Beyoncé's website crashes after BeyHive anticipates Renaissance announcement
"OK, OK. Y'all didn't have to break my website," Beyoncé says in a new video on social media.
In the clip shared Tuesday morning, the singer addressed the BeyHive, which swarmed to her official website Monday night and crashed it.
Thanks to only a snippet of a trailer, in which Bey listed a slew of countries, fans thought she would be dropping more Renaissance-related content, or even plotting more tour dates. With the full video release, they found out she was simply announcing the theater expansion of Renaissance: A Film by Beyoncé.
The film, which debuted at #1 in U.S. box offices, will be available for viewing throughout Brazil, Spain, Italy, Japan, Thailand, Hong Kong, Singapore, South Korea, Indonesia, Hungary, Andorra, Romania, Bulgaria, Mongolia and Taiwan.
"I thought I was gonna have to go to Japan. I was about to sell my car or something," one user commented of the rollout.
"[I] was about to fly out to Taiwan," another wrote.
Another said, "Baby I thought the tour was getting extended. Whew, my blood pressure girl…"
Tickets to Renaissance: A Film by Beyoncé can be found at Beyoncefilm.com.
Source-ABC
CABINET APPROVES $1 MILLION ALLOCATION TO GRANT 20% PAY INCREASE
In a historic decision, Cabinet, during its meeting on Tuesday, December 12, 2023, approved the allocation of $1 million to implement a 20% increase in pay for all Pre-1992 Public Service Pensioners. This strategic move follows through on the commitment made during the December 4, 2023, Pay and Grading Public Briefing, where the government emphasized its dedication to reviewing public service pensions and providing an uplift.
Premier Washington Misick, expressing his satisfaction with this initiative, emphasized the government's unwavering commitment to improving the standard of living for pensioners and older citizens. He stated, "My government came to office with a mandate to lift the standard of living for pensioners and older people. Our citizen's contract outlined that we want those who have devoted so much to public service and our country to live out their days comfortably. Today, I am proud to announce that my government has made a significant step in delivering that pledge. Pensioners formerly employed in the public service pre-1992 will see a twenty percent increase in their pensions."
Deputy Governor and Head of the Public Service, Her Excellency Anya Williams, echoed these sentiments, recognizing the hard work and dedication of both current and former public servants. She stated, "We recognize and value the hard work and dedication of both our current and former public servants that would have made invaluable contributions to the Turks and Caicos Islands Public Service and am pleased that alongside the recent pay and grading review, our 283 public service pensioners have today, as a part of the December payroll, received a significant increase in pension pay."
This move is anticipated to positively impact the lives of 283 public service pensioners, underscoring the government's commitment to honoring the contributions of those who have dedicated their careers to public service. The allocation of $1 million reflects a tangible investment in the well-being of the nation's retirees, marking a significant milestone in the government's efforts to enhance the quality of life for its citizens.
President Biden, meeting with Zelenskyy, urges Congress to “do the right thing” on Ukraine aid
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy capped off a whirlwind day in Washington on Tuesday with a press conference alongside President Joe Biden, who said Ukraine's "freedom is on the line" as a massive military aid package remains stalled in Congress where Republicans are pushing major changes to border policy.
The two leaders addressed reporters following a meeting in the Oval Office, laying out their vision for Ukraine's future and what role the U.S. should play in helping the Eastern European nation stave off Russia's invasion.
As Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelelnsky sat across from President Joe Biden in the Oval Office Tuesday, he heard some good news. Mr. Biden has ordered the Pentagon to release a 200-million dollar military aid package. Biden added, 'I've called on Congress to do the right thing to stand with Ukraine and to stand up for freedom.'
This funding covers equipment from already existing U.S. stockpiles, but the President did not let Congress off the hook. He put pressure on the House to end the stalemate over funding an ally in need -- or realize they are helping the enemy.
Meanwhile, the Hill remained busy before the holiday break, as House Republicans are teeing up a vote as early as Wednesday to formalize their ongoing impeachment inquiry into President Joe Biden.
The resolution will direct three powerful committees to continue investigating Biden to see if there are "sufficient grounds" to impeach him. The impeachment inquiry has been underway since September 12, when former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy unilaterally launched the probe -- a move seen as an attempt to appease conservative hard-liners on the verge of their revolt against his leadership.
Source-ABC
Brooklyn Nine-Nine star Andre Braugher dies
Emmy-winning actor Andre Braugher, who starred in the hit television series Brooklyn Nine-Nine and Homicide: Life on the Street, has died at 61.
