Google reveals gaming platform Stadia
Google has unveiled a new digital gaming platform called Stadia which will stream better-than-console-quality games that have traditionally had to be either downloaded or purchased on disk.
At launch it will work on existing desktops, laptops, TVs and phones, said the firm's Phil Harrison.
Google also revealed a controller.
It looks like a traditional console gamepad but the Stadia version has a button for capturing and sharing gaming directly to YouTube.
It was also announced that id Software's major title Doom Eternal will be one of the first games available.
No pricing was revealed at the event in San Francisco but the firm did say Stadia would launch in 2019 in the US, UK, Canada and Europe.
Google experimented with streaming data-rich games in 2018 with Project Stream, when the tech giant made the Ubisoft game Assassin's Creed: Odyssey available to play to trial participants via the Chrome web browser.
This is possible because the games run elsewhere, on Google's own high-end hardware, but users connect to the game with their device via the web.
"We learned that we could bring a triple-A game to any device with a Chrome browser and an internet connection," said Google chief executive Sundar Pichai, referring to big-budget titles.
However, many streaming services to date have suffered due to the difficulty of offering high-end games via an internet connection.
Gamers have complained of issues with "lag" - the delay between a player performing an action, and the game reacting to that move.
In games where split-second reactions are a matter of winning or losing, high latency rates infuriates players.
In an attempt to avoid this, Google said its Stadia controller will connect directly to Google's servers via wifi.
The company has promised the service will offer games at 4K resolution, at 60 frames per second (fps) - and up to 8K, 120 fps in future.
Today's most advanced consoles, the XBox One X and Playstation 4 Pro, can support 4K and 60 fps simultaneously, but only on a limited number of games.
Google is hoping to leverage its success with YouTube, which is incredibly popular among gamers sharing their skills, to make its own gaming platform a success.
Source-BBC
Solutions for transformation in focus for CDB’s 49th Annual Meeting
Solutions and strategies to drive economic and social transformation in the Caribbean will feature prominently when the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) holds the 49th Annual Meeting of its Board of Governors in Trinidad and Tobago on June 5 and 6, 2019.
The Meeting programme will include key events and research highlighting transformation in the traditional and emerging sectors and examining the role which technology and digitalisation can play in advancing the Region’s development agenda.
This will be the fifth time that CDB’s Annual Meeting will be held in Trinidad and Tobago, which is one of the founding members of the Bank. Previous meetings were held there in 1977, 1989, 2004 and 2011.
CDB President, Dr. Wm. Warren Smith, explained why transformation is a priority for the Region as a whole as well as for the Bank as it approaches its 50th anniversary year.
“Our borrowing member countries are operating in an increasingly complex global environment. The challenges are new, different and becoming increasingly complex relative to what obtained when the Bank was founded in 1970. As a Region and as an institution we need to, not just keep up but actually use innovation as a vehicle to leap ahead in this changing world. That is what we are anticipating in Trinidad and Tobago – a rich exchange of ideas, approaches and innovation that places the Region’s development at the forefront. We extend our thanks to the Government and people of Trinidad and Tobago for hosting this important meeting,” said Dr. Smith.
Around 400 delegates, including Government Ministers and officials, development partners, private sector representatives, members of civil society, academia, and media are expected to attend the Meeting.
The event will showcase the scope and impact of the Bank’s investments in its 19 borrowing member countries (BMCs). Participants will also engage in strategic discussions aimed at ensuring that every BMC can benefit fully from the transformation process and that CDB remains agile and relevant in a transformed Caribbean.
A major highlight of the Bank’s Annual Meeting is the William G. Demas Memorial Lecture, held in memory of the eminent Trinidadian economic scholar and Caribbean leader who served as the second President of CDB from 1974 to 1988.
Now in its 20th year, the lecture features a distinguished speaker presenting on a trending economic and social development topic of importance to the Caribbean.
Another significant event is VYBZING, where the Bank engages directly with young people on regional development issues and which is held ahead of the Meeting. For the first time, the event will have youth representatives from all 19 of CDB’s BMCs.
During the course of the Meeting, there will be various interactive seminars, at which thought leaders and expert panellists will share new research findings and data on key topics. This year’s line-up will focus on agriculture, digitalisation for development and vulnerability and resilience.
