Grade 3 student collapses at school and dies; Williams saddened
Minister of Education and Youth, Fayval Williams, has requested additional information surrounding the collapse at school and subsequent death of a grade 3 student from Wakefield Primary and Infant School in Trelawny on Wednesday.
Eight-year-old Alexia Drummond was reportedly seen unresponsive on the floor by her classroom teacher after the lunch break, and was taken to a nearby health facility, and then to hospital by school personnel.
She was later pronounced dead.
“This is a terrible tragedy that has traumatized Alexia’s family, classmates, and the wider school community,” said Williams in response.
While stating that more information is needed on the tragic development, the minister is urging school personnel, parents, and all who have a duty of care for children, to be watchful for any early signs of health challenges.
Alexia was described as a quiet, diligent student by her classroom teacher.
Minister of Education and Youth, Fayval Williams, has requested additional information surrounding the collapse at school and subsequent death of a grade 3 student from Wakefield Primary and Infant School in Trelawny on Wednesday.
Eight-year-old Alexia Drummond was reportedly seen unresponsive on the floor by her classroom teacher after the lunch break, and was taken to a nearby health facility, and then to hospital by school personnel.
She was later pronounced dead.
“This is a terrible tragedy that has traumatized Alexia’s family, classmates, and the wider school community,” said Williams in response.
While stating that more information is needed on the tragic development, the minister is urging school personnel, parents, and all who have a duty of care for children, to be watchful for any early signs of health challenges.
Alexia was described as a quiet, diligent student by her classroom teacher.
Source- Loop News
5 September 2023 TCI POST CABINET MEETING STATEMENT
Her Excellency the Governor, Dileeni Daniel-Selvaratnam, chaired the 23rd meeting of Cabinet on Tuesday 5 September at the Premier’s Office
on Providenciales.
All Members were present.
At this meeting Cabinet:
·
Approved the appointment of Dr Gogontle Gatang-McCartney as the attorney representing the Attorney General’s Chambers on TCI Gaming
Control Commission Board.
Noted the awarding of the contract following the recommendation of the Procurement Board:
o
PN 005720, TR 22/36, Police Vessels
·
Approved Settlement Negotiations in relation to land near Providenciales International Airport which was commandeered by the TCI
Government in 2008.
·
Discussed the current operation of the Hotel, Restaurant, and Tourism Tax penalty.
·
Approved appointment of Mr. Norman B. Saunders Jr as Chairman of the National Insurance Board Appeals Tribunal for a period of two years.
·
Received presentations from the Department of Tourism Regulations (DTR) and Experience TCI.
·
Considered remission of stamp duty on parcels 60718/138, Cheshire Hall, and Richmond Hill in Providenciales.
·
Noted the Ministry of Education’s re-appointment of Miss Rhesa Cartwright as Director of the National Insurance Board for a period
of three years.
Further information on these matters will be provided by Ministers in due course.
China trials visa-free travel for six countries
China is trialing visa-free travel for citizens from France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, and Malaysia for a year, its foreign ministry said.
From December 30 November 2024, ordinary passport holders from these countries can do business or travel in China without a visa for up to 15 days.
This is to help "promote China's high-quality development and opening up", spokeswoman Mao Ning said on Friday.
Currently, most travelers need a visa to enter China.
The rare examples of those exempt include citizens of Singapore and Brunei, who are entering China for business, tourism, family visits, and transit for no more than 15 days.
It was only in March that China began issuing all types of visas again, for the first time since the coronavirus pandemic broke out in December 2019.
Tens of millions of international visitors came to China each year prior to the pandemic.
For three years, China imposed some of the world's strictest COVID curbs, with travel restrictions, numerous lockdowns, and frequent testing requirements.
Its zero-Covid policy, which hit the economy hard, was only lifted last December.
Source- BBC
Nissan to lead £2bn investment in UK electric car plant
Nissan and its partners have announced a £2bn plan to build three electric car models at its Sunderland factory.
The Japanese firm will build electric Qashqai and Juke models at the plant alongside the next generation of the electric Leaf, which is already produced there. The scheme could help preserve the jobs of about 6,000 workers directly, and thousands more across the UK.
Nissan said that alongside this, a major new battery plant known as a "gigafactory" will also be needed.
This is in addition to the current factory adjacent to the car plant, and a further gigafactory already being built by its partner, AESC.
