wearing the national colors for.To contact the author of this story: Mac Margolis at [email protected] contact the editor responsible for this story: James Gibney at [email protected] column does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the editorial board or Bloomberg LP and its owners.Mac Margolis is a Bloomberg Opinion columnist covering Latin and South America. He was a reporter for Newsweek and is the author of “The Last New World: The Conquest of the Amazon Frontier.”For more articles like this, please visit us at bloomberg.com/opinion©2019 Bloomberg L.P.

September 05, 2019 at 01:00PM via IFTTT

Health Benefits, Nutrition Facts and History of Apples

Often called a “miracle food” and a “nutritional powerhouse,” an apple a day really may keep the doctor away as they’re one of the healthiest foods a person can eat. These round and juicy fruits are high in fiber and vitamin C, and they are also low in calories, have only a trace of sodium, and no fat or cholesterol.

“Apples are high in polyphenols, which function as antioxidants,” said Laura Flores, a nutritionist based in San Diego. “These polyphenols are found in both the skin of the apples as well as in the meat, so to get the greatest amount of benefits, eat the skin of the apple.”

All of these benefits mean that apples may mitigate the effects of asthma and Alzheimer’s disease, while assisting with weight management, bone health, pulmonary function and gastrointestinal protection.

Here are the nutritional facts from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, which regulates food labeling through the National Labeling and Education Act:

Nutrition Facts Serving size: 1 large apple (8 oz / 242 g) Raw, edible weight portion Calories 130   Calories from Fat 0 *Percent Daily Values (%DV) are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Amt per Serving %DV* Amt per Serving %DV* Total Fat 0g 0% Total Carbohydrate 34g 11% Cholesterol 0mg 0%   Dietary Fiber 5g 20% Sodium 0mg 0%    Sugars 25g Potassium 260mg 7% Protein 1g Vitamin A 2% Calcium 2% Vitamin C 8% Iron 2%

Health benefits

Apples are loaded with vitamin C, especially in the skins, which are also full of fiber, Flores said. Apples contain insoluble fiber, which is the type of fiber that doesn’t absorb water. It provides bulk in the intestinal tract and helps food move quickly through the digestive system, according to Medline Plus.

In addition to digestion-aiding insoluble fiber, apples have soluble fiber, such as pectin. This nutrient helps prevent cholesterol from building up in the lining of blood vessels, which, in turn, helps prevent atherosclerosis and heart disease. In a 2011 study, women who ate about 75 grams (2.6 ounces, or about one-third of a cup) of dried apples every day for six months had a 23 percent decrease in bad LDL cholesterol, said study researcher Bahram H. Arjmandi, a professor and chair of the department of nutrition at Florida State University. Additionally, the women’s levels of good HDL cholesterol increased by about 4 percent, according to the study.

When it comes to polyphenols and antioxidants, Flores explained that they “work in the cell lining to decrease oxidation resulting in lowering risk of cardiovascular disease.” A 2017 article published in Trends in Food Science & Technology adds that blood pressure may also be reduced in those with or at risk of hypertension, which also lowers the risk of cardiovascular disease. A decreased risk of Type 2 diabetes, which can also lead to cardiovascular disease, was found in a study of more than 38,000 women and was also attributed to certain polyphenols and the high-fiber content of apples.

There may be respiratory benefits to eating apples, as well. “Apples’ antioxidant benefits can help lower the risk of asthma,” Flores told Live Science. A 2017 study published in the journal Nutrients indicates that the antioxidants in a variety of fruits and vegetables, including apples, potentially decrease the risk of asthma by helping control the release of free radicals from inflamed cells in the airways and in the oxygen-rich blood coming from the heart.

Health risks

“Eating apples in excess will not cause many side effects,” Flores said. “But as with anything eaten in excess, apples may contribute to weight gain.”

Furthermore, apples are acidic, and the juice may damage tooth enamel. A study published in 2011 in the Journal of Dentistry found that eating apples could be up to four times more damaging to teeth than carbonated drinks.

