Live year round on a cruise ship

Analysis by Brad Lendon , CNN Updated 2359 GMT (0759 HKT) June 25, 2022 Seoul, South Korea (CNN) China made a big statement about its naval ambitions with the recent launch of its third and most advanced aircraft carrier. The Fujian -- by far China's biggest, most modern and most powerful aircraft carrier to date -- is the 80,000-ton jewel in the crown of a military expansion that has seen Beijing grow its navy into the world's largest. Its new combat systems -- such as an electromagnetic catapult-assisted launch system -- show China is fast catching up with the United States, experts say, and will give it the ability to launch more aircraft, more quickly, and with more ammunition. That should be enough to give any would-be opponent pause for thought, especially given China's increasing aggression in its territorial disputes with Japan in the East China Sea, a host of Southeast Asian nations in the South China Sea, and its repeated harassment of the self-governed … [Read more...] about Never mind China’s new aircraft carrier, these are the ships the US should worry about

MIAMI (AP) — Long-battered shares of Carnival Corp. jumped more than 12% Friday as the cruise line owner reported a big increase in revenue, occupancy levels, and bookings for future trips. However, the company posted a $1.83 billion second-quarter loss and said the effects of the pandemic and higher fuel prices will lead to another loss in the third quarter. The cruise industry was shut down by the pandemic and chafed under regulations that were only recently eased by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Even now, a nascent recovery in cruising is uneven, with more demand in the U.S. for nearby cruises, such as Carnival trips to the Caribbean, than more far-flung itineraries. Carnival, which operates nine cruise brands, said 91% of its fleet is sailing again. Ship occupancy in the quarter that ended last month rose to 69%, compared with 54% in the previous quarter. Bookings nearly doubled from the first quarter and were the strongest since the beginning of the … [Read more...] about Carnival shares cruise higher on gains in revenue, bookings

This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate 3 CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — The Charlotte Hornets have two picks in the first round of Thursday night’s NBA draft — and no head coach in place to help facilitate those decisions. Hornets owner Michael Jordan has resumed the search for the organization’s next coach after Golden State Warriors assistant Kenny Atkinson on Saturday abruptly backed out of a four-year agreement to coach the team. Charlotte has the 13th and 15th picks in round one, and general manager Mitch Kupchak is expected to make final decisions with input from Jordan. The team also has the 45th overall selection. “It is unusual not to have a head coach in place for the draft," ESPN draft analyst Jay Bilas said in a conference call. “You certainly like to keep in mind what your head coach wants to do and how (the player) likes to play. But it’s certainly not the be all and end all because most coaches have input, but … [Read more...] about Hornets entering NBA draft with 2 1st round picks, no coach

This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate 6 ELMAU, Germany (AP) — The Latest on the G-7 summit, the annual meeting of the leading democratic economies, which this year is being held in the Bavarian Alps in Germany: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has joined the Group of Seven leaders by video link at their summit in the Bavarian Alps. Zelenskyy could be seen on a television screen next to the round table where the leaders sat Monday at the secluded Schloss Elmau luxury hotel. His address wasn’t being shown to the public. The G-7 leaders are committing themselves to supporting Ukraine for the long haul at their summit, with both immediate help and long-term rebuilding on the agenda. ___ KEY DEVELOPMENTS: — G-7 leaders to commit to Ukraine, US sending anti-air system — Tale of 2 summits: ‘America’s back’ to America’s backsliding ___ OTHER DEVELOPMENTS: German Chancellor Olaf Scholz says … [Read more...] about Live updates | Ukraine’s Zelenskyy joins G-7 summit by video

0 Restaurants & Bars Several spots in downtown Aurora are hosting New Year's Eve parties Friday. Emily Rosca , Patch Staff Posted Reply AURORA, IL — A new year is right around the corner, and as Aurora residents are gearing up with resolutions and goals for 2022, several downtown Aurora businesses are preparing for New Year's Eve festivities. Several venues, restaurants and bars will host special celebrations — some include musical performances, while others include interesting tasting menus. With COVID-19 on the rise thanks to the omicron variant, plans have the possibility to change, so guests are encouraged to call in advance or keep track of social media for last-minute updates. The Venue, 21 S. Broadway Chicago-based blues artist Joanna Connor will be bringing The Venue guests into the new year with a performance starting at 10 p.m. and a champagne toast at midnight. The New Year's Eve event … [Read more...] about Where To Celebrate New Year’s Eve In Aurora

