Sunday, September 8, 2024
78.9 F
Peshawar

Where Information Sparks Brilliance

Home Blog

Exporters can import raw materials duty-free

0
By Usman Yousaf

ISLAMABAD:

The federal government has decided to conditionally allow goods exporters to import raw material, machinery and equipment without paying duties and taxes under the Export Facilitation Scheme.

Exporters will have to obtain approval from the collectorate for the import of raw material, machinery and equipment. They will be able to import machinery and equipment worth up to 50% of the annual export value.

In order to import raw material for export contracts worth more than $1 million, the approval of the chief collector must be taken.

According to a document available with The Express Tribune, the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has introduced amendments to the Customs rules to allow goods exporters to conditionally procure raw material, machinery and equipment under the Export Facilitation Scheme without paying duties and taxes.

In this regard, the FBR has prepared a draft of Customs rules and released it for feedback from stakeholders. All stakeholders can submit their views and objections within 15 days. Later, the amended rules will be implemented through a notification.

The Export Facilitation Scheme had been introduced in 2021. Now, some amendments are being made in the scheme.

Under the amendments, the exporters who have never benefited from an export financing scheme nor have they exported under an export scheme, and if they are going to export goods for the first time under the scheme, they will be allowed to import raw material, machinery and equipment without paying duties and taxes for the manufacturing of export goods.

Like, follow @Newstimeshd on Twitter to stay informed and join in the conversation.

Nick Cannon says ex-wife Mariah Carey doesn’t ‘want me’ back: ‘Moved on from my crazy antics’

0


Nick Cannon may have hoped for a reconciliation with ex-wife Mariah Carey but he has accepted that it is unlikely to happen.

During an August interview with E! News, Cannon, 43, who was married to the 55-year-old singer for eight years, told the outlet he would “absolutely” get back together with Carey. 

“Be stupid if I wouldn’t,” “The Masked Singer” host said. “We belong together.”

However, Cannon acknowledged to People Magazine in a recent interview that his chance to be with the “Fantasy” hitmaker has passed.

“Yeah, she don’t want me,” he said. “She’s moved on from my crazy antics.”

Nick Cannon admitted that ex-wife Mariah Carey doesn’t “want him” though he would “absolutely” get back together with her. (Getty)

Carey and Cannon began dating in early 2008 before tying the knot on her Bahamas estate in April of that year. In April 2011, the pair welcomed twins Moroccan and Monroe but they separated in 2014 and finalized their divorce in 2016.

NICK CANNON BELIEVES GOD TOLD HIM HE WOULD BE ‘FATHER OF MANY,’ CLAIMS HE HAS ‘VISIONS’

Cannon and the five-time Grammy Award winner have stayed on good terms and continue to amicably co-parent Morrocan and Monroe.

Since their divorce, Cannon has become father to 10 more children with five different women.

Mariah Carey and Nick Cannon

The former couple, pictured in 2014, share twins Morrocan and Monroe together. (Kevork Djansezian)

The comedian and model Brittany Bell have three children together: 7-year-old Golden Sagon, 3-year-old Powerful Queen and 6-month-old Rise Messiah. He shares three-year-old twins Zion and Zillion, as well as daughter, Beautiful, 1, with radio personality Abby De La Rosa.

Reality star Bre Tiesi has one child with Cannon, Legendary Love, 2, and model LaNisha Cole also shares a child with him, one-year-old Onyx Ice. 

Cannon’s youngest child is one-year-old Halo Marie, born November 2022, a daughter he shares with model Alyssa Scott. Their child, Zen, passed away at 5 months old in 2021 from brain cancer.

While speaking with People, Cannon said that he has strong co-parenting relationships with all the mothers of his children.

“Yeah, I mean, to their credit, you know what I mean?” he said. “Dealing with me must be madness.”

APP USERS CLICK HERE TO VIEW POST

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTER

“At the end of the day, if you put the kids first and remove ego, you can do anything,” Cannon added.

