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cinaed · 4 years

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Red vs Blue Season 3 Rewatch

Slowly making my way through my DVD collection of Red vs Blue!

"You can't die! I'm bored!" Donut is so ruthless in the earlier seasons and I love it.

We really needed more Tex and Sheila girltime, talking about gender inequality and workplace harassment.

Simmons actually calling himself Simmons 2.0 manages to be both hilarious and sad.

Yes, Sarge and Caboose team up! Season 3 has some of my favorite odd couples, and Sarge and Caboose is one of my favorites. Sarge being furious that Doc has a higher body count than he does, Caboose's dedication to nap time.

I love Caboose's moral boost! He's great at compliments even if Sarge doesn't appreciate them.

I know these zealots were like a mostly one-off joke, but also like...they could be a creepy potential experiment in making soldiers that can't die, which I wouldn't put past anyone in the Halo universe.

I love the blame game of who came up with the plan that ended up with everyone scattered across the galaxy. Sarge: "My only choice is to blame Grif, for coming up with such a flawed plan. Stupid, stupid Grif." Grif: "I should have never listened to Donut's stupid fucking plan."

Church and Grif in jail is one of my all-time favorite things.

Simmons is such a tech savvy guy, reworking the teleporters to make them communication devices as well! He just wants some love and support.

Caboose getting angry. I mean, who wouldn't get angry at kittens with spikes that you couldn't cuddle?

"Simmons, you get an F in efficiency. But I have to give you an A+ in dramatic timing."

I do love O'Malley and Doc's dynamic. The Do Not Call list!

I love Tex's half-truths about the Freelancers.

Also love Sarge calling Caboose a little rascal and Simmons just seething with jealousy. And he's also jealous about Donut!

Church: There's no "I" in team, Grif. Grif: Yeah, there's no "U" either. So I guess if I'm not on the team, and you're not on the team, nobody's on the God damn team. The team sucks!

I may or may not quote that to myself on a weekly basis.

Again, just Church and Grif together in that prison cell is sheer perfection. As is Church going "Wait, the people outside sound like they're winning, that can't be our teams."

Tucker likes Sheila so much! And she packed them food! Well, the AI equivalent of food, but it's the thought that counts! Just the sheer affection in Tucker's voice as he promises her they'll be back gave me emotions.

And another good moment of Simmons being the one to suggest they track down Grif, because no one else was going to.

In retrospect, Grif has clearly watched some prison pornos. Like... Buddy.

Wyoming calling Tex Allison has so many interesting implications.

Simmons re-engineers stuff, Sarge makes a weather control device. Where's the AU where Sarge is a mad scientist.

Simmons asking Grif if he's okay after prison. Just loving the slow build of friendship between them.

Also big parallels of Church's "Misery loves company" and his willingness to let the bomb blow them all up together to later seasons stuff.

I still love that everyone's go-to explanation for stuff is "time travel."

Donut is too thin-skinned about criticism for his play. He'd never survive on Broadway, lol. But I love everything about the time travel show.

How is Tucker the smartest person in this group? But also Tucker being so worried about Church. I am having a lot of Tucker feelings this season.

I love Grif's devotion to cheesy disaster movies.

Caboose: Look what I found. Donut: I found it! Caboose: Look at what I took credit for finding.

Poor Donut! A grenade to the head and now his hand got chopped up.

Grif: Hey, what're you doing? Simmons: What does it look like I'm doing, I'm getting in the jeep. Grif: What're we, on a date? Get in the back. Simmons: Oh you're so insecure.

I would've watched an entire season of Doc and O'Malley and Lopez's Lair Improvements. And when Doc mentions a real estate agent all I can think of is an AU where Doc meets Kai because she's running her business on the side while in the military. But also Doc's motivational powers in the living room, O'Malley's belief that the cat won't hang on until Friday, it's great.

The iconic jeep conversation is still good now as it was back then. Re-enacting Dukes of Hazzard! "I can tell you what we weren't doing."

Grif's mind immediately going to gay stuff as a favor from Tex. Between this and his prison conversation with Church, someone is protesting way too much.

Sarge's plans are so amazingly terrible. I love them.

Grif getting choked up over hating Blue Team and Tucker and missing the days where they all just stood around and talked a lot.

Tex sounding genuinely concerned when Tucker falls into the hall. Luckily he gets a cool sword out of it!

Tex's conversation with Simmons about shooting Lopez's head is a great example of an eloquent helmet look. Tex doesn't even say a word and you can feel the disbelief and rage when Simmons implies she may have missed.

Church: Caboose, I know you're there. I'm leaving this message from two thousand years in the past. Whatever you do, don't, touch, anything. Apparently you're this culture's version of the apocalypse. You're going to destroy this building, and somehow bring about doom for their entire race. Caboose: Mmmmmmnooo... that doesn't sound like me. I like people. And buildings also.

Time for some actual time travel or at least a simulation. But I do love Butch Flowers, haha. Whose greatest enemy is apathy! Love watching Church just make his own life worse. Also love the bit about Sheila having been made in Mexico.

"Man... First I kill myself, then I realise I'm a honkin' dork. Not a very good day to be me."

Church: I learned a very valuable lesson in my travels, Tucker. No matter how bad things might seem- Caboose: They could be worse. Church: Nope, no matter how bad they seem, they can't be any better, and they can't be any worse, because that's the way things fucking are, and you better get used to it Nancy. Quit yer bitching.

Grif and Simmons and Sarge talking about the Blues, and Simmons saying he's not looking for friends and doesn't like his current crop AKA he just accidentally admitted Grif is his friend. Grif just didn't realize it.

Between the warthog and monkeying about discussions, Church and Grif really are on the same wavelength.

I love the scheming versus plotting conversation.

Ugh, the arrival of Andy. I hate him so much.

Haha, Simmons lying about his math skills is great.

Uuuugh, Andy. :/ Freckles is SUCH a step up as Caboose's AI murder buddy.

"Do we really have to seize destiny? Can't we just invite it to join our online circle of friends?"

I love Lopez's little rebellion-- he might be under O'Malley's control, but he's also going to sabotage O'Malley as much as possible. And tricking O'Malley into insulting himself in Spanish.

I really forgot that Tex straight up tried to steal Tucker's sword.

Military law is very clear in regard to the "not it" methodology for making decisions. Sorry, Donut.

I forgot that Donut can speak Spanish. In fairness, so did the show.

Hello, Crunchbite!

Next up, the PSAs!

Some of these have aged poorly... Like, uh, jokes about 2004 politics do not land well in 2020. And uh jokes about colds and flus. ...Okay, the Christmas PSA where Church destroys the Reds' Christmas tree, tells Caboose the truth about Santa Claus, gives everyone knock-off coal, convinces Church that Santa is now wearing blue and working only for the Blues, and scams Tucker out of a $350 gift is pretty funny though.

I enjoyed Burnie playing himself in the outtakes by putting words he can't pronounce in his own script. And Grif singing Happy Birthday to Church in prison. Also poor Geoff being told to adlib and immediately having Grif start to tell Church "You're looking buff, man, have you been working--" and being immediately booed by everyone, and someone says they'll use it for an outtake and Geoff is like "It's funny! And I didn't even get to finish!" And everyone trying to figure out Tucker's sword and him accidentally killing everyone in various outtakes. And in the deleted scenes Tex keeps making fun of O'Malley's plans to rule the universe, haha. Also the deleted scene that's just another Simmons' self-insert fanfiction, just as a video instead of a fake game in the Fan Guide.

It also gave us character profiles! I'm sure a lot of this has since been contradicted in canon, but interesting that we got specific hometowns for a few people: Donut in Leggatt Plains, Iowa, which doesn't seem to be a real place; Moscow, Iowa for Sarge, which actually does; Tucker's from Detroit, and Delta Commune for Doc. Oh, is this where we get Caboose grew up on the moon, with his hometown being labeled as Low G Colony, Moon? And hey, I always had him be a middle child, I like that this one did too. Tex likes money and scars and dislikes Donut. Okay I know that's definitely not real, but the idea of Allison growing up in an orphanage hurts me a little. Okay, and I know for sure that Simmons would die of happiness at the fact that Sarge's likes are battles, fringe science, and Simmons. Lopez likes oil and unions, and hates capitalism. My kind of guy. Last but not least, I actually really like Simmons as the son of a bunch of right-hand stooges (who probably wanted power for themselves).