0 Pets Plenty of adorable animals are up for adoption in the Waltham area. Pet News , Patch Staff Posted Reply Do you want to add to your family and give back to the Waltham community at the same time? Consider adopting a dog, cat or other animal from a local shelter or organization. Animal shelters in Waltham and environs have dogs, cats and other pets ready and waiting to be adopted. Over 6 million pets and other companion animals are given to animal pounds each year nationwide, according to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. However, only around half of all animals are adopted each year, ASPCA data shows. Looking to adopt a lovable new family member? A great place to begin your search is at Ellen M Gifford Sheltering Home, where Sache the cat is waiting patiently, or another local facility. If you aren't sure if you have time to take care of a pet year round, many shelters also offer … [Read more...] about Waltham Area Pets Up For Adoption: Meet Spice, Samantha, Sache & More

24 Community Corner As America's birthday approaches, is it fair to ask neighbors to end fireworks shows by 11 and confine them to the 4th of July weekend? Beth Dalbey , Patch Staff Replies ACROSS AMERICA — Fireworks have already started, legally or outside of legal hours, sparking both joy in neighborhoods across America and an overwhelming desire to be almost anywhere else. For this installment of Block Talk , we asked Patch readers on Facebook to help us establish a neighborhood etiquette guide on fireworks. When is it OK to set them off? When does your explosive fun start irritating neighbors? The opening salvo, a cherry bomb of sorts, was lobbed by a Joliet (Illinois) Patch reader with, we're pretty sure, a wicked fun heart. "There is never a wrong time" for fireworks, he asserted, adding "feed me all the onions all day long," which probably doesn't mean what you think (while most fireworks are illegal in … [Read more...] about When Is It OK To Set Off Fireworks In The Neighborhood? [Block Talk]

0 Pets Plenty of adorable animals are up for adoption in the Elkridge area. Pet News , Patch Staff Posted Reply Looking to add a new member to your family and make a positive impact on the Elkridge community at the same time? Consider adopting a dog, cat or other kind of pet from a local shelter or organization. Many pets are still looking for their forever home and facilities are still working to place pets with families. Across Maryland, there are thousands of dogs, cats and other animals of all ages and sizes without a home — and many of them are located not too far from you. On a search for a new companion? Consider checking out a local rescue center. If you aren't sure if you have time to take care of a pet year round, many shelters also offer opportunities to foster pets until they are placed in permanent homes. Here at Patch, with a little help from our friends at Petfinder, we put together a list each week of all the … [Read more...] about Elkridge Area Adoptable Pets: Cats, Guinea Pigs & More

VENICE — Since its founding in 1895, the Venice Biennale has become one of the world’s most important venues for contemporary art, attracting hundreds of thousands of visitors to the city for its influential exhibitions and performances. The event, which this year runs through Nov. 27 , keeps Venice at the center of the world’s cultural conversation. More practically, it generates repeat, often overnight visitors that the city prefers to day trippers. But some of Venice’s rapidly shrinking local population feel that the Biennale, aided by the current city government, is monopolizing space that could be used by locals to create a sustainable, year-round cultural and economic life beyond tourism. The city’s concession to the Biennale this past March of more space in the Arsenale — a former shipyard whose tall, red brick walls enclosed an industrial operation capable of producing a warship a day — has become entangled in a complicated debate over the future of one of the … [Read more...] about As the Biennale Expands, Locals Ask, ‘Whose Venice Is It?’

0 Pets Plenty of adorable animals are up for adoption in the Haverford-Havertown area. Pet News , Patch Staff Posted Reply If you've been hoping to add a four-legged ball of love and affection to your household, you should check out these shelters in the Haverford-Havertown area for a pet you can adopt. Millions of companion animals are surrendered or taken in each year by adoption agencies nationwide, according to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. However, only around half of all shelter animals are adopted each year, ASPCA data shows. On a search for a lovable new four-legged companion? Consider beginning at a local shelter like Helping Paws Of Upper Darby, where Cagney the cat is waiting patiently. If you aren't sure if you have time to take care of a pet year round, many shelters also offer opportunities to foster pets until they are placed in permanent homes. Need some help in your search? … [Read more...] about Adopt From Haverford-Havertown Area Shelters: See The Latest Dogs, Cats & More