“The America’s Got Talent” alum went on share details about the “great summer” that he enjoyed with his children.

“We hung out in Malibu, traveled and went to the beach a lot,” Cannon told People. “So I think all the kids really enjoyed themselves.”

Cannon said he’s now preparing his brood to return to school, which has led him to recall “fun” memories from his younger years.

“It reminds me of when I was in school, school shopping for clothes, getting the kids excited,” he said. 

Mariah Carey twins

Morroccan and Monroe turned 13 this April. (Getty Images)

However, Cannon noted that some of his children were reluctant to start school again and leave summer behind.

“I have a 7-year-old in fourth grade,” Cannon said, referring to Golden. “He’s just so smart that even school is boring to him.

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

He continued, “So it’s like getting him re-engaged and excited because he had so much fun during the summer. So, all right, ‘We can still have just as much fun during the school year,’ but it’s kind of just keeping the excitement.”

Meanwhile, Cannon admitted that being a father to teenagers Moroccan and Monroe is “very scary.”

“Teenagers are scary. I feel like I’m still a teenager,” he said. “To see my daughter literally becoming a young woman before my eyes, it is very scary.”





Source link

Illegal migrant arrested, accused of rape after being released by Massachusetts court: ICE

0


A 28-year-old “gotaway” migrant has been arrested and charged with rape after he was previously released by a state court, despite his violent rap sheet.

In a Friday statement from the Boston, Massachusetts, field office, the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) announced the arrest of Jorge Luis Castro-Alvarado. He was arrested in Lynn, Massachusetts, on August 1.

ICE’s Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) Boston branch said that the migrant “unlawfully entered the United States before making his way to Massachusetts and allegedly victimizing a resident here.” The Guatemalan immigrant had entered the U.S. without being inspected, admitted or paroled, ICE says. 

Officials are still determining exactly when and where Castro-Alvarado first entered American soil. In February, ERO Boston lodged an immigration detainer against Castro-Alvarado after he was arrested for assault and battery on a family or household member.

MIGRANTS FORM ‘CONSTELLATION’ OF TENTS OUTSIDE OF MEGA SHELTER IN NEW YORK CITY: REPORT

Jorge Luis Castro-Alvarado, 28, was recently arrested by ICE. (iStock / ICE)

The migrant had later been convicted of the assault and battery charge, and was sentenced to eighteen months in prison. The Lynn District Court later lowered the prison sentence to six months.

According to ICE, the Essex County Superior Court arraigned Castro-Alvarado for two counts of rape and indecent assault and battery on a person over 14 years old in April. In defiance of ICE’s detainer, the court later released the suspect on bail without notifying immigration officials.

NYC SECURES $106M IN FEDERAL FUNDING FOR REIMBURSEMENT OF MIGRANT COSTS AFTER MONTHS OF DELAYS

Essex County Superior Court

Immigration authorities say that Essex County Superior Court released the suspect, despite a detainer on him. (Google Maps)

“The Essex County Superior Court released Castro from custody on bail without notification to ERO Boston despite an active immigration detainer in place,” ICE’s reported. “The court placed several conditions on Castro’s bail, including a GPS electronic monitoring requirement before releasing him back into the community.”

“Castro posed a significant threat to the members of our community,” ERO Boston Field Office Director Todd M. Lyons said in a statement.  “ERO Boston will continue to prioritize public safety by apprehending and removing noncitizen threats to our New England neighborhoods.”

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

Essex County Sheriff's Office

The Essex County Sheriff’s Office had arrested the suspect and charged him with rape and assault. (Google Maps)

Fox News Digital reached out to the Essex County Superior Court for comment, but has not heard back.



Source link

Grandparents’ Day 2024: Heartfelt Wishes, Quotes, Messages, History, Significance, and Celebration Ideas

0


Grandparents’ Day is celebrated annually to honour and appreciate the essential role grandparents play within families. (Image: Shutterstock)

Observed annually on September 8 across various parts of the world, it’s a day to express gratitude for their unwavering love, timeless wisdom, and the many ways they nurture and guide us through life.