The Bank will also convene its annual Governors’ Roundtable. This year the Roundtable will provide the platform for discussion of the strategic direction of CDB as part of the process for formulating the new Strategic Plan 2020-2024.
UK PM Theresa May to formally ask for delay
Prime Minister Theresa May is writing to the EU to formally ask for Brexit to be postponed.
One ministerial source told the BBC the longer delay could be up to two years, amid reports of a cabinet row, but No 10 said no decision had been made.
EU Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier said the EU would not grant a delay without a "concrete plan" from the UK about what they would do with it.
Under current law the UK will leave the EU with or without a deal in 10 days.
MPs rejected the withdrawal deal Mrs May has negotiated with the EU for a second time last week by 149 votes. They also voted in favour of ruling out leaving the EU without a deal, and in favour of extending the Brexit process.
The prime minister had hoped to have another try at getting MPs to back the deal this week - but Speaker John Bercow effectively torpedoed that with his surprise intervention on Monday.
She still hopes to ultimately get it in front of MPs for a third go, but says even if that happens and they vote in favour of it, the UK will need a short extension to get the necessary legislation through Parliament.
A cabinet source told the BBC she therefore plans to ask the EU to agree to postpone the UK's departure until 30 June, but with an option of a longer delay as well.
Mrs May has warned Brexiteer Tories that longer extension will be needed if her deal does not get through Parliament.
One ministerial source told the BBC's Laura Kuenssberg there was "no agreement" around the cabinet table when a delay was discussed.
Another cabinet source said they were frustrated that the PM had not been clear about which delay option she would be arguing for.
Commons leader Andrea Leadsom is said to have criticised colleagues, saying they now amounted to a "Remain cabinet", not a "Brexit cabinet".
Chancellor Philip Hammond said ministers all wanted the "shortest possible delay" but cabinet members "have different approaches to how we should do this".
Any delay will have to be agreed by all 27 EU member states and Mrs May is heading to Brussels on Thursday to discuss the options with fellow leaders.
Brexit Secretary Stephen Barclay suggested a third vote on the Brexit deal could take place next week - after Mrs May has sought a delay.
On Mr Bercow's ruling, he said it was important to "respect the referee" and abide by his decisions - but, he added, the Speaker himself had said in the past that if Parliament was guided only by precedent then "nothing ever would change".
Mr Barclay suggested that MPs would "find a way" to get another vote, if the government manages to persuade enough of them, including the 10 Democratic Unionists, to change their mind and back the deal.
At a press conference in Brussels, Mr Barnier said it was up to the 27 EU leaders to decide whether to grant a delay, based on what was in the "best interest" of the bloc.
But for a longer delay "there needs to be a new event" or a "new political process" - so that "we are not back in the same situation as today".
"Extending the uncertainty without a clear plan would add to the economic cost for our business but will also incur a political cost for the EU," said Mr Barnier.
"It is for the British government and Parliament to decide very quickly what the UK wants to do next."
Mr Barnier also warned that UK MPs voting against "no deal" would not prevent it from happening, saying that "everyone should now finalise all preparations for a no-deal scenario."
Source-BBC
Caribbean Footballer Wes Morgan signs deal to remain at Leicester
Veteran Jamaica international Wes Morgan has penned a new one-year deal with Leicester City, just days after scoring a dramatic late winner against Burnley in his 700th appearance in club football.
The 35-year-old entered last Saturday's contest at Turf Moor with doubt over his future especially with his contract due to expire in the summer, but the latest deal will now see him remain at the East Midlands outfit until June 2020.
“It means a lot to me,” said Morgan, who joined the Foxes seven years ago from Nottingham Forest and is now the club captain.
“We've been through so many ups and downs together as a Football Club, and I've been right at the heart of it from the very beginning, so to extend my time here means very much to me and I'm very happy.”
Morgan, who played every minute of Leicester's extraordinary title-winning season in 2016, was benched following manager Brendan Rodgers's arrival three weeks ago leading to speculation over his future.
But following Morgan's heroics at the weekend, Rodgers indicated the defender was still a part of his future plans, albeit in a reduced role.
Morgan, who has already made 292 appearances for Leicester, said the club's star was continuing to rise.
Source-CMC
Haitian government collapses
Six months after being sworn into office, the government of Prime Minister Jean-Henry Céant was forced out of office Monday after the Lower Chamber of Deputies voted overwhelming to censure the administration.
