text: Economics news Contensis: http://www.contentmanagement.co.uk http://www.birmingham.ac.uk/schools/business/departments/economics/news/index.aspx?SyndicationType=2 2017-08-20T07:10:17Z Budget 2016: why growth isn't Osborne's biggest concern right now Paul Carpenter Professor of Macroeconomics John Fender reflects on the 2016 Budget in The Conversation. 2016-03-17T13:34:00Z 2016-03-17T13:28:00Z https://theconversation.com/budget-2016-why-growth-isnt-osbornes-biggest-concern-right-now-56379 The fall in the world oil price and its implications for the UK economy Paul Carpenter Professor of Macroeconomics John Fender consider the decline in the price of oil and the effect it will have on the UK economy. 2016-01-22T10:38:00Z 2016-01-22T10:58:00Z http://www.birmingham.ac.uk/schools/business/research/news/2016/january/world-oil-price.aspx Economics at Birmingham ranked in top 6 for research intensity in recent REF The commitment to research that exists within Economics has been underlined by the results of the recent Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2014 exercise, with the Department ranked 6th out of 28 institutions on research intensity. 2015-01-15T15:57:00Z 2015-06-11T07:12:00Z http://www.birmingham.ac.uk/schools/business/departments/economics/news/2015/january/ref-research.aspx "Ideological Dissent in Downsian Politics" research podcast with Dr Siddhartha Bandyopadhyay In this latest podcast, Dr Siddhartha Bandyopadhyay discusses his research that looks at factors that play apart in politics, voting and the government. 2014-07-31T14:08:00Z 2015-06-11T07:10:00Z http://www.birmingham.ac.uk/schools/business/research/research-podcasts/index.aspx Without HS3, all railroads lead to London - and a lopsided nation Pat Hanlon, a Senior Lecturer in Transport Economics, discusses George Osborne's proposal for a high speed rail line across the north of England and the effects it could have on the UK's great economic imbalance. 2014-06-25T14:20:00Z 2015-06-11T07:10:00Z http://www.birmingham.ac.uk/schools/business/departments/economics/news/2014/june/without-hs3-all-railroads-lead-to-london-and-a-lopsided-nation.aspx Birmingham Business School joins the elite of global business schools Birmingham Business School has been awarded accreditation by the AACSB, confirming its place in the top elite of global business schools and securing the gold standard of 'triple-crown' accreditation. 2014-05-16T09:57:00Z 2015-06-11T12:50:00Z http://www.birmingham.ac.uk/schools/business/news/2014/may/birmingham-business-school-joins-the-elite-of-global-business-schools.aspx Birmingham Three Minute Thesis Competition The Three Minute Thesis (3MT®) competition returns this year which challenges PhD students to effectively communicate the significance of their research in just three minutes. 2014-04-07T16:41:00Z 2015-06-11T13:58:00Z http://www.birmingham.ac.uk/schools/business/research/news/2014/april/birmingham-three-minute-thesis-competition.aspx Explainer: do sanctions work? Colin Rowat, Lecturer in Economics, looks how the consensus seems to be that the West must "do something" to prevent instability in Ukraine and Russia's other neighbours, and whether that should include wider sanctions for the whole country. 2014-04-01T11:22:00Z 2015-06-11T07:06:00Z http://www.birmingham.ac.uk/schools/business/departments/economics/news/2014/april/explainer-do-sanctions-work.aspx Business School Doctoral Scholarships available for 2014/15 Birmingham Business School is pleased to announce a number of PhD scholarships for the 2014/2015 academic year in the areas of Accounting and Finance, Economics, Management and Marketing. 2014-03-28T10:57:00Z 2015-06-11T14:00:00Z http://www.birmingham.ac.uk/schools/business/courses/dr/research-scholarships.aspx Discussion paper series; three new papers now available 'Brand recognition', 'Hong Kong's growth enterprise market' and 'Global value chains and industrial relations research' are the topics covered in the latest Business School discussion papers. 2014-03-27T09:43:00Z 2015-06-11T14:01:00Z http://www.birmingham.ac.uk/schools/business/research/discussion-paper-series/index.aspx Partnerships between universities and businesses are a strong driver for regional economic growth Professor Simon Collinson discusses Higher Education's impact value on the economy. 2014-03-10T10:08:00Z 2015-06-11T12:49:00Z http://www.birmingham.ac.uk/schools/business/news/2014/march/partnerships-between-universities-and-businesses.aspx Better Policing Collaboration to link academics with practitioners Dr Siddhartha Bandyopadhyay is featured in the latest Birmingham Perspective which focusses on 'Better Policing Collaboration to link academics with practitioners'. 2014-02-24T14:11:00Z 2015-06-11T07:07:00Z http://www.birmingham.ac.uk/schools/business/departments/economics/news/2014/february/better-policing-collaboration.aspx College of Policing grant to build links between academics and the police Murray Admin A partnership involving the University of Birmingham has been awarded £50,000 by the College of Policing to forge links between academics and the police. 2014-01-30T10:10:00Z 2016-02-15T11:20:00Z http://www.birmingham.ac.uk/schools/business/departments/economics/news/2014/january/college-of-policing-grant-to-build-links-between-academics-and-the-police.aspx Hundred-year sentences ignore both logic and evidence Dr Siddhartha Bandyopadhyay discusses proposals to impose incredibly long sentences (100 years or so) for some murders as a way to circumvent the EU court's ban on life sentences without parole. 