BMW's quarterly earnings beat forecasts
Strong sales of sport utility vehicles (SUVs) in Europe and the US helped German carmaker BMW to beat forecasts with its first-quarter results.
Underlying earnings rose more than 20% to €2.52bn ($2.84bn; £1.85bn), beating analysts' forecasts.
Revenues in the January-to-March period rose 14.7% to €20.9bn.
Growth in North America as well as Europe powered results, with the Munich-based firm citing strong demand for luxury SUVs, such as its X5 model.
"We have got off to a good start in 2015," said Norbert Reithofer, the chairman of BMW's board of management.
BMW also reaffirmed its guidance for solid growth this year.
Sales of luxury vehicles and motorcycles will stay strong, the company says, helped by continued demand for new BMW models.
"We are aiming to achieve solid growth in 2015, and hence new record figures for sales volume and profit before tax," said Mr Reithofer.
BMW's Mini unit also saw robust demand in the period: sales of three and five door Minis doubled during the first quarter.
Motorcycle sales reached a new high in the first quarter, and BMW forecasts the unit will continue to grow this year.
However, the carmaker said some markets, including Russia, would present challenging conditions this year.
BMW also expects growth in the Chinese car market to slow this year.
After rising in the morning, shares in BMW finished down 2.25% in Frankfurt.
Source-BBC
Kerry, Saudis to Discuss Yemen Crisis
U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said talks about a "humanitarian pause" in Yemen will be a focal point of his upcoming meetings with Saudi officials.
Kerry said he will discuss the nature of a pause and how it might be implemented when he arrives in Riyadh late Wednesday.
He spoke from Djibouti Wednesday, where he held meetings with President Ismail Omar Guelleh and other officials. Kerry said Somalia and Yemen’s unrest were among the issues they discussed.
Djibouti has played a key role in hosting Americans and other foreigners fleeing from violence in Yemen, where a Saudi-led coalition has been fighting Iran-backed Houthi rebels who have taken control of some parts of the country.
Kerry said there are indications that parties involved in Yemen’s conflict are ready to consider a humanitarian pause.
“In my conversation yesterday with another foreign minister from another country, there was an indication that others, the Houthi, might be willing to engage in a pause,” he said.
Kerry made his remarks during a joint appearance with Djibouti’s Foreign Minister Mahamoud Ali Youssouf.
During the appearance, he also announced the U.S. would provide another $68 million in humanitarian assistance to Yemen. The money will be used to provide food, water, shelter, medical care and other aid.
“Millions of vulnerable people urgently need help,” the secretary said.
The State Department said the money would help humanitarian organizations, which have been hampered by fuel shortages in the country, meet the needs of nearly 16 million people in Yemen affected by the country’s crisis, including about 300,000 who have been internally displaced.
Ahead of Kerry’s arrival in Djibouti, a senior State Department official said more than 500 American citizens evacuated from Yemen have come through Djibouti along with an equal number of family members. The official said the number of foreigners leaving Yemen has been “steady.”
US Approves Ferry Service to Cuba
The Obama administration took another step forward in its efforts to normalize relations with Cuba by restoring commercial ferry services between the former Cold War rivals.
The U.S. Treasury Department Tuesday issued licenses to at least four companies to ferry passengers and cargo along the 150-kilometer (90-mile) route from the southern tip of Florida to Havana. Three of the companies are based in Florida.
In a related story, U.S.-based airliner Jet Blue announced Tuesday it would provide charter flights between New York City and Havana beginning in July.
Ferry service between the U.S. and Cuba was commonplace in the years before the 1959 communist revolution led by Fidel Castro that overthrew the regime of dictator Fulgencio Batista.
U.S. citizens who wish to travel to Cuba can only do so under limited guidelines, including educational and cultural tours.
Washington and Havana have held a number of high-level talks since U.S. President Barack Obama and Cuban President Raul Castro announced last December the two countries were renewing diplomatic ties after more than five decades.
Obama and Castro held face-to-face talks at last month's Summit of the Americas in Panama City, Panama.
Puerto Rico rejects smoking marijuana for medicinal purposes
Smoking marijuana for medicinal purposes will not be allowed in Puerto Rico, but cannabis derivatives could be consumed in other ways, government officials said Tuesday as they provided more details on the governor's weekend executive order on cannabis use.
