Caribbean News

WestJet to stop international flights; 16 Caribbean countries impacted

Published

4 years ago

March 17, 2020

#Caribbean – March 17, 2020 — At least 16 Caribbean countries will be adversely impacted by the decision of Calgary-based airline, WestJet, which has announced a freeze on international flights as of March 23.

In a media statement, WestJet president and CEO Ed Sims said: “WestJetters are known for our level of care and this situation is no different. While this is a difficult time, we now have the responsibility as a Canadian airline to bring our citizens home.”

Additionally, it was reported that, WestJet will be lowering ticket prices for any remaining seats into Canada for those trying to return. The airline’s domestic flight schedule is also being reduced by 50 per cent for the next 30 days.

Canadian Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, on Monday summoned Canadians home and today, Ontario has declared a state of emergency after 32 new cases of COVID-19 were recorded for the province on Monday.

At least 150 countries have recorded cases of the dreaded disease which has sickened over 180,000 people. More concerning is the COVID-19 death toll has soared past 7,100 people in its three-month existence.

In the Turks and Caicos, the loss of WestJet will be significant as Canadians account for around 8.5 percent of long stay visitors to the country. In 2018, nearly 38,000 Canadians travelled to the Turks and Caicos; that was up four percent according to the TCI Tourist Board.

West Jet flies into Turks and Caicos four times per week; Sundays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays.

WestJet flight handlers at the Providenciales International Airport, PLS say changes will actually be felt sooner than next week, by March 19 and it is anticipated that the airline will terminate service to the PLS this weekend.

WestJet flies to Antigua & Barbuda, Aruba, The Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bermuda, Cayman, Cuba, Curcao, Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Puerto Rico, St. Lucia, Sint Maarten, Trinidad and Tobago and Turks and Caicos.

Related Topics:#canadiantravel #caribbeantourism #coronavirus #covid19 #edsims #magneticmedianews #westjet

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Paid internship opportunity in Energy Data Collection, Application DEADLINE is April 19

Published

5 hours ago

April 19, 2024

Deandrea Hamilton

April 19, 2024 – The Caribbean Center for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (CCREEE) in cooperation with the Energy and Utilities Department (EUD), Ministry of Public Safety and Utilities (MPSU), is looking for a motivated intern to work in close collaboration with regional and national institutions to survey and collect energy-related data that will be used to create the Energy Report Cards (ERCs) for the Turks and Caicos Islands. A stipend for the intern will be provided by CCREEE.

The intern will be based at the EUD/MPSU. The internship program will provide students and/or young professionals with a unique opportunity to work with the energy sector institutions and stakeholders in TCI, gain practical experience in the energy sector, and contribute to the knowledge management functions of the Regional Energy Information System within the CARICOM Energy Knowledge Hub (CEKH).

SCOPE OF WORK

The CCREEE in collaboration with the EUD/MPSU will collect specified data and information that will be used to develop the TCI Energy Report Cards which will be made accessible through the CARICOM Energy Knowledge Hub (CEKH). The hub may be accessed by registering at https://cekh.ccreee.org. The Energy Report Cards will also offer important support to the CCREEE work program, including support for energy planning and the development of sustainable energy projects.

DESIRED PROFILE

Bachelor’s degree or on course for completion of one by December 2024.
Interest in the energy sector and willingness to learn about the socio-economic, technical and environmental aspects of the energy landscape; studies in sustainable energy, environmental sciences or related fields are an asset but not a National or resident of one of the relevant countries.
Proficiency in English.

INTERNSHIP TIMEFRAME

The internship will run for a period of eight (8) weeks from May 27 to July 19, 2024.

APPLICATION

The intern applicant should send their application (motivation letter and CV) on or before April 19, 2024 to recruitment@ccreee.org and copy eud@gov.tc.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Caribbean News

Earth Day 2024: Planet vs Plastics – A Call to Action for Reducing Plastic Waste

Published

24 hours ago

April 18, 2024

Shanieka

As Earth Day approaches on April 22nd, the DECR is rallying the community to join the global movement towards reducing plastic waste and safeguarding our planet’s future.

Plastic pollution remains one of the most pressing environmental challenges of our time, threatening the health of our oceans, wildlife, and ecosystems. With an estimated 8 million tons of plastic entering our oceans every year, the need for action has never been more urgent.

This Earth Day, the DECR urges you to take meaningful steps towards reducing plastic consumption and waste. From single-use plastics like straws and bags to microplastics that infiltrate our ocean and food chain, every piece of plastic avoided makes a difference.

By embracing reusable alternatives, recycling responsibly, and advocating for policies that prioritize sustainability, we can all play a role in mitigating the plastic crisis. Together, we can create a cleaner, healthier planet for future generations.

Join us this Earth Day in committing to reduce plastic waste and protect our precious environment. Together, we can make a difference.

Tune into the DECR’s social media by following us on Instagram @DECR_TCI or on Facebook at DECR Environmental Education & Outreach Group.

Caribbean News

Senior Teacher Endorses Robot to Assist in Educating Infant and Primary School Students

Published

1 day ago

April 18, 2024

Shanieka

KINGSTON, April 17 (JIS):

Senior Teacher at Alpha Infant School, Sabrina Raymond-Hunter, has endorsed the ‘ICHEETAH’ robot, a smart educational AI-powered tool that will advance the way young children learn and interact with technology.

The robot, developed by CHEETAH Toys and More, LLC, is designed to engage and educate children at the infant and early-primary levels of education in a fun and interactive manner, supporting their cognitive development and preparing them for future academic success.

Speaking at a Jamaica Information Service (JIS) Think Tank on April 16, Mrs. Raymond-Hunter recognised the potential of this cutting-edge technology and its ability to enhance the learning experience for young children.

“I am really excited about this product. I was able to get this into my classroom of 23 students and they are super excited about this. We have had it for three weeks and this is a game changer,” she said.

The Senior Teacher, who also serves as the school’s Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Designate, added that the students’ learning has been enhanced since incorporating the technology into her teaching.

“It has enhanced it a lot because you know the boys, especially, once they are happy and find something that is fun, they will want to do it. My boys started off a little bit rocky, but since they got this robot, they are spelling, identifying words and reading,” she noted.

Having yielded positive results from utilising the technology, Mrs. Raymond-Hunter is encouraging other schools who are not yet on board to do so.

“I’m encouraging all the other schools to get on board, and if for any reason you need a demonstration, come to Alpha. I’ll show you exactly how we use it to get our students on board and on level with everyone else. Learning should be fun, and with iCHEETAH it definitely is,” she shared.

The robot is outfitted with several interactive features, including voice recognition, games, and educational content, making learning engaging and exciting for young learners.

CONTACT: SHERIKA HALL