Braugher died on Monday after a brief illness his longtime rep, Jennifer Allen, confirmed to ABC News.
Born in Chicago, Braugher graduated from Stanford University. He then attended Juilliard School in the drama division, receiving a Master of Fine Art.
His first film role was Edward Zwick's 1989 Oscar-winning-drama Glory, where he starred alongside Denzel Washington, Matthew Broderick and Morgan Freeman.
Braugher first made a name for himself playing Kojak's sidekick Det. Winston Blake in six TV movie revivals of Kojak, between 1989-90, but landed breakout success in 1993 as Det. Frank Pembleton in Homicide: Life on the Street.
His portrayal of Det. Pembleton earned him two Emmy nominations as well as a win in 1998, and two Television Critics Association Awards in 1997 and 1998 for Best Actor in a Drama Series.
More recently, he gained acclaim for playing the no-nonsense Captain Raymond Holt in the procedural comedy series Brooklyn Nine-Nine. Braugher starred in the comedy alongside Andy Samberg for eight seasons.
Braugher received four Emmy nominations and won two Critics Choice Awards for Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series for playing Capt. Holt.
The actors' union, SAG-AFTRA, remembered Braugher as a "dynamic performer in drama& comedy," shortly after his passing was announced, saying, "He will be deeply missed."
Braugher is survived by his wife Ami Brabson, who also played his character's wife on Homicide and their three sons.
Source- ABC
Fireworks hand WI series lead
Man-of-the-Match Andre Russell made an instant impact with bat and ball in his first appearance for West Indies in two years, as the home side staged the highest-ever successful run chase at Kensington Oval to beat England by four wickets here Tuesday night.
In pursuit of 172 to win the opening Twenty20 International, West Indies overhauled their target with 11 balls to spare, to take the lead in the five-match series, which now heads to Grenada for a double-header starting Thursday.
The 35-year-old Russell, a shock recall for this series, followed up his career-best three-wicket haul in the England innings with a 14-ball unbeaten 29 to ease the pressure at the end after the game appeared set for a tense finish.
Arriving at the crease in the 15th over after West Indies had lost wickets in successive deliveries following a break for rain, the right-hander blasted a brace of fours and sixes in a 49-run, unbroken seventh wicket stand with captain Rovman Powell, whose unbeaten 31 required only 15 balls and included three fours and two sixes.
Vice-captain Shai Hop chipped in with a top score of 36 off 30 balls while left-handed opener Kyle Mayers slammed 35 from 21 balls.
“Life is so funny. When I got selected, I kept dreaming for two weeks now … and I was dreaming that in my first game, I would be Man-of-the-Match,” Russell said.
“I didn’t know how it would happen but I [kept] believing that it will happen and I give God thanks tonight.”
His three for 19 from four overs of pace helped restrict England to 171 all out with three balls to spare after they were sent in.
Alzarri Joseph finished three for 54 while fellow fast bowler Romario Shepherd produced an outstanding spell to pick up two for 24 from four overs.
Phil Salt top-scored with 40 from 20 balls with half-dozen fours and a six as he gave the innings a flying start in a 77-run opening stand with captain Jos Buttler who made 39 from 31 balls with five fours and a six.
Once Russell got Salt to hole out in the deep off the first ball of his spell in the fifth over, England spiraled thereafter and only Liam Livingstone showed any enterprise with a 19-ball 27, before Russell bowled him off an inside edge at the start of the penultimate over.
In reply, West Indies flourished early through Mayers and Brandon King who made 22 from 12 balls, the pair posting 32 for the first wicket.
When King was brilliantly taken at point by Ben Duckett off seamer Chris Woakes in the third over after belting two fours and two sixes, Hope combined in a 46-run second wicket stand with Mayers to keep the innings ticking.
Mayers, who lashed four sixes, eventually pulled leg-spinner Adil Rashid (2-25) into the deep to perish in the eighth over and Nicholas Pooran (13) followed in the 11th when he tugged a return catch to 19-year-old leg-spinner Rehan Ahmed (3-39).
Pooran’s demise triggered a worrying slide that saw four wickets tumble for 23 runs in the space of 26 balls, West Indies slumping to 123 for six after Hope and Shepherd (0) fell to successive balls from Rehan Ahmed.
But Powell counter-attacked with two back-to-back sixes off off-spinner Livingstone at the end of the 16th before Russell joined in with some hefty blows off Rashid, to erase any doubt over the outcome.
