UK defence giant BAE Systems wins £3.95bn submarine contract
Britain's biggest defence firm, BAE Systems, has won a £3.95bn ($4.82bn) contract to build a new generation of submarines as the security pact between the US, UK and Australia moves ahead.
In March, the three countries announced details of the so-called Aukus pact to provide Australia with nuclear-powered attack submarines by the late 2030s.
The pact aims to counter China's ambitions in the Indo-Pacific region.
Beijing has strongly criticised the three countries over the deal.
"We're incredibly proud of our role in the delivery of this vitally important, tri-nation submarine programme," BAE Systems chief executive Charles Woodburn said.
BAE said the funding will pay for development work until 2028, with manufacturing of the vessels expected to start towards the end of this decade.
The first SSN-Aukus submarine is scheduled to be delivered in the late 2030s.
Both the UK and Australia will use the SSN-Aukus submarines, which will be based on a British design.
"This multi-billion-pound investment in the Aukus submarine programme will help deliver the long-term hunter-killer submarine capabilities the UK needs to maintain our strategic advantage and secure our leading place in a contested global order," UK Defence Secretary Grant Shapps said as the Conservative party conference got underway in Manchester.
BAE said the SSN-Aukus will be the biggest, most powerful and most advanced attack submarine ever operated by the Royal Navy and will eventually replace the Astute class, which it builds at its site in Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria.
The agreement will provide decades of work at the Barrow-in-Furness shipyard, where it employs more than 10,000 people.
The company said the deal will also fund significant investment at the site, investment in its supply chain and recruitment of more than 5,000 workers.
BAE employs 39,600 people in the UK and has a global workforce totalling more than 93,000, according to the company's website.
Other major UK defence contractors are also getting a boost from the Aukus deal.
In March, it was confirmed that Rolls-Royce Submarines would provide all the nuclear reactor plants that would power the SSN-Aukus vessels.
In June, Rolls-Royce said it would almost double the size of its Raynesway facility in Derby as a result of the deal. On Sunday, Babcock International, which maintains and supports the UK's submarines, said it had signed a five-year deal with the Ministry of Defence to work on the SSN-Aukus design.
The Aukus security alliance - which was first announced in September 2021 - has repeatedly drawn criticism from China.
However, the three Western countries say the deal is aimed at shoring up stability in the Indo-Pacific.
Source- BBC
PlayStation boss Jim Ryan to retire from Sony next year
PlayStation boss Jim Ryan is to step down in March 2024 after almost 30 years with the company.
He took over as CEO of Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE) in February 2019, having joined Sony a few months before the launch of the PlayStation in 1994.
His departure comes as a shock after the recent success of the PS5, which he has overseen since it launched in 2020.
Mr Ryan said he took the decision to leave over issues he had living in Europe while working in North America.
"I've relished the opportunity to have a job I love in a very special company, working with great people and incredible partners," he said in a statement.
"I will leave having been privileged to work on products that have touched millions of lives across the world; PlayStation will always be part of my life, and I feel more optimistic than ever about the future of SIE."
Sony's chief operating officer Hiroki Totoki will take over as interim CEO following Mr. Ryan's departure.
The PS5 originally had some supply issues when it launched, which led to scalpers buying up the consoles and selling them at double the price.
But those problems have since been resolved, and Sony has gone on to sell 40 million of the consoles worldwide.
"Jim Ryan has been an inspirational leader throughout his entire period with us, but never more so than in overseeing the launch of PlayStation 5 in the midst of the global Covid pandemic," said Sony CEO Kenichiro Yoshida.
"That extraordinary achievement made by the entire SIE team has been steadily built on and PlayStation 5 is on track to become SIE's most successful console yet."
Source- BBC
Tropical Storm Philippe nears the Leeward Islands
Tropical Storm Philippe is on track to pass near the northern Leeward Islands later on Monday with maximum sustained winds of 50 miles per hour (mph) with a tropical storm watch remaining in effect for Antigua and Barbuda.
The Miami-based National Hurricane Centre (NHC) said that the storm is located about 125 miles east-southeast of Barbuda and could bring heavy rains and flooding to portions of the Leeward Islands.