The move came as Prime Minister Céant had gone to the Senate for a meeting only to find 13 Senators present.
The Senate, citing the recent arrest of five armed Americans last month and their subsequent release with the help of the State Department, had summoned both Céant and his justice minister to its chamber on Monday.
Senate President Carl Murat Cantave tweeted that due to the lack of a quorum, the prime minister's session is being rescheduled for Wednesday
However, in the Lower Chamber of Deputies, where 104 Deputies were present, they voted by a wide margin to censure the prime minister.
The agenda of the session was adopted by 88 deputies, 12 against and 4 abstentions and without the prime minister present, the Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies announced the continuation of the interpellation.
“The results of the session will be communicated to him,” said Deputy Gary Bodeau.
Source-CMC
MIKE CLERVEAUX NEW HAZARD MITIGATION & GIS SPECIALIST
The Turks and Caicos Islands civil service is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Mike Clerveaux to the post of Hazard Mitigation & GIS Specialist within the Department of Disaster Management and Emergencies (DDME).
For the past three years, Mr. Clerveaux held the post of Hazard Mitigation Officer within DDME. Prior to joining DDME, Mr. Clerveaux spent over 6 years as a Land Use Planner at the Department of Planning, with responsibility for reviewing planning applications while promoting integrated development planning through spatial interpretation of the macro-economic and sectoral policies to ensure their consistency with the principles of sustainable development. He has approximately eight years of experience in the field of GIS, Urban and Regional Planning and Disaster Management.
Prior to officially joining the DDME, Mr. Clerveaux played a critical role in assisting the DDME in advancing its mandate by working as a National Instructor for establishing the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) in the TCI, Deputy Leader of the Turks and Caicos Search & Rescue Taskforce (TSART) and member of the Damage Assessment Team and Communities United in Response to Emergencies (CURE).
In his new role, Mr. Clerveaux will be responsible for the administration of the Department’s Hazard Mitigation & Planning Programme. His duties will cover but are not limited to analyzing hazard data for the implementation of national pre-disaster planning and prevention measures and recommending mitigation measures to support sustainable development and planning in the country.
Mr. Clerveaux holds a MSc Built Environment (Specialization in Geomatics) and a BSc Urban & Regional Planning, both from the University of Technology, Jamaica and a Diploma in Secondary Education (Specialized in Industrial Arts) from Mico Teachers College, Jamaica. He also has completed a wide range of professional development courses which include Leadership Development; Financial Management and Reporting; Building GIS Applications in Support of Disaster Risk Management; Damage Assessments & Needs Analysis (DANA); Emergency Operations Management; GIS Management and Hurrevac (for the tracking of storms); and a Certificate in Business Continuity Management from H. Lavity Stout Community College, British Virgin Islands.
Deputy Governor Anya Williams in congratulating Mr. Clerveaux on his new role, said; “I am pleased to congratulate Mr. Clerveaux on his recent promotion; his second in the last few years! Mike demonstrates a high level of professionalism in carrying out his duties and has always done so. He is highly committed to the area of Disaster Management and preparedness and should be commended for his work in this area, where he continues to excel.”
Mr. Clerveaux in responding stated; “I look forward to serving in this new capacity and working with all stakeholders to advance the Disaster Management agenda in the Turks and Caicos Islands. It is a privilege to continue to be a part of the Department of Disaster Management and Emergencies team in this key position as we plan for and reduce the impact of potential hazards on our shores.”
TCI OBSERVES WORLD KIDNEY DAY
The Ministry of Health, Agriculture, Sports and Human Services joins the rest of the world in observing World Kidney Day on the 14th of March under the theme “Kidney Health for Everyone Everywhere”. Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a public health problem worldwide with kidney failure and premature death being the main adverse outcomes. 850 MILLION PEOPLE WORLDWIDE are now estimated to have kidney diseases from various causes. Chronic kidney diseases (CKD) cause at least 2.4 million deaths per year and are now the 6th fastest growing cause of death. Locally there are over 100 persons living with chronic kidney disease stage 3 with 49 persons currently on dialysis.
We encourage everyone to get moving! Let us all take action. Keeping fit reduces high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity and other non-communicable diseases, two of which are the leading causes of kidney disease. Go for a walk, swim, run, go play your favorite sport, walk the dog or take the stairs.