#Red vs Blue #rvb rewatch #long post

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sciencespies · 3 years

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A Brief History of the Falklands War

https://sciencespies.com/history/a-brief-history-of-the-falklands-war/

A Brief History of the Falklands War

For ten weeks in the spring of 1982, a sparsely populated string of islands hundreds of miles east of South America dominated headlines around the world. In a chapter of global history that represents one of the last gasps of a shrinking British Empire, the United Kingdom—otherwise beset by high unemployment and economic stagnation at home—battled the sovereign nation of Argentina for control of the islands. The Falklands War, as the 74-day conflict came to be known, may seem rather unremarkable today, despite the loss in life, but its influence can still be felt in the British Isles. The U.K.’s success in South America cemented Conservative Party Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher’s hold on power and rallied the nation behind a common cause: protecting one of the last vestiges of its time as a global superpower.

As British columnist George Gale wrote in the aftermath of Argentina’s surrender to British forces, “We have seen in these weeks of crisis … a remarkable resurgence of patriotism. It has welled up from the nation’s depth. We have undergone a sea-change.”

The latest season of Netflix’s “The Crown” features a fictionalized version of the 1982 clash, pitting Thatcher (Gillian Anderson) against Elizabeth II (Olivia Colman) in a battle of wills over Britain’s future. Set between 1979 and 1990, the fourth installment follows the royal family from the IRA’s assassination of Lord Mountbatten (Charles Dance) to Prince Charles’ (Josh O’Connor) courtship of Lady Diana Spencer (Emma Corrin) and Thatcher’s eventual resignation from office. The Falklands War takes center stage—albeit with a heavy dose of dramatization—in episodes four and five.

Here’s what you need to know to separate fact from fiction while watching the series’ depiction of the conflict.

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What sparked the Falklands War?

The Falkland Islands—an archipelago in the South Atlantic located 8,000 miles away from the British Isles—were once one of the U.K.’s more obscure overseas territories, home to a community of just 1,800 people, the majority of whom were of British descent. Almost all of these individuals were rural sheep farmers who worked as tenants on land owned by a local corporation. Per the New York Times’ Larry Rohter, the islanders “depended on the company for everything.”

Prior to the outbreak of war, the U.K. had been reluctant to invest in its Connecticut-sized colony. Sheep dominated the Falklands’ economy, and islanders’ hopes of expanding into the fishing industry had proven largely futile. Across the Atlantic, the Falklands were so little-known, notes historian and journalist Dominic Sandbrook for History Extra, that many of the British servicemen deployed to the area in April 1982 “genuinely assumed” that they were headed to islands off the coast of Scotland, not in the middle of the South Atlantic.

Britain’s presence in the Falklands dates back to 1690, when Navy Captain John Strong made the first recorded landing on the unpopulated islands. The British started a settlement on the archipelago in the mid-18th century but abandoned it around a decade later, leaving the area under Spanish control. The newly independent Argentina arrived on the scene in 1820 and promptly laid claim to the Falklands, arguing that it had inherited the islands from the Spanish crown earlier that century.

Argentinian prisoners of war at Port Stanley

(Public domain via Wikimedia Commons)

British troops returned to the Falklands in 1833, expelling its Argentinian officials and reasserting the U.K.’s claim to the islands. Backed by the United States, which had previously clashed with Argentina over whaling and seal hunting in the area, Britain established the Falklands as an official colony. The South American nation has asserted its own sovereignty over the islands, which Argentinians call Las Malvinas, ever since.

Britain’s government had actually attempted to convince the islands’ inhabitants to join Argentina in the decades leading up to the war, as it “saw little long-term future and was reluctant to invest in making the Falklands prosperous and secure,” writes scholar Lawrence Freedman for History Extra. But a 1968 agreement guaranteeing that the islanders would have final say over their home’s sovereignty hampered these efforts, and a proposed lease-back arrangement in which the Falklands would remain under British administration but acknowledge Argentinian sovereignty ultimately fizzled out.

Long-standing tensions between the two nations boiled over on March 19, 1982, when Argentinian scrap metal workers raised their country’s flag at an abandoned whaling station on the even-more distant island of South Georgia, then one of the Falkland Islands Dependencies. Two weeks later, on April 2, Argentinian forces moved in at Leith Harbor in South Georgia, overwhelming key British outposts without inflicting any casualties. (See the History Press for a day-by-day timeline of the ten-week struggle.)

How did Britain respond to Argentina’s invasion?

The sinking of the General Belgrano was arguably the most controversial episode of the Falklands War.

(Public domain via Wikimedia Commons)

Thatcher, sensing an opportunity to revitalize her faltering political aspirations, voiced her commitment to defending the Falklands in an April 5 interview with British broadcaster ITN: “We have to recover those islands, we have to recover them for the people on them are British … and they still owe allegiance to the crown and want to be British.”

The prime minister deployed a naval task force to the islands, upending the Argentinian military junta’s expectation that the British would acquiesce without mounting a defense. (Led by General Leopoldo Galtieri, the Argentinian dictatorship had embarked on the military campaign in hopes of appealing to nationalist sentiment and distracting the populace from Argentina’s poor economy.) Arriving in the Falklands in late April, British troops engaged in a series of naval and air battles, successfully wearing down Argentina’s superior air forces despite the U.S. Navy’s prediction that recapturing the islands would be a “military impossibility.”

According to the Telegraph, perhaps the “most controversial episode” of the conflict took place on May 2, when the Royal Navy’s Conqueror submarine sank the General Belgrano cruiser. Though the Argentinian vessel had entered Britain’s 200-mile exclusion zone the day prior, it had departed by the time of the torpedo attack and appeared to pose no immediate threat. At the same time, however, both sides acknowledged that the entire South Atlantic was essentially an operational theater of war; recent research also suggests that the vessel was directly involved in operations threatening the British task force. Approximately 323 Argentinian crewmen died in the sinking, making the incident the Falklands War’s single greatest loss of life.

Critics at the time accused Thatcher of ordering “the attack as a deliberate act of provocation designed to escalate the conflict and scupper hopes of a diplomatic resolution,” per the Telegraph. Public opinion remains divided, with proponents characterizing the sinking as a legitimate act of war and detractors condemning it as a war crime.

A 1994 report by the Argentinian Defense Ministry concluded that the attack was “a legal act of war.” Speaking with the Telegraph in 2007, Belgrano artilleryman Ruben Volpe said, “[T]his was a war and the attack was an act of war, not a war crime. Sinking our most potent vessel outside the exclusion zone demonstrated the power that the British had.”

On May 21, British commandos made an amphibious landing on the islands; after a few weeks of heavy fighting and further casualties, the Argentinians surrendered, bringing the 74-day clash to a close on June 14.

In total, 649 Argentinian military personnel, 255 British troops and 3 Falkland Islanders died over the course of the undeclared war. Though Britain celebrated its retention of control as an unmitigated triumph, this “glow of victory was to conceal how desperately close” the battle was, wrote columnist Simon Jenkins for the Guardian in 2013.

“The conclusion of most defense analysts is that the Argentinians should have won this war,” Jenkins added, “and had they [held out until] the south Atlantic storms of June they probably would have.”

How did the Falklands War shape modern British society?

Margaret Thatcher’s response to the Falklands War secured her grasp on power and revitalized her faltering political career.

(University of Salford Press Office via Wikimedia Commons under CC BY 2.0)

Three days after Argentina invaded the Falklands, a survey of British citizens watching the events from home found that 88 percent of those polled felt the U.K. had an “obligation” to support the islanders. Seventy percent advocated sinking Argentinian ships if necessary, and 41 percent called for the immediate use of government force. In other words, the Falklands War was highly popular in an otherwise increasingly divided country.

“The empire was gone, the economy was struggling, the old industrial base was crumbling and the old certainties had vanished,” writes Sandbrook for History Extra. “Inflation, strikes, unemployment; riots, bombings, scandals; failure, shabbiness, disappointment: [T]his had been Britain’s narrative since the mid-1960s.”

Thatcher, who had run for office in 1979 on a platform of privatization of state-owned enterprises, decreased government spending and the restriction of trade unions, was finding it difficult to live up to her campaign slogan: “Don’t just hope for a better life. Vote for one.” Record-breaking unemployment and a recession the likes of which had not been seen since the Great Depression threatened to ensure her time as prime minister was short-lived. Then, Argentina invaded the Falklands, forcing the Conservative Party leader to quickly formulate a decisive response—a challenge she readily rose to meet.

Thatcher’s objectives were twofold, wrote historian Domenico Maria Bruni in a 2018 journal article: First, the prime minister had to defend her government against accusations of failing to prevent the attack. More importantly, she also needed to determine how best to defuse the potential military disaster.