While the tropical storm watch remains in effect for Antigua and Barbuda, the NHC said interests elsewhere in the northern Leeward Islands should monitor the progress of this system that is moving towards the northwest near seven mph.
The NHC said that this motion is expected to continue through early Tuesday and a turn towards the north-northwest is forecast to occur by late Tuesday, followed by a northward motion on Wednesday.
“On the forecast track, the center of Philippe is expected to pass near or just northeast of the northern Leeward Islands later today and tonight,” the NHC said, adding that little change in strength is forecast during the next day or so, but Philippe could begin to intensify more significantly around the middle of the week.
Tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 175 miles primarily east and southeast of the centre and Philippe is forecast to produce four to six inches of rainfall over Antigua and Barbuda and two to four inches over the rest of the Leeward Islands.
“Swells generated by Philippe will affect portions of the Atlantic coasts of the northern Leeward Islands, the Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico through midweek. These swells are likely to cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions,” the NHC warned.
Source- Caribbean Loop News
Incident on Grand Turk during the National Youth Day Celebrations
On behalf of the Ministry of Home Affairs as well as the Honourable representative for Grand Turk North, I hereby join Her Excellency the Governor, the Hon. Premier, and other members of Government in extending my very heartfelt condolences to the family, friends, and community of Grand Turk at large, on the untimely and the unfortunate passing of one of our nation’s youth over the past weekend during the National Youth Day Celebrations on Grand Turk.
The death of this young man has left the community, members of family, friends, and I completely stunned with shock and sadness. Our hearts are in grief for the bereaved families today and in the days to come.
Many families have suffered loss of some kind with this incident. The lives of many young people have been impacted; those who may have witnessed the incident and now are traumatized, those who may have participated and now must face the consequences of their actions, and those families who are wondering with concern, in the wake of this tragic event, about the future of our young people.
My dear fellow Turks and Caicos Islanders, let us not get weary in praying for our young men and women, and in doing all we can to shape a positive path for them, giving guidance and counsel whenever and wherever we can.
Again, let me express my deepest condolences at the death of another of our young men. I join with our nation in praying that our Lord and Savior's love supports and strengthens the young gentleman's entire family and friends. May the good Lord’s peace be with us all and may he comfort those who are left to mourn his passing.
May his soul rest in peace and rise in eternal glory.
Man United secure victory in 'must-win' game against Burnley
It was no surprise to see Bruno Fernandes come up with a clutch moment when Manchester United needed it most.
Few, however, would have expected veteran defender Jonny Evans to provide the assist for the Portuguese midfielder's winning goal at Burnley on Saturday.
Evans himself thought such moments for him in a United shirt were long gone.
“When you get to a certain age you start to wind down your career,” said the 35-year-old center-back, who made his 200th appearance for the club more than eight years since his last start.
The Northern Ireland international, who left United for West Bromwich Albion in 2015, rejoined as a free agent in the offseason.
“It was never a thought that I would come in and be a starter,” he said after the 1-0 win at Turf Moor. “I was told that my role would be to provide competition and that is how I have approached it.”
A spate of injuries saw Evans start at Burnley as Erik ten Hag looked to end a three-match losing run and kickstart his team's faltering season.
Evans was at the heart of United's first clean sheet since the opening day of the campaign and provided a long-range pass for Fernandes to lash home the winner.
“We have problems and at this moment a lot is against us: injuries, decisions and we have all seen the examples,” said Ten Hag. “We are very happy to have a player like Jonny Evans in the squad. He comes in and he is calm, composed, has character, and a good skill set. When you have things against you, you can bounce back when you have the character in the squad to do that.”
It will take more than victory against winless Burnley to prove United has turned a corner, but this was a welcome positive for Ten Hag in a season that has looked in danger of unraveling.
With his team going into the game having lost its last three games in all competitions, the Dutch coach was candid about the importance of the result with pressure mounting.
“It was clear. Of course, we needed that win,” he said. “We had a tough run of games against good opponents. It wasn’t necessary to lose those games. Today was a must-win.”
