STRONG MEDIUM TERM OUTLOOK BENEFITS INVESTMENT IN TURKS AND CAICOS
Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI) and UK Ministers have formally agreed their annual Fiscal Strategy and Policy Statement (FSPS) which shapes the forthcoming budget negotiations in the British Overseas Territory it was announced today, Tuesday, 26 January 2015.
The FSPS outlines the key policy objectives for the TCI elected government for the financial year 2015/16, within the agreed framework of efficient economic planning, affordability and use of public monies between the TCI and the UK
The detailed budget, which will support the implementation of the Progressive National Party’s policies, is now being prepared and will be presented soon to the TCI House of Assembly by Finance Minister, Washington Misick.
“Our agreement that unspent funds in the development fund account in this financial year can be rolled over into 2015/16, if committed to before the end of March 2015, is a major successes of our negotiations with UK Ministers, and will mean that public investment in capital projects to be undertaken in 2015/16 will be increased,” said Washington Misick.
“We are able to do this because of this country’s prudent economic path. Since we were elected in 2012, the TCI has experienced above average Caribbean growth, and improved government revenues. This agreement will ensure that rollover approximately $6m to support our policy commitments, rather than otherwise reallocating these monies to debt reduction.
“However, our anticipated revenues for 2015/16 mean that we will see increased but controlled public spending and continued planned debt reduction too. Reducing the amount of interest that this government pays is a key priority. It is only from this solid base that we can look to increase our revenues, improve our statutory bodies and work better with the private sector.”
A key policy highlighted in the FSPS was the implementation of the proposed pay and grading review, to address pay anomalies in the public service, and assist in the recruitment and retention of critical front line staff.
The FSPS also outlines the government’s intention to remove or reduce some taxes, such as Freight and Insurance and Business Licences fees to facilitate new business start-ups, by lowering barriers to Business entry into the market.
Other policy priorities for the TCI Government in 2015/16 are:
Environmental protection
Environmental cleanliness
Strengthening of Local Governance in the family islands to improve efficiency and effectiveness of service delivery
Marketing and promotion of the family islands as tourist destinations
Cultural and heritage celebration
Youth development
Government information service
Tertiary education – scholarship allocation, increased funding for TCI Community College and Civil Servants training
Monitoring of the existing PPP with Inter-Health Canada to improve value for money
The approval of the FSPS allows the formal preparation of the 2015/16 budget, which will complete its passage through the House of Assembly within the constitutionally mandated timeframe ending 31 March 2015.
Why Joe Biden Thanked the Caribbean
United States Vice President Joe Biden thanked the Caribbean this week for its “encouragement” to the US on shifting its longstanding policy on Cuba.
Biden thanked the region for urging the US to “make the change” in its Cuba policy, a move made official by US President Barack Obama in December.
The Vice President made the remark during this week’s Caribbean Energy Security Summit in Washington.
CARICOM has long been advocating an end to the economic and trade embargo on Cuba, along with urging an end to the isolation of Cuba from hemispheric councils.
CARICOM has made the call at many regional summits in recent years, although it’s not yet clear whether Cuba’s opening to the US will help or hurt the region’s economies, particularly the tourism sector.
Source-CaribJournal
Snow shuts down New York and Boston
New York City, Boston and other areas in the north-eastern US have shut down, with forecasters warning residents to expect "crippling" amounts of snow.
Winter Storm Juno was expected to dump up to 60cm (24in) of snow near New York City, and in Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts and New Hampshire.
Meteorologists downgraded their initial forecasts, lifting blizzard warnings in New York City and New Jersey.
Some 60 million people may be affected by the shutdown.
Driving bans for all but emergency vehicles are in place in New York and Boston, with subway systems suspended.
An emergency has been declared in the states of New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts and New Hampshire.
Meteorologists initially predicted up to 90cm (36in) of snow, but later revised their forecasts.
Parts of eastern Pennsylvania and New Jersey have been spared extreme snow, and at least one winter storm warning in New Jersey has been cancelled.
