Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said the Centre will bear the cost of vaccinating three crore healthcare and frontline workers across the country, while asking states not to buy vaccines directly and make all purchases through the Union government. In his interaction with chief ministers of all states to discuss the pandemic situation and vaccination roll-out in the country, Modi further said it should be ensured that public representatives, a reference to politicians, do not jump queues and take vaccines ahead of other citizens. India is entering a decisive phase of vaccination in the fight against COVID-19, he said, pointing that the world's largest vaccination programme will start from January 16. Public representatives are not part of the three-crore corona warriors and frontline workers to be vaccinated first, Modi said. The PM said the Centre will be the single agency for all vaccine purchases . Sources said HLL Lifecare Limited, a public sector undertaking, will … [Read more...] about PM Says Centre to Bear Cost of Vaccines of Frontline Workers; No Out-of-turn Jabs for Politicians
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Economic recovery starting to falter as cost of living bites, experts warn
Recovery from the pandemic by Scottish businesses is starting to falter, economic experts have warned. Strathclyde University’s Fraser of Allander Institute made the statement on Thursday as it scaled down its forecast for economic growth in 2023, with the cost-of-living crisis taking a toll on both companies and consumers. The think tank said it now expects growth of 0.5% next year, instead of the 1.5% it previously forecast, due to the impact of rising costs and the likelihood that they will persist for longer than first predicted. In its latest quarterly economic commentary report, the institute said consumers are starting to modify their spending behaviour in response to the ongoing crisis, with more than half reporting they are spending less on non-essential items. A further third of consumers said they are now spending less on essential items such as food and fuel, while the cost of properties is seeing a significant increase. Recommended Over … [Read more...] about Economic recovery starting to falter as cost of living bites, experts warn
Vaccines, FTAs help boost Cambodia’s economic recovery: World Bank
PHNOM PENH (Xinhua): High Covid-19 vaccination rates and free trade agreements (FTAs), namely the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) and the Cambodia-China FTA (CCFTA), have been helping boost Cambodia's economic recovery, said a World Bank economic update report released on Thursday (June 30). Cambodia's economy will grow by 4.5 per cent in 2022 and around 6 per cent annually for the medium term, the report said. However, rising global energy and food prices are expected to fuel the country's inflation to 7.2 percent this year, up from 3.5 percent last year. The South-East Asian nation has so far administered Covid-19 vaccines to almost 15.1 million people, or 94.3 per cent of its 16-million population, and China's Sinovac and Sinopharm vaccines have been widely used in the kingdom's immunisation program. Buoyed by its high vaccination coverage, Cambodia has resumed all socio-economic activities and reopened its borders to fully vaccinated travelers without … [Read more...] about Vaccines, FTAs help boost Cambodia’s economic recovery: World Bank
UK royals’ spending up 17%, mostly for palace overhaul costs
LONDON (AP) — The British monarchy's publicly-funded spending rose by 17% to 102.4 million pounds ($124 million) in the past year, with the renovation of Buckingham Palace taking up a large part of the expenses, royal accounts published Thursday showed. The palace’s annual Sovereign Grant report showed that royal spending went up by 14.9 million pounds compared to the previous year. Critics described the spending as excessive amid Britain’s cost-of-living crisis. Property maintenance accounted for a big chunk of the spending — about 64 million pounds — because of a 10-year project to overhaul pipes, wiring and electricals at Buckingham Palace. Costs for official tours also went up, as the royals returned to making overseas visits after the lifting of coronavirus restrictions. The most expensive official royal tour in the past year was the trip taken by Prince William and his wife, Kate, to the Caribbean in March that cost about 226,000 pounds. The trip, meant to boost … [Read more...] about UK royals’ spending up 17%, mostly for palace overhaul costs
Sri Lanka Eyes Trimming Presidential Powers Amid Unrest Over Economic Crisis
Sri Lanka’s government on Thursday proposed amending the constitution to trim presidential powers and beef up anti-corruption powers to help shore up stability and defuse unrest provoked by the country’s worst financial crisis in decades. The South Asian island of 22 million people is close to running out of fuel and has struggled for months to find enough US dollars to pay for essential imports such as food, cooking gas and medicine. President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, who critics blame for the financial crisis for having given key posts to relatives and being slow to seek an IMF bailout, has been under prolonged pressure to step down, though he has said he plans to stay on until his term ends in 2024. Two of his brothers resigned earlier as prime minister and finance minister following weeks of street protests. The proposed amendment, whose draft was published on Thursday, would establish a constitutional council and nine independent commissions to improve governance. The … [Read more...] about Sri Lanka Eyes Trimming Presidential Powers Amid Unrest Over Economic Crisis
Sri Lanka President calls Putin; plans to visit UAE to explore options for fuel imports