United had lost three of their opening five games in the league and had just suffered a 4-3 defeat to Bayern Munich in the Champions League on Wednesday. The club was trying to avoid a fourth straight defeat for the first time since 2015.
That run had come under Ten Hag's Dutch compatriot Louis van Gaal, who was fired at the end of that season.
Ten Hag's problems have been compounded by a host of injuries to key players such as Luke Shaw, Mason Mount, and Lisandro Martinez, while he has also had to contend with off-field issues involving Mason Greenwood, Antony, and Jadon Sancho.
“You have to fight and find a turning point,” said the United manager. “It shows the dressing room is together. They fight together.”
The win moved United up the eighth in the standings, but they remain nine points behind leader Manchester City, which beat Nottingham Forest 2-0.
Ten Hag can now look ahead to a sequence of games he would expect his side to win to build confidence and momentum.
United have a run of five home games out of their next six in all competitions before hosting City on Oct. 29.
Source- Loop News
Usher to headline the 2024 Super Bowl halftime show in Las Vegas
Usher has a new confession: The Grammy winner will headline the Apple Music Super Bowl Halftime Show in Las Vegas.
The NFL, Apple Music, and Roc Nation announced Sunday that Usher would lead the halftime festivities from Allegiant Stadium on Feb. 11. The music megastar, who has won eight Grammys, said he’s looking forward to performing on the NFL’s biggest stage.
“It’s an honor of a lifetime to finally check a Super Bowl performance off my bucket list,” Usher said in a statement. “I can’t wait to bring the world a show unlike anything else they’ve seen from me before.”
Usher springboarded into superstardom with “Confessions,” which sold more than 10 million units in the U.S. and earned him eight nominations at the 2005 Grammys, winning him three. He lost album of the year to Ray Charles’ final album “Genius Loves Company,” released two months after the legend died.
“Confessions” ranks among one of the best-selling music projects of all time and launched number-one hits such as “Yeah!” with Ludacris and Lil Jon, “Burn” and “Confessions Part II.” His special edition version included the smooth hit “My Boo,” a duet with Alicia Keys. Next year will mark the 20th anniversary of the epic album.
Usher, 44, is currently headlining his “Usher: My Way” residency in Las Vegas, which has drawn sold-out shows and rave reviews. He's also beginning an eight-night block of performances in Paris on Sunday. Usher is expected to wrap up his Las Vegas residency in early December before he makes his Super Bowl halftime appearance a couple of months later.
The singer has served as a coach on NBC’s “The Voice” and appeared in several films including “Hustlers” and “Light It Up.”
Roc Nation founder Jay-Z called Usher the ultimate “artist and showman.”
“Ever since his debut at the age of 15, he’s been charting his own unique course,” he said of Usher, who released his debut self-titled album in 1994. In total, he’s released eight studio projects that were filled with hits including “U Got It Bad,” “U Remind Me,” “You Make Me Wanna,” “Nice & Slow” and “Love In This Club” with Jeezy.
“Beyond his flawless singing and exceptional choreography, Usher bares his soul,” Jay-Z continued. “His remarkable journey has propelled him to one of the grandest stages in the world. I can’t wait to see the magic.”
Roc Nation and Emmy-winning producer Jesse Collins will serve as co-executive producers of the halftime show. Hamish Hamilton returns as director. It’s the second collaboration between the NFL, Apple Music, and Roc Nation.
Last year, a pregnant Rihanna emerged suspended on a platform above the field for a spectacular halftime show – her first solo event in seven years.
“We are so proud of what we were able to accomplish together with the NFL and Roc Nation last year and now with the insanely talented Usher set to take the stage we’re looking forward to another incredible Halftime Show from one of the world’s all-time greatest performers,” said Oliver Schusser, Apple’s Vice President of Apple Music, Apple TV+, Sports, and Beats.
Usher will join a list of celebrated musicians who have played during Super Bowl halftime shows including Beyoncé, Madonna, Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Coldplay, Kendrick Lamar, Eminem, U2, Lady Gaga, Michael Jackson, and Katy Perry.