Grandparents’ Day is a heartwarming occasion dedicated to celebrating the invaluable contributions grandparents make in our lives. Observed annually on September 8 across various parts of the world, it’s a day to express gratitude for their unwavering love, timeless wisdom, and the many ways they nurture and guide us through life. This special day encourages families to come together and honour the bonds shared with their grandparents, recognising their vital role in shaping future generations.

Grandparents’ Day emphasises the importance of strengthening intergenerational bonds and recognising grandparents as custodians of family history, culture and values. (Image: Shutterstock)

Grandparents’ Day History

Grandparents Day was first officially recognised in the United States in 1978 by President Jimmy Carter, following a proposal from Marian McQuade, a housewife from West Virginia. McQuade aimed to honour the contributions of grandparents and strengthen family connections by emphasising their role in passing down knowledge, wisdom and traditions to younger generations. She also hoped that recognising grandparents would help bridge generational gaps and promote learning from elders.

Grandparents’ Day Significance

Grandparents’ Day is celebrated annually to honour and appreciate the essential role grandparents play within families. The day emphasises the importance of strengthening intergenerational bonds and recognising grandparents as custodians of family history, culture and values. Their wisdom and experience are invaluable in passing down knowledge, fostering connections and preserving traditions across generations.

Grandparents’ Day Wishes

Happy Grandparents’ Day! Your love, wisdom, and guidance have shaped my life in so many ways. Thank you for always being there with open arms and a heart full of love.

Wishing you a wonderful Grandparents’ Day! Your stories, laughter, and endless love mean the world to me. I’m so grateful for all the beautiful moments we’ve shared.

On this special day, we celebrate you and all the wonderful moments we’ve shared. Happy Grandparents Day!

To my incredible grandparents, your love has been a guiding light in my life. Wishing you a day full of happiness and love.

May this Grandparents Day bring you all the joy and love you’ve given to us. You’re simply the best!

Grandparents’ Day Messages

To the most amazing grandparents, thank you for filling my life with laughter, love, and unforgettable memories. Wishing you a day as special as you are to me.

Grandparents are a family’s greatest blessing, and I’m lucky to have the best! Thank you for always being there for me. I hope today is filled with love, smiles, and happiness.

You are the heart of our family and the glue that keeps us all together. Thank you for your endless love, wisdom, and strength. Happy Grandparents’ Day!

Every story, hug, and word of encouragement from you has shaped me into who I am today. I love you more than words can say. Happy Grandparents’ Day!

Grandparents like you are rare and precious. Thank you for all the life lessons, warm hugs, and beautiful memories. I hope you know how loved and appreciated you are today and always.

Grandparents’ Day Quotes

“Grandchildren are the dots that connect the lines from generation to generation.” — Lois Wyse

“Grandparents, like heroes, are as necessary to a child’s growth as vitamins.” – Joyce Allston

“Nobody can do for little children what grandparents do. Grandparents sort of sprinkle stardust over the lives of little children.” – Alex Haley

“The simplest toy, one which even the youngest child can operate, is called a grandparent.”—Sam Levenson

“Grandparents are there to help the child get into mischief they haven’t thought of yet.”—Gene Perret

Grandparents’ Day: How To Celebrate

  1. Spend Quality TimeOne of the best ways to celebrate is by spending meaningful time with your grandparents. Visit them, share stories, play games and enjoy their company.
  2. Handmade GiftsCreate something special, like a handmade card or a photo album filled with memories. These thoughtful, personalised gifts are sure to make them feel loved.
  3. Plan a Fun OutingOrganize an enjoyable day out—whether it’s a walk in the park, a movie, or a visit to their favourite local spot. Doing activities that everyone enjoys will make the day memorable.
  4. Express GratitudeTake a moment to share your appreciation. A heartfelt conversation, letter, or simple words of gratitude can mean the world to them.
  5. Connect DigitallyIf you can’t be there in person, arrange a video call. Spend some quality virtual time with them, updating them on your life and sharing some laughs.