Source-CMC
FORECAST FOR THE NEXT THREE DAYS FROM WEDNESDAY 13 DECEMBER 2023
GENERAL SITUATION: SURFACE RIDGING EXTENDS ACROSS THE TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS SUPPORTING FAIR WEATHER CONDITIONS TODAY.
ALL AREAS
WEATHER: PARTLY CLOUDY AND BREEZY WITH A FEW SPOTTY SHOWERS POSSIBLE TODAY. MOSTLY FAIR AND BREEZY TONIGHT.
ADVISORY: A SMALL CRAFT CAUTION IS IN EFFECT.
WINDS: EASTERLY AT 15 TO 25 KNOTS.
SEAS: 4 TO 6 FEET NEARSHORE, BUILDING TO 6 TO 9 FEET OFFSHORE
DAYTIME HIGH TEMPERATURE:
OVERNIGHT LOW TEMPERATURE: 77°F 25°C
SUNSET: 05:07 PM
NEXT LOW TIDE: 02:51 PM (0.7 FT)
NEXT HIGH TIDE: 08:28 PM (2.3 FT)
EXTENDED FORECAST FOR THE NEXT TWO DAYS: A STRONG HIGH PRESSURE BUILDING NORTH OF THE AREA WILL LEAD TO STRONG WINDS AND ROUGH SEAS OVER THE NEXT FEW DAYS.
FORECAST FOR THURSDAY
WEATHER: PARTLY CLOUDY AND WINDY WITH ISOLATED SHOWERS POSSIBLE DURING THE DAY. PARTLY CLOUDY AND WINDY WITH A SLIGHT CHANCE OF SHOWERS AT NIGHT. CHANCE OF RAIN IS 20%.
WINDS: NORTHEAST TO EAST AT 15 TO 20 KNOTS, INCREASING TO 20 TO 25 KNOTS AT NIGHT.
SEAS: 4 TO 6 FEET NEARSHORE, 6 TO 9 FEET OVER THE OCEAN.
SUNRISE: 06:18 AM
SUNSET: 05:07 PM
LOW TIDE: 02:36 AM (0.3 FT) 03:37 PM (0.7 FT)
HIGH TIDE: 09:10 AM (3.0 FT) 09:12 PM (2.3 FT)
FORECAST FOR FRIDAY
WEATHER: PARTLY CLOUDY AND WINDY WITH CHANCE OF SHOWERS. CHANCE OF RAIN IS 40%.
WINDS: EASTERLY AT 20 TO 25 KNOTS.
SEAS: 4 TO 6 FEET NEARSHORE, 6 TO 9 FEET OVER THE OCEAN.
SUNRISE: 06:19 AM
SUNSET: 05:08 PM
LOW TIDE: 03:23 AM (0.3 FT) 04:24 PM (0.7 FT)
HIGH TIDE: 09:57 AM (3.0 FT) 09:59 PM (2.3 FT)
FORECASTER : H. HAMILTON
Elon Musk's Tesla recalls two million cars in US over Autopilot defect
Tesla is recalling more than two million cars after the US regulator found its driver assistance system, Autopilot, was partly defective.
It follows a two-year investigation into crashes that occurred when the tech was in use.
The recall applies to almost every Tesla sold in the US since the Autopilot feature was launched in 2015.
Tesla, owned by billionaire Elon Musk, said it would send a software update "over the air" to fix the issue.
The update happens automatically, and does not require a visit to a dealership or garage, but is still referred to by the US regulator as a recall.
The BBC has approached the UK Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency to ask how Tesla drivers in the UK will be affected.
Autopilot is meant to help with steering, acceleration and braking - but, despite the name, the car still requires driver input.
Tesla's software is supposed to make sure that drivers are paying attention and that the feature is only in use in appropriate conditions, such as driving on highways.
But the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) said a two-year investigation of 956 Tesla crashes found that "the prominence and scope of the feature's controls may not be sufficient to prevent driver misuse".
"Automated technology holds great promise for improving safety but only when it is deployed responsibly", the NHTSA wrote, adding it would continue to monitor the software once it was updated.
Tesla did not respond to a request for comment.
According to the recall notice, the company did not concur with the agency's analysis but agreed to add new features to resolve the concerns, including additional checks on turning on the self-driving features.
The recall comes a week after a former Tesla employee told the BBC he believed the technology was not safe.