Nissan will spend £1.12bn on preparing its UK facilities and supply chain for the new models and training its workforce.
Alongside the gigafactory the total new investment will be up to £2bn, according to the company. The plan is expected to receive government support, though it is not clear what form that will take. Nissan has confirmed it will receive £15m in funding for its research center in Bedfordshire.
Earlier this year, Nissan's chief operating officer Ashwani Gupta, who has since left the firm, said that the UK would struggle to remain competitive with other car-making countries because of higher manufacturing costs, elevated by energy bills and inflation.
Alan Johnson, Nissan's senior vice president of manufacturing and supply chain, told the BBC's Today program that the UK "can be a competitive place for car production, but everything needs to be right".
"Not just the plant itself, but the surrounding environment: energy costs, infrastructure, local government [and] national government support, needs to be right for it to work," he said.
The UK government has provided support for Nissan through the Automotive Transformation Fund, which received a £2bn top-up in the Autumn Statement on Wednesday.
Mr Johnson declined to comment on how much funding the company has received from UK taxpayers.
He said: "The support we have received in the past has been excellent and we're very grateful for the support we do receive.
"The truth is discussions are ongoing with the government, not concluded, and therefore I'm not in a position at the moment to make any announcement or any comment about any numbers."
The investment by Nissan is thought to be in the region of £1bn.
TCI RECOGNIZED BY CONDÉ NAST TRAVELER AS ONE OF THE BEST PLACES TO VISIT IN JANUARY
The Turks and Caicos Islands continue to be recognized as one of the top destinations to visit during the winter season.
Premiere travel publications, Travel + Leisure and Condé Nast Traveler have listed the Turks and Caicos Islands as a destination for travelers looking for a winter escape in January 2024.
The Turks and Caicos Islands is the only Caribbean island listed in Travel + Leisure’s recommendations.
Writer Patricia Doherty says: “Providenciales offers stunning beaches, resorts, and vacation villas, plus Providenciales International Airport, ideal for those arriving by air.”
“You can spend your days lounging on the beaches, fishing, boating, and windsurfing, or go beyond the shores to hike through nature reserves and spot local wildlife. End sun-soaked days with a visit to local bars to enjoy the destination’s music scene and nightlife.”
Writing in Condé Nast Traveler, Caitlin Morton says: “For January travel, we’re big fans of Turks and Caicos—the rainy season has passed, and it’s relatively easy to find non-stop flights to Provo from the US. Plus, the archipelago happens to have some of the best hotels and resorts in the Caribbean.”
Source- CONDÉ NAST TRAVELER
Government pledges £8.3bn to repair UK roads
This fund, Westminster says, is enough to resurface over 5000 miles of road and will be allocated to councils across the country for projects over the next 11 years.
It is the biggest road-specific fund to ever be announced in the UK.
Transport Secretary Mark Harper confirmed today that each local authority will now receive £150 million, followed by a further £150 million for 2024/2025. The rest of the funding was allocated through 2034.
Of the cash, £3.3 billion has been allocated for those in the North West, North East, and Yorkshire & Humber; £2.2 billion for the West Midlands and East Midlands; and £2.8 billion for East of England, South East, South West and, for the first time in 8 years, London.
“For too long politicians have shied away from taking the right long-term decisions to make life easier for families - tackling the scourge of potholes being a prime example,” said Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.
“Well-maintained road surfaces could save drivers up to £440 each in expensive vehicle repairs, helping motorists keep more of the cash in their pocket.”
Harper added: “Most people travel by road and potholes can cause misery for motorists, from expensive vehicle repairs to bumpy, slow, and dangerous journeys.
“Today’s biggest ever funding uplift for local road improvements is a victory for all road users, who will enjoy smoother, faster, and safer trips - as we use redirected HS2 funding to make the right long-term decisions for a brighter future.”
The new cash follows from a further £70 million earmarked for updating 20mph zone guidance to “help prevent inappropriate blanket use”, and measures to speed up the rollout of electric vehicle charging.
The fund has been welcomed by some of the UK's biggest insurers and motoring groups.
RAC head of policy Simon Williams claimed smoother, well-maintained roads could save drivers up to £440 each in repair costs from pothole damage.
Welcoming the news, he said: “Drivers’ biggest bugbear of all is the poor condition of local roads, so the fact the Government has found a significant additional pot of revenue should give councils the certainty of funding they need to plan proper long-term road maintenance, something we have been calling for many years.