“She was decisive, determined, effective,” Chris Collins, a historian at the Margaret Thatcher Foundation, told History.com in 2019. “There was never the slightest note of doubt in her public responses, and she was pretty clear privately too. We would get the islands back. I don’t think any other British leader at that time would have handled things quite as clearly.”

Sandbrook argues that the Falklands War supplied a dose of “nostalgic nationalism” to a country in need of a win.

“In practical terms it changed nothing,” he writes. “Psychologically, however, it changed everything. In the public imagination, it marked the end of an era defined by post-imperial introspection, providing a new national myth to rank alongside Dunkirk and the Battle of Britain.”

Following its humiliating defeat in the Falklands, Argentina’s military junta suffered a rapid fall from power, with citizens ousting the Peronist Justicialist Party in favor of a new regime. The result of 1983’s free election—the first of its kind in almost a decade—was widely heralded as “a vote for democracy,” according to the New York Times.

The Falklands, meanwhile, experienced an unprecedented period of post-war prosperity. As Larissa MacFarquhar writes for the New Yorker, Britain “allotted the islands more aid money than it ever had before,” in addition to granting islanders full British citizenship and offering independence “in all matters except foreign policy and defense.” In 2013, residents overwhelmingly opted to remain a British overseas territory, with just three of some 1,500 voters casting dissenting ballots.

How accurate is the series’ portrayal of the Falklands War?

Gillian Anderson as Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher (left) and Olivia Colman as Elizabeth II (right)

(Courtesy of Netflix)

The Netflix hit’s depiction of the war departs from historical accounts in several key areas. As the New York Times reports, “The Crown” paints Thatcher’s investment in the Falkland Islanders’ plight as a reflection of her anxiety over the fate of her son, Mark, who had gone missing in the Sahara while competing in an off-road race.

In actuality, Mark found himself stranded in the desert in January, a full two months before Argentinian workers raised their flag on the Falklands. Though the prime minister was understandably concerned about her wayward son, the crisis in no way affected her later response to the Falklands War. A rescue team—paid for, in part, out of Thatcher’s own pocket—located the 28-year-old six days after he was first reported missing.

“The Crown” shows a distraught Thatcher connecting the war to her personal woes by telling an aide, “Our people, far from home, their lives are in danger! Our own. We must do something.” But as Sandbrook tells History Extra, “There has never been even a hint that Margaret Thatcher was emotional or in any way distracted when dealing with the Falklands crisis. Any suggestion that she was is a complete invention.”

The historian describes the war as a high point in Thatcher’s divisive career. Nicknamed the “Iron Lady” for her “hard-driving and hardheaded” approach to governing, as the New York Times noted in her 2013 obituary, the normally abrasive prime minister was “a dream to work with” during the crisis, says Sandbrook. “This was partly because, as a woman, she wasn’t expected to have extensive military knowledge,” he explains, “so for once she didn’t feel the need to ‘show off’ or to dominate, she was quite happy to sit back and listen to the advice of her military men, whom she really liked.”

In “The Crown,” Thatcher strikes a balance between deferring to her advisors and taking charge, agreeing to an admiral’s plan of deploying British sailors immediately but dismissing another official’s prediction that “we will never survive an unnecessary and unaffordable war” with a sharp rebuke: “I say we will not survive not going to war.”

Though the Netflix series finds Thatcher’s royal counterpart, Elizabeth II, expressing disapproval of the Falklands War, her actual public comments on the matter suggest otherwise. In early June, just under a week before Argentina’s surrender, the queen welcomed U.S. President Ronald Reagan to the U.K. with a speech touting her government’s efforts to support “the cause of freedom.” She added, “The conflict in the Falkland Islands was thrust on us by naked aggression and we are naturally proud of the way our fighting men are serving their country.”

The prime minister, for her part, wrote in her unpublished memoir that she “went over to see the Queen at Windsor” upon receiving news of Britain’s victory.

Thatcher recalled, “It was wonderful to be able personally to give her the news that one of her islands had been restored to her.”

#History

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vegasthedog · 5 years

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kyms thoughts on tonights bitch ass episode

• ARCHIE REALLY DID DIE???

• oh you know what fuck you jughead

• VEGAS!!!!

• archie w black hair > archie w ugly ass orange hair

• dont get back w archie v stop acting like you dont got a WHOLE REGGIE

• wooooooooooooow she gonna do reggie like that

• jug acting like he running the fucking yakuza

• CRACK? IS THAT WHAT YOU SMOKING ALICE? CRACK?

• look at fp lookin like a MEAL

• FUCK EM UP FRED

• see archie, when you do clownery, the clown comes back to bite

• rip veronica x reggie, it was fun while it lasted

• clifford 2.0 is boutta be the sheriff? fuck this

• A 600 SKSKSK ARCHIE REALLY IS DUMB

• i cant believe fangs really joined this fucking cult

• v singing in spanish she tryna get that DICK

• i know reggie mad LMAOOO

• they really got hal in this hannibal lecter ass cage

• reggie not hearing none of this shit

• reggie would fuck archie up any day idk why he acting like big dick richard

• hiram is such a bitch yo can someone just kill him

• I KNEW HAL’S STUPID ASS WAS THE FUCKING WEIRDO IN THE STICK SUIT

• if fangs dies.....

• TALL BOY????

• thats what you get for opening your BIG FUCKING MOUTH REGGIE

• penelope wanted to fuck ugly ass jeffery dahmer...

• can hal just choke on his prison food please

• these two ALWAYS fuckin

• NO THEY DIDNT WAIT A FUCKING MINUTE!!!!!

• WHO THE FUCK JUST SHOT HIRAM????

• THEY FINALLY BREAKING UP YES

• this is why you dont let kids play with guns.

• what is fp doing involved with hermione !!!!

• REGGIE AND VERONICA FOR THE FUCKING WIN!!!!!

• FP IS THE FUCKING SHERIFF !!!! MY WIG!!!

• heard archie the alcoholic

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near-kingsburg-ca-blog · 5 years

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Near Kingsburg CA

Economy

Kingsburg, CA has an unemployment rate of 7.4 percent compared to the US average of 3.9. The city has seen a job market increase by 2.0 percent over the last year with predicted future job growth of 30.8 percent over the next ten years. This is lower than the US average of 33.5 percent. The sales tax rate for Kingsburg is 8.0 percent compared to the US average of 7.3 percent while the income tax rate is 9.3 percent compared to the US average of 4.6 percent. The average income of a Kingsburg resident is $25,921 a year compared to the US average of $28,555 a year while the median household income of a Kingsburg resident is $60,361 a year compared to the US average of $53,482 a year.

Tuscan Gardens Venue

Looking for a wedding venue in the countryside of Kingsburg, CA? Look no further than Tuscan Gardens. It is a spectacular outdoor wedding venue situated among majestic almond trees and charming grape vineyards. The venue features rose gardens, lush greenery, waterscapes, an iconic fire bowl, and a pavilion. The owners put their utmost love and attention to their property, the same way they treat every event. Hundreds of couples have celebrated their weddings at Tuscan gardens. The happiness and satisfaction that everybody gets are reason enough for the owners to continue doing what they love, ensuring that Tuscan Gardens is the best wedding venue in Kingsburg, California.

Fresno Co. Man Pleads Guilty To Molesting Girl He Met On Snapchat

MONTEREY COUNTY, CA — A 27-year-old Fresno County man has pleaded guilty to molesting a 12-year-old Monterey girl after meeting her on Snapchat in 2018, according to the Monterey County District Attorney's office. When Robert Gomez, then 26, first began speaking with the girl that summer, he told her he was 15 years old. The two sent each other "lewd" photos through the application, prosecutors said, and Gomez later drove from Kingsburg to Monterey to meet her. Read more here

According to the Monterey County District Attorney's office, 27-year-old Robert Gomez, a Fresno County resident, has pleaded guilty to molesting a 12-year-old Monterey girl after meeting her on Snapchat in 2018. Gomez, then 26, first began speaking with the girl that summer and pretended to be 15 years old. Prosecutors said that the two sent each other "lewd" photos through the application. Gomez later drove from Kingsburg to Monterey to meet her. Gomez now faces at least 10 years in prison for lewd acts, oral copulation, and digital penetration with a minor under 14 and is required to register as a lifetime sex offender.