Justice Secretary Cesar Miranda told The Associated Press that the government would allow patients access to cannabis derivatives that would be inhaled or used orally, such as potions or pills.
"Smoking marijuana is not being contemplated as part of a medical treatment," he said.
Advocates say marijuana helps with conditions like chronic pain, glaucoma, anxiety, and nausea from chemotherapy or drugs to combat HIV.
Gov. Alejandro Garcia Padilla issued an order late Sunday directing the island's health department to authorize the use of some or all controlled substances or derivatives of the cannabis plant for medical use. Health Secretary Ana Rius has three months to submit a report that details how the order will be implemented, the impact it will have and what future steps could be taken.
It is unclear whether Garcia supports smoking pot to treat illnesses. He did not specify in his executive order what type of medical marijuana uses he supports, and his office said he had no plans to comment on the issue.
Rius told reporters Tuesday that smoking marijuana regardless of its purpose would still be considered a crime.
The general use of medical marijuana is legal in 23 U.S. states, and a group of U.S. legislators is seeking to remove federal prohibitions on it. In the Caribbean, Jamaicarecently passed a law that partially decriminalizes the possession of small amounts of pot and paves the way for a legal medical marijuana sector.
Of the 23 states permitting medicinal uses of marijuana, only New York bars people from smoking pot for such purposes, said Amanda Reiman at the New York-based Drug Policy Alliance, which supports marijuana legalization.
"A lot of patients prefer to inhale the cannabis than take it orally," she said in a phone interview. "If they have to take it only through a pill, it can be very difficult to tell what the right dose is ... It's pretty short-sighted to take away that method that most patients rely on to figure out how cannabis affects them."
Some patients might opt for a tea or an edible form of marijuana if they are having trouble sleeping, said Ethan Nadelmann, executive director of the Drug Policy Alliance. Others dealing with spasms from multiple sclerosis or nausea from chemotherapy will likely want an immediate effect, he said.
"Smoking brings on the pain relief in less than a minute," he said. "You want them to take the medication in the form that works best for them."
Puerto Rico's justice secretary said that once the health department's report is finalized, it can go into effect without further approval from the governor.
Rius added that the University of Puerto Rico is collaborating with two U.S. companies to launch a clinical investigation into the use and production of medicinal cannabis. She identified the companies as Chicago-based Quantum 9 and Las Vegas-based GrowBlox Sciences.
Cuba's Castro starts Russian visit
Cuban President Raul Castro has arrived in Moscow and was to hold meetings Wednesday on a visit that will see him participate in the Victory Day military parade May 9.
"He arrived yesterday," the Kremlin's press service told AFP.
The visit is Castro's third to Russia as head of state. He is the first invited leader to arrive ahead of grandiose celebrations marking 70 years since Soviet victory over Nazi Germany in 1945.
Castro will meet Russian leaders including President Vladimir Putin and Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev.
He and Putin last met in July 2014, when Putin went to Cuba on his Latin American tour. This will be their first encounter since the historic rapprochement between the island's leftist leaders and the United States.
In March Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov went to Havana to reinforce Russia's demands for an end to the US blockade.
Castro will meet Medvedev Wednesday to discuss economic ties in spheres of energy, transportation and health, according to the government.
Russia and Cuba were allies during the Soviet era and Raul Castro visited the country dozens of times in his capacity as defence minister. Among those was a visit in 1962, when he agreed to the details of placing Soviet nuclear missiles on the island, which unleashed the Cuban missile crisis.
Source-AFP
CONSULTATION ON PRIMARY HEALTH CARE RENEWAL STRATEGY
The Ministry of Health, Agriculture and Human Services welcomed Consultant Dr. Merceline Dahl-Regis, former Chief Medical Officer (CMO) of the Bahamas, to the Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI) April 30th – May 3rd 2015, to assist in the development of the Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI) National Primary Health Care Renewal Strategy. Strengthening the primary healthcare system is one of the five pillars identified in the 2006 Health Care Renewal Strategy.
Dr. Dahl-Regis, a native of Nassau, Bahamas, received her Bachelors of Science degree in Medicine at the University of the West Indies. In April 1997, she was appointed Chief Medical Officer, in the Ministry of Health, Nassau. In 2009, Dr. Dahl-Regis received the PAHO Award for Administration, which represented her contribution to health care management and research and to medical education in primary health care.
