Comment du Jour

(Photo: Royal Navy)

British Aircraft Carrier Sails into New York 

The Aircraft Carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth sailed into New York harbor recently as part of an

goodwill visit to the United States.  The 70,000 ton ship,  just over 900 feet long and capable of carrying  40 aircraft,  is noted for its ski jump flight deck.  The ship was commissioned in 2017, but is still not fully operational.    

From 2020 the Carrier will deploy the American built F-35 Lightning II aircraft, the world's most advanced stealth fighter-bomber.  Prior to its New York visit, the Queen Elizabeth was carrying out 

joint training flights trials with the F-35 off the coast of Virginia.

Dubbed the "ultimate symbol of British naval power," the Big Liz as it was called by the 

New York press,  underscores the close transatlantic relations between the UK and USA.

                                          HMS Queen Elizabeth in New York Harbor 

Comment du Jour

Europe still trails Singapore for Expat Wish List   

Singapore has again been rated by executives as the best country in the world to live and work, according to a new HSBC Expat Explorer Survey. 

The Southeast Asian island state has held the Top spot now four years in a row for offering expats a stable economic and political environment as well as a fruitful family life.

Interestingly of the top ten destinations, New Zealand comes in second, Germany third, and Canada fourth.  

Only three European countries register in the top ten which also includes Sweden and Switzerland. 

 France is now in 11th place, having risen five places over 2016.   France is lauded for Family Life and Quality of Life.  

Asia ranks well in the Survey with Taiwan placing 9th.

The annual Survey among more than 22,000 respondents rated 163 countries.