Take a picture of yourself in action! Share it on your social media accounts with the hashtag #move4kidneys. You can also share it on our Health Promotion Facebook Page @ https://www.facebook.com/tcihealthpromotions
Mrs. Aldora Robinson Director of Health Promotion and Advocacy Unit stated that; “Let us choose to exercise, choose to drink more water and less sugary drinks, choose to eat less processed foods choose to have health checks regularly. Let us as a nation be healthier by choice.”
The Honourable Minister of Health, Agriculture, sports and Human Services, Edwin Astwood voiced his concern that there has been an increase in the number of dialysis patients and we must act. Hon. Astwood further stated; “There are many reasons why there is an increase of persons being diagnosed with kidney disease. We have greater levels of obesity, increased numbers of diabetics requiring dialysis and this of great concern. We must change our behaviour and live healthier lives.”
Blood pressure, weight and urinary tests get yours done today! It is important to check yourself. During this week the Ministry of Health, Agriculture, Sports and Human Services encourage persons to “Get Checked”. Visit the clinic nearest you or your private doctor. Early detection is best. Known diabetic and hypertensive persons need to take extra care ensuring that they take their medications, exercise, eat a healthy diet and have regular check-ups.
Our kidneys are complicated yet amazing organs that do many essential tasks to keep us healthy. The main job of your kidneys is to remove toxins and excess water from your blood. Kidneys also help to control your blood pressure, to produce red blood cells and to keep your bones healthy.
The road ahead to raising awareness about the dangers of kidney disease is long but, let us work together to make the Turks and Caicos healthier and empowered. Remember “Kidney Health for Everyone Everywhere”
For more information, contact the health Promotion and Advocacy Unit on 338-2772.
Janet Jackson & others to enter the Rock Hall of Fame
Radiohead, Roxy Music and Janet Jackson will join the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame next year, alongside Def Leppard, The Zombies, Stevie Nicks and The Cure.
The seven inductees are the biggest intake since 2004; and bring the total number of acts in the hall to 330.
Nicks was already a member as part of Fleetwood Mac; and becomes the first woman to enter the Hall of Fame twice.
"To be recognised for my solo work makes me take a deep breath and smile," she said. "It's a glorious feeling."
Artists are eligible for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame 25 years after the release of their debut album.
Def Leppard, Roxy Music and Stevie Nicks were all accepted the first time their names appeared on the ballot.
Janet Jackson got in on her third attempt - finally earning a place alongside her brothers in the Jackson 5, 21 years after their induction.
The star, whose hits include Rhythm Nation, That's The Way Love Goes and Together Again is one of America's most successful female artists; and the only singer in US chart history to have three albums that each contain at least five top 10 hits.
"We did it u guys ? Thank U for all your love and support," she tweeted after her place was secured.
In a separate statement, the star added: "Thank you Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. I am truly honoured and I am happy to be in there with my brothers."
But Jackson didn't have to wait as long as British psych-rock band The Zombies - who have been eligible since 1989 and appeared on three previous ballots.
"You do start to doubt that it could happen," singer Colin Blumstone told Rolling Stone. "I've tried to be fairly philosophical about it and tell myself that if we don't get inducted, it's just a bit of fun.
"But of course when you're actually inducted, everything changes. You think, 'This is a career-defining [and] life-defining moment.'"
Artists who didn't make the cut this year include LL Cool J, Rage Against The Machine and electro pioneers Kraftwerk.
Source-BBC
Mercedes hands U.S. plant an ultra-luxury mission
In a stunning new chapter of Mercedes-Benz's expansion in North America, the automaker plans to build an ultraluxe Maybach model exclusively at its plant in Alabama, where the rarefied sedan nameplate will be applied to an SUV.
The new Maybach, based on the all-new third-generation GLS platform, would be the most expensive passenger vehicle made in America. The model is expected to be priced at about $200,000, sources said.
The unibody Mercedes-Maybach GLS would be powered by a 560-plus hp V-8 engine and likely debut in China this year and go on sale early next year.
Mercedes-Benz USA CEO Dietmar Exler described the Maybach GLS as a "halo car."
The Maybach brand "stands for luxury," Exler told Automotive News. "It will help build the Mercedes brand, no question."
Mercedes hopes to introduce the Maybach brand across different models, just as it has done with its AMG performance brand.