Sri Lanka President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has called his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin to explore options of purchasing oil from Moscow, as Colombo desperately looks to replenish its dwindling fuel stocks amid an unprecedented economic crisis, a Minister has said. Mr. Gotabaya will also embark on a tour of the United Arab Emirates in the near future to import fuel from the oil-rich Gulf nation. On Monday, the Sri Lankan Government announced that only essential services will operate from midnight till July 10 and all other operations will be temporarily suspended as the island nation of 22 million faces an acute fuel shortage. “President Gotabaya has called the Russian President to import fuel from Russia. He also plans to go on a tour to UAE to discuss with their leaders to import fuel,” news portal Economy Next quoted Minister of state for power and energy Mahindananda Aluthgamage, and a close ally of the President, as saying during a media briefing on Tuesday. The Sri … [Read more...] about Sri Lanka President calls Putin; plans to visit UAE to explore options for fuel imports
California takes further steps on trying to lure companies away from red states
The proposed state budget , which Gov. Gavin Newsom is expected to sign Thursday, incentivizes companies in Republican-controlled states to relocate jobs to California by giving them priority when it comes to receiving grant money. Starting next year, the Governor's Office of Business and Economic Development — better known as GO-Biz — will consider the political leanings of a company's home state when deciding which businesses to award grants to. Put simply, it creates priority for businesses that are relocating jobs away from red states. That means companies in places like Alabama theoretically stand a better chance of receiving grant money from GO-Biz than companies in places like New York, even if both are attempting to create jobs in California. When considering whether a state meets the new bar for priority, the new budget calls for GO-Biz to consider whether that state's legislature has passed laws that are discriminatory. Specifically, it encourages GO-Biz to examine … [Read more...] about California takes further steps on trying to lure companies away from red states
Soaring inflation sees household incomes fall for record four quarters in a row
Household finances failed to keep up with soaring inflation once again at the start of the year, marking the first time real disposable income has fallen for four quarters in a row since records began, according to official figures. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) said real household disposable income dropped 0.2% between January and March as income growth of 1.5% was outstripped by household inflation of 1.7%. Household finances have now been under pressure for a straight year, with rising prices amid the cost-of-living crisis meaning income after inflation has fallen for a record four consecutive quarters. The latest figures came as the ONS confirmed its earlier estimation that gross domestic product (GDP) – a measure of the size of the economy – rose by 0.8% in the first quarter of the year. Recommended Over £130m handed to housing providers named and shamed by regulator This marked a decline in growth from 1.3% in the previous … [Read more...] about Soaring inflation sees household incomes fall for record four quarters in a row
Newsom signs state budget bills, with gas refunds to 17.5 million California taxpayers
SACRAMENTO — Gov. Gavin Newsom on Thursday signed into law key elements of a new $307.9-billion state budget, a spending plan centered on gas refunds for 17.5 million taxpayers to soften the sting of high fuel prices and the cost of living. The refunds, varying from as little as $200 for individuals up to $1,050 for couples with children, are the hallmark of the state’s effort to return a portion of an anticipated $101.4-billion surplus back to Californians. The governor and lawmakers also invested heavily in K-12 public education, directed billions of dollars to secure enough power to keep the lights on during heat waves and earmarked $47 billion for infrastructure projects over the next three years. “This budget invests in our core values at a pivotal moment, safeguarding women’s right to choose, expanding health care access to all and supporting the most vulnerable among us while shoring up our future with funds to combat the climate crisis, bolster our energy grid, … [Read more...] about Newsom signs state budget bills, with gas refunds to 17.5 million California taxpayers
Remain in Mexico was protecting American workers. Will Biden betray them again? | Opinion
The chaos at our southern border and the crisis of rule of law in the U.S. is about to get even worse, thanks to a Supreme Court ruling handed down on Thursday. The Court ruled by a 5-4 decision that the Biden administration may put an end to the Migrant Protection Protocols, known as the "Remain in Mexico" policy. Remain in Mexico, a Trump-era holdover, addressed the ongoing flood of migrants arriving at our southern border by requiring asylum seekers to either be detained in the U.S. or sent to Mexico to wait for their asylum claims to be reviewed. The Court's ruling will mean even more migrants entering the U.S. by the thousands. Remain in Mexico was one of the only remaining safeguards against the Left's fantasy of open borders. This is not only a national security issue. Our national border protects the economic resources of working-class Americans, including—perhaps especially—descendants of slaves. The economic and employment prospects for all Americans are placed at … [Read more...] about Remain in Mexico was protecting American workers. Will Biden betray them again? | Opinion