2014-01-09T11:33:00Z 2015-06-11T07:08:00Z http://www.birmingham.ac.uk/schools/business/departments/economics/news/2014/january/hundred-year-sentences-ignore-both-logic-and-evidence.aspx College of Social Sciences Doctoral Researcher yearbook The inaugural College of Social Sciences Doctoral Researcher Yearbook showcases the innovative and cutting edge work of the Doctoral Researchers in Birmingham Business School, as well as the other schools within the College. 2013-12-18T17:59:00Z 2015-06-11T13:57:00Z http://www.birmingham.ac.uk/Documents/college-social-sciences/college/courses/dr-yearbook-2013.pdf Business School finalists present their PhD research in the 2013 Birmingham Three Minute Thesis competition The 2013 University of Birmingham Three Minute Thesis (3MT®) competition featured two finalists from Birmingham Business School. 2013-12-18T10:30:00Z 2015-12-27T20:35:00Z http://www.birmingham.ac.uk/schools/business/news/2013/december/business-school-finalists-present-their-phd-research-in-the-2013-birmingham-three-minute-thesis-competition.aspx Professor Simon Collinson shortlisted in Management Book of the Year competition Dean of Birmingham Business School's book has been shortlisted in the category of 'Practical Manager' in the Management Book of the Year competition. 2013-12-04T09:00:00Z 2015-06-11T12:13:00Z http://www.birmingham.ac.uk/schools/business/news/2013/december/professor-simon-collinson-shortlisted-in-management-book-of-the-year-competition.aspx ESRC scholarships for Postgraduate training and Doctoral Research Applications for Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) funding beginning in October 2014 are now being accepted. 2013-11-06T11:58:00Z 2015-12-27T22:53:00Z http://www.birmingham.ac.uk/schools/business/research/news/2013/november/esrc-scholarships-for-postgraduate-training-and-doctoral-research.aspx Birmingham announced as University of the Year The University of Birmingham has been named University of the Year 2014 in The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide. 2013-09-20T13:11:00Z 2015-06-11T12:31:00Z http://www.birmingham.ac.uk/schools/business/news/2013/september/birmingham-announced-as-university-of-the-Year.aspx Birmingham Business School hosts meeting of top business minds The 15th annual conference of the European Trade Study Group (ETSG) will be hosted by Birmingham Business School from 12 to 14 September 2013, bringing together more than 300 participants from Europe, USA, Japan, China, India and beyond. 2013-09-12T11:15:00Z 2015-06-11T07:05:00Z http://www.birmingham.ac.uk/schools/business/departments/economics/news/2013/september/birmingham-hosts-meeting-of-top-business-minds.aspx Global ranking reinforces Birmingham's position as a world-class university The University of Birmingham has made an impressive 15 place rise to 62nd in this year's QS World University Rankings, cementing its position in the top 100 universities globally and placing it 10th in the UK. 2013-09-11T10:12:00Z 2015-06-11T12:33:00Z http://www.birmingham.ac.uk/schools/business/news/2013/september/global-ranking-reinforces-Birminghams-position-as-a-world-class-university-2.aspx Latest 'Birmingham Business School Discussion Paper Series' papers available The latest entries in the 'Birmingham Business School Discussion Paper Series' are now available. Papers are submitted from academics across all departments of the Business School, covering a wide range of research topics. 2013-09-10T15:51:00Z 2015-12-27T22:53:00Z http://www.birmingham.ac.uk/schools/business/research/news/2013/september/latest-birmingham-business-school-discussion-paper-series-papers-available.aspx Birmingham Business School to host two international conferences in September This month Birmingham Business School is the host of two international conferences; the Comparative International Governmental Accounting Research conference and the European Trade Study Group conference. 2013-08-29T17:18:00Z 2015-06-11T12:11:00Z http://www.birmingham.ac.uk/schools/business/news/2013/august/Birmingham-Business-School-to-host-two-international-conferences-in-September.aspx Premier League football referees more likely to book foreign players The 2013/14 Barclays Premier League season starts this Saturday and a major analysis of referee's decisions in the league has shown that officials are around 15% more likely to book foreign players who are from the same background as the most sizable ethnic minority groups in the UK. 2013-08-14T15:50:00Z 2015-06-11T06:58:00Z http://www.birmingham.ac.uk/schools/business/departments/economics/news/2013/august/premier-league-football-referees-more-likely-to-book-foreign-players.aspx Was the election of police commissioners a mistake? Dr Siddhartha Bandyopadhyay discusses the tension between senior police officers and their elected masters that spilled over into the political arena after reports of chief constables being bullied out of their jobs and complaints of misuse of office by some of the new class of Police and Crime Commissioners. 2013-08-06T10:50:00Z 2015-06-11T06:58:00Z http://www.birmingham.ac.uk/schools/business/departments/economics/news/2013/august/was-the-election-of-police-commissioners-a-mistake.aspx The Royal Baby: Game to Name You don't need to know the concepts of modern Game Theory to name a baby, let alone the Royal baby, arguably the most important name for the rest of this century. It is a personal, family matter of choice, surely not a game! Well, wait, think twice. 