Holy Family Catholic Church in Kingsburg CA

The Holy Family Catholic Church was founded in 1950 and is located at Kingsburg, California. Their congregation comes together before God under the leadership of Reverend Gregory J. Beaumont who is a passionate speaker, a beacon of knowledge and a spiritual guide. He is a leader and a great example for all of the church members. The Holy Family Catholic Church celebrates the mass every Tuesday at 8 am, Wednesdays at 6 pm, Thursdays and Fridays at 8 am, Saturdays at 5 PM (London/Traver) 7 PM, and Sundays at 8 am and 10 am including a 12 noon mass in the Spanish language.

Link to map

Driving Direction

6 min (2.8 miles)

via 18th Ave

Fastest route

Tuscan Gardens

13176 S Madsen Ave, Kingsburg, CA 93631, USA

Head south on S Madsen Ave toward E Caruthers Ave

0.3 mi

Turn right at the 1st cross street onto E Caruthers Ave

0.5 mi

Turn left onto S Mendocino Ave

0.6 mi

Continue onto 18th Ave

1.3 mi

Turn right onto Gilroy St

138 ft

Turn right onto Smith St

Destination will be on the left

381 ft

Tuscan Gardens Venue

13176 S Madsen Avenue

Kingsburg CA 93619

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freenewstoday · 3 years

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New Post has been published on https://freenews.today/2021/04/10/italy-matteo-salvini-should-not-face-trial-over-migrant-case-prosecutor-says-dw-10-04-2021/

Italy: Matteo Salvini should not face trial over migrant case, prosecutor says | DW | 10.04.2021

Italian Prosecutor Andrea Bonomo said Saturday that former Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini should not face trial on kidnapping charges after he blocked more than 100 migrants from entering the country two years ago. The case is currently being deliberated by a court in the Sicilian city of Catania, with a judge expected to make a decision on whether to open a trial against Salvini on May 14.

In July 2019, Salvini used his ministerial powers to prevent the Gregoretti coast guard ship carrying 116 migrants to reach Italian shores, forcing the ship to linger at sea for six days until other EU states would take responsibility for the asylum-seekers. Magistrates have characterized Salvini’s actions as an illegal abuse of power.

What did the prosecutor say about Salvini’s actions?

Bonomo said Salvini’s conduct during the incident “does not amount to kidnapping,” claiming the former minister “did not breach any international convention” in his handling of the asylum-seekers.

If the 48-year-old Salvini is convicted in a possible trial, he could potentially face up to 15 years in prison. A conviction could potentially bar Salvini, the leader of the right-wing Lega Nord party, from future political office.

How did Salvini react to Bonomo’s remarks?

Salvini, an immigration hardliner, has defended his conduct during the 2019 incident and said he was happy with Bonomo’s comments on the case.

“I’m happy because today the public prosecution said there was no crime, no kidnapping… so I calmly return to my children and that this will be over on May 14,” Salvini said about the prosecutor’s remarks.

Is Salvini facing any other court cases regarding his migrant policies?

Salvini is also facing a potential trial in Palermo over his decision to block a Spanish charity ship carrying over 100 migrants from reaching Italian shores in August 2019. A prosecutor in that case has called for the former minister to be indicted on kidnapping charges, but Salvini claims he was just defending Italy’s borders.

Salvini was ousted from power in September 2019, after the populist Five Star Movement formed a new coalition government with the center-left Democratic Party. Lega Nord is now part of a unity government under technocratic Prime Minister Mario Draghi.

wd/sms (Reuters, AFP, dpa)

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#Italy #Matteo Salvini #migrants #Sicily

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wikiuntamed · 2 months

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Top 5 @Wikipedia pages from yesterday: Sunday, 18th February 2024

Welcome, welcome, willkommen, nuqneH 🤗 What were the top pages visited on @Wikipedia (18th February 2024) 🏆🌟🔥?

1️⃣: Ilia Topuria "Ilia Topuria (Georgian: ილია თოფურია; born January 21, 1997) is a Georgian and Spanish professional mixed martial artist. He currently competes in the Featherweight division in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) where he officially represents his native Georgia. As of February 18, 2024, he..."

Image licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0?

2️⃣: UFC 298 "UFC 298: Volkanovski vs. Topuria was a mixed martial arts event produced by the Ultimate Fighting Championship that took place on February 17, 2024, at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California, United States...."

3️⃣: Alexei Navalny "Alexei Anatolyevich Navalny (Russian: Алексей Анатольевич Навальный, IPA: [ɐlʲɪkˈsʲej ɐnɐˈtolʲjɪvʲɪtɕ nɐˈvalʲnɨj]; 4 June 1976 – 16 February 2024) was a Russian opposition leader, lawyer, anti-corruption activist, and political prisoner. He organised anti-government demonstrations and ran for office..."

Image licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0? by Mitya Aleshkovskiy

4️⃣: Mac McClung "Matthew "Mac" McClung (born January 6, 1999) is an American professional basketball player for the Osceola Magic of the NBA G League. He played college basketball for the Georgetown Hoyas and the Texas Tech Red Raiders. He was a consensus three-star recruit and among the highest-ranked high school..."

Image licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0? by CCS Pictures

5️⃣: J. Robert Oppenheimer "J. Robert Oppenheimer (born Julius Robert Oppenheimer; OP-ən-hy-mər; April 22, 1904 – February 18, 1967) was an American theoretical physicist. He was director of the Manhattan Project's Los Alamos Laboratory during World War II and is often called the "father of the atomic bomb". Born in New York..."

Image by Unknown authorUnknown author

#TopWikiPages #WikiUntamed #WikiWonderland #WhyThesePages

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adalidda · 4 years

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Illustration Photo: A tri-dimensional waster water at Nyarugenge Prison treats, recycles and re-uses the waste water generated from the prison, helping to protect the surrounding environment. The resulting effluent is used for irrigation of the Community Sanitation Garden (CSG) to improve agricultural productivity of the prison in dry and rainy seasons. (credits: LVEMP II Rwanda / Flickr Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic (CC BY 2.0))

Call for applications: Ocean Challenge - Solutions for SDG14

SDG 14: Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development

The Ocean Innovation Challenge is issuing a series of 'Ocean Challenges' or Requests for Proposals, each focused on a specific SDG14 target. Initial concepts may be submitted by public or private entities, including governments, private companies (including start-ups), NGO/CSO, United Nations entities, academic institutions, and intergovernmental organizations. The first 'Challenge' opens here on 8 January 2020.

Concepts passing initial review and meeting OIC criteria will be invited to submit full proposals for further internal and external ("peer") review and consideration. Grants range from 50,000 USD to 250,000 USD and project time frames can range from one to two years. Project proposals must be implemented in and benefit stakeholders in developing countries but may be submitted by applicants in either developing or developed countries. All proposals should include a special focus on ensuring gender equity, livelihoods of the poor and poverty eradication.

While by no means exhaustive, some general examples of the types of innovations that could be considered include:

Marine Litter/Plastics Nutrients

Application deadline for preliminary proposal: 5 March 2020 Applications are accepted in English, French and Spanish.

Check more https://adalidda.com/posts/pXTCmieXjKtgpFKSA/call-for-applications-ocean-challenge-solutions-for-sdg14

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downordic-blog · 5 years

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Prospekt Download – Full + Updated

About This Game

After improving the game and having many play testers play Prospekt. Today i'm releasing a huge update for the Summer Sale! This includes: Extended gameplay with whole new levels. Greatly refined gameplay for a much more enjoyable experience. Greatly improved graphics including some Ultra high definition textures. Real time dynamic lighting. Real time dynamic environments. New special effects Much more brand new content. Better game flow with better balance. And much more! Substantial, highly-polished and totally new addition to the Half-Life 2 universe, comparable to Half-Life 2: Episode One in length Official Valve approval for Half-Life 2 license and assets Standalone PC game built using the Source engine - no requirement for Half-Life 2 Continues the story of Opposing Force, Gearbox Software’s (Borderlands) update that tells the original Half-Life 2 story from the perspective of the Marines. Gordon Freeman is cornered and being overrun by soldiers in the Nova Prospekt prison; the player controls US Marine Adrian Shephard - the unsung hero - as he’s teleported in by Freeman’s Vortigaunt allies to help fight back. 13 new levels featuring fully-scripted puzzles and action sequences, all carefully integrated into the Half-Life 2 story Substantial graphical updates over the original game, including but not limited to: New Textures New Models Updated high resolution Combine soldier skins with improved normal mapping Updated high resolution textures Updated lighting Higher resolution models Increased cube mapping Over 20 new particle effects Modded HUD Modded VGUI New player model skin Return to Xen New voice acting New music New AI improvements, such as soldiers attempting to undo the player’s actions

Mature Content Description

The developers describe the content like this: This Game may contain content not appropriate for all ages, or may not be appropriate for viewing at work: General Mature Content

System Requirements

Minimum: OS: Windows XP or higher Processor: 3.0 GHz Pentium 4, Dual Core 2.0 (or higher) or Athlon 64 X2 (or higher) Memory: 1 GB XP / 2 GB Vista & 7 MB RAM Graphics: Video card must be 128 MB or more and should be a DirectX 9-compatible with support for Pixel Shader 2.0b (ATI Radeon X800 or higher / NVIDIA GeForce 7600 or higher / Intel HD Graphics 2000 or higher) DirectX: Version 11 Storage: 12 GB available space Sound Card: N/A Languages: Interface Full Audio Subtitles English YES YES YES French YES YES German YES YES Spanish - Spain YES YES Russian YES YES Read the full article

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everycall · 6 years

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Scariest Scams 2.0: Virtual Kidnapping Phone Scam

“This phone call is going to keep your daughter alive,” the caller said. “If you hang up, she dies. You understand that?”