"We'll logically extend it where it makes sense," Exler said. "I cannot imagine you will have a Maybach A class. But on the top luxury cars, to have the luxury edition makes a whole lot of sense for us."
Mercedes' strategic move comes as the auto industry's flashiest brands roll out SUVs for the price of starter homes, lured by beefy margins and the prospect of younger buyers. With Aston Martin and Ferrari joining Bentley, Rolls-Royce and Lamborghini, the global market for ultraluxury SUVs should grow from around 7,500 last year to above 20,000 by 2023, according to AutoForecast Solutions. About 75 percent of these vehicles will be sold in the U.S. and China.
A Maybach GLS is well-timed, as consumers around the world shift to the SUV body style as their preferred vehicle and as high-net-worth populations surge, said Tim Urquhart, an analyst in London with IHS Markit.
"Luxury SUVs are taking off," Urquhart said. "It's what a big section of the market wants."
An SUV also could help freshen Maybach's brand. The Mercedes-Maybach S sedan is associated with older demographics of the high-end market.
Sedans are perceived by many consumers to be old-fashioned, said Ed Kim, automotive analyst at AutoPacific.
"The ultra-high-net-worth kids want something different, and these ultraluxury SUVs certainly fit that," he said.
IHS' Urquhart sees strong demand from America's Instagram-obsessed celebrities and sports stars.
"The U.S. market pretty much revived the G class, the G wagon and the AMG variants of that," Urquhart said. The Maybach GLS will "appeal to the Kardashians and hip-hoppers, if they want something slightly different to the G wagon."
Ultraluxury SUVs, which often share platforms with much less expensive vehicles, are cash cows for automakers. The $165,000 Bentley Bentayga, for instance, shares a platform with the $53,550 Audi Q7.
SUVs generate the revenue that funds the r&d of the flagship sports cars that premium automakers have built their brands on, Kim said. "Without Cayenne, Porsche would not have the kind of money available to make 911s," he said.
Source-AutoNews
PROJECT ANNOUNCED TO ENHANCE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
A collaborative project to develop an evidence base of environmental data, for policy formation and evaluation, on the Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI) and the British Virgin Islands (BVI) has been announced. Funded by UK Darwin Plus it focuses on the mapping and modelling of environmental risk, monitoring the islands’ recovery following recent hurricanes, and aims to provide information to help the islands to maintain their environmental resilience.
This is a collaborative project between Environment Systems Ltd, the Government of TCI, the National Parks Trust of BVI and Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC). It will help to develop skills in government staff which will enable them to use data from earth observation satellites providing the evidence to determine risks, focus recovery and select any opportunities to enhance the environment. When staff are able to generate the mapping and modelling themselves, the islands can really start to benefit from these new techniques and sources of data. This will also improve the capability of officials by enabling them to present evidence in their day-to-day work and to help keep the islands “beautiful by nature.”
“We are grateful to have persons receive training in this important area, which will help strengthen our competencies in identifying and reducing the risks and impacts of a natural disaster”, expressed the Honourable Minister Ralph Higgs, Ministry of Tourism, Environment, Heritage, Maritime & Gaming, Turks & Caicos Islands Government.
A workshop taking place on TCI, run by Environment Systems Ltd, involves staff from BVI and TCI and is running from Monday 11th - Friday 15th March. Delegates will be studying techniques which can uncover the hidden value that our environment is providing in terms of essential services, such as water, food and flood resilience. It will also explore how environmental indicators can be developed to monitor any changes that impact long-term environmental sustainability. There are huge benefits that come from shared experience across delegates from BVI, TCI and the UK that such workshops facilitate.
The success of the project will be measured by the ability of staff to use new types of data to analyse, monitor and assess environmental risks. This will enable them to identify opportunities that both safeguard and enhance the islands’ environments and ensure their resilience in the future. New IT equipment has also been delivered as part of the project ensuring long-term impact. Island staff will benefit from continuous and up-to-date stream of satellite data delivered direct to their computers.
The project builds on previous work which mapped the vulnerability of five Overseas Territories (including TCI) from 2017 onwards. It will also support future projects, such as the monitoring of sargassum seaweed as an environmental indicator. It will also support the work of the Conflict, Stability & Security Fund (CSSF) on Natural Capital and Environmental Indicators.