The purpose of Dr. Dahl-Regis’s visit to the TCI, was to guide the process of assessing the current primary healthcare system and assist in the development of a National Primary Health Care Renewal Strategy. Consultation was held with all health sector partners both public and private, to gain a better understanding of what works well within the current primary healthcare system and what changes are necessary to strengthen the system. The three (3) day visit was quite rewarding as it provided a clearer path on the way forward.
Following this consultancy the National Primary Health Care Renewal Strategy document will be developed, which will first be piloted in one of our Primary Health Care clinics, after which it will be fully implemented in all clinics here in the TCI.
Our goal is to strengthen primary health care programmes and services offered in the Turks and Caicos Islands and to encourage residents and visitors to promote health and disease prevention as well as access high quality health care at Primary Health Care clinics.
All Government Primary Health Care clinics offered free blood pressure and blood sugar screening.
MAKING TCI A MORE ATTRACTIVE TOURISM DESTINATION - "STILL MORE TO BE DONE" WARNS GOVERNOR
Speaking to the Hotel and Tourism Association on Tuesday, 5 May, the Governor, Peter Beckingham, cautioned that, despite the excellent tourism figures and recent award from TripAdvisor, there was still a lot of room to make The Turks and Caicos Islands a sustainable top destination in the Caribbean.
"The TripAdvisor award, and the record tourism figures are above all a tribute to everyone engaged in the tourism industry, from resort owners to cleaning staff. But no one should be under any doubt that the demands on us will get ever harder, and the competition tougher. We need to take a careful look" the Governor said "at both our internal procedures, as well as a number of measures which directly affect visitors. I am well aware that your industry is still not happy with all the workings of the work permit system. I hear too many cases of applications taking too long. I am pleased to hear, following a recent meeting with business, that the Ministry of Border Control still plans to improve the process".
The Governor also encouraged the tourism industry and Government to be bold in its decision making about alternative energy. "All the energy experts who visit TCI say that we must start to advance the use of alternative sources of energy. If not they say we will quickly get left behind by other Caribbean countries, not to mention the rest of the world, and be in a position where we price ourselves out of the market compared to countries like Aruba, which are way ahead of us in their use of alternative energy".
Finally the Governor encouraged the tourism industry and the Government to do even more to promote the family islands, and to be more welcoming than we are to visitors. "I am constantly struck" he said "by how seldom visitors get beyond Grace Bay. I can understand that the typical 3-4 day American visitor may not have the urge to travel after arriving in Providenciales. But Grand Turk and the other family islands need to receive a higher profile, and as a result get more visitors than the tiny proportion they receive of stay-over tourists.
I will be interested to see how the Tourism Board proposes to spend its increased budget this year. I also would like to see an even more welcoming approach to visitors at Providenciales airport. They are literally the lifeblood of the prosperity or otherwise of everyone in the Turks and Caicos Islands.
The heads of the public service and government departments, as well as the management of the Airport Authority, need to be constantly asking themselves whether there are ways to make the TCI welcome better than it is. There is still some way to go."
Mental Health Department shares facts about Violence and Mental Illness
In light of recent media coverage which may depict persons with mental illnesses as unpredictable and dangerous, the Department of Mental Health and Substance Dependence (DMHSD) wishes to inform the public that the vast majority of persons with mental illnesses do not pose a threat for violence towards themselves and others.
According to the Director, Dr. Alicia Malcolm, “while studies suggest a link between mental illnesses and violence, the contribution of people with mental illnesses to the overall rates of violence is still very small.”
Major determinants of violence continue to be socio-demographic and economic factors, including age, gender and low socio-economic bracket. Other factors that interact to produce violence also include substance abuse or dependence; a history of violence or physical abuse; and recent stressors such as losing a job, getting divorced, or being a victim of crime.
There is also an increased possibility that someone with a mental illness may be violent if they are not accessing mental health services or complying with treatment. Dr. Malcolm also explained, that for persons experiencing symptoms of a psychotic illnesses such as frightening hallucinations and delusions as well as paranoia, there is a small chance they may become violent when they are scared and misinterpret what is happening around them.