However, according to the lead researcher, David Bartlett, head of prosthodontics at the Dental Institute at King’s College in London, “It is not only about what we eat, but how we eat it.” Many people eat apples slowly, which increases the likelihood that acids will damage tooth enamel.

“Snacking on acidic foods throughout the day is the most damaging, while eating them at meal times is much safer,” Bartlett said in a statement from King’s College. “An apple a day is good, but taking all day to eat the apple can damage teeth.”

Dentists recommend cutting up apples and chewing them with the back teeth. They also recommend rinsing the mouth with water to help wash away the acid and sugars.

Apples and pesticides

“Most apples will have pesticides on them, unless they are certified organic,” Flores said. In 2018, the Environmental Working Group, a nonprofit environment and human health organization, concluded that 98 percent of conventional apples had pesticide residue on their peels. However, the group also said that “the health benefits of a diet rich in fruits and vegetables outweigh the risks of pesticide exposure.” [Infographic: Guide to Pesticides in Produce]

Washing apples well helps remove pesticides, according to the Colorado State University Extension Service. “Washing apples and making sure you rub the skin in some way will do the trick,” Flores said. “You can do this with your hands or a fruit scrubber.” However, using chemical rinses and other treatments for washing fresh produce is not recommended because the Food and Drug Administration has not evaluated those products for safety or effectiveness.

Some researchers say not to worry about pesticides. Dr. Dianne Hyson, a research dietitian at the University of California, Davis, writes that laboratory tests have shown very low levels of pesticide residue on apple skins.

Are apple seeds poisonous?

Apple seeds, also called pips, contain a chemical compound called amygdalin, which can release cyanide, a powerful poison, when it comes into contact with digestive enzymes. Whole seeds pass through your digestive system relatively untouched, but if you chew the seeds you may be exposed to the toxins. One or two will not be harmful, as the body can handle small doses of cyanide, but if you or a child chews and swallows a lot of seeds, you should seek medical attention immediately.

How many seeds are harmful? According to John Fry, a consultant in food science, about 1 milligram of cyanide per kilogram of body weight will kill an adult person. Apple seeds contain about 700 mg (0.02 ounces) of cyanide per kilogram; so about 100 grams (3.5 ounces) of apple seeds would be enough to kill a 70-kilogram (154 lbs.) adult. However, an apple seed weighs 0.7 grams (0.02 ounces), so you would have to munch on 143 seeds to get that amount of cyanide. Apples typically have about eight pips, so you’d have to eat the seeds of 18 apples in one sitting to get a fatal dose.

Apple history and facts

Apples originated in the mountainous region of present-day Kazakhstan. The trees grew 60 feet tall and produced fruit in all sizes between a marble and a softball in shades of red, green, yellow, and purple, according to Cornell University. According to the University of Illinois Extension service, apples were consumed at least as far back as 6500 B.C.

Various trade routes passed through these trees, and apples were likely picked by hungry traders, who then discarded the seeds along their paths and probably carried the seeds with them to plant in other destinations. The seeds naturally hybridized with other local species, producing thousands of different types of apple trees across Europe and Asia. The seeds eventually made it to other continents and countries, including North America and New Zealand.

The first apples grown in North America were planted by European settlers in the Massachusetts Bay Colony. Newton Pippin apples were the first type of apple to be exported from the colonies, when they were sent to Benjamin Franklin in London. Today, nearly 25 percent of apples grown in the U.S. are exported around the world.

More fun facts about apples from the University of Illinois Extension service:

There are 7,500 varieties, or cultivars, of apples grown throughout the world and 2,500 varieties in the U.S.

The world’s top apple producers are China, the United States, Turkey, Poland and Italy.

Apples are grown in all 50 states.As of 2010, the U.S. Department of Agriculture reported that 60 percent of the apples produced in the U.S. were grown in Washington state, 13 percent in New York, 6 percent in Michigan, 5 percent in Pennsylvania, 3 percent in California and 2 percent in Virginia.

In 1730, the first apple nursery was opened in Flushing, New York.

