Unemployment rate

The Japanese cabinet is tussling with the issue of the country’s falling birth rate. The tackle involved a reshuffle in the government by Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida. Kishida appointed Masanobu Ogura, whose method of understanding the issue better is trying out a pregnancy belly. The issue of the declining birth rate is becoming increasingly challenging for the Japanese economy. As a result, Kishida, on Wednesday, announced the appointment of former Bank of Japan official, Masanobu Ogura, reported Bloomberg. Ogura replaced Seiko Noda, a veteran of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP). In an interview with Associated Press, Noda, who is a mother of one, blamed the male-dominated political space in the country for the “ignorance and indifference” shown towards the issue of the declining birth rate. Replacing Noda, Japan’s PM Kishida has now appointed Ogura who will be heading the team responsible for tackling the pressing issue. In a project organised by the youth division of … [Read more...] about Japan’s Male Minister Tries ‘Pregnancy Belly’ to Tackle Tumbling Birth Rate in Country

Increasing the U.K.'s low breastfeeding rates could save the NHS £40 million a year, a leading public health academic has claimed. According to recent figures, Britain has the lowest breastfeeding rates in the world. Amy Brown, a professor at Swansea University, says a growing number of British parents are choosing to feed their newborns with formula milk, despite increased risks of gastroenteritis and respiratory illnesses. Brown, who will address the British Science Festival on the issue on September 9, insists more funding and better support for new mothers is needed if attitudes are to change. Brown said: "Breastfeeding should be normal behavior. However, in this country it sparks high levels of debate in the press and online—much of which can be highly critical of breastfeeding or examples of when a mother has experienced a problem when feeding her child this way. "Despite the promotion that "breast is best," we do not follow it up with actions to support new … [Read more...] about Increasing Britain’s low breastfeeding rates could save NHS £40 a year

Martin Lewis' MoneySavingExpert has advised all homeowners to check their mortgage - as they could save thousands following the latest base rate rise. Last week the Bank of England raised base rate from 1.25% to 1.75% - a rise of 0.5 percentage points. If interest rates are higher, you'll pay more to borrow on products like mortgages . Economists think base rate could reach 3% next year, meaning big rises in mortgage rates. Now the latest MoneySavingExpert email said homeowners should check their deals now to offset rising home loan rates. The email said: " Everyone with a MORTGAGE should check their deal now - some can still save £1,000s." How much your mortgage rate will go up by depends what sort of deal you have. Cost of Living Our Cost of Living team of experts are here to help YOU through a very difficult year. They'll be bringing you the latest money news stories and also providing specialist advice. Whether it's rocketing energy bills, … [Read more...] about Martin Lewis’ MSE issues mortgage warning to every homeowner after interest rate rise

The petrol and diesel prices on Saturday, August 13, remained unchanged by the oil marketing companies (OMCs). The prices for the two major auto fuels have continued to be steady for over two months now, with Maharashtra being the only exception. The state government in Maharashtra had announced to reduce the value added tax (VAT) on the prices of petrol and diesel by Rs 5 and Rs 3 per litre, respectively, on July 15. The VAT cut is likely to put a burden of Rs. 6,000 crore on the Maharashtra government on an annual basis. Earlier, on May 21, finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced a reduction in the excise duty on petrol by Rs 8 per litre and on diesel by Rs 6 per litre. The fuel prices have remained stable since then. For the national capital on August 13, petrol and diesel prices remain the same at Rs 96.72 per litre and Rs 89.62 per litre, each. In Mumbai, the revised petrol rate is Rs 106.31 per litre while the rate of diesel is Rs 94.27 per litre. In Kolkata, petrol … [Read more...] about Petrol, Diesel Prices Announced Today; Check Fuel Rates In Delhi, Mumbai and Other Cities

As per the latest notification issued by fuel retailers, the prices of petrol and diesel remained unchanged across the country on Friday, August 12. The cost of petrol in Delhi stands at Rs 96.72 per litre, while that of diesel is Rs 89.62 a litre. Meanwhile, the petrol price in Mumbai costs Rs 106.31 per litre, while diesel is sold at Rs 94.27 per litre. It may be noted that fuel prices dropped in Maharashtra recently as the state government announced a cut in value-added tax (VAT) on petrol and diesel by Rs 5 a litre and by Rs 3, respectively. The fuel rates have remained the same in the entire country since the Central Government announced a cut in excise duty. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharman, on May 21, announced that the central excise duty on petrol has been cut by Rs 8 per litre and the same on diesel has been dropped by Rs 6 per litre. The government also added that it will lose Rs 1 lakh crore by taking the cut on central excise duties. Meanwhile, on August 12, … [Read more...] about Petrol, Diesel Price Announced Today: Check Latest Fuel Rates in India