The Department is therefore advising the public that if you encounter a mentally ill person who appears to be aggressive or violent, maintain a calm demeanour and do not overreact, as this may cause the individual’s behaviour to escalate. Also, stay out of arms reach, avoid arguing or getting into a power struggle and call for help.
To family members and caregivers of mentally ill persons, encourage your love one to comply with their treatment regimen and follow-up regularly with their doctor. Also, immediately report any noticeable changes in their behaviour to a mental health professional.
Many persons with even the most serious of mental illnesses can and do recover. They can manage their conditions and go on to lead happy, healthy, productive lives.
As a community, we must embrace persons with mental illnesses for who they are — normal human beings experiencing a difficult time who need your open mind, caring attitude, and helpful support.
Remember, mental illness is not a choice and could happen to anybody.
For more information on caring for someone who is mentally ill or to receive post traumatic counselling, contact the Department of Mental Health and Substance Dependence.
National Health Sector Strategic Plan Consultancy, May 4th – May 8th
The Turks and Caicos Islands welcomes Dr. Ramon Figueroa, Director of the Policy Analysis and Planning Unit, Ministry of Health, Belize and previous Health Systems and Services Advisor, PAHO/WHO, Barbados. Dr. Figueroa who holds a degree in Medicine and Master of Public Health is visiting the TCI 4th – 8th May, 2015 to assess the TCI Health Sector and to facilitate a National Health Sector Strategic Planning workshop with Ministry of Health, Agriculture and Human Services leadership, Governments Departments and Health Sector stakeholders, 5th and 6th of May.
The National Health Sector Strategic Plan will build upon the five pillars established in the 2006 Health Care Renewal Strategy, which are to:
Improve the local delivery of secondary and tertiary care services by construction of two hospitals;
Upgrade the Primary Health Care system;
Develop a Healthy Lifestyles Initiative;
Establish a National Health Insurance Plan (NHIP) as a health financing mechanism; and
Enact health sector regulatory mechanisms including the formation of a Health Regulatory Authority (HRA), which would govern and monitor many aspects of the healthcare delivery process.
The objectives of this consultation are to do the following:
Review and validate the strategic direction of the TCI health sector;
Discuss and analyse the health system structure so as to ensure it meets the defined goals of the TCI health sector;
Review and validate the vision, mission and core values of the TCI health sector;
Review proposed strategic objectives and develop medium term objectives (outcomes), define strategies to achieve these outcomes, and define indicators to monitor and evaluate achievements; and
Ensure the TCI Health Sector Strategic Plan is aligned and poised to achieve Universal Health Coverage overtime.
“The overarching goal is to lay the foundation for the development of a National Health Sector Strategic Plan in partnership with all key stakeholders that will guide the achievement of our vision of a healthier and empowered people at every stage of development in communities conducive to healthy living” stated Wesley Clerveaux, Permanent Secretary Ministry of Health and Human Services. “We encourage all persons in related fields to join us in welcoming Dr Ramon Figueroa.”
Delano Williams helps Team GB to Rio Games in 2016
It was in heat three of the men’s 4x400m relay that we saw former World Junior Champion and Grand Turk son of the soil Delano Williams represent; a part of Team Great Britain in that hot event which ultimately took Great Britain to the finals of the IAAF BTC World Relays Bahamas and made them an automatic qualifier for the Olympic Games in Rio in 2016.
The squad did not medal in that final race of the meet, which culminated the two days of relays but overall Team GB placed sixth in the Men’s 4x400m which gets the group into the Summer Games next year. The Turks and Caicos’ Delano Williams, who is Jamaica trained as a sprint champion and apart of Team Great Britain which is Olympics bound in advance of the races, told the Jamaica Gleaner not to expect to see him in the sprint relays, in fact Delano is now angling for the 400m where there is less GB competition for spots on that particular squad.
In the end, it was the US which pulled out with 61 points after winning the most gold medals at this weekend’s IAAF World Relays staged in Nassau; Jamaica was second with 46 despite a surprising defeat for Usain Bolt and his team in the Men’s 4x100m relay, Great Britain was in eighth place gaining 15 marks while the Bahamas rounded out the top ten with 11 which included two silvers and saw the revival of Golden Girl, Debbie Ferguson-McKenzie in the 4x100m sprint; B Final.
Source-Jamaica Gleaner/Magnetic Media