Lukasz Krupski, speaking after winning the Blueprint Prize which recognizes whistleblowers, told the BBC: "I don't think the hardware is ready and the software is ready".
"It affects all of us because we are essentially experiments in public roads", he claimed.
Reacting to the news of the recall Mr Krupski told the BBC it was "a step in the right direction" but pointed out it was not just a problem in the US.
"The hardware is the same in all the Teslas in the US, China etc.", he said
On Tuesday, Tesla defended the safety of Autopilot in a post on X (formerly Twitter) in response to a Washington Post article.
"Safety metrics are emphatically stronger when Autopilot is engaged than when not engaged," it wrote, pointing to statistics that suggested there were fewer crashes when the system was used.
Jack Stilgoe, associate professor at University College London, who researches autonomous vehicles, said Tesla should have spent more time developing the system in the first place.
"The conventional way of ensuring safety is to check that a car is safe when it leaves the factory", he told the BBC.
But despite this being the second recall this year affecting Tesla vehicles, Susannah Streeter of investment company Hargreaves Lansdown said she assessed that it should not check the carmaker's momentum too greatly:
"This recall of 2 million cars on its own is not likely to seriously quash enthusiasm. The share price has dropped back slightly, but it doesn't look like it'll be hit by a bad bout of skidding.
"After all, recalls in the car industry are far from unusual and the group also has the financial ability to invest in fixes", she added.
Tesla has heavily promoted the technology in its cars and says remaining at the cutting edge of self-driving is key to its future growth.
Goldman Sachs analysts estimated this month that Tesla's most advanced Autopilot offering, full self-driving, could end up generating more than $50bn a year in revenue by 2030, up from $1bn-$3bn presently.
In the US, the full self-driving package costs $12,000, as well as a $199 monthly subscription fee.
"Autonomy is really where it's at," Mr Musk told investors this summer.
Autosteer helps keep a car in the correct lane in conjunction with "traffic-aware cruise control" which matches the speed of the car to that of the surrounding traffic.
The driver is expected to have their hands on the wheel and be ready to take over from the assistive system when required.
When Autosteer is on, systems in the car monitor that the driver is paying attention. If it detects the driver isn't there are warning alerts. There are also alerts if the driver tries to use Autosteer in inappropriate circumstances.
According to the NHTSA recall report, the "over the air update" will include additional alerts and monitoring "to encourage the driver to adhere to their continuous driving responsibility whenever Autosteer is engaged."
Source-BBC
Former CCJ president praises Prime Minister Gonsalves over Guyana-Venezuela talks
Former president of the Trinidad-based Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ), Dir Dennis Byron, has praised Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves on his efforts to facilitate talks between the leaders of Guyana and Venezuela regarding their long-standing border dispute.
President Irfaan Ali of Guyana and his Venezuelan counterpart, Nicolas Maduro will meet here on Thursday as efforts continue to lessen the tensions brought about by Caracas’s claim to the Essequibo region, which makes up about two-thirds of Guyana and is home to 125,000 of the country’s 800,000 citizens.
The International Court of Justice (ICJ), which is yet to deliver a judgement on the border dispute, had on December 1 called on both parties to “refrain from any action which might aggravate or extend the dispute before the court or make it more difficult to resolve.
“The court emphasizes that the question of the validity of the 1899 Award and the related question of the definitive settlement of the land boundary dispute between Guyana and Venezuela are matters for the court to decide at the merits stage,” it added.
Sir Dennis, who is also President of the Commonwealth Judicial Education Institute, had in a December 11 letter to Gonsalves said that his leadership particularly as the head of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC), exemplifies a commitment to unity and peace, crucial to resolving conflicts in the interconnected world.
Sir Dennis noted that the proactive approach by Prime Minister Gonsalves in facilitating the discussions is a monumental step towards diffusing the long-standing tensions over disputed territories.”
He said the “strategic decision to host this significant dialogue on December 14,” in Kingstown is both a testament to Gonsalves’ diplomatic acumen and his dedication to regional stability.
Sir Dennis said that the Prime Minister’s efforts in his diplomatic endeavor not only addresses the immediate concerns of the Guyana-Venezuela border controversy but also reinforces the importance of diplomacy and adherence to international law in maintaining peace.
Sir Dennis in offering advice to Prime Minister Gonsalves, said “the maintenance of peace in our region hinges not only on resolving current disputes but also on building resilient structures for future diplomacy.
“It would therefore, be beneficial to consider establishing ongoing dialogue forums within CARICOM, where leaders can regularly discuss and preempt potential conflicts and such forums would not only strengthen the regional unity but also enhance the collective ability to address challenges proactively.”
