February is African American History Month here in the United States. In 2013, when this series began, it was also Women in Horror Month (WiHM) which is now celebrated by many in March during Women’s History Month. In 2013, as an Ambassador for Women in Horror Month, Sumiko Saulson put together the original book 60 Black Women in Horror at the the intersection of the two. Over the next five years, the world of women writing horror from the African Diaspora nearly doubled. and 100+ Black Women in Horror, a 2018 update, containing 109 biographies, was born. Now,...…February is African American History Month here in the United States. In 2013, when this series began, it was also Women in Horror Month (WiHM) which is now celebrated by many in March during Women’s History Month. In 2013, as an Ambassador for Women in Horror Month, Sumiko Saulson put together the original book 60 Black Women in Horror at the the intersection of the two. Over the next five years, the world of women writing horror from the African Diaspora nearly doubled. and 100+ Black Women in Horror, a 2018 update, containing 109 biographies, was born. Now,...WW…

An exotic wildlife preserve owner who gained notoriety on the popular Netflix series “Tiger King” plead guilty Monday to animal trafficking and money laundering, the U.S. Justice Department announced.Bhagavan “Doc” Antle oversaw the sale or purchase of cheetah cubs, lion cubs, tigers and a juvenile chimpanzee that were all protected as endangered species, according to a Justice Department release. Officials said the 63-year-old man featured in a documentary miniseries about the tiger trade tried to hide animal payments as “donations” to his nonprofit organization.“The defendant held himself...…An exotic wildlife preserve owner who gained notoriety on the popular Netflix series “Tiger King” plead guilty Monday to animal trafficking and money laundering, the U.S. Justice Department announced.Bhagavan “Doc” Antle oversaw the sale or purchase of cheetah cubs, lion cubs, tigers and a juvenile chimpanzee that were all protected as endangered species, according to a Justice Department release. Officials said the 63-year-old man featured in a documentary miniseries about the tiger trade tried to hide animal payments as “donations” to his nonprofit organization.“The defendant held himself...WW…

Skip to contentMSC Preziosa - Winter 2022 - Day 1 - SouthamptonThis entry is part 1 of 5 in the series MSC Preziosa Winter 2022 Live VoyageWell hello! It has been quite a while since I last did a live blog from a ship – albeit, we have had a ‘rather interesting time‘ over the last few years – and whilst I did spend two weeks onboard MSC Magnifica back in March earlier this year, the Covid-19 protocols and the fact I just chilled out for an entire two weeks meant you got no blog.Sorry, not sorry – but I did feel incredibly refreshed after it – so cruising still works in 2022 you’ll be glad...…Skip to contentMSC Preziosa - Winter 2022 - Day 1 - SouthamptonThis entry is part 1 of 5 in the series MSC Preziosa Winter 2022 Live VoyageWell hello! It has been quite a while since I last did a live blog from a ship – albeit, we have had a ‘rather interesting time‘ over the last few years – and whilst I did spend two weeks onboard MSC Magnifica back in March earlier this year, the Covid-19 protocols and the fact I just chilled out for an entire two weeks meant you got no blog.Sorry, not sorry – but I did feel incredibly refreshed after it – so cruising still works in 2022 you’ll be glad...WW…

Skip to contentMSC Preziosa Live (2022) Day 2 - Sea DayThis entry is part 2 of 5 in the series MSC Preziosa Winter 2022 Live VoyageLast night, we crossed the English Channel (towards the French side) and followed the internationally recognised TSS (Traffic Separation Scheme).As the English Channel is one of the busiest shipping lanes in the world, there are various rules that ships must adhere to so they avoid any accidents (especially with the Dover – Calais crossing the opposite way to main traffic).I didn’t check the weather before the cruise, as I have been to the ports before in the...…Skip to contentMSC Preziosa Live (2022) Day 2 - Sea DayThis entry is part 2 of 5 in the series MSC Preziosa Winter 2022 Live VoyageLast night, we crossed the English Channel (towards the French side) and followed the internationally recognised TSS (Traffic Separation Scheme).As the English Channel is one of the busiest shipping lanes in the world, there are various rules that ships must adhere to so they avoid any accidents (especially with the Dover – Calais crossing the opposite way to main traffic).I didn’t check the weather before the cruise, as I have been to the ports before in the...WW…

Skip to contentMSC Preziosa Live - HamburgThis entry is part 3 of 5 in the series MSC Preziosa Winter 2022 Live VoyageThis morning we sailed down the River Elbe, but whilst I was awake at 6:30 AM to try and capture some of the interesting scenery as we entered the city – the weather (and season) were not in my favour.However, I did manage to take a photo of the Hamburg Pilot Boat as it dropped off its pilot to us last night.It was not only pitch black (which I kinda expected) – but the fog was so thick that I couldn’t even see the edge of the river! I have no idea how the ship managed to...…Skip to contentMSC Preziosa Live - HamburgThis entry is part 3 of 5 in the series MSC Preziosa Winter 2022 Live VoyageThis morning we sailed down the River Elbe, but whilst I was awake at 6:30 AM to try and capture some of the interesting scenery as we entered the city – the weather (and season) were not in my favour.However, I did manage to take a photo of the Hamburg Pilot Boat as it dropped off its pilot to us last night.It was not only pitch black (which I kinda expected) – but the fog was so thick that I couldn’t even see the edge of the river! I have no idea how the ship managed to...WW…