“Usher is an icon whose music has left an indelible mark on the cultural landscape throughout his career,” said Seth Dudowsky, NFL Head of Music.
Source- Loop News
Spotify will not ban AI-made music, says boss
The boss of Spotify says he has no plans to completely ban content created by artificial intelligence from the music streaming platform.
Earlier this year the platform pulled a track featuring AI-cloned voices of the performers Drake and The Weeknd.
Daniel Ek told the BBC there were valid uses of the tech in making music - but AI should not be used to impersonate human artists without their consent.
He said using AI in music was likely to be debated for "many, many years".
Mr Ek, who rarely speaks to the media, said that he saw three "buckets" of AI use:
- tools such as auto-tune which improve music, which he believed were acceptable
-tools that mimic artists, which were not
-and a more contentious middle ground where music created by AI was clearly influenced by existing artists but did not directly impersonate them.
"It is going to be tricky," he said when asked about the challenge the industry was facing.
While AI is not banned in all forms on the platform the company does not allow its content to be used to train a machine learning or AI model, the likes of which can then produce music.
Artists are increasingly speaking out against the use of AI in the creative industries.
Last month the Irish musician Hozier said he would consider striking over the threat of AI to his profession.
He told BBC Newsnight that he wasn't sure the tech "meets the definition of art".
Neither Drake nor The Weeknd were aware of cloned versions of their voices being used on the song, Heart on My Sleeve. The track was removed from Spotify and other streaming platforms in April.
Its creator, Ghostwriter, later tried to have the track nominated for a Grammy award but it was turned down.
"You can imagine someone uploading a song, claiming to be Madonna, even if they're not. We've seen pretty much everything in the history of Spotify at this point with people trying to game our system," Mr Ek said.
"We have a very large team that is working on exactly these types of issues."
In May, the Financial Times reported that thousands of tracks had been removed from Spotify after a discovery that bots were being used to artificially inflate their streaming figures.
Mr Ek also discussed the platform's huge investment in podcasts - including those from high-profile figures like Michelle and Barack Obama and the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. Neither has been re-commissioned.
The deal with Harry and Meghan cost a reported $25m (£18m) and saw just 12 episodes delivered over two and a half years. A Spotify executive recently reportedly spoke disparagingly about the pair's work ethic.
"The truth of the matter is some of it has worked, some of it hasn't," said Mr Ek of the firm's decision to "challenge Apple" as the market-leading podcast platform by taking on a lot of new creators.
"Five years ago Spotify was nowhere in podcasting."
Separately, the firm confirmed that Russell Brand's podcast would remain on Spotify unless the material itself was found to have breached its own terms and conditions.
Acast, which owns the podcast, said it had suspended advertising revenue from it as the comedian remains under investigation over allegations of sexual assault.
The reason Sweden-based Daniel Ek was in the UK was to discuss regulation. He said the firm is supportive of the incoming Online Safety Bill, designed to make the Internet safer for children, and the ongoing Digital Markets Bill, which aims to improve competition by closely scrutinizing the tech giants.
Mr Ek has long been a vocal critic of the policies of Apple and Google's app stores, on which Spotify relies. Both companies charge smaller developers a 15% commission on in-app purchases, with this rising to 30% for developers with revenue of more than $1m.
Spotify has also complained that Apple makes it hard for the business to communicate directly with its customers and promote its services elsewhere.
"We are in a situation where literally two companies in the world control how over four billion consumers access the internet," said Mr Ek.
"If you think now on a company like Spotify, where we already pay out almost 70% of our revenues back to the creative community, if we were to take the 30% out of our cut it essentially means we're left with zero, which means we have to close shop."
In April, the European Commission (EC) charged Apple with breaking EU competition rules over this, following a complaint from Spotify in 2020. In February the EC scaled back its objections against Apple although there has yet to be a final ruling.
Apple said it was continuing to work with the EC. It added that the vast majority of European developers make less than $1m in revenue and qualify to pay Apple a 15% commission rate.
Source- BBC
COVID drug linked to virus mutations, scientists say
A drug used to treat COVID-19 could be linked to mutations in the virus, scientists have said.