The science of apple growing is called pomology.

Apples are members of the rose family, Rosaceae

from Rottweiler Central http://www.rottweilercentral.com/health/health-benefits-nutrition-facts-and-history-of-apples/

Vallabhbhai Patel Quotes - An Indian barrister & statesman

33+ Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Quotes on Freedom, Success, Education, Community - Most Powerful Quotes by Iron Man of India : We share best famous slogan and quotes of All time on Community, Student, Education, Love, Peace, The Change, Government, Youth and Success by An Indian barrister & statesman Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.

Vallabhbhai Patel

An Indian barrister & statesman Vallabhbhai Patel (31 October 1875 – 15 December 1950), popularly known as Sardar Patel, was the first Deputy Prime Minister of India. He was an Indian barrister and statesman, a senior leader of the Indian National Congress and a founding father of the Republic of India who played a leading role in the country's struggle for independence and guided its integration into a united, independent nation Statue of Unity : As a memorial to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, the statue will not only remind every individual of our great nation's freedom struggle but will also inspire the people of our country to inculcate Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel's visionary ideologies of unity, patriotism, inclusive growth and good governance. Born 31 October 1875, Nadiad Died 15 December 1950, Mumbai Full name Vallabhbhai Jhaverbhai Patel Education Middle Temple Nicknames Bismarck of India, Strong (Iron) Man, Sardar, Iron Man Of India Awards Bharat Ratna (1991)

Vallabhbhai Patel Quotes List

Non-violence has to be observed in thought, word and deed. The measure of our non-violence will be the measure of our success. — Vallabhbhai Patel The negligence of a few could easily send a ship to the bottom, but if it has the wholehearted co-operation of all on board it can be safely brought to part. — Vallabhbhai Patel There is something unique in this soil, which despite many obstacles has always remained the abode of great souls. — Vallabhbhai Patel It is the prime responsibility of every citizen to feel that his country is free and to defend it freedom is his duty. Every Indian should now forget that he is a Rajput, a Sikh or a Jat. He must remember that he is an Indian and he has every right in his country but with certain duties. — Vallabhbhai Patel My only desire is that India should be a good producer and no one should be hungry, shedding tears for food in the country. — Vallabhbhai Patel Manpower without unity is not a strength unless it is harmonized and united properly, then it becomes a spiritual power. — Vallabhbhai Patel Faith is of no evil in absence of strength. Faith and strength, both are essential to accomplish any great work. — Vallabhbhai Patel It is in my nature to be a friend of the friendless — Vallabhbhai Patel A war based on Satyagraha is always of two kinds. One is the war we wage against injustice, and the other we fight our won weaknesses — Vallabhbhai Patel Take to the path of dharma – the path of truth and justice. Don’t misuse your valour. Remain united. March forward in all humility, but fully awake to the situation you face, demanding your rights and firmness. — Vallabhbhai Patel By common endeavor we can raise the country to a new greatness, while a lack of unity will expose us to fresh calamities. — Vallabhbhai Patel We have to shed mutual bickering, shed the difference of being high or low, develop a sense of equality and banish untouchability. We have to restore the conditions of Swaraj prevalent prior to British rule. We have to live like children of the same father. — Vallabhbhai Patel Little pools of water tend to become stagnant and useless, but if they are joined together to form a big lake the atmosphere is cooled and there is universal benefit. — Vallabhbhai Patel Even if we lose the wealth of thousands, and our life is sacrificed, we...should keep smiling and be cheerful keeping our faith in God and Truth. — Vallabhbhai Patel Independent India's leaders will neither use a foreign language nor rule from a remote place. — Vallabhbhai Patel Homoeopathy is supposed to work miracles. — Vallabhbhai Patel No one would starve in independent India. Its grain would not be exported. Cloth would not be imported by it. Its leaders would not use a foreign language and finding justice in it would be neither costly nor difficult. — Vallabhbhai Patel One can take the path of revolution but the revolution should not give a shock to the society. There is no place for violence in revolution. — Vallabhbhai Patel Ours is a non-violent war, It is Dharma YUDDHA. — Vallabhbhai Patel The main task before India today is to consolidate herself into a well-knit and united power. — Vallabhbhai Patel Religion is a matter between the man and his Maker. — Vallabhbhai Patel Caste, community will rapidly disappear. We have to speedily forget all these things. Such boundaries hamper our growth. — Vallabhbhai Patel Two ways of building character – cultivating strength to challenge oppression, and tolerate the resultant hardships that give rise to courage and awareness. — Vallabhbhai Patel Happiness and misery are paper balls. Don’t be afraid of death. Join the nationalist forces, be united. Give work to those who are hungry, food to invalids, forget your quarrels. — Vallabhbhai Patel No distinctions of caste and creed should hamper us. All are the sons and daughters of India. We should all love our country and build our destiny on mutual love and help. — Vallabhbhai Patel Every citizen of India must remember that he is an Indian and he has every right in this country but with certain duties.  — Vallabhbhai Patel Today we must remove distinctions of high and low, rich and poor, caste or creed. — Vallabhbhai Patel It is only so long as a man can retain the child in him that life can be free from those dark shadows which leave inevitable furrows on a man92s forehead.  — Vallabhbhai Patel In a domestic Government unity and co-operation are essential requisites.  — Vallabhbhai Patel Satyagraha is not a creed for the weak or the cowardly.  — Vallabhbhai Patel Tell Churchill to save England first before saving India.  — Vallabhbhai Patel Your goodness is impediment in your way, so let your eyes be red with anger, and try to fight the injustice with a firm hand.  — Vallabhbhai Patel Read the full article