2013-07-22T12:55:00Z 2015-06-11T07:04:00Z http://www.birmingham.ac.uk/schools/business/departments/economics/news/2013/july/the-royal-baby-game-to-name.aspx Seven new Birmingham Business School Doctoral Scholarships We are pleased to announce seven new PhD scholarships for the 2013/2014 academic year. 2013-06-17T11:34:00Z 2015-12-27T20:45:00Z http://www.birmingham.ac.uk/schools/business/news/2013/june/seven-new-birmingham-business-school-doctoral-scholarships.aspx The paradox of falling crime rates in a recession Dr Siddhartha Bandyopadhyay of the Department of Economics discusses "The paradox of falling crime rates in a recession" in a Birmingham Perspective. 2013-04-30T14:54:00Z 2015-06-11T06:58:00Z http://www.birmingham.ac.uk/schools/business/departments/economics/news/2013/april/the-paradox-of-falling-crime-rates-in-a-recession.aspx Nobel Prize Winner Professor Al Roth Guest Lectures at the University of Birmingham The Department of Economics welcomed Nobel Prize winner Professor Al Roth to the University of Birmingham on 4th February 2013. 2013-02-05T16:48:00Z 2015-06-11T07:00:00Z http://www.birmingham.ac.uk/schools/business/departments/economics/news/2013/february/nobel-prize-winner-professor-al-roth-guest-lectures-at-the-university-of-birmingham.aspx Living close to a rubbish tip reduces house price Living close to an active landfill site reduces house prices by 2.6% and the cost to home owners can still be counted two decades after the facility has shut, new research shows. 2013-01-04T10:58:00Z 2015-06-11T07:02:00Z http://www.birmingham.ac.uk/schools/business/departments/economics/news/2013/january/living-close-to-a-rubbish-tip-reduces-house-price.aspx Predictions for 2013 from University of Birmingham Academics A number of academics from across the University have offered their predictions for 2013, including the Business School's Dr James Reade from the Department of Economics. 2012-12-21T11:47:00Z 2015-06-11T11:54:00Z http://www.birmingham.ac.uk/schools/business/news/2012/december/predictions-for-2013-from-university-of-birmingham-academics.aspx Guest Lecture from Nobel Prize Winner Announced Recent Nobel Prize Winner, Professor Al Roth provides an open, guest lecture for the University of Birmingham's College of Social Sciences on Monday 4th February 2013. 2012-12-13T11:59:00Z 2015-06-11T11:53:00Z http://www.birmingham.ac.uk/schools/business/news/2012/december/guest-lecture-from-nobel-prize-winner-announced.aspx Autumn Statement 2012 Ahead of the government's Autumn Statement on Wednesday December 5, the university asked six leading academics what they hoped would be included. 2012-12-06T15:03:00Z 2015-06-11T11:52:00Z http://www.birmingham.ac.uk/schools/business/news/2012/december/autumn-statement-2012.aspx Professor Indra Ray completes 'Mediation in Environmental Games' Professor Indra Ray has just completed a project titled "Mediation in Environmental Games" funded by the British Academy. 2012-12-04T10:58:00Z 2015-06-11T06:53:00Z http://www.birmingham.ac.uk/schools/business/departments/economics/news/2012/december/indra-ray-completes-mediation-in-environmental-games.aspx Elite Doctoral Researcher Scholarships 2013 - 2014 The University Graduate School is pleased to announce that it has ten Doctoral Elite Researcher Scholarships which will commence in the 2013-2014 academic year. 2012-10-02T11:18:00Z 2015-06-11T12:05:00Z http://www.birmingham.ac.uk/schools/business/news/2012/october/elite-doctoral-researcher-scholarships-2013-2014.aspx First annual Universitas 21 Doctoral Research Consortium Five doctoral researchers from the Business School along with the Programme Director attended the the first annual Universitas 21 DRC in April 2012. Universitas 21 is an international network of 23 leading research-intensive universities in fifteen countries 2012-06-11T15:29:00Z 2015-06-11T11:58:00Z http://www.birmingham.ac.uk/schools/business/news/2012/june/First-annual-Universitas-21-Doctoral-Research-Consortium.aspx Punishing the Foreigner: Implicit Discrimination in the Premier League based on Oppositional Identity The authors analyse referees' decisions in the 2007-08 and 2008-09 English football's Premier League seasons using an extensive in-match dataset collected by OPTA Sportsdata. 2012-05-15T16:36:00Z 2015-06-11T06:55:00Z http://www.birmingham.ac.uk/schools/business/departments/economics/news/2012/may/punishing-the-foreigner.aspx Li Siguang (李四光) PhD Scholarship Six scholarships a year will be awarded, on a competitive basis, for three years of PhD study at the University of Birmingham to include tuition fees and living costs. 2012-03-29T09:36:00Z 2015-06-11T11:59:00Z http://www.birmingham.ac.uk/schools/business/news/2012/March-/li-siguang-phd-scholarship.aspx Irish Eyes are Wandering International Business Times spoke to Professor Cillian Ryan, an expert on Ireland to discuss the present crisis and how it differs from previous periods of economic hardship on the Emerald Isle. 2012-01-18T09:27:00Z 2015-06-11T06:54:00Z http://www.birmingham.ac.uk/schools/business/departments/economics/news/2012/january/ireland-banks-crisis.aspx Postgraduate Open Day - 07 February 2012 Our next Postgraduate Open Day will be held on Tuesday 07 February 2012.The Postgraduate Open Day gives you the opportunity to talk to the experts and find out more about the wide portfolio of taught and research opportunities available to you at the University of Birmingham. Whatever stage you are at with your career, a visit to the Postgraduate Open Day will clarify your options and help you plan your next step. 2011-12-19T12:57:00Z 2015-06-11T11:48:00Z http://www.birmingham.ac.uk/schools/business/news/2011/december/postgraduate-open-day.aspx Elite Doctoral Researcher Scholarships 2012 - 2013 The University Graduate School is pleased to announce that it has ten Elite Doctoral Researcher Scholarships available for the 2012-2013 academic year. 2011-12-01T16:56:00Z 2015-06-11T08:46:00Z http://www.birmingham.ac.uk/schools/business/departments/marketing/news/doctoral-researcher-scholarships.aspx Elite Doctoral Researcher Scholarships 2012 - 2013 The University Graduate School is pleased to announce that it has ten Elite Doctoral Researcher Scholarships available for the 2012-2013 academic year. This includes the departments of Accounting and Finance, Economics, Management and Marketing 2011-11-07T10:59:00Z 2015-06-11T11:50:00Z http://www.birmingham.ac.uk/schools/business/news/2011/november/doctoral-researcher-scholarships.aspx