That was just part of the frightening phone call a Virginia woman received while working at a consignment boutique. Although virtual kidnapping scams are not the most common type of fraudulent call, when they do occur, they are one of the scariest.

This type of scam has been reported nationwide, but it’s difficult to know just how many people it has effected, since not everyone reports it to police. Between 2013 and 2015, the FBI investigated hundreds of calls originating from Mexican prisons. The calls primarily targeted Spanish speakers, but recently kidnapping scheme calls have been made in English as well.

A harrowing phone call

The owner of Babies and Bellies consignment shop, Dawn Luepke, answered the strange call one afternoon in Alexandria, Virginia. Other staff members witnessed her pick up the phone and answer.

“When I answered the phone and said hello, the first that happened was a little girl crying, was muffled and said, ‘Mommy, help me. They have kidnapped me. I’m blindfolded,’” she told Fox News. “So the first thing that I thought of was -- ‘Where is my daughter?’”

When we’re placed in such stressful situations, fear takes over, and we often can’t think logically. It can be easy to believe that the voice on the other line is one’s daughter, even if it sounds nothing like her. Scammers take advantage of our natural fearful reactions to persuade us to do things we would normally never consider doing.

Real or fake?

Nevertheless, Luepke wasn’t entirely convinced that the call was real, and she immediately put the call on speaker so that the entire staff could hear. Angelic Britton, Luepke’s intern, called 911.

“They asked if she called her daughter and I am like how is she supposed to call her daughter when she is on the phone with this guy,” said Britton. “Then they didn’t say anything after that and that is when I went to her and she told me to hang up, to start recording the guy on the phone.”

The scammer soon began to make more threats and give commands. “Let’s just start walking to your car, grab your phone. Let’s drive to the bank, okay? Get in your car,” he said.

Luepke did her best to remain calm. She stalled the scammer by pretending she didn’t have a car. This bought her time to mute the call and dial her daughter’s school on the shop’s landline phone. Officials at the school told her that her daughter was present at school and was perfectly fine. Relieved, she hung up on the scammer.

A fake scheme, but a real threat

Luepke acknowledges the fact that the scammer was extremely convincing. “It was a real girl crying,” she told reporters. “She was interacting with me. It wasn’t a recording. And maybe she is part of whatever the scam is, but that little girl is a victim because she is being used in a scheme like this.”

That “scheme” was to get Luepke to hand over thousands of dollars in ransom money, most likely through wire transfers or untraceable gift cards. Luckily, she was with other women and had access to other phones and was able to make sure her daughter was ok, and to be able to call police.

“I was at a space where I could use another phone,” she said. “I could use another phone to call the school, to call 911. Whereas if you were just walking on the street and you didn’t have access to another phone, then you might just go right to a bank. It just felt like there was not a way to get help in this situation.”

Protect yourself

Later, Luepke reported the phone call to police, who traced the call to Mexico. Virtual “kidnapping” phone calls are all too common in that country. Unfortunately, these types of scammers are rarely caught.

However, there are many things you can do to protect yourself from this dangerous scam.

First, install a quality call blocker on your phone to avoid receiving these types of calls in the first place. You can also protect your landline.

Avoid answering unknown or suspicious calls, especially when alone.

In case you do accidentally answer a similar call, here’s what the FBI suggests you do to protect yourself:

Don’t say your name

Listen to the alleged victim’s voice carefully

Don’t tell the caller any loved one’s names or personal information

Ask for proof, such as generic questions that only the alleged kidnap victim would know, like a pet's name

Request to speak to your family member directly. Ask, “How do I know my loved one is okay?”

Try to buy time while you get help and confirm your loved one is okay. Try to place a phone call to them.

Repeat the caller’s request. Tell him you are writing down the demand or that you need time to get things moving.

Don’t agree to pay a ransom.

If you think a real kidnapping is taking place, contact law enforcement immediately.

#phone scam #virtual kidnapping #fbi #Scam Alerts

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gadgetsrevv · 5 years

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Diego Costa to Pay 1.7 Million Euros to Settle Spanish Tax Fraud Case

Madrid: Atletico Madrid striker Diego Costa has agreed to pay 1.7 million euros ($1.9 million) to Spain’s tax agency which was investigating him for non-payment of taxes on image rights, a Spanish newspaper reported Tuesday.

The agency said the 30-year-old hid income earned in 2014 from a sponsorship deal signed with Adidas shortly before he joined Chelsea from Atletico that year. Costa, who has both Brazilian and Spanish citizenship, returned to Atletico in 2018.

Under a deal with Spain’s tax office, Costa will plead guilty to tax evasion and pay 1.1 million euros in back taxes, daily newspaper El Mundo, reported.

He will also be sentenced to six months in jail but will not serve time and instead pay a fine of 600,000 euros, the paper said. The agreement will be made official at a Madrid court on October 4, El Mundo reported.

Contacted by AFP, a spokesman for the tax office, said he could not comment on individual tax files.

Costa is the latest of the famous footballers to have fallen foul of Spain’s tax authorities.

A Spanish court in January handed Portuguese striker Cristiano Ronaldo a suspended two-year prison sentence for committing tax fraud when he was at Real Madrid.

The player, who joined Italian side Juventus last year, also agreed to pay 18.8 million euros in fines and back taxes to settle the case, according to judicial sources.

Barcelona’s Lionel Messi paid a two-million-euro fine in 2016 in his own tax wrangle and received a 21-month jail term.

The prison sentence was later reduced to a further fine of 252,000 euros, equivalent to 400 euros per day of the original term.

Get the best of News18 delivered to your inbox – subscribe to News18 Daybreak. Follow News18.com on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok and on YouTube, and stay in the know with what’s happening in the world around you – in real time.

Subscribe to Moneycontrol Pro and gain access to curated markets data, trading recommendations, equity analysis, investment ideas, insights from market gurus and much more. Get Moneycontrol PRO for 1 year at price of 3 months. Use code FREEDOM.

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#Uncategorized #atletico madrid #Diego Costa #Spain #tax Diego Costa to Pay 1.7 Million Euros to Sett

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bharatiyamedia-blog · 5 years

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What Con Was The Precursor To The Trendy Nigerian E-mail Rip-off?

http://tinyurl.com/y4wct8t7 Patrick Feller/Wikimedia Reply: The Spanish Prisoner Con One of the crucial prevalent cons round is the Nigerian e mail rip-off. Primarily an advanced-fee fraud, the con man guarantees the e-mail recipient entry to the huge fortunes of a rich man, royalty, or overseas firm if solely the recipient can put up some cash to assist stated rich man, royal, or firm out of some horrible bind. Though the worldwide community of communications and money-transfer system that drives the Nigerian rip-off is a completely fashionable invention, the con itself has roots all the way in which again to the 1890s. The unique con relied on the con man approaching a sufferer and convincing them that their rich colleague had been imprisoned in Spain below a false identification. As a way to keep away from embarrassment, the colleague required an individual, not associated to his household or social group, to assist bail him out of jail. In alternate, identical to within the fashionable model, the sufferer who put up the cash can be enormously compensated for his help. The con relied on a mixture of face-to-face and mail-based interactions and can be dragged out for so long as the sufferer was prepared to place extra money as much as assist the fictional Spanish prisoner. Whether or not within the 19th or 21st century, the attract of spending slightly cash to get some huge cash as a reward has all the time been far too tempting for many individuals to withstand. The sum of money misplaced to the Nigerian rip-off, the con-family baby of the the Spanish Prisoner Con, is staggering. In 2006, for instance, analysis in america and the UK revealed that roughly 200 million {dollars} and 150 million kilos, respectively, had been misplaced to scammers utilizing internet-based advanced-fee scams. !function(f,b,e,v,n,t,s) {if(f.fbq)return;n=f.fbq=function(){n.callMethod? n.callMethod.apply(n,arguments):n.queue.push(arguments)}; if(!f._fbq)f._fbq=n;n.push=n;n.loaded=!0;n.version='2.0'; n.queue=[];t=b.createElement(e);t.async=!0; t.src=v;s=b.getElementsByTagName(e)[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(t,s)}(window, document,'script', 'https://connect.facebook.net/en_US/fbevents.js'); fbq('init', '335401813750447'); fbq('track', 'PageView'); Source link

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businessguide12-blog · 5 years

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20 Best Caribbean Islands to Visit (If You Love Nature & Hate Crowds)

New Post has been published on https://businessguideto.com/awesome/20-best-caribbean-islands-to-visit-if-you-love-nature-hate-crowds/

20 Best Caribbean Islands to Visit (If You Love Nature & Hate Crowds)

Original content owned& copyrighted by Green Global Travel.