The state pension is likely to rise by 10% or so in April 2023 - while millions of Brits see a real-terms wage cut. Benefits including Universal Credit are also likely to rise by around 10% at the same time, the latest forecasts suggest. This is because both rises are based on inflation, and inflation is of course soaring at the moment. It’s not all good news though, by any means. The first big problem is that there’s a long “lag time”, so you’ll only start getting these higher payments in April 2023. The state pension is likely to rise by 10% or so in April 2023 ( Image: Getty) That is despite predictions inflation will hit 13% from October, and fears the energy bills price cap will top £4,200 a year from January. Brits are likely to be paying more than triple what they did last winter for gas and electricity, all before higher pension and benefit rates kick in. Next, the rises could still be lower than this winter’s peak of inflation, which is set to … [Read more...] about What will new State Pension payment rates be – everything we know so far

The cap on interest rates for student loans in England and Wales is being cut to 6.3% from September. It was due to rise to 7.3% after the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) warned students could end up paying up to 12% interest. The interest rate on student loans is currently set at 4.5% and is calculated by adding 3% to the Retail Price Index (RPI). The new lower figure affects students in England and Wales with Plan 2 (undergraduate) and Plan 3 (postgraduate) loans. You’ll be on a Plan 2 repayment plan if you started an undergraduate course anywhere in the UK on or after September 2012. Student loan interest rates will be capped at 6.3% ( Image: Getty Images) The Department for Education (DfE) says its announcement today means graduates and current students will save hundreds of pounds each year. It gives the example of a borrower with a student loan balance of £45,000. The Government claims this person would reduce their accumulating interest by around … [Read more...] about Student loan interest rates capped at 6.3% from September – see how it affects you

The mass brawl that overshadowed Chelsea’s 2-2 draw with Burnley on Monday night was reportedly sparked after several individuals on the away bench called Maurizio Sarri a ’s*** Italian’ several times. Head coach Sarri refused to talk to the media after Chelsea's lacklustre home draw with the Clarets, incensed at being sent off and claiming he was abused by the visiting coaching team. Chelsea defender Antonio Rudiger and Burnley goalkeeping coach Billy Mercer had to be separated by the officials at the final whistle, as a gripping encounter ended in ugly touchline scenes at Stamford Bridge. David Luiz and Ashley Westwood then clashed as the teams left the field, and that after Gonzalo Higuain had thrown a bottle into the dugout in a petulant response to being replaced late on. Burnley and Chelsea clashed on the touchline following the full-time whistle ( Image: Getty Images) And ESPN have claimed that Sarri lost his cool after he was branded a ’s*** Italian' … [Read more...] about The ‘x-rated slur Burnley bench said to Maurizio Sarri’ to spark Chelsea brawl

The United Nations’ World Population Prospects (WPP), 2022 , forecasts India becoming the most populous country by 2023 , surpassing China, with a 140 crore population. This is four times the population India had at the time of Independence in 1947 (34 crore). Now, at the third stage of the demographic transition, and experiencing a slowing growth rate due to constant low mortality and rapidly declining fertility, India has 17.5% of the world’s population. As per the latest WPP, India will reach 150 crore by 2030 and 166 crore by 2050. A sea change In its 75-year journey since Independence, the country has seen a sea change in its demographic structure. In the 1960s, India had a population growth rate of over 2%. At the current rate of growth, this is expected to fall to 1% by 2025. However, there is a long way to go for the country to achieve stability in population. This is expected to be achieved no later than 2064 and is projected to be at 170 crore (as mentioned in WPP … [Read more...] about Moving policy away from population control

Agence France-Presse (The Jakarta Post) PREMIUM Geneva   ● Sat, August 13 2022 The thick layer of ice that has covered a Swiss mountain pass for centuries will have melted away completely within a few weeks, a ski resort said on Thursday. Following a dry winter, the summer heatwaves hitting Europe have been catastrophic for the Alpine glaciers, which have been melting at an accelerated rate. The pass between the Scex Rouge and Tsanfleuron glaciers has been iced over since at least the Roman era. to Read Full Story SUBSCRIBE NOW Starting from IDR 55,500/month Unlimited access to our web and app content e-Post daily digital newspaper No advertisements, no interruptions Privileged access to our events and programs Subscription to our newsletters We accept Register to read 3 premium articles for free Already subscribed? login Or let Google manage your subscription … [Read more...] about Swiss mountain pass ice to melt completely within weeks