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Never Go Back: Norwegian Sun Cruise Review by 47jag
Overall Member Rating
Never Go Back
Destination: Transatlantic
Embarkation: Copenhagen
I have to echo the opinions of CLEMENTJR with respect to cost cutting, food and service. We had sailed on the Sun last year from Dover to Port Canaveral in a balcony cabin on deck 8 aft and really enjoyed the trip. While on that trip we were told that the ship was going for a refit in January 2011. There were signs that the ship was showing it's age like old style tube TVs and the odd stain and faded curtains here and there. With this in mind we decided to repeat the trip this year. Due to various family commitments we weren't able to book a balcony and settled for an outside cabin in deck 7 forward. There was a minor glitch on embarking at Copenhagen when the server died and all the check-in terminals went down, but hey ho that's computers.
When we got to our cabin my wife was putting the toiletries in the bathroom when she remarked More how dirty it was and that 'she didn't leave a clean house to come to a dirty cabin'. On further examination she then found price tags and hairs in the drawers. With that a swab of the shelves in the bathroom was taken and off to reception to complain. They were reluctant to accept our 'sample' but later an officer did come to the cabin to inspect it for himself. He then said he would have the cabin 'deep cleaned'. The subsequent knock on from this was a very surly cabin steward who refused to speak to us for the rest of the voyage. His loss.
We couldn't see any signs of a refit in the cabin. The same old TVs, The mirror in the bathroom was tarnished for an inch and a half on the full bottom width, the carpet was worn through to the backing in places and the pull-out looked positively disgusting with stains. It's a very noisy cabin at docking time.
My last Norwegian voyage I think. Less
Published 11/20/11
Cabin review: OC7007 Oceanview Picture Window
Cabin 7007.Very, very noisy prior to docking. There is a high pitched whine which starts up as the ship approaches port. It's not a bow thruster, that comes later. During the second night (3 or 4am) we were wakened by this noise accompanied by a vibration through the bed. I called reception and they sent a steward but he didn't understand what we complaining about and left. We called again to say it still was noisy and they offered to move us to a downgraded cabin. I declined. I moved the bed away from the hull and it cut down on the vibration but not the noise. I later discovered that to get to Amsterdam the ship has to go through a lock and then sail for 2 hours to get the port. All this time the machine was running so not much sleep was had. We actually asked reception if we could buy an upgrade only to be told the ship was full. Two days later the prize at the Bingo was an upgrade to a suite!! I still have no idea what created the noise as underneath this cabin is the promenade deck which is open and has no machinery evident so it must be getting transmitted and probably amplified through the hullRead All Oceanview Picture Window (OC) Reviews >>
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text:
|Of Seas and Satellites
2: Satellite Communication continued
By Tim Clark — March 2001
Of Inmarsat's several services, its Mini-M is best suited for pleasureboats. It is versatile and relatively inexpensive and can be accessed with equipment that won't overload your boat. Most satellite terminals--that is, phones--on the market are designed to operate with a specific network. Phones engineered for Inmarsat Mini-M include KVH's Tracphone 25, Nera's Worldphone Marine, and Thrane & Thrane's TT-3064A Capsat Maritime Telephone. All three phones, which are priced in the neighborhood of $6,000, are compact--about the size of a laptop--and their exterior antennas are also small: KVH's is just 10 inches in diameter and weighs 11 pounds, Nera's is 103/4 inches and also 11 pounds, and Thrane & Thrane's is a mere 81/4 inches and just under five pounds. Before Mini-M, satellite-tracking antennas for Inmarsat had to be much larger, so mounting them on smaller boats was problematic.
Telephoning with these terminals is as simple as making an international call: You start with the country code, then enter the area code, then the number. The four ocean regions covered by Inmarsat's satellites have number codes like those of individual countries, so calling your boat in the Indian Ocean from the United States is just like calling France or Fiji. Per-minute costs vary depending on what subscription plan you use. On average, a one-minute call from your boat to a fixed phone on land or vice versa runs about $2.25. Calling from one satphone to another can be nearly twice as expensive.