Not even Trump’s trade threats can slow this booming port in a tiny Canadian town

Prince Rupert is hardly the place one would expect to find an international gateway that’s weathering the Trump trade storm better than any other Pacific port in North America.

There’s just one bakery in the town of 12,000 people tucked away in a misty corner of western Canada. The local Walmart outlet is affectionately known as “Smallmart.” Shuttered storefronts on its main street are obstinate reminders of the collapse of its pulp and fishing industries more than a decade ago.

Yet this rainy outpost in British Columbia is the continent’s fastest-growing port for trans-Pacific trade — U.S. President Donald Trump and his tariffs be damned. In the first half of 2018, Prince Rupert’s container volumes surged by 19 per cent from the same period last year, more than any other major gateway for Asian trade in the U.S., Canada or Mexico.

“I would rather call these hiccups,” Maksim Mihic, head of Canada for Dubai-based marine operator DP World Ltd., says of the Trump trade war. His company paid $580 million (US$442 million) three years ago to buy Fairview, Prince Rupert’s upstart container terminal that’s been snatching market share from rival ports like Seattle-Tacoma and Los Angeles. “Whenever you have a trade barrier, there’s opportunity — the market will find a way.”

Port of Prince Rupert unveils expanded terminal, ‘a strategic gem’ for CN Rail

Donald Trump issues fresh auto tariffs threat against Canada if NAFTA talks fail

Port of Vancouver gets $167 million infrastructure investment from Ottawa for three projects

Shippers have discovered Prince Rupert is often the quickest, most reliable, and cheapest route to get everything from Nike sneakers, Microsoft computers and John Deere tractor parts from Asian factories into the U.S. heartland. Empty containers on the return trip, in turn, create an opportunity for Canadian lumber and grain producers to expand exports to the world’s fastest-growing markets. The town’s proximity to Asia is a built-in advantage — up to 58 hours closer by sea than any other North American gateway — which for ships traversing the route can mean roughly one additional round-trip voyage a year.

In 2017, Prince Rupert’s port-wide volumes surged 28 per cent to a record 24 million tons. DP World’s $200 million expansion readied Fairview to accept the largest vessels at sea, which are increasingly favored by shippers seeking to load more containers to reduce costs. Within months, the facility welcomed the largest ship to ever dock at a Canadian port — the Himalayas which, if vertical, would tower over Canada’s tallest building.