Skip to contentMSC Preziosa Live - Sea DayThis entry is part 4 of 5 in the series MSC Preziosa Winter 2022 Live VoyageWell, here we are on our second sea day. Unfortunately, there are only two on this itinerary and truth be told, I wish they were at the end rather than at the start!If you’ve ever sailed to the Norwegian Fjords, you’ll know how nice it is to have a ‘bookend’ of a sea day at each end of your 7-nights – it really helps you get into the cruise and is very relaxing before you get off.But, there is nothing we can do to change this, so let’s make the most of our second and final...…Skip to contentMSC Preziosa Live - Sea DayThis entry is part 4 of 5 in the series MSC Preziosa Winter 2022 Live VoyageWell, here we are on our second sea day. Unfortunately, there are only two on this itinerary and truth be told, I wish they were at the end rather than at the start!If you’ve ever sailed to the Norwegian Fjords, you’ll know how nice it is to have a ‘bookend’ of a sea day at each end of your 7-nights – it really helps you get into the cruise and is very relaxing before you get off.But, there is nothing we can do to change this, so let’s make the most of our second and final...WW…

Skip to contentMSC Preziosa Live - Day 5 RotterdamThis entry is part 5 of 5 in the series MSC Preziosa Winter 2022 Live VoyageToday we are due into Rotterdam – at some point. The weather is absolutely crazy out there, and the ship is rolling, pitching, and there is lots of banging going on – I love this, but I am sure there are many fellow passengers wishing it would stop right now!We are scheduled to arrive at our berth in the city by 8 am.I was awoken at just after 5 am by some loud crashing noises and the ship jolting around considerably more than when I went to sleep. Being a geek an...…Skip to contentMSC Preziosa Live - Day 5 RotterdamThis entry is part 5 of 5 in the series MSC Preziosa Winter 2022 Live VoyageToday we are due into Rotterdam – at some point. The weather is absolutely crazy out there, and the ship is rolling, pitching, and there is lots of banging going on – I love this, but I am sure there are many fellow passengers wishing it would stop right now!We are scheduled to arrive at our berth in the city by 8 am.I was awoken at just after 5 am by some loud crashing noises and the ship jolting around considerably more than when I went to sleep. Being a geek an...WW…

EXCLUSIVE: There is fury among western military experts at Russia's 'inhuman betrayal of the sanctity of all laws covering armed conflict' as Russian troops were photographed using ambulances bearing the Red Cross symbol as coverRussian special forces are using “Red Cross” flagged ambulances to practise brutal ambush techniques, in a blatant breach of the Geneva Convention. Moscow’s naval commandos were spotted using medical wagons as a ruse to kill imaginary enemy forces, just six miles from their border with Norway. The astonishing breach – publicised on the Russian MoD website - has...…EXCLUSIVE: There is fury among western military experts at Russia's 'inhuman betrayal of the sanctity of all laws covering armed conflict' as Russian troops were photographed using ambulances bearing the Red Cross symbol as coverRussian special forces are using “Red Cross” flagged ambulances to practise brutal ambush techniques, in a blatant breach of the Geneva Convention. Moscow’s naval commandos were spotted using medical wagons as a ruse to kill imaginary enemy forces, just six miles from their border with Norway. The astonishing breach – publicised on the Russian MoD website - has...WW…

PRIVACYPRIVACYResearchers at website Military Direct found the once mighty British armed forces trail in 9th place in the list of Top 10 militaries in the world - but we still managed to finish ahead of GermanyChina has the most powerful military in the world with the US in second place and the UK trailing in ninth, a study has revealed.But Britain’s Armed Forces still managed to finish ahead of Germany in the global top 10.Beijing’s military rated 82 out of 100 in a study using multiple factors to measure the strongest nations.UK troops came second only to Russia in terms of fitness...…PRIVACYPRIVACYResearchers at website Military Direct found the once mighty British armed forces trail in 9th place in the list of Top 10 militaries in the world - but we still managed to finish ahead of GermanyChina has the most powerful military in the world with the US in second place and the UK trailing in ninth, a study has revealed.But Britain’s Armed Forces still managed to finish ahead of Germany in the global top 10.Beijing’s military rated 82 out of 100 in a study using multiple factors to measure the strongest nations.UK troops came second only to Russia in terms of fitness...WW…