In light of such charges, it's easy to see the importance of Mini-M's fax and e-mail capabilities. All three phones mentioned above can be connected to a conventional fax machine, PC, or laptop. For e-mail, plugging a PC into the Mini-M system is just like connecting to a modem at home. You can even use the same dial-up-networking software and your accustomed Internet service provider. However, because the rate of data transfer is so slow--just 2.4 kb per second as opposed to the 56 kb per second standard on most modems these days--you'll want to take steps to minimize your time online. Obviously, you should compose your messages offline. Word processor files sent as attachments are relatively bulky (and therefore take longer to transmit), so it's better simply to cut and paste text onto your e-mail program. Graphs, charts, and other graphics in spreadsheet applications also take up a lot of kilobytes, so consider sending only raw data. If you must mail attachments, send them as compressed files using a program such as WinZip or Pkzip, which can reduce the size of text files by 50 percent.
It's also important that transmissions of incoming data be cost-effective. Toronto-based Stratos, one of many telecom companies marketing service plans in partnership with satellite networks, offers an Internet service designed specifically for mobile satellite users that provides built-in data compression to reduce transmissions by as much as 60 percent. Another feature lets you view only e-mail header information so that you can choose which messages to download in full.
Next page > Part 3: Of Seas and Satellites > Page 1, 2, 3
This article originally appeared in the January 2003 issue of Power & Motoryacht magazine.


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Spanish Mediterranean July 26th 2014: Independence of the Seas Cruise Review by catloverinhightown
Overall Member Rating
Spanish Mediterranean July 26th 2014
Destination: Mediterranean
Embarkation: Southampton
Well-organised and took less than 30 minutes
State Room
We changed to outside guarantee about 3 weeks before the cruise. Our stateroom was 6508, at the front of the ship, overlooking the helipad, and we were very happy with it. Our attendant, Hilda, was lovely – friendly but not in-your-face - and our cabin was spotless.
We were on my-time dining. Because we hadn't reserved in advance, our options were basically 6pm or 8.45pm. Next time we will reserve for the whole holiday and change on a daily basis to fit in with our evening plans. Our waiters were Karietha and Gilbert, who were good fun and looked after us very well. Some nights the service was slow due to problems in the galley. The third formal night was the day we were in Cadiz so most people ate later and service was very slow – I've never cruised where a formal was on a port day and it didn't work well. We ate lunch and most breakfasts in Windjammer More and never had too much of a problem finding seats whether it was just the two of us or all four of us. We are vegetarian and have problems because the food isn't labelled and choice is restricted. There is a vegetarian menu for the MDR but you have to choose the night before, which means waiting around for the section head, and then I don't feel we can change the dining arrangements so we lose flexibility. There were three veggie choices each night but one was always a curry, one pasta and sometimes the third was also spicy. We occasionally had breakfast in the MDR and were always looked after by Karietha.
We didn't make every show but these consisted of four RCI singers and dancers entertainments, a 60s tribute band (Zoots), a magician, a comedy juggler, a pianist/vocalist, two comedians (Mike Doyle and John Martin), a Motown tribute act, a vocalist (Johnathan Wilks) and the welcome and farewell shows. Standards were mixed but mostly good. The ice shows were, as always, spectacular.
There were the usual parades and street parties, an outdoor nightclub and a pool party. We were disappointed to find that very few movies were shown either on the big screen or indoors. Those that were, were really old. We were disappointed with the library, which had very few books. The weather was lovely and we were off the ship a lot so didn't really get involved in any of the activities other than the above.
Most were lovely. However, I didn't find the Excursions staff or the Customer Relations staff particularly helpful, or particularly friendly.
Ports (be aware if making private bookings that you may be on ship's time, not local time as we didn't change until after the third port)
Vigo – not the most exciting port after the first visit. It's possible to get across to Cies Islands and Cangas but timings would be very tight for Cies. There is a tour bus but it only operates every 2 hours.We wandered round the old town and then found a bar on the Rua de Teofils Llorente which was very cheap and friendly
Lisbon – shuttle is $18. It goes to Lisbon and to Belem. We took the Tourist Bus (Euros 18 each) which gives access for 48 hours and to both Blue and Red line. It had bad reviews on Trip Advisor but we found it OK and would use it again. We stayed on and went round on the same bus as it was too hot for us to explore further.
Gibraltar – we walked into town and took a bus to Europa Point. An all-day ticket is £2.50. We then wandered up through the town and found a bar. This is the cheapest place for alcohol and cigarettes, much cheaper than the ship. We took the town shuttle bus back to the port (£1.50 each)
Valencia – shuttle bus $18 taxis were listed as Euros 18 each way so for four of us it would have been more cost effective but we wanted the convenience. Shuttle stops near the Old part of Valencia. My family walked across for a tour of the football stadium (20 minute walk and Euros 9.50 each) which they said was brilliant. I went on a guided walk (Euros 18, tickets from the tourist office). It leaves at 10.30 am outside the Basilica. There were only three of us on the tour. Pablo, the guide, spoke good English and was very informative. We went to the local market for horcheta. The walk took over 2 hours and it was exhausting but well worth the money and the effort. We would all like to have spent more time there.
Barcelona -we didn't get off but my daughter and son-in-law took the port shuttle bus (Euros 3 return) to the bottom of Las Ramblas. They said it was very easy to do.
As it was Sunday it wasn't possible to visit the Cathedral and lots of shops and at least one museum were closed. We had a couple of drinks in a bar near the Cathedral, lunch in another and then an icecream on our way back to the ship. There was no RCI shuttle in Palma but the Hop on Hop off bus leaves from the Port (we weren't impressed last time we used it), a taxi cost us Euros 15 out and Euros 11 back, or there's a public bus which I think is Euros 2.5 each way.