“We expect it’ll be another record year,” says Shaun Stevenson, the port’s chief executive officer. “We represent that opportunity for industries to pivot and look at the Asia-Pacific region.”

A Canadian Coast Guard patrol vessel sits at the Port of Prince Rupert in Prince Rupert, British Columbia. The port is the continent’s fastest-growing port for trans-Pacific trade.

At the 24-hour container terminal, massive cranes soaring as high as a 20-story building pluck steel boxes off a ship onto a line of trucks below. Nearby, rail cars wait on track laid directly on the dock by Canadian National Railway Co., whose 20,000-mile network connects the Pacific coast, the Atlantic, and the Gulf of Mexico. The ship-truck-rail transfer is so seamless — unhampered by the urban congestion plaguing larger rivals like Vancouver — that two trains of goods can already be on their way before a vessel is fully unloaded.

From Prince Rupert, it’s a 90-hour shot to Chicago mostly on a natural downgrade through Canada’s sparsely populated interior, meaning rail cars rattle their way to the distribution heartlands of America faster than over any other competing route. So precise and consistent is the path — Microsoft says it can track arrivals almost to the minute — that the technology giant at times has shipped Chinese imports bound for California via Chicago rather than through a California port. In the other direction, exports of containers stuffed with grains — a deviation from the traditional bulk method of pouring grains directly into ships at specialized terminals — are booming.

“The advantage is that you can deliver the container to every corner of the market in Asia,” says Mihic. Instead of committing to a shipload of pulses, an Indian buyer can order 20 tons of lentils for distribution to local mom-and-pop shops, he says. “That is the advantage for Canadian exporters — that’s the untouched territory for us. It’s much more flexible.”

Still, some aren’t convinced that Trump’s trade battles with China, Europe and Canada won’t hamper port shipments at some point. Port officials across the region “don’t want to think that tariffs will expand beyond those already in place and that even those tariffs will be unwound fairly soon,” says Jock O’Connell, a international trade consultant and adviser to Los Angeles-based Beacon Economics. “I’m not that optimistic.”

“Any port that serves as a major conduit for the supply chains that link the U.S. and China ought to be concerned about declines in the volume of trade — and the Port of Prince Rupert fits that description,” he said.

In Prince Rupert, signs of apprehension are hard to find.

In June — just days after Trump first threatened tariffs on US$200 billion worth of Chinese imports after earlier extending steel tariffs to Canada and Mexico — DP World committed to boosting the terminal’s capacity by another third by 2022. Meanwhile, CN Rail is investing $340 million in 2018 to support that growth with more capacity.

Prince Rupert’s prominence has been a long time coming. Its extraordinary positioning was spotted in the early 1900s but its ambitions were cut short when its principal backer — Charles Melville Hays, the railroad tycoon who laid the groundwork for the critical link underpinning it today — died aboard the Titanic in 1912.

“The beginning of our town was a failed dream,” says Mayor Lee Brain, who’s getting calls daily from companies seeking to set up logistics, container-stuffing and warehouse businesses near the port. “It took a hundred years but now we are the Asia-Pacific gateway for intercontinental trade.”

The town’s future may now be tied to a metal container. While tariffs and commodity cycles can strike grain, coal and oil terminals, global container traffic is surging as shippers seek to cram more products into the giant, Lego-like cubes that make freight easier and cheaper to handle. In fact, Trump risk aside, containerization has likely been a bigger driver of globalization than free trade in the post-Second World War era, boosting trade by as much as 1,240 per cent, according to one study in the Journal of International Economics.

“‘Peak container’ isn’t on the horizon,” a McKinsey & Co. report declared last October, saying container traffic was likely to grow as long as the global economy keeps growing. “Indeed, the flexibility of the container trade makes it resilient: one product may go out of fashion but another will come along to fill the box.”