[Updated 4/23/ 2019] Stretching from the southeastern U.S. down to the north coast of South America, the Caribbean consists of more than 700 islands, islets, reefs, and cays.

Yet the vast majority of travelers seem to visit the same old hoary chestnuts( ensure: the Cayman Islands, Grand Bahama, and the U.S. Virgin Islands) for their Caribbean Islands vacation year after year.

Fortunately, most of our favorite islands have yet to succumb to the wave of mass tourismthat’s currently sweeping Europe and some of the more popular beaches in Southeast Asia.

But, for more adventurous travelers, here are our picks for 20 of the best Caribbean Islands to visit if you love nature and dislike crowds :P TAGEND

READ MORE: 30 Best Exotic Islands to Visit

EASTERN CARIBBEAN ISLANDS

Barbados Dominica Grenada Grenadines Maria-Galante( Guadeloupe) Montserrat Saba

SOUTHERN CARIBBEAN ISLANDS

Aruba Curacao

WESTERN CARIBBEAN ISLANDS

Isla De La Juventud( Cuba) Isla HolBox( Mexico) Isla De Providencia( Columbia) Jamaica Little Corn Island Rosario Islands( Colombia) Roatan( Honduras) San Blas Islands( Panama) South Water Caye( Belize)

NORTHERN CARIBBEAN ISLANDS

Bahamas

EASTERN CARIBBEAN ISLANDS BARBADOS

Located 100 miles east of its nearest Caribbean neighbor, Barbados offers big waves, a rugged northern coastline, and a mountainous interior that make it a haven for nature lovers. Measuring simply 17 miles long and 14 miles wide, it’s is a tiny eastern Caribbean island with a huge heart.

Start by exploring Historic Bridgetown, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It’s home to the Barbados Museum& Historical Society, whose collection includes artifacts from the island’s Amerindian and colonial history. You can even enter some of the old prison cells there.

In words of natural attractions, there’s the 1.4 -mile-long Harrison’s Cave, the 6.5 -acre Andromeda Botanic Gardens( featuring the largest collection of tropical plants in the eastern Caribbean ), and the Flower Forest( which is filled with flowers, birds and monkeys ).

In words of waterspouts, there’s also snorkeling with Sea Turtles in Folkestone Underwater Park& Marine Reserve, Scuba diving through sunken ships( such as the 360 -foot freighter S.S. Stavronikita ), and sailing in the trade winds off the island’s southern tip.

For a savour of true Bajan culture, head to the Friday night fish fry in the town of Oistin’s. And if you can time your visit for late July or early August, don’t miss the Crop Over Festival, the island’s most important culture celebration.

Where To Stay: Just 1 minute from the beach and overlooking Paynes Bay in St James, the Beach View Hotel is a small 36 suite self-catering hotel set on 3 acres of beautifully landscaped gardens.

READ MORE: The Top 10 Things to Do in Barbados

Photo by Dejeuxx, CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons CULEBRA( Puerto Rico)

Although it’s situated only 19 miles east of Puerto Rico, the smallest of the inhabited Spanish Virgin Islands feels like it’s a world away.

Seven miles long and three miles wide, with less than 3,000 residents, Culebra has virtually no nightlife to speak of.

But it does have crystal clear water with 60+ feet of visibility, gorgeous white sand beaches( Culebrita is among the best ), and the oldest lighthouse in the Caribbean.

Thanks to the establishment of the Culebra National Wildlife Refuge in 1909, there are also lots of seabirds and turtles , not to mention exceptional scuba diving.

Where To Stay: Set on a private bay, the cottages at Tamarindo Estates offer ocean opinions, fully equipped kitchens, and an 1,800 -foot beach with great shelling and snorkeling.

READ MORE: The History of Caribbean& Latin American Art

Dominica’s Indian River DOMINICA

Often confused with the Dominican Republic, “The Nature Island” is 65% covered in tropical rainforest, with more than 300 miles of hiking trails.

And that’s just one of the many reasons it’s at the top of our personal listing of the best Caribbean destinations to visit. The impressive sea turtle conservation program on the island is another.

Thanks to copious rain, impressive waterfalls are everywhere, with Emerald Pool, Trafalgar Falls, and Victoria Falls all constructing it worth the hardy hikes to reach them.

Other highlightings include the Morne Trois Pitons National Park( the first UNESCO World Heritage Site in the eastern Caribbean ), snorkeling Champagne Reef( where geothermal activity makes the water warm and bubbly ), and the Kalinago Barana Aute( home of the pre-Columbian Carib people ).

Where To Stay: For amazing ocean views and private beaches check out Secret Bay , an award-winning boutique eco resort with six sustainable luxury villas.

READ MORE: The 10 Best Waterfalls in the World( World Travel Bucket List )

Image by Gary Stephen from Pixabay GRENADA

With its growing focus on sustainable development- including eco-resorts, agritourism initiatives, and innovative environmental practices- Grenada is rapidly emerging as one of the best Caribbean islands for nature lovers.

The island has introduced/ expanded its protected areas, including Levera National Park( a nesting site for Leatherback Sea Turtles) and Grand Etang Forest Preserve( which provides for birdwatching, hiking, and river tubing activities ).

If you get a chance, visit during the island’s countless cultural celebrations, which include the Grenada Chocolate Festival, Fish Fridays, and the Carriacou Maroon& String Band Music Festival.

Where To Stay: All 7 villas at Maca Bana are stylish, with hardwood decks, outdoor hot tubs, and stunning positions. It’s also home to one of Grenada’s best eateries, Aquarium, and a 3-minute walk from picturesque Magazine Beach.

READ MORE: The 20 Best Festivals in the World

Photo via CC BY-SA 3.0 THE GRENADINES

The Grenadines are comprised of 31 islands and cays stretching between St. Vincent and Grenada, with ownership and governance divided between those two countries.

But the archipelago is sparsely populated. Even the biggest of the islands- 7.1 -square mile Bequia and 12.6 -square mile Carriacou- only have around 5,000 to 6,000 permanent residents.

These remote, idyllic tropical vacation destinations are some of the most beautiful caribbean islands and are rarely visited. They offer travelers a getting-away-from-it-all experience with unspoiled beaches, endemic birds, and dazzling coral reefs teeming with marine life.

Bequia boastings beautifully forested hills in the north, as well as some impressive float dives. The Tobago Cays, which are protected as a marine park, offer some of the finest snorkeling in the Caribbean.

Union Island, a kiteboarding haven, has now been emerged as an off-the-radar adventure travel hotspot. And Carriacou teems with lively local culture, especially if you visit during Carnival.

READ MORE: St Kitts Travel Tips( A St Kitts Island Guide )

Photo by Anonymous, GFDL, CC-BY-S-A3. 0, via Wikimedia Commons MARI-AGALANTE( Guadeloupe)

Discovered in 1493 by Christopher Columbus and named after his flagship, Maria-Galante is a 61 -square mile island located in the Guadeloupe archipelago.

Best known for sugar production during the colonial era, the island offers a rural savor of French West Indies tranquility, with myriad farms, pristine beaches, and lagoons protected by coral reefs.

This is a place genuinely in touch with its folkloric traditions, which is one of the main reasons we consider it among the best Caribbean islands to visit.

But it can be astonishingly lively at night, when locally produced rum and “ti punch” sweetened with sugar cane bring the piano bars and nightclubs to life.