Molnupiravir works by causing mutations in the virus's genetic information, or genome, many of which kill or harm the virus, reducing the amount of COVID in the body.
Used across the world to treat COVID, it was one of the first antivirals available to doctors during the pandemic.
But researchers who mapped virus mutations across global databases, have found that some COVID mutations linked to patients taking molnupiravir were very different to the usual mutations they saw, meaning it could lead to further infection.
Christopher Ruis, from the Department of Medicine at the University of Cambridge, said molnupiravir "belongs to a class of drugs that can cause the virus to mutate so much that it is fatally weakened".
"But what we've found is that in some patients this process doesn't kill all the viruses, and some mutated viruses can spread," he said.
"This is important to take into account when assessing the overall benefits and risks of molnupiravir and similar drugs."
The study, by researchers at the Francis Crick Institute, the University of Cambridge, Imperial College London, the University of Liverpool, the University of Cape Town, and the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), also found the mutations were more likely in older age groups consistent with the use of the antivirals to treat people who are more at risk.
Almost a third (30%) of the events in England involved the use of molnupiravir, treatment data showed.
Theo Sanderson, lead author and postdoctoral researcher at the Francis Crick Institute, said: "Our evidence shows that a specific antiviral drug, molnupiravir, also results in new mutations increasing the genetic diversity in the surviving viral population.
"The possibility of persistent antiviral-induced mutations needs to be taken into account for the development of new drugs which work in a similar way."
Source- Sky News
Popular DJ dies in boating incident
A boating incident is being investigated by officers of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force.
According to police reports, around 4.58 pm, yesterday (September 24), there was a two-boat collision in the Leeward Channel.
Two male occupants were thrown into the water on impact.
A two-hour search was conducted, and the body of Michael Taylor was recovered.
The other male occupant of the boat is currently receiving medical care.
Members of the public who witnessed the collision or the sequence of events leading up to it - including any footage recorded on mobile devices- have been asked to contact the nearest police station to assist investigators in establishing the facts.
The RT&CIPF has expressed condolences to the family and friends of Taylor.
Meanwhile, Prime DJs Turks and Caicos confirmed via their Facebook page news about the passing of Michael Taylor II (DJ Kryptonite).
It stated DJ Kryptonite, their co-founder and loving family member, died tragically yesterday (September 24) in a boating accident on Providenciales.
Prime DJ TCI said Michael lived an extraordinary life filled with adventure, laughter, love, and great music.
“We ask that you keep our Prime Time family in your prayers, praying that the Lord gives us strength and power to carry on.”
Condolences have been pouring in since the news of his passing.
Source- Caribbean Loop News
Cabinet minister, Obie Wilchcombe, has died
Bahamians are mourning the sudden passing of Cabinet Minister Obediah Wilchcombe. He was 65 years old.
Mourners have gathered at the Rand Memorial Hospital in Grand Bahama upon learning of his death.
The Office of the Prime Minister today announced the passing of Wilchcombe, who served as Minister of Social Services, Information and Broadcasting, and Leader of Government Business in the House of Assembly.
A statement said Minister Wilchombe dedicated his life to public service and made significant contributions to the nation.
Prime Minister Philip Edward Davis is in Grand Bahama to pay his respects and offer condolences to the family.
Meanwhile, former Prime Minister and Member of Parliament for Killarney, Dr Hubert Minnis, has extended condolences to the family, friends, and loved ones of Obediah Wilchcombe.
He says Wilchcombe served The Bahamas with unwavering dedication and passion.
Minnis says the passing of Minister Wilchcombe is a profound loss to the nation and his invaluable contributions to the betterment of The Bahamas will forever be remembered and appreciated.
It was noted that Wilchcombe as a devoted public servant, worked tirelessly to enhance the lives of citizens, first in the area of broadcast and journalism, and secondly as a Member of Parliament and as a Cabinet Minister, leaving an indelible mark on this country's history.
During his tenure in government, serving most recently as Leader of Government Business in the House of Assembly, Minister Wilchcombe exhibited exemplary leadership and a deep commitment to the well-being of the people.
Source- Caribbean Loop News