Meanwhile, signs of prosperity are cropping up in Prince Rupert. The town recently saw its first near-$1 million home — a 4,960-square-foot residence perched on a bluff overlooking one of the world’s deepest natural harbours, according to Nikki Morse, a local realtor. The mayor says so many residents are renovating their homes that the municipal landfill is running out of space. “There are more Audis, BMWs and Mercedes driving around than in probably 30 years,” says Stevenson, the port CEO.

Bloomberg.com

from Financial Post https://ift.tt/2P6HLb9 via IFTTT Blogger Mortgage Tumblr Mortgage Evernote Mortgage Wordpress Mortgage href="https://www.diigo.com/user/gelsi11">Diigo Mortgage

The Road Travelled: History of the Toyota Camry

The Toyota Camry is a car most people never think about — not even the nearly 10 million owners who fire up the mid-size sedan’s ignition each and every morning on their way to work. That’s because all the Camry does is win, posting industry-leading sales numbers year after year as Toyota’s most compelling success story. How did the current Camry evolve to its current status as the ruler of all family sedans? Check out our timeline charting the progression of the Toyota Camry from challenger to champion. 1983-1986: Growing Pains The Camry name is a rough porting of the Japanese word for Crown (kanmuri), with the latter having graced important Toyota sedans since the mid-1950s. After spending a few years wandering the wastelands of its home market’s compact segment under the Celica Camry banner, the Toyota Camry as we now know it went on sale in America as a 1983 model. Labeled internally with the code “V10,” the Camry sedan and its hatchback lineup mate offered a front-wheel-drive layout matched with the choice between a 1.8-liter or 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, with output for the larger motor peaking at 95 horsepower by 1985. There was even a short-lived turbodiesel model, which used a standard five-speed manual gearbox (gas cars could option a four-speed automatic). In some ways, the shift from rear-wheel-drive Corona to front-wheel-drive Camry was instigated by Honda’s success in the U.S. with the Accord, which had debuted a few years earlier. Toyota pushed out the Camry’s dimensions so that it was bigger and more comfortable at all seating positions than the vehicle that would become its biggest rival. Fun fact: Toyota also worked hard at the beginning of the ’80s to convince Ford to work together on vehicle development, even going so far as to suggest that the Camry be built at a Ford plant. Blue Oval leadership declined the offer, and the Camry would go on to sell close to 130,000 examples in its first two years of production. See Also: Where are They Now? How Five Iconic Cars Changed Over the Years 1987-1991: Learning The Ropes Still square and mechanically mostly the same — save for a move to a 16-valve version of its 2.0-liter engine that was capable of producing 115 horsepower, and internal improvements to the optional autobox — the second-generation Toyota Camry that debuted as a 1987 model focused on refinement, rather than revolution. The car’s body became more aerodynamic, a wagon joined the lineup for the first time, and buyers began to notice that Toyota was stuffing the Camry with higher-quality components and materials than what could be found in mid-size American sedans of the same era. The 1988 model year would introduce the Camry’s first V6 engine, a 2.5-liter unit that offered 153 horsepower and dual-overhead cams. Amazingly, not only did Toyota continue to offer the manual gearbox with the V6, but it initially made it a requirement for any buyer who wanted to add All-Trac all-wheel-drive to the mix (the second-gen Camry was the only version of the car to ever be offered with all-wheel drive). The following year Toyota began building the Camry in Georgetown, Kentucky, marking off an important milestone for the Japanese automaker in its quest to solidify an American foothold. 1992-1996: Bigger, Better Camry By the time the early ’90s rolled around, the Camry was no longer an outsider, but a regular challenger for the sleepy Detroit giants who had taken family buyers for granted throughout the past decade (with the exception of the well-received Ford Taurus sedan). The third iteration of the car got even more serious about courting Americans with a six-inch boost in overall length and a typical increase in width that helped it truly qualify for mid-size status. Toyota also did a bit of experimentation with the redesigned Camry, briefly offering a coupe version and backing away from the boxiness of the older model. A bigger car meant larger engines were now needed, with the base 2.2-liter four-cylinder providing 130 horsepower and a new 3.0-liter V6 offering up to 188 horsepower (depending on the model year). The Camry SE would also debut for the first time in 1992 with the intention of attracting performance-seeking buyers by way of a list of handling and suspension upgrades. Additionally, the redesigned wagon was available with the option of a third row of seating. All-wheel drive, however, was gone forever. 