Where To Stay: Located in the very heart of a vast tropical garden, the villas, bungalows, and suites at La Rose du Bresil offer lots of space and a distinctive splash of Creole culture.

READ MORE: Caribbean Music Styles( An Overview of Caribbean Island Culture )

By David Stanley( Flickr: Little Bay, Montserrat) CC BY 2.0 MONTSERRAT

Montserrat was a showcase for the lifestyles of rich countries and famous in the’ 60 s,’ 70 s, and’ 80 s, when classic albums by icons such as Dire Straits, Duran Duran, and The Police were recorded at Sir George Martin’s AIR Studios.

But in 1995 the long-dormant Soufriere Hills volcano roared to life, destroying the capital city of Plymouth and forcing two-thirds of the local population to flee.

Now the island has been reborn as a nature sanctuary. Nature lovers will enjoy exploring the island’s nine world-class rainforest hiking roads, stunning scenic coastlines, and some of very good Scuba diving the Caribbean has to offer.

Where To Stay: For beautiful sunset views and a centrally located spacious apartment check out, SeaView Suite. Noman, the owner, is happy to pick you up from the airport/ ferry and to arrange tours on his island.

READ MORE: The Best Hiking Trails( for your World Travel Bucket List )

Saba Island, photo by Richie Diesterheft- Flickr: Saba Wearing a Cap, CC BY-SA 2.0, SABA( Netherlands Antilles)

Known as “the Unspoiled Queen of the Caribbean, ” this Dutch island is just a 12 -minute flight away from St. Maarten.

With a total region of 5 square miles( pop. 2,000 ), the island’s centerpiece is the aptly named Mount Scenery, which rises 2,910 feet above sea level.

Naturally, climbing and hiking the Caribbean Island’s mountain trails are among the most popular activities.

But the protected water of Saba National Marine Park also draw guests with stunning 220 -foot tall volcanic spires, dolphins, and the occasional whale sighting.

Where to Stay: With welcoming proprietors and breathtaking positions, the El Momo Cottages are an eco-friendly hideaway offering romance and relaxation in equal measure.

READ MORE: 20 Best Mountains in the World

Caribbean Islands Map

Click on the”-” symbol on the map( 10 x) to zoom out to see a map of the Caribbean Islands.

Booking.com

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WESTERN CARIBBEAN ISLANDS ISLA DE LA JUVENTUD( Cuba)

Located approximately 31 miles south of Cuba, Isla de la Juventud( translation: Isle of Youth) was known as the Isle of Pines until 1978. Much of the western caribbean island is covered in lush pine forests, and lumber extraction remains a big business in the area.

Encompassing around 850 square miles, it’s the largest of the 350 islands in Cuba’s Canarreos Archipelago and the seventh-largest in the West Indies. But it only has a population of around 86,000 people, most of whom reside in the northern city of Nueva Gerona and the central city of Santa Fe.

The island’s intriguing ecotourism attractions include the beautiful water and beach of Playa Paraiso, the rare Cuban Crocodile, and a cave complex near Punta del Este that features more than 200 ancient indigenous cave drawings.

Referred to as “Cuba’s Hidden Treasure, ” Isla de la Juventud also offers numerous hiking trails lined with animals and plant life and some of the best snorkeling and Scuba diving in the Caribbean.

READ MORE: The Best Places to Scuba Dive( World Travel Bucket List )

Sunset at Villas Flamingos ISLA HOLBOX( Mexico)

Located about 40 minutes northwest of Cancun( around 3 hours by bus from the airport ), Holbox Island is a tiny fishing village that’s developing into a haven for ecotourism in the Caribbean.

The island is separated from the mainland by a shallow lagoon that offer sanctuary to thousands of herons, flamingoes and numerous endangered species.

Golf carts are the most common form of transportation- no autoes permitted- with Yum Balam Biosphere Reserve and Isla Pajaros( Bird Island) ensuring you’ll assure more animals than people.

But the island’s big depict is the annual afuera, a gathering of hundreds of massive whale sharks who come to feed off the Yucatan Peninsula coast every June to September. Swimming with whale sharks was one of the most incredible escapades my daughter and I have had together.

Where To Stay: Read reviews of the 15 Best Isla Holbox Hotels and Resorts here.

READ MORE: Isla Holbox Mexico( the Hidden Gem of Quintana Roo )

Manzanillo Beach on Providencia Island, photo by Luis Barreto via CC BY-SA 2.0 ISLA DE PROVIDENCIA( Colombia)

Situated in the Caribbean Sea between Costa Rica and Jamaica, Providencia is part of a Colombia-owned archipelago situated 482 miles northwest of the mainland.

The mountainous island( which has a maximum elevation 1181 feet) was the site of an English Puritan colony that was originally founded in 1629. But Isla de la Providencia was best-known as the base for Welsh pirate Henry Morgan, who eventually became Lieutenant Governor of Jamaica.

Local rumors suggest that some of the treasure that Morgan( most famous as the face of Captain Morgan Rum) and his humen pillaged during their many raids on Spanish ships remain buried here.

History devotees will enjoy exploring the various forts and cannons that can be found scattered on neighboring Santa Catalina Island, which is accessible via a footbridge. Visitors can also snorkel the island’s impressively pristine coral reef system.

READ MORE: St. Thomas Islands( Outdoor Adventures on Cas Cay )

Photo courtesy of Blue Hole Mineral Spring JAMAICA

” But wait ,” I can hear you saying.” Isn’t Jamaica the epitome of overtourism in the Caribbean ?”

Of course, if you stick to mass tourism caribbean vacation spots such as Montego Bay, Negril, and Ocho Rios, the answer is yes. But once you venture outside these meccas for sunlight/ sand/ surf worshippers, Jamaica has plenty to offer those attempting the sanctuary of nature.

The Blue Mountains are best known for growing some of the best coffee in the world. But they also offer fantastic hiking, with lots of endemic flora and fauna and stunning views from the 7,402 -foot summit.

The southwestern parish of St Elizabeth is far off the typical tourist way. Outdoor activities there include swimming at Treasure Beach, looking for Crocodiles on a Black River Safari Tour, and spending a day at YS Falls( which is a lot less crowded than those at Dunn’s River ).

Elsewhere on the island, you can bathe in the Blue Hole Mineral Spring( Westmoreland ), visit Frenchman’s Cove and the Blue Lagoon( Portland ), or try surfing in St. Thomas.

Where to Stay: Between Jamaica’s northeast coast and the majestic Blue Mountains, Mocking Bird Hill is a romantic 4-star 10 room eco boutique hotel where you can stroll through 6.5 acres of botanically diverse gardens.

READ MORE: Top 20 Things to do in Jamaica for Nature Lover

Photo courtesy Yemaya Island Hideaway LITTLE CORN ISLAND( Nicaragua)

With a distinctive Creole culture that incorporates African, Indian, and Spanish roots, this tiny island 43 miles off the coast of Central America feels more Caribbean than Nicaraguan.

There are four different languages spoken on Little Corn Island– Creole, English, Miskito, and Spanish- and there are no automobiles or roads whatsoever.

Originally known as a backpacker’s haven, the beautiful beaches and excellent snorkeling/ Scuba diving in this pristine paradise have attracted more upscale ecotourists in recent years.

Thankfully, despite the gradual uptick in visitors, the remote island remains unspoiled by mass tourism development.

Where To Stay: Named one of the top hotels of 2014 by Forbes, Yemaya Island Hideaway is a 16 -cabana eco-resort offering a serious yoga program, farm-to-table food, and a peaceful atmosphere of laid-back luxury.

READ MORE: 10 Off the Beaten Path Eco Tourist Destinations

A Lazy Day in the Rosario Islands ROSARIO ISLANDS( Colombia)

Located simply a 45 -minute boat ride away from the historic city of Cartagena, this little-known treasure is an archipelago comprised of 30 small islands.

The islands are part of the Corales Islas del Rosario Natural National Park, which was created to protect 4,633 square miles of reefs, ocean grass, and mangroves( and the aquatic species that occupy them ).

As you might expect, the snorkeling and Scuba diving there is superb. But you can have an equally astonishing period only curling up in a hammock with a stiff drinking, watching the spectacular sunset over the sea.

Where To Stay: Blending elegant sophistication and laid-back simplicity, Coralina Isla Boutique is a quiet, foodie-friendly paradise.

READ MORE: The Best Things to Do in Cartagena, Colombia

Photo by WestBrownCanada via CC BY-SA 3.0 ROATAN( Honduras)

Situated approximately 40 miles off the country’s northern coast, Roatan is the largest of the Bay Islands of Honduras.