The ship docks a long way out. There was a shuttle but I don't know how much it cost. There are taxis and a bus into town (half-hourly and Euros 2.50 each way) which we used. It's also possible to get a water taxi (Euros 3 each way I think) but we didn't realise until after we'd bought our bus tickets. The bus drops you at the harbour, near the shops and the old town. We walked up to the old town, wandered about and then found a hotel (The Corsario) with a terrace and fantastic views. The lady who owns it is lovely and spoke excellent English. Prices were reasonable, especially considering the location and, if you are missing your pets, there's a friendly cat and dog. We stayed an hour or so then walked back into town. We ate at El Pirato then wandered round the shops before catching the bus back to the ship. I then had a wander and found a little rocky cove where some families were swimming and I then walked up the hill and behind the lighthouse for views across the bay. It's possible to get the ferry to Formentera (Euros 40 return and takes half an hour, with regular services) and also water taxis down the coast and to the beaches.
You need a map as it's very confusing. Lots of lovely squares and old streets. There's a market but not sure which days it opens (we were there on a Wednesday and it was open). We visited the Cathedral – Euros 5 for an audio tour which was well worth the money. We stopped for a drink in the square and watched a flamenco dancer before wandering off down the back streets to the beach for yet more drinks and a paddle. It's not the best beach we've been to but we were quite happy to spend some time there. There is another beach in the new town but that's not walkable. We walked back along the promenade to the ship but it's possible to cut through the town if you're a confident map reader.
We chose to take our own luggage off and this was much better. We were stopped by Customs and interrogated as to whether we knew what we were allowed to bring in although they didn't search our case (0thers were searched)
We'd been concerned after reading the reviews and after information from friends who'd sailed in May. However, whilst RCI standards have definitely dropped, we were happy with the cruise. Although the ship was full and it was the school holidays there were few problems with bad-behaviour, lifts or getting on and off the ship. Less
Published 08/12/14
Cabin review:
Read Cruise Critic's Independence of the Seas Review >>
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I'm Eugene ChengI help businesses communicate clearly and persuasively so their ideas sell.
My Work And Writing Has Been Featured On:
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I help corporate leaders tell better stories that sell through persuasive presentations. It sometimes involves the use of presentation software. See my SlideShare or agency site for some of my work.
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Brackenridge woman accused of offering sex services at Tarentum massage parlor
A Brackenridge woman is accused of providing sexual services at a massage service she operated above a Tarentum tanning salon, police said.
Fang Liu, 47, of the 800 block of Cleveland Ave., was arrested Monday at the Total Tanning Co. at 410 E. Sixth Ave.
She was charged by an undercover state trooper, who alleges that he paid $30 for a half-hour massage.
When that was done, the vice unit trooper allegedly asked what could be provided for a $20 tip. At her direction, he took the rest of his clothes off and Liu allegedly used her hands to perform a sex act on him.
According to an affidavit, the trooper asked her to stop because his cellphone was ringing. He then informed other troopers waiting outside, who entered the business and arrested Liu.
An online site advertises a "Chinese full body massage" at the Total Tanning Co. The advertisement and a telephone number, asking that messages be left, were still in operation Thursday.
Liu was arraigned and released on her own recognizance pending a July 9 preliminary hearing at the office of Brackenridge District Judge Carolyn Bengel.Tarentum police say they received numerous complaints and letters about the business, which had operated more than a year.
Chuck Biedka is a staff writer for Trib Total Media. He can be reached at 724-226-4711 or email@example.com.


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Great pillows and accessories--particularly love the scribble scarves.
write on! squirrel!
Brighten up when the sun shines in tropical colours. This fab tunic is perfect with skinny pants and leggings and also works over a bikini when you need some coverage. (via website)Added 7 Years Ago from My-wardrobe
anyone ever scribble on their shoes as a kid? upgrade to this spunky take on a converse original.Tags: sneakers, black, scribbles, Converse, chuck taylor, Karmaloop, Chuck Taylor Hi, splatter packAdded 8 Years Ago from Karmaloop
That's right. Its graphite! You can write with it, draw with it. Or just look at it and admire it. Ohh la la.Added 8 Years Ago from Thirddrawerdown
You know, this graphite owl is so amazing, I don't know if I could bring myself to write or draw with it.Added 8 Years Ago from Thirddrawerdown
Fabulous notebooks in all colours
Cy Twombly is one of the greatest American artists. He is known for his large scribble, calligraphic-style paintings that constantly blurred the line between drawing and painting. Nice coffee table book.Tags: books, art, paintings, coffee table books, drawings, scribbles, design, Graffiti, calligraphyAdded 8 Years Ago from MoMA Store
Gave this as a gift as well but was tempted to keep it for myself. So GG.