“We hope local authorities will use the money in the most effective way possible by resurfacing the very worst roads, keeping those in reasonable condition in better states for longer through surface dressing, and filling potholes as permanently as possible wherever necessary.
“This should in time go a considerable way to bringing our roads back to a fit-for-purpose state and saving drivers hundreds of pounds in the process from not having to fork out for frustrating repairs to their vehicles.”
His thoughts were backed by Edmund King OBE, AA president, who also welcomed the cash: “Perilous roads blighted by potholes are the number one concern for drivers and a major issue for bikers, cyclists and pedestrians. So far this year The AA has attended more than 450,000 pothole-related breakdowns. The damage caused can be a huge financial burden for drivers but is also a major safety risk for those on two wheels.
“The £8.3 billion plan can make a considerable difference in bringing our roads back to the standards that road users expect, especially if councils use the cash efficiently to resurface our streets. As well as safer roads, eliminating potholes gives confidence to people wanting to cycle and instills pride of place within local communities.”
Source- Autocar
TCI 3-DAY PUBLIC WEATHER FORECAST
GENERAL SITUATION: TROPICAL MOISTURE FROM POTENTIAL TROPICAL CYCLONE TWENTY-TWO IN THE WEST-CENTRAL CARIBBEAN SEA WILL CONTINUE TO STREAM ACROSS THE TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS TODAY AND CAUSE CLOUDINESS AND SHOWER ACTIVITY TODAY AND TONIGHT.
SPECIAL WARNINGS: **A TROPICAL STORM WATCH IS IN EFFECT FOR THE TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS** MARINERS AND BEACHGOERS SHOULD CONTINUE TO EXERCISE CAUTION DUE TO HIGH SEAS, ROUGH SURF, AND HAZARDOUS RIP CURRENTS. THERE IS THE RISK OF WATERSPOUT AND TORNADIC ACTIVITY IN THE TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS. RESIDENTS SHOULD TAKE THE NECESSARY PRECAUTIONS FOR POTENTIAL FLOODING IN LOW-LYING AND FLOOD-PRONE AREAS AS A RESULT OF HEAVY AND/OR PROLONGED RAINFALL EVENTS.
ALL AREAS
WEATHER: MOSTLY CLOUDY TO OVERCAST AND A BIT BREEZY WITH A SLIGHT CHANCE OF SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS. CHANCE OF RAIN IS 20%. MOSTLY CLOUDY TO OVERCAST WITH SCATTERED SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS. CHANCE OF RAIN IS 70%.
ADVISORY: SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IS IN EFFECT DUE TO SWELLS TODAY; SMALL CRAFT OPERATORS IN THE TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS SHOULD REMAIN IN PORT TONIGHT. EXPECT GUSTY WINDS AND HIGHER SEAS IN OR NEAR HEAVY SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS.
WINDS: EAST TO SOUTHEAST 15 TO 20 KNOTS, SHIFTING TO SOUTHEAST TO SOUTH AT 15 TO 20 KNOTS TONIGHT
SEAS: 6 TO 9 FEET IN NORTHEAST TO EAST SWELLS
DAYTIME HIGH TEMPERATURE 84°F 29°C
OVERNIGHT LOW TEMPERATURE 79°F 26°C
SUNSET: 5:05 PM
NEXT LOW TIDE: 5:35 PM (1.0 FT)
NEXT HIGH TIDE: 11:05 PM (2.0 FT)
EXTENDED FORECAST FOR THE NEXT TWO DAYS: POTENTIAL TROPICAL CYCLONE TWENTY-TWO IS EXPECTED TO PRODUCE HEAVY RAINS AND POSSIBLE TROPICAL STORM WINDS ACROSS THE TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS ON SATURDAY.
FORECAST FOR SATURDAY
WEATHER: MOSTLY CLOUDY TO OVERCAST WITH TROPICAL STORM CONDITIONS POSSIBLE. NUMEROUS SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS. CHANCE OF RAIN IS 90%. PARTLY CLOUDY WITH A CHANCE OF SCATTERED SHOWERS. CHANCE OF RAIN IS 70%.
ADVISORY: SMALL CRAFT OPERATORS SHOULD REMAIN IN PORT.