1997-2001: The Dominator The fourth-generation Toyota Camry is the one that cemented the automaker’s mid-size dominance for the foreseeable future. A longer wheelbase, modernized styling, and two new engines (a revised 2.2-liter four-cylinder good for 133 horses and a 194 horsepower version of the 3.0-liter V6) were the headlines for the redesigned Camry, but it was a series of constant improvements over its five-year lifespan combined with fantastic reliability that would endear this version of the sedan to family shoppers. The wagon body style had been exiled for good, but the coupe – now called the Camry Solara – would make a comeback as a ’99 model in another attempt to buff up the sedan’s commuter car image. A convertible version appeared the year after. Neither were really necessary, however, because the Camry was by now an unstoppable sales freight train. 2002-2006: More Luxury The Lexus brand, which had been launched partly on the back of the Camry-based ES sedan, had taught Toyota a number of important lessons when it came to maximizing profits, and this was visible in how the 2002-2006 version of the Camry was packaged. The stripped-down base model was dropped from the lineup, a brand-new 2.4-liter, 157 horsepower four-cylinder engine was added, and by 2004, the older V6 had also been replaced (by a 3.3-liter, 210-horsepower six-cylinder). The Solara coupe and convertible would make their last hurrah with this version of the Camry, too, with both bowing out by 2009 after a light restyling effort was made to keep them fresh alongside the redesigned sedan. Still, cars from this era lost some of their luster as Toyota’s pursuit of volume at the expense of quality suddenly had owners dealing with a higher rate of problems, defects, and breakdowns than they had ever encountered on past models. It was an issue that would persist until the end of the decade before the company realized that it needed to right the ship — Camry included. 2007-2011: NASCAR-bound Not only did Toyota face a quality crisis that would overlap part of this generation of Camry, but it also found itself with the task of producing two separate versions of the car — the one familiar to Americans, and a more high-end model that was exported to certain overseas markets. This time, instead of making the entire car bigger, Toyota focused on improving the interior room, which led to a bigger feeling cabin with no additional length or width — the two inches of wheelbase stretch are contained within roughly the same parking spot, although the car now sat two inches taller. The Camry’s sleeker profile would soon be spotted on NASCAR starting grids, too, where the sedan made its first foray into America’s premier motorsport. Although four-cylinder models remained untouched, a new 3.5-liter V6 generating 268 horsepower and 248 lb-ft of torque made its debut for the 2007 model year, a substantial boost in power from a motor that would hang in for the next 10 years in one form or another. You could still get a manual transmission with the four-cylinder, but five-speed automatics and even a six-speed automatic for the V6 were far more popular choices. The biggest update to this generation Camry, aside from the styling? The introduction of a hybrid model, which represented the strategy, borrowed from Lexus, to rebrand Toyota as a purveyor of electrified transportation. With about 40 mpg available from the car in city driving, the battery-assisted Camry Hybrid made significant waves in the mid-size segment, but couldn’t attract the same level of attention as the more popular Prius compact hybrid. See Also: 2006-2011 Used Toyota Camry Review 2012-2017: A Return To Form Were there any worlds left for the Camry to conquer by the start of the new millennium’s second decade? Not really — although the threat of SUVs and crossovers would rise like a looming specter not long after its debut in the summer of 2011. Styling for this generation Camry was among the most eye-catching since its ’90s heyday, and the car’s new 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine boosted base power to 178 horses (the V6 carried over). The long-standing manual transmission was banished from the Camry’s order sheet, with a six-speed automatic becoming standard across the board. Build quality was also boosted significantly for all versions of the sedan, with customers re-upping on a regular basis and keeping sales numbers strong. 2018-present For 2018, the Toyota Camry makes a substantial leap forward in terms of design and engineering. It now shares its underpinnings with the Prius and the CH-R, allowing the company to leverage its New Global Architecture platform across a wide range of vehicles. With up to 206 horsepower available from its 2.5-liter four-cylinder and 301 horsepower from its 3.5-liter V6 — both of which having been gifted with direct fuel injection — and with a 208 horsepower version of the Camry Hybrid also available, the vehicle has never fielded a more intriguing range of drivetrain choices. It’s also more style-forward than past Camry sedans, especially the extroverted Sport trim. See Also: 2018 Toyota Camry Review Even with all of these changes, however, the car still aims squarely for the hearts and minds of families interested in a reasonably sized, affordable daily commuter that will deliver a hundred thousand miles of worry-free driving. The post The Road Travelled: History of the Toyota Camry appeared first on AutoGuide.com News.