However, the National Weather Service (NWS) warned that the storm could still bring "crippling snowfall amounts and life-threatening blizzard conditions to much of the north-east".
In other developments:
6,500 flights in and out of airports along the East Coast have been cancelled
Businesses and schools closed early on Monday
Schools are not expected to reopen before Wednesday at the earliest
Boston is expected to bear the brunt of the storm
The NWS had previously warned that a "potentially historic blizzard" was approaching the north-east.
However, the blizzard appeared less severe than expected on Tuesday morning, with snowfall levels ranging from 2.5cm (1in) in Washington DC to 38cm (15in) at New York State's Islip airport at 03:00 local time (08:00 GMT).
Meteorologists expect the snow and strong winds to continue throughout Tuesday, before weakening overnight.
Japan gives Dominican Republic 129 hybrid cars worth US$5.0M
President Danilo Medina headed the ceremony Friday to receive 129 hybrid vehicles donated by the Government of Japan, to be used by some 20 agencies.
Japan Ambassador Takashi Fuchigami delivered the Toyota cars in three versions, worth a total of around US$5.0 million.
The vehicles received at the front of the National Palace will be used by the ministries of the Economy, Public Health, Agriculture, Tourism and the Environment, among other agencies.
Japan’s envoy said the donation is the first activity to mark the Year of Friendship Japan-Sica (Central American Integration System) and lauded the 80 years of Japan-Dominican Republic ties.
Source-Dominican Today
Narine out of World Cup
Offspinner Sunil Narine will not be playing for the West Indies team for next month's International Cricket Council Cricket World Cup, according to a tweet from former West Indies Players' Association president, Dinanath Ramnarine.
The social media note, which went viral yesterday, sees Ramnarine, a usually reliable source on West Indies cricket matters, claiming that Narine's withdrawal is based on the Trinidadian's desire to continue to work on his bowling action.
"Okay guys, it's Sunil Narine. He will be out of the WC 2015. I wish Sunil all d best as he continues to work very hard on his bowling issues," said Ramnarine.
"For the record Sunil has not been reported!!," he explained.
Narine, widely regarded as one of the best spinners in the world, was banned at the domestic club level in the Champions League Twenty20 Tournament in India for a suspect action last September.
He was subsequently withdrawn from the West Indies team for their tour of India later that month.
Narine last featured for the West Indies in a Twenty20 International series against Bangladesh in the Caribbean in August.
However, with the India tour on the horizon starting in September, Narine opted to stay away from international cricket, preferring to continue work on his bowling action.
News about Narine then resurfaced earlier this month when he was named in the West Indies' 15-man squad for the World Cup, which will be held jointly by Australia and New Zealand.
The 26-year-old then took part in the just-concluded West Indies Cricket Board NAGICO Insurance Super50 tournament in Trinidad, where he emerged as the leading wicket-taker.
He was also very instrumental in Trinidad and Tobago Red Force claiming the title, picking up six wickets for nine runs from eight overs in the final against Guyana Jaguars.
In 52 one-day international appearances, Narine has taken 73 wickets at an average of 26.49 runs.
Source-Jamaica Gleaner
BMW names former Audi executive as Mini boss
BMW named former Audi executive Sebastian Mackensen as head of its Mini brand.
Mackensen, 43, will succeed John Goller, who has headed Mini since 2013, BMW said in a statement. Goller, 48, will move to China to take over responsibility for sales and marketing at the BMW Brilliance joint venture. Goller was previously BMW China's marketing boss before returning to Europe.
BMW is seeking ways to boost Mini's long-term profitability. The automaker is expected to discontinue three slow-selling Mini vehicles -- the Coupe, Roadster and Paceman – so it can concentrate on the three- and five-door versions of its core hatchback, the Countryman crossover and the Clubman station wagon.
BMW expects the Mini brand to achieve record sales this year after a flat 2014 due to model changeovers. Mini's global sales rose 1 percent to 302,183 last year, BMW reported Jan. 12.