The talks here on Thursday are being facilitated by CELAC and the Caribbean Community (CARICOM).
CMC
Jamaica to earn in excess of four billion US dollars from tourism sector
Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett says Jamaica is expecting to earn more than four billion US dollars this year as the island welcomes a record number of visitors this year.
He estimates that the total number of arrivals to be 4,122,100 arrivals which would represent a 23.7 percent increase over the 2022 figure.
Bartlett said of this number, 2,875,549 are expected to be stopover visitors, representing a 16 per cent increase over the number recorded last year.
“Additionally, we expect to end the year with a total of 1,246,551 cruise passengers, which would represent a 46.1 per cent increase over the tally for 2022,” Bartlett said, adding “This continues the spectacular growth pattern of tourism, both in terms of visitor arrivals as well as for earnings.
“Indeed, we have gone 10 consecutive quarters since the COVID-19 pandemic, showing significant growth,” Bartlett said in a statement to the House of Representatives.
The government said that the influx of visitors is expected to generate US$4.265 billion in tourism earnings for 2023, representing a projected increase of 17.8 per cent over total inflows for 2022, and a 17.2 percent spike over the out-turn for the pre-pandemic year of 2019.
Bartlett said that a further breakdown of the estimated revenues shows that the Consolidated Fund will receive US$57.5 million through the Tourism Enhancement Fund (TEF) fees.
In addition, the government will receive US$100.6 million from the departure tax, airport improvement fees estimated at US$28.8 million, airline passenger levy of US$57.5 million, and passenger fees, estimated at US$69 million.
The government will also receive US$22.7 million from the guest accommodation room tax (GART).
“Total overall, just for this year… is US$336 million or J$52 billion (One Jamaica dollar=US$0.008 cents) into the economy, even before the tourists start to breathe air in this country,” Bartlett told legislators.
Source-CMC
Virgin advert banned by watchdog
A Virgin Media advert has been banned for misleading customers into thinking the firm offered faster Wi-Fi than its rivals.
The ad boasted it had the "fastest Wi-Fi guarantee of any major provider".
Virgin said it found the ruling "slightly baffling", and maintained it guaranteed a faster minimum speed than its competitors.
But the watchdog ruled most customers would understand its Wi-Fi was faster than others, which was not the case.
The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) looked into the claim following a complaint from Virgin's competitor Vodafone.
Virgin told the ASA the ad was meant to convey that it guaranteed customers a minimum 30Mbps download speed on wi-fi - a faster minimum speed guarantee than others offered - with customers entitled to credit towards their bill if the minimum speed was not achieved.
Vodafone, by comparison, offers a minimum Wi-Fi speed guarantee of 10Mbps.
However, the ASA disagreed with Virgin and upheld the complaint.
"The difference between guaranteeing the highest speed and offering a guarantee which promised action by the advertiser if a minimum speed was not met was a subtle one," it said in its decision.
"We did not consider that the headline claim... would have been understood as Virgin Media intended by consumers, and that a significant proportion would understand it to mean that Virgin Media guaranteed they offered the fastest wi-fi service of any major broadband provider.
"Therefore, because the claim had not been substantiated as it would be understood by consumers, we concluded that the ad was misleading."
As a result, Virgin Media cannot run the ad again, and the regulator told the firm "to ensure that they did not imply that they guaranteed the fastest wi-fi service of all major broadband providers if that was not the case".
The advert was displayed on the homepage of Virgin Media's website on 3 July 2023, under the headline "our wi-fi guarantee".
The firm specified that the guarantee applied only to customers in areas that could get fibre optic broadband, and in particular its M50 broadband package, which offers an average download speed of 54Mbps.
It promised customers a £100 one-off account credit if they did not get at least 30Mbps download speeds in every room of their home after it first offered up to three Wi-Fi signal boosters to help achieve the speeds.
In its response to the ASA, Virgin said: "a large number of major broadband providers promoted Wi-Fi guarantees to consumers".
It said it believed its customers would have understood the intended meaning of its ad, due to the word "guarantee" as well as the explanation of what it meant - meaning they would not have been misled.
In a statement, Virgin said it was "surprised and disappointed" by the ruling. "Given no consumers complained about the advert, and independent polling has shown the majority of people correctly understood what our claim meant, it's slightly baffling that the ASA has ruled in this way," a spokesman said.
Source-BBC