http://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/2017/09/the-road-travelled-history-of-the-toyota-camry.html

Tiling Service In Dandenong

You should choose tiles Dandenong for your home or business

  Overall, in case you would like to select the ideal marble to decorate your home together, make sure tiles Dandenong is your ideal alternative. As a result of its immunity and fashionable nuances, it really is likely to accommodate every dwelling absolutely. Additionally, should you treat this it is likely to be like new for a lot of years in the future. They'll fit with every item in the space. Even the tiles are extremely magnificent and vibrant. Many people today feel it's very difficult or quite troublesome to buy the white tiles. Nevertheless, the truth is it's quite straightforward together will find all information from the internet stores. Based in their own color, you will find various kinds of Tiles, such as for example Bianco, Whiter and Spectacular. 

As a result of the possessions, the tiles Dandenong South are traditionally utilised to generate modern effects by covering floors, tables and counters. As it's porous and doesn't need a polished surface, this generates it perfect for your own floors, as shoes and socks do not slide onto it. Additionally its light, soft colors make it convenient for all sorts of furniture types. That is just another reason it's really much valued by decorators and clients. On account of the earlier mentioned featuresthat the tiles are fairly disheartening. Its light color may make it more likely to demonstrate off the dirt or spilled fluids and foods.

    Internet sites may assist you take care of the issue of buying high-rise tiles and marble for decoration. The internet stores display the product quality, price, colour, colorcolour of their tiles. The potential clients may feel the reviews and opinions published by one different users too.

Tiling service Dandenong could be the ideal kind service presently available from the market. Various forms of goods are produced with the assistance with this tile that already are celebrated. This tile can be useful for its inner decoration of their domiciles and offices.

Specialists substantially love its own qualities, since it's perhaps one of the very gorgeous marbles which individuals are able to find. Its source is from the community with the identical name, also it's been exported to most of the countries of the entire world since its discovery at the regional quarries. The tile can be found in various colors however, also the tiling service in Dandenong is extremely popular with people. An individual may acquire amazing and refined tiles out of this type of marbles. Even the tiles can be found in three distinct colors like blue, white and grey. This is the reason in the event that you opt to wear it your own floors, take care to keep it fresh by combining it using a special mop everyother moment. On the opposing hand, this continuous maintenance makes it lasting, therefore in case you tile your hardwood floor using tile, make certain they'll endure for a long time.

Once it comes to decorating a house, anybody wants to come across the most useful materials they are able to find, so as to develop an excellent effect also to produce their house presentable. Certainly one of the greatest choices could be your tiles Dandenong, as a result of its own style and immunity. Additionally, these 3 colors could cause a few colossal magical in the buildings at virtually any interior decorations. All these tiles are perfect to rekindle the floor of this kitchen, baths and perhaps even dinning rooms. 

They have been very brilliant and refined and will assist you give a bit of heritage in virtually any place. It goes from your early history, since it had been used to decorate the temples of Rome and lots of monuments which were constructed in this period. This really is a true debate for its immunity, as these buildings have continued nearly untouched ever since that time. Though the discount tiles Dandenong is famous to get colors of blue, white and grey, now today arrive in a number of different nuances and fashions, concerning suit any personality and taste.

Discover this info here for getting more information related to tiling service dandenong.