How fantastic, remember everything in a cute and smart way. $8 dollars and some change.Added 9 Years Ago from Fieldnotesbrand
This scarf is on my top 10 list of fashion purchases in the next few months. This scarf really suits me.Added 9 Years Ago from Theshopfloorproject
I love the artsy-ness of these shoes
A station for kids that involves arts and crafts and singing. All of their favorite activities!Tags: toys, crayola, singing, scribbles, gifts for babies, Art StationsAdded 9 Years Ago from Toysrus
Now you can wear your child's (or your own) art! Simply upload a scan of a doodle or personal signature and we'll make it into a tag for you.You'll receive the recycled silver doodle tag along with a professionally wood mounted ru... Now you can wear your child's (or your own) art! Simply upload a scan of a doodle or personal signature and we'll make it into a tag for you.You'll receive the recycled silver doodle tag along with a professionally wood mounted rubber stamp of the doodle and a small black 1 inch stamp pad which will enable you to stamp your doodle on paper, wood or fabric. You can use the stamp to make your own thank you cards, personalize your artwork, scrapbooking pages, t-shirts or any other ideas you may dream up. When stamping on fabric, remember to heat set the stamp before washing.
This is my favorite Rachel Pally pattern thus far. I also really like the knot in the middle of the deep v.Added 9 Years Ago from Revolve Clothing
Forget staying in the lines... this book not only encourages creativity but leaves you no choice... For those of you who don't want little gingerbread children (aka - cookie cutter)...Tags: art, Creative, gift ideas, doodles, odd gifts, scribbles coloring book, children's coloring book, adult coloring book, scribblesAdded 9 Years Ago from Delight.com
Doodle while you drink.Tags: rubber, writing, paper, coasters, games, doodles, New York Times, crosswords, polyesterAdded 9 Years Ago from Etsy
a fun chuck to add to your collection.
I love this shirt! Some men can pull off this strong orange (some sadly, can't). Thankfully I know who is just the perfect combination of being able to pull off orange and geeky chic enough to pull off the stylistic checkers!Added 9 Years Ago from Publicdomainclothing
Hey, I found this is the greatest pen I've ever used. Mostly because the feeling of using it is so good. I like something you can actually feel its weight and it becomes so tangible... All the Lamy pens are made with high s... Hey, I found this is the greatest pen I've ever used. Mostly because the feeling of using it is so good. I like something you can actually feel its weight and it becomes so tangible... All the Lamy pens are made with high such quality and intriguing design. This Lamy Pen is such a cute instrument with cheeky looking but at the same time well perform your precision. Also, because it's tough!! You'll never worried even a car run over it. Great looking with frosted black color, I rate it at 4.5 over 5. It's really worth having some Lamies ^o^ I love it!!!
Coach Scribble handbags are even more popular than the "Optic" ones because of the high visibility color and the cuteness factor. It's a bit XoXo and Juicy Couture - except it's a Coach bag baby!


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Braintree, PayPal's payments processor subsidiary, will let its merchants start accepting Bitcoin over the coming months.
TGI Fridays in Braintree, Mass., has reopened, revealing a new contemporary design being implemented at Fridays restaurants throughout the country.
Footwear/accessories retailer DSW Inc. opened a new store in Braintree, Mass., on May 18.


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La Prairie Cellular Treatment Loose Powder
- 3 reviews See the Breakdown
- Product Info | Add Your Review
La Prairie Cellular Treatment Loose Powder Reviews
EspectacularThe best powder i tried. I recommended them! — 4 years, 8 months agonubarock | 2 reviews
This review is: Helpful | Not helpful | Inappropriate | 0 of 0 people said helpful
Best Powder Ever!I must say this is the most awesome powder made (so far!). I've been using it for almost 2 years and it works great year round, no matter the weather. You really get a lot of powder for the money. I keep the mini one at work for touch ups (and I hardly ever need it), and the large container lasts forever. It makes my skin look flawless and I've got tons to hide with large pores, breakouts, and...read more redness and my dental hygenist compliments my "skin" when I go in for a cleaning. Little does she know.... :) — 9 years agokristenp76 | 22 reviews
This review is: Helpful | Not helpful | Inappropriate | 2 of 2 people said helpful
Best Powder EVER!I have oily skin and I have tried pretty much every foundation and powder. I finally stepped up and tried La Prairie. This powder is heaven sent! Cover well w/o looking caked on. I use it over the cellular satin foundation. I also no longer use a primer which has helped w/ staying power. The powder just blends into my skin, looking radiant w/o being shiney! I LOVE IT. Definately worth the...read more $70 as you do not need much, they give you a TON plus a cute little travel compact w/ a mirror full of the powder as well. — 9 years, 3 months agocowleyk | 8 reviews
This review is: Helpful | Not helpful | Inappropriate | 6 of 6 people said helpful
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Reviews For Carhartt Shirts Style CHT100568-412
5 star:
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Average Customer Review
This Product:
Carhartt Shirts: Men's Navy Blue 100568 412 Long Sleeve Cotton Henley Shirt
142 out of 142 people found this product review helpful.
Very Good Quality Shirt!!!...
By: MichiganMan
The only downfall with this particular Shirt (for me), is that it has No Chest Pocket, which is why I gave it 4 Stars instead of 5 Stars. Other than that, I Love this Shirt and have worn it for over 2 years and it's still looking very good. Carhartt Henley Shirts are made of a very Heavy grade material and they always seem to last forever. I will buy again for sure!
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18 out of 18 people found this product review helpful.
Perfect fit...
By: knightwelds
I picked this up for a "nicer" shirt. Fits good, looks good. Recommended for early to late spring. Lightweight makes it breathable, and you know it will be durable because of the carhartt stamp of approval. I would buy another and/or recommend this item for a friend. Also, I got it at a good price.