WINDS: SOUTH TO SOUTHWEST 30 TO 35 KNOTS
SEAS: 6 TO 8 FEET
SUNRISE: 6:02 AM
SUNSET: 5:05 PM
LOW TIDE: 05:18 AM (0.3 FT) 06:28 PM (1.0 FT)
HIGH TIDE: 11:59 AM (3.0 FT)
FORECAST FOR SUNDAY
WEATHER: PARTLY CLOUDY WITH CHANCE OF SCATTERED SHOWERS. CHANCE OF RAIN IS 60%. PARTLY CLOUDY WITH A CHANCE OF SCATTERED SHOWERS. CHANCE OF RAIN IS 50%.
ADVISORY: SMALL CRAFT CAUTION
WINDS: WEST TO NORTHWEST 10 TO 15 KNOTS
SEAS: 3 TO 5 FEET
SUNRISE: 6:02 AM
SUNSET: 5:05 PM
HIGH TIDE: 12:00 AM (2.0 FT) 12:55 PM (3.0 FT)
LOW TIDE: 06:14 AM (0.7 FT) 07:24 PM (1.0 FT)
TROPICAL WEATHER OUTLOOK: PLEASE SEE THE LATEST ADVISORY ON POTENTIAL TROPICAL CYCLONE TWO IN THE CENTRAL CARIBBEAN SEA...AT 1 PM THE SYSTEM WAS LOCATED ABOUT 483 MILES SOUTHWEST OF PROVIDENCIALES, TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS MOVING NORTHEAST NEAR 16 MILES PER HOUR WITH A MAXIMUM SUSTAINED NEARLY 35 MILES PER HOUR.
CHANCE OF FORMATION THROUGH 48 HOURS…MEDIUM…40 PERCENT
Flash flood warning extended for eastern parishes
The Meteorological Service of Jamaica has extended the flash flood warning for low-lying and flood-prone areas of St Thomas, Kingston St Andrew, Portland, and St Mary effective until 5:00 pm Saturday.
In a release at 6 am on Saturday, the met office said a broad trough of low pressure (former Potential Tropical Cyclone 22) is still producing a large area of showers and thunderstorms across the north-central Caribbean, and that it will continue to produce showers and occasional thunderstorms across sections of Jamaica.
It said observations indicate that light to moderate and occasionally heavy showers and thunderstorms have been affecting mainly eastern parishes over the last several hours.
The forecast is for isolated showers to continue affecting eastern parishes through to Saturday afternoon, with partly cloudy conditions elsewhere. Weather conditions are expected to further improve afterward.
Given the large amounts of rainfall received since Wednesday night and the resulting ground saturation, any additional rainfall is very likely to result in further flooding, the Met Service said.
A flash flood warning means flooding has been reported or will occur shortly. Motorists and pedestrians should not attempt to cross flooded roadways or other low-lying areas as strong currents are likely. Residents in low-lying areas should be on the alert for rising waters and be ready to move quickly to higher ground.
Meanwhile, the Met Service discontinued the flash flood warning for low-lying and flood-prone areas of St Catherine, Clarendon, Manchester, St Elizabeth, and Westmoreland effective immediately.
It also immediately discontinued the flash flood watch for low-lying and flood-prone areas of St Ann, Trelawny, St James, and Hanover.
Source- Jamaica Observer
AI boss Sam Altman ousted after board loses confidence
Sam Altman has been ousted as the head of artificial intelligence firm OpenAI by the company's board, which said it had lost confidence in his ability to lead the company.
The board said Mr. Altman had not been "consistently candid with his communications", hindering its ability to exercise its responsibilities.
The 38-year-old helped launch OpenAI, which is behind the ChatGPT bot.
Mr Altman had become one of the most high-profile figures in the industry.
In a statement, the board said it was grateful for Mr Altman's contributions but that members believed new leadership was necessary.
"The board no longer has confidence in his ability to continue leading OpenAI," the company said, citing "a deliberative review process by the board, which concluded that he was not consistently candid in his communications with the board, hindering its ability to exercise its responsibilities".
It is not clear what he is alleged to not have been candid about.
On social media, Mr Altman wrote that he had loved his time at the company.
"It was transformative for me personally, and hopefully the world a little bit. Most of all I loved working with such talented people," he wrote.
According to OpenAI co-founder Greg Brockman, it all took place over hastily-organised Google Meet video conference calls.
Mr Brockman - who was himself dismissed from the board a few minutes later and then resigned from the company - said both men were "shocked and saddened" by the news.