In other changes, BMW said:
• Peter van Binsbergen, 47, will become senior vice-president for sales and marketing of BMW Group Germany. He is currently head of sales and marketing at the BMW Brilliance in China.
• Bernard Kuhnt, 47, will head BMW Group's importer markets, making him responsible for BMW sales in more than 80 countries. Kuhnt was previously in charge of Jaguar Land Rover's European sales.
• Uwe Dreher, 40, will become head of marketing for the BMW brand and the BMW i and BMW M subbrands. Dreger is currently in charge of BMW marketing in the UK.
Contributor-Paul McVeigh
Source-Automotive News
Big Games happening in the PABA in Provo
It was another eventful weekend in the Provo Amateur Basketball Association league, as the playoff hunt continues.
On Friday night, the Knights defeated the Steelers 50-45 in a keenly contested game. An-dujar Gardiner scored 19 pts & had 6 rebounds. Also in the center was Elvis 'Big Country' Smith with 9 points & 8 rebounds for the Knights.
Wesley Cherry scored 9 pts and grabbed 8 Rebs for the Steelers. In game 2, the Kings routed the Sonics 72-52. Darly Francois came up big for the Sonics with 21 pts & 4 rebounds; he was supported by Jose De Santos with 9 pts, 10 Rebs & 3 steals.
Lofton Seymour did major damage for the Kings with 23 pts & 3 steals.
The scoring was evenly distributed for the Kings with Jerome Parker's 10 pts & 9 rebounds, Dwayne Hamilton's 10 pts & 4 Rebounds, and Ralph Mckinnon's 10 pts, 9 Rebs, 2 assists, & 3 steals.
Saturday night match up featured the undefeated Police Badgers vs the Shottas. Police fought valiantly and eventually arrested the Shottas 60 handcuffs to their 56 points. Saundro Jermain shot 21 pts, 11 Rebs and his supporting cast of Raymeeko Smith's 24 pts, 6 rebounds and Duran Dean's 12 pts and 6 rebounds helped the Badgers secure their win.
Sugar Ray Smith was the high point man for the Shottas with 19 pts, 6 rebounds off the boards, while S. Walkin scored 11 pts, catching 5 rebounds.
In Game 2, the Hustlerz defeated the Kings 79-75. President of the PABA told our sports desk that the Kings have been viewed as the most improved team by him, which features mainly high school players.
Lofton Seymour came up big once again for the Kings with 17 pts, 3 rebounds & 5 stls, and supported by Dwayne Hamilton with 17 pts and 6 rebounds.
Scoring for the Hustlerz came from Wesley Methodist center Abdul Dori-me-us 9 pts & 14 rebounds while Tori Jackson's 14 pts, 2 Rebs & 2 stls, Davanio Quant's 16 pts, 7 Rebs, 2 assists, 2 steals and Captain Kirk Adams rolled out 21 pts, collected 10 rebounds and nabbed3 steals.
Games will continue on Wednesday night with two other exciting games, North Caicos Spartans will take on the Knights and Coca Cola classics will try to quench their thirst over the Steelers.
Nadal, Sharapova survive second round
An agitated Roger Federer spat out the question that Rafael Nadal and Maria Sharapova easily could have asked the players who pushed them to the limits in the second round of the Australian Open.
"Do you have to be that close?" Federer snapped at a TV cameraman hovering nearby as he received medical advice after losing a set yesterday.
For Nadal and Sharapova, the nuisance was coming from the lowly ranked qualifiers across the net.
Nadal was taken to five agonising sets by No. 112-ranked Tim Smyczek, who even did him a sporting favour in the last game of a four-hour, 12-minute night match. Sharapova needed to save two match points before prevailing 6-1, 4-6, 7-5 over fellow Russian Alexandra Panova, ranked No. 150.
After his 6-2, 3-6, 6-7 (2), 6-3, 7-5 win, Nadal dropped to his knees on the court, clasping his hands in a prayer-like pose.