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JERUSALEM (Aug. 25)
A Jerusalem court today sentenced two Arabs to seven years' imprisonment for participating in an engagement with British troops near Nablus. It was the first trial of members of rebel bands who have harassed military forces seeking to restore order in Palestine.
Surprise was evinced in many quarters at the sentence, for emergency regulations recently promulgated by the Government provide the death penalty for persons convicted of firing on soldiers.


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Stranger than fiction… molecular conflict and mitochondrial warfare … a heartstopping, subcellular epic … a truly microcinematic experience …
"as an enthusiast for little things, I wanted to go deeper than the macro universe, so I found myself hanging on the eyepiece of a microscope. The real challenge was definitely the small depth of field in microscopy. It's really fascinating how detailed this tiny world is, and unbelievable how much is going on in only one little water drop."


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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 23/9/2011 (2161 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.
One week left in the Groupon campaign. And if you don't like the latest deal, wait a day, something will pop up.
The ideological struggle is so yesterday. In the last 12 years, Manitoba elections have undergone a complete conversion to a marketplace where the ideas hold no currency against the cut-rate bait. Pave those back lanes; expand the neighbourhood rec centre; build an ambulance bay; guarantee cheap utility bills. All of it, deficit-financed, by the way.
But it's not "by the way." It's the new way. The game of vote-fishing using taxpayer's money as bait, perfected by Gary Doer's NDP in its three elections and three terms of government, has infected the Tories, now, too.
And it's why Manitoba has a spending problem, why we're piling up deficits despite the fact Ottawa transfers an additional $2 billion every year to this province -- from $1.6 billion in 2000 to an expected $3.6 billion this year.
But before you get enamoured of what's in it for you, remember that in the great bartering of public services that happens every four years, more or less, there's no clearance sale or loss leader. It's the cynical hawking of tax-supported cross-subsidization. And it works.
There is no other good explanation for the Progressive Conservative Party to disown fiscal prudence and instead base $1-billion of promises, program expansion and tax cuts, on an extension of the provincial deficit into 2018. They say they are being fiscally prudent but how does that fit with paving back lanes in Winnipeg -- a non-issue if there ever was one? Nowhere near a provincial priority.
The NDP opens health clinics, subsidizes home renovations, beautifies a riverfront park. And it clings to its successful strategy of circulating public money to fuel the economy: Manitoba firms are being paid to gear up so they can bid for contract work to come with the new hydroelectric projects. That, and a predictable edict that union rates will apply to all contracts, pads the cost of public works projects. In a province so invested in public-sector job creation, this is what passes for economic growth.
There are better ways to serve taxpayers, but they require some hard thinking and a little vision -- two things that almost all politicians regard as high-level stuff you don't even try to pitch to a distracted, cynical and somnolent public.
What if, for example, someone proposed to do this:
Renegotiate funding relationships with municipalities groaning under the weight of a decaying infrastructure (How's the road in front of your house? Can your kid's hockey team get ice time in the local community centre?) such that they reclaim control of their spending priorities. Transfer tax points -- which opens the possibility of a municipal sales tax, if the province reduces its own -- to fund those priorities while easing pressure on the province's program spending.
Sound like something worth thinking about?
How's this, then: what if the province were to effectively cut your property taxes in half? Catch your attention? Hugh McFadyen believes that a new municipal funding arrangement, in which towns and cities took on more responsibility for funding their programs supported by new taxing authority, could cut provincial expenditures enough that a Conservative government could look at replacing the $680 million raised by school board levies with increased provincial funding.
Crazy? Right now, provincial support for infrastructure and other local programs to municipalities is $300 million. The province already pays $170 million of the school tax on property through a credit to homeowners and renters. Almost like cut-rate school tax, except that the school board levy has risen so fast as to make it near impossible for Winnipeg, with its revenue problem, to squeeze a bit more from property owners. Mayor Sam Katz, sensing a property tax hike was political death, promised a freeze but then raised water rates, instead.
Hugh McFadyen told the Free Press editorial board that a Conservative government would invite municipalities to consider this. He's said nothing about it on the campaign trail. Similarly, Liberal Leader Jon Gerrard has yet to tell Manitobans a Liberal government would expand the legislature by four representatives to be elected by aboriginal people alone.
Both are controversial, intriguing ideas that speak to provincial issues. They are certainly bigger ideas than the funding a second sheet of ice at a community centre. And yet in the hyper-local mentality of elections now, is there a politician big enough to put them up against the daily grab of coupons serving the parochial?


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The United States is currently 3rd in Murders throughout the World .
But if you take out Chicago, Detroit, Washington DC , and New Orleans,
the United States is 4th from the Bottom for Murders, throughout the
These 4 Cities also have the toughest Gun Control Laws in the United
And all 4 Cities are controlled by liberal Democrats.
However—It probably would be "absurd" to draw any conclusions from
this data.


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Kylee joins Preble family
Kylee Breanne Preble was born on Nov. 15, 2013, at Regina Medical Center to Allison and Derek Preble of River Falls, Wis. At birth Kylee weighed 7 pounds, 6.8 ounces and was 20 inches long. She has one sibling, Brynnlee Preble.
Grandparents are Steve and Kim Smidt of Hastings, Jim Preble of South St. Paul and Linda Rozeboom of Murdock. Her great-grandparents are Lawrence and Shirley Smidt of Britt, Iowa.