He said they were "still trying to figure out exactly what happened" but claimed in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, that the whole drama unfolded in a matter of hours.
They sat on the company's relatively small board of just six executives. It is unusual for such a tight team to make such a dramatic decision so quickly, which begs the question: was it personal?
OpenAI is widely seen to be a company at its peak, with lucrative investment pouring in, and ChatGPT - which was launched almost exactly one year ago - is used by millions.
Mr Altman has been the face of the firm's rise. More than that, he is seen by many as the face of the industry more widely.
He testified before a US Congress hearing to discuss the opportunities and risks created by the new technology, and also at the world's first AI Safety Summit, held in the UK at the beginning of November.
The outpouring of support from Silicon Valley bosses shows that he enjoyed the support of the tech industry.
On social media, former Google boss Eric Schmidt called Mr. Altman "a hero of mine" and said that he had "changed our collective world forever".
"I can't wait to see what he does next. I, and billions of people, will benefit from his future work- it's going to be simply incredible," he wrote.
There will be a lot of interest in whatever that next move is - and many will be waiting to see if Mr. Altman is angry enough to talk about being dumped by the company he helped create.
He has promised he will have "more to say about what's next later".
But it doesn't appear he's poised to lift the lid on his departure just yet, even writing on X to advise OpenAI's remaining board members to "go after me for the full value of my shares" if he gets into a public row with them.
ChatGPT can now access up-to-date information
Mr Brockman announced he had quit his role at the company following Mr Altman's ousting.
In a statement posted X, Mr Brockman said: "I'm super proud of what we've all built together since starting in my apartment eight years ago.
"We've been through tough and great times together, accomplishing so much despite all the reasons it should have been impossible. But based on today's news, I quit."
He said he would continue to "believe in the mission of creating safe AGI that benefits all of humanity".
OpenAI started in 2015 as a non-profit. It restructured in 2019 and is now backed by Microsoft, which has invested billions.
Just weeks ago, OpenAI was reportedly in talks to sell shares in the company to investors at a price that would value it at more than $80bn (£64bn).
The company said its board members -who include an OpenAI chief scientist, the head of a popular question-and-answer app Quora, and an AI researcher affiliated with Georgetown University - did not have shares in the firm and that their fundamental governance responsibility was to "advance OpenAI's mission and preserve the principles of its Charter".
The company said chief technology officer, Mira Murati, would take over as interim chief, effective immediately, while the board searches for a permanent replacement.
ChatGPT is known for its ability to respond to prompts from users with human-like text, images, and videos.
Hundreds of millions of people have tried it out, and many are now regularly using it to help them do their jobs and study - to consternation in some cases, like teachers facing essays written by the bot and people worried for their jobs.
The company has also faced legal action from writers who say the bot developed its abilities by harvesting their work, in violation of copyright law.
Billionaire Elon Musk, who with Mr Altman was one of the founding co-chairs of OpenAI, has also criticized it for straying from its non-profit roots.
Source- BBC
Quincy Jones, Jennifer Hudson, Chance the Rapper co-owners of historic Chicago theatre
Iconic music producer Quincy Jones and entertainers Jennifer Hudson and Chance the Rapper are now co-owners of the historic Ramova Theatre on Chicago's South Side.
Their ownership was announced Wednesday, according to the Chicago Sun-Times.
The Ramova has been closed for nearly four decades. Developer and co-owner Tyler Nevius bought the property and an adjacent lot from the city in 2017 for $1, the newspaper reported.
Jones, Hudson, and Chance the Rapper, whose real name is Chancelor Bennett, are Chicago natives.
“My mother always taught us to take care of home first, so to support the rehabilitation of this extraordinary theater with such a rich history in Chicago means more to me than one could imagine,” Hudson said.
Bennett says “Chicago will always be part" of who he is.
“I joined the team at Ramova to give back to the city that’s given me so much and to provide a stage to showcase the incredible talent Chicago has to offer," he said.
The Ramova opened in 1929 as a single-screen movie palace. It had shut down by 1985 and was spared demolition. It was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2021.
When it reopens, the renovated theater will feature a 1,500-seat live music venue and beer garden and grill. No opening date has been announced.
New York-based Other Half Brewing also is a partner in the venture.
“With Ramova, I see a future where the rich cultural heritage of Chicago shines even brighter alongside the country’s most talented artists, which will inspire future generations to come and bring glory to America’s Second City," Jones said.
Source- Independent