The sleepy island’s population is primarily a mixture of Cayman Islanders( who came over after Britain abolished slavery in 1838 ), Mestizo migrants from the mainland, and entrepreneurs and expats from the US, Canada, South Africa, and Australia.

Roatan’s cities can be a bit more on the bustling side than some of the other islands on this list. But there are also gorgeous remote beaches, wildlife refuges, and mangrove woods to explore.

But the main reason to visit Roatan is the fact that the island sits immediately atop the Mesoamerican Reef, the second largest reef system in the world. So the snorkeling and Scuba diving here are easily among the best in the Caribbean.

READ MORE: The 16 Best Mayan Ruins to Explore

SAN BLAS ISLANDS( Panama)

The San Blas archipelago encompasses a whopping 378 islands and cays, stretching approximately 200 miles along the Caribbean coast of Panama.

Most of these impressively pristine islands have few roads and even fewer people. Many of the islands are ringed by healthy coral reef and gorgeous water, which has stimulated them increasingly popular amongst Scuba divers and sailing enthusiasts.

The 49 San Blas Islands that are inhabited are largely home to the Kuna Indians, a semiautonomous tribe that was driven from the mainland during the Spanish invasion. Many Kuna still practice the ancient traditions of their ancestors, including the crafting of brightly colored, appliqued cloths known as molas.

In addition to learning about their indigenous culture, other popular activities in the area include snorkeling the pacify water of Cayos Limones and Cayos Holandeses.

READ MORE: Exploring Coiba Island& Coiba National Park, Panama

SOUTH WATER CAYE( Belize)

From gorgeous white sand beaches lined with palm trees and hammocks to brilliant waters colored in dazzling tints of blue, this 15 -acre island is a picture-perfect testament to the beauty of Belize’s cayes.

Located approximately 14 miles off the coast of Dangriga, South Water Caye is accessible by boat or a quick flight. But its idyllic, relatively pristine romantic allure feels far removed from the tourism development of mainland Belize.

The island’s greatest attraction for nature lovers is its remarkable proximity to the Belize Barrier Reef, which is part of the world’s second largest reef system after Australia‘s Great Barrier Reef.

Snorkeling right off the beach sets you in the South Water Caye Marine Reserve, which boasts an impressive array of marine life, including Rainbow Parrotfish, Reef Sharks, Moray Eels, and Spotted Light. If you get opportunity, don’t miss a chance to go on a nighttime diving or snorkeling tour: The reef’s colors truly come alive after dark!

If you’re not a fan of snorkeling or Scuba diving, you are able to go birdwatching on the aptly-named Bird Islands, try kayaking or paddle boarding, or search for the curious Manatees that frequent nearby Man Of War Caye.

READ MORE: The Ancient Xunantunich Mayan Ruins of Belize

SOUTHERN CARIBBEAN ISLANDS ARUBA

The “A” in the ABC islands of the Netherlands Antilles( which also include Bonaire and Curacao ), Aruba is not what most people expect from a Caribbean hotspot.

Sure, there’s perfect weather, friendly people, stunning beaches that have been named among the most beautiful beaches in the world, and postcard-worthy ocean opinions nearly everywhere you turn.

But the tiny southern caribbean island( 19.6 miles long and 6 miles wide) also features windswept trees and rugged shorelines on the northeast coast, and dramatic stone formations and desert-like landscape in the interior.

Animal devotees will enjoy the Bubali Bird Sanctuary( which provides breeding grounds for more than 80 species of migratory birds ), the Aruba Ostrich Farm( offering shut encounters with the world’s largest bird species ), and Aruba’s Butterfly Farm( which has educational exhibits on the miracle of metamorphosis and offers excellent photo opportunity ).

For outdoor adventures, the hiking trails at Arikok National Park feature lava formations and ancient Arawak art.

Climbing the Casibari Rock Formation provides breathtaking positions of Aruba’s landscape. And caves along the coast feature stalagmites and stalactites, as well as a colony of bats( in Guadirikiri Cave) and Arawak Indian draws( in the Fontein Cave ).

READ MORE: The 20 Best Things to Do in Aruba for Nature Devotee

Rare Deer in St Christoffel National Park CURACAO

Curacao is a curious country- as colorful as any of its Caribbean neighbors, but with a distinctive personality all its own. This is partly due to its place 40 miles from Venezuela, partly due to its ownership by the Netherlands, and partly due to its complex history.

You won’t want to miss the the capital city of Willemstad, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its 500 years of history includes the 17 th century Fort Amsterdam, Mikve Israel Emmanuel Synagogue( the oldest synagogue in the western hemisphere ), the Queen Emma and Queen Juliana Bridges, and the excellent slavery-focused Museum Kura Hulanda.

In words of natural attractions, start with hiking in St. Christoffel and Shete Boka National Parks. St. Christoffel features hiking roads leading to Curacao’s highest point( 1,292 feet ); wildlife such as the rare White-tailed Deer; and ancient Arawak cave paints. Shete Boka offers a natural bridge, blowholes, and caves that serve as Sea Turtle breeding grounds.

You can also explore the island’s cactus-strewn backcountry via an ATV or Jeep safari, try an undersea escapade with Substation Curacao( which takes visitors 1,000 feet beneath the waves ), or Scuba dive world-renowned sites such as the Tugboat and the Blue Room.

READ MORE: Top 10 Things to Do in Curacao for Nature Lover

NORTHERN CARIBBEAN ISLANDS Pirate’s Trap Beach STANIEL CAY( Bahamas)

This tiny 2-square mile island, with a population of just 110, is an under-the-radar ecotourism haven in the remote Exumas. And that’s precisely what make-ups it one of the best Caribbean islands to visit.

With simply two hotels, a restaurant/ bar, and a marina, there’s not much action in sleepy Staniel Cay to attract the cruise ship crowd.

But for nature lovers, there’s the picturesque Thunderball Grotto( featured in the 1965 James Bond film ), the famous swimming swine of Major Cay, sailing, and scuba diving in impossibly blue waters.

If that’s all a little too much activity for you, there are also several perfect little beaches without a single soul in sight.

Where To Stay: Built by Staniel Cay aborigines on their family’s ancestral lands, Embrace Resort is the area’s first sustainable eco resort. -Bret Love; photos by Bret Love& Mary Gabbett unless otherwise noted

FAQS What is the Caribbean?

Located southeast of the Gulf of Mexico and North America , north of South America and east of Central America, the Caribbean is comprised of the Caribbean Sea, the islands within it and even some islands in the Atlantic Ocean( Bahamas& Bermuda ). Because of political and cultural connects, the Caribbean also includes the mainland countries of Belize, Guyana, Suriname and French Guiana.

The enormous 1.06 million square miles of the Caribbean archipelago is divided into regions: the Lucayan Archipelago, the Greater Antilles, the Lesser Antilles and the ABC Islands.

Lucayan Archipelago: The Bahamas and Turks and Caicos Islands.

The Greater Antilles: Cayman Islands, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Haiti, Jamaica and Puerto Rico.

The Lesser Antilles: This island group is divided into the Leeward Islands, the Windward Islands, and the ABC Islands.

Leeward Islands: Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, British Virgin Islands, Guadeloupe, Montserrat, Saba, Saint Barthelemy, Saint Martin, Sint Maarten, Sint Eustatius, Saint Kitts and Nevis, US Virgin Islands.

Windward Islands: Barbados, Dominica, Greeda, Martinique, Saint Lucia, St.Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago

ABC Islands: Aruba, Bonaire, Curacao.

What continent is the Caribbean in?

The Caribbean is in the continent of North America.

What are the Caribbean Islands?

There are more than 700 Caribbean Islands, but most of the islands are uninhabited.

These are the Caribbean Islands with the most significant populations: Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Aruba, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, British Virgin Islands, Caribbean Netherlands, Cayman Islands, Cuba, Curacao, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Grenada, Guadeloupe, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, Martinique, Montserrat, Puerto Rico, Saint Barthelemy, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Martin, Saint Vincent, the Grenadines, Sint Maarten, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, Turks and Caicos Islands, United States Virgin Islands.

How many countries are in the Caribbean?

There are 26 independent countries and other territories in the Caribbean.

Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Aruba, Bahamas, Barbados, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Cuba, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Grenada, Guadeloupe, Haiti, Jamaica, Martinique, Montserrat, Netherlands, Antilles, Puerto Rico, Saint Barthelemy, Saint Kitts& Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Martin, Saint Vincent, Trinidad& Tobago, Turks& Caicos Islands, US Virgin Islands.

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