Smyczek was competing shot for shot, belying his experience of just eight Grand Slam tournaments and no previous wins against a top 10 opponent. He twice led by a set. But Nadal, who at times was doubled over in pain and resting his hands and head on his racket, hung on until he broke Smyczek's serve in the 11th game of the fifth set.
When a spectator screamed out as Nadal tossed the ball for his serve at 30-0 in the last game, Smyczek insisted the Spaniard replay the serve - a gesture later acknowledged with high praise. Nadal won the replayed point, earning triple match point. Smyczek saved those three, but couldn't break after taking the game to deuce.
Federer was troubled by a sore right pinkie finger, an injury he couldn't diagnose or explain, but rallied to beat Simone Bolelli 3-6, 6-3, 6-2, 6-2 to advance to the third round.
Source-AP
Andy Murray wrong to split with Ivan Lendl says Goran Ivanisevic
Andy Murray made a mistake splitting from coach Ivan Lendl, former Wimbledon champion Goran Ivanisevic says.
Murray takes on Portugal's Joao Sousa in the Australian Open third round at approximately 04:00 GMT on Friday.
The Briton is now coached by Amelie Mauresmo after ending his partnership with Lendl in March last year.
"Last year was up and down for him, he changed the coaches. For me that's maybe his biggest mistake, letting Ivan go," Ivanisevic told BBC Sport.
"Because it was a perfect match. They did everything well together.
"They won two Grand Slams, he played the best tennis under Ivan, they were similar tennis players."
Murray, 27, won the US Open, Wimbledon and Olympic gold under Lendl, but they went their separate ways after a little over two years together when the Czech-born American could not commit to enough weeks on tour.
Murray began working with Mauresmo in June and and picked up three ATP titles at the end of a season in which he returned from back surgery.
The Scot has not reached a Grand Slam final since beating Novak Djokovic at Wimbledon two years ago, although Murray is optimistic he is now back to his best.
Ivanisevic, who coaches US Open champion Marin Cilic, believes Murray will add to his two major titles.
"Andy is a great tennis player, a great competitor, he's going to be back and he's going to win more Grand Slams. If not this year, next year," said the Croat, who won Wimbledon in 2001.
"He can easily win a Grand Slam this year. What he played last year was way off the standard of Andy Murray.
"There was some brilliance but overall it was medium."
Murray has made a solid start to his Australian Open campaign with straight-sets wins over India's Yuki Bhambri and Australian Marinko Matosevic, and he holds a 3-0 record against Sousa.
"He fights hard, he has a great attitude," Murray said. "He doesn't have one massive weapon, but he definitely gets the most out of his game. He's physically in very good shape. He lasts the long matches well. He'll make it tough for me."
Sousa is ranked 55 in the world and believes he will pose a much greater threat than in 2013 when Murray beat him 6-2 6-2 6-4 in the Australian Open second round.
"I've got a lot of experience, I think I'm another player now," the 25-year-old from Guimaraes said.
"I think the major difference is that I have more experience of the circuit. The other time I played him here it was my first time in a big stadium against a great player.
"Now I have played a lot of times with great players. For sure, that counts."
Source-
Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah dies
Saudi King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz has died in hospital, state TV says.
The announcement, made early on Friday, said his brother, Salman, had become king.
Before the announcement, Saudi television cut to Koranic verses, which often signifies the death of a senior royal.
King Abdullah, who was said to be aged about 90, had been in hospital for several weeks suffering from a lung infection.
Abdullah came to the throne in 2005 but had suffered frequent bouts of ill health in recent years.
King Salman, 79, had recently taken on the ailing monarch's responsibilities.
The late king's half brother Moqren has been named the new crown prince, the official statement said.
King Salman called on the royal family's Allegiance Council to recognise Moqren as his crown prince and heir.
"His Highness Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and all members of the family and the nation mourn the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz, who passed away at exactly 1am this morning," the statement said.
Source-BBC