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THE Pleasantville Taxi Drivers Association (PTDA) is distancing itself from an increase in fares which is scheduled to go into effect next Monday.

Shelley Daniel, secretary of the association, told the Newsday on Wednesday it is “PH” taxis that are implementing this new fare by $1, not the registered “H” drivers.

Daniel said the list in circulation indicating the new fares for straight and off-routes is coming from the Pleasantville United Drivers, which represents private car owners.

For off-routes, the fare will increase by between $2 and $4 one way.

The new fare adjustment would see commuters paying as much as $10 to get to the Accident and Emergency Department, Heart and Chest Clinics at the San Fernando Hospital, Skinner Park, T&TEC, Ruth Avenue and any streets to the south of Pleasantville.

In spite of the increase in fuel prices, she said the PTDA has no intention of raising its fares this year. She said an increase is on the cards, but this will go into effect in the new year.

Before this happens, she said, the association will inform commuters through flyers, news releases and announcements via a bullhorn throughout the community.

During the pandemic, Daniel said, the PTDA did not raise its fares, even thought taxis had to cut the number of passengers on a trip by half.

She said their last fare increase was in 2019.

“We are the legitimate taxi drivers, registered with the Ministry of the Attorney General and Legal Affairs. We were being badgered by the PH taxis, which might outnumber the legitimate taxis, to increase the fares.

“We plan to do so by next January, but they went ahead, and next thing you know we are seeing a list in circulation of fares expected to go into effect next week.

“We just want the community of Pleasantville and environs to know that the taxi association has not raised its fares. Continue to pay the old fares until we advertise the new fares for January.”

Even though “H” cars are outnumbered by the “PH” cars, she said, the association can be contacted by commuters requiring their services and a car will be dispatched to them.

She said she can be contacted at 493 3756

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Senior Minister Stephenson King has urged surveyors to build respect for their profession while lauding them for their contribution to national development.

He said aside from competence and qualifications, surveyors must have a good reputation so that people throughout the country can respect them.

“As being reputable, as being dependable and of course as delivering quality service to your clients,” the Castries North MP told his audience.

However, he explained that to achieve this, the surveyors must recognise that they are not alone.

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“You belong to a fraternity – a fraternity that must be respected must be factored into the overall architecture of national development,” King stated.

King, Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Ports, Transport, Physical Development, and Urban Renewal, spoke on Thursday.

He addressed the opening ceremony of a secretariat for the Institute of Surveyors (St. Lucia Inc. at Desir Avenue, Castries.

The Minister asserted that the development of the surveying profession was not merely about having an office.

In this regard, the former Prime Minister spoke of the need for continuous training and development, seeking affiliation with international bodies and continuing to aspire.

“As you train and become a professional, the world around you is turning and developing and the dynamics of the profession are changing,” King stated.

In addition, he explained that if the “powers that be” do not understand the challenges facing surveyors, then the surveyors are failing in their responsibility to highlight those challenges.

He urged the surveyors to become the eyes and ears of the Minister to enhance the profession by way of legislation and other measures.

And the Minister said he would invite the surveyors to meet him soon to discuss issues they needed addressing.

They included amendments to the Land Survey and the Land Registry Acts.

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door Ivan Cairo PARAMARIBO — Beweringen van directeur Erlan Sleur van milieuorganisatie Probios dat Staatsolie bij haar operaties in Saramacca

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AI Forum, a leading research and information source on Artificial Intelligence, has launched an annual conference focused on several hot-button industry topics, such as the intersection of AI and human rights and how AI is disrupting the global economy.

The all-day event is set for the Grand Cayman Marriott Resort on 28 November and will feature senior and experienced AI industry professionals from top-tier organisations including Google, Meta, IBM, Morgan Stanley and Harvard Medical School.

Attendees will be able to join sessions and take advantage of in-person networking opportunities.

Ian Gilmour, chair of AI Forum’s Advisory Board, said that AI Forum’s first annual conference will provide an opportunity to meet AI thought leaders in the fields of enterprise, financial services, healthcare and education.

“The Cayman Islands will deliver a stunning backdrop for the event. We are delighted to be working closely with Cayman’s public and private sectors as this world-class international financial centre adds artificial intelligence to existing sophisticated capabilities in financial services and technology,” he said.

Andre Ebanks — Minister of Financial Services and Commerce, and Minister of Innovation, Investment and Social Development — will be providing the opening address.

“I am thrilled to support events that showcase the Cayman Islands as a centre of excellence in technology and innovation. AI is emerging as a powerful tool in so many areas of our professional and personal lives, including financial services, healthcare and education, and the Cayman Islands is poised to develop in this area, which presents potentially significant opportunities for young aspiring Caymanians,” the minister said.

“I look forward to meeting the delegates and sharing important updates from the Ministry of Financial Services & Commerce as well as the Ministry of Investment, Innovation and Social Development,” he added.

Focal points of the day include presentations from Aditi Joshi of Google and Utpal Mangla on the power of AI and Edge Computing and why the combination of these two technologies will disrupt multiple industries.

Joshi has conducted privacy reviews for Google products and contributed to the US National Privacy Framework drafted by the White House federal agency NIST, leading a Roundtable on AI Legislation. Mangla is a recognised global leader of IBM’s Telco, Media, Entertainment (TME) Industry.

Other highlights include Dr Terri Horton, a widely recognised thought leader on the future of work speaking on The Workforce of the Future. Dr Horton was included in the Onalytica 2022 Who’s Who in the Future of Work as a key opinion leader and in 2022 was ranked by Thinkers360 as a Top 25 thought leader on the future of work.

Rasmus H?ggkvist, the project leader of AI GEN (the youth arm of AI Forum) will be introducing the global network for youth and students. Through his Tiktok channel “Schoolmentors” he has helped over 10 per cent of Swedish youth in school and aided the Swedish government in education policy.

The conference will also feature reports and discussions on the state of AI in healthcare, education and financial services.

To register for the all-day event and for further information on the speakers and conference agenda visit www.conference.ai-forum.com

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