Source link

Megan Thee Stallion dreams of collab with Taylor Swift: ‘We’d be so cute’

0


Megan also dubbed Taylor a ‘Stallion’ due to her height 

Megan Thee Stallion is ready to team up with Taylor Swift.

The Grammy-winning rapper, 29, recently told People magazine that she would love to collaborate with Swift, adding that the pop superstar is a “stallion too” because of her height.

“She’s a tall girl. I love that. We would be so cute next to each other,” Megan gushed.

Known for her powerhouse collaborations with artists like Beyoncé, Cardi B, and Dua Lipa, Megan is no stranger to working alongside other music icons.

However, Swift has caught her attention recently, with Megan joking about their shared stature and expressing admiration for Swift’s energy during the 2023 Video Music Awards.

“Her real name is Tay Tay,” Megan joked during a 2023 VMA interview, referencing how Swift was hyped up during her performance. “I was like, ‘Taylor Swift is so bad, she’s a Hottie!’ I love it.”

Megan has big plans for her career, having already earned three Grammy Awards and hosting duties for the upcoming 2024 VMAs. She has also faced off against the Rap Queen, Nicki Minaj, during a heated exchange of diss tracks earlier this year — and she emerged victorious.

But adding Swift to her impressive list of collaborators is a dream she’s more than ready to make a reality.



Source link

Elton John details drug-fueled night with John Lennon in new documentary

0


Sir Elton John celebrated 30 years of sobriety in 2020

Elton John had some pretty wild nights of drug use with the late John Lennon back in the day — all of which he lays bare in his new documentary, Elton John: Never Too Late.

The 77-year-old music icon revealed during the film’s premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival on Friday that he and Lennon indulged in “mountains of coke” in a New York hotel room during the early hours of the morning, per People magazine.

At one point, the Rocket Man singer became convinced the police were at the door, saying, “Is that the police?” as he nervously checked the peephole. Instead, it was famed artist Andy Warhol, whom Lennon declined to let in due to Warhol’s notorious habit of carrying a Polaroid camera everywhere.

Lennon humorously brushed it off, saying, “Like, no thanks. That was the fun part of cocaine.”

While John can laugh about the incident now, he has previously stated that his “biggest regret” was taking drugs. He celebrated 30 years of sobriety in 2020 and has used his recovery to help others.

Reflecting on his journey, John previously shared, “If I hadn’t finally taken the big step of asking for help 30 years ago, I’d be dead.”



Source link

Ewers ‘on point’ as UT deals U-M 1st loss since ’22

0


ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Top-10 opponents keep bringing out the best in Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers.

On Saturday, Ewers delivered another gem on the road, throwing for 246 yards and three touchdowns, as the Longhorns cruised past No. 10 Michigan in The Big House, 31-12.

Ewers is now the only FBS quarterback in the country since the start of last season to throw three touchdowns without an interception against multiple AP top-10 opponents, according to ESPN Stats & Info; Ewers led Texas to a victory at Alabama last season, as well.

“There’s something about Quinn in his demeanor. He’s a very calm guy. He’s really collected. He never rides the emotional rollercoaster,” Texas coach Steve Sarkisian said. “When you’ve got a quarterback that everybody can believe in, that just fuels confidence and belief that, ‘Hey, let’s go do our part, because the guy that’s holding the ball every play, he’s on point.'”

Ewers came out on point again against the defending national champs, as the third-ranked Longhorns moved the ball at will on a defense boasting multiple projected NFL first-round draft picks.

Behind Ewers, the Longhorns converted seven of their first eight attempts on third down. Ewers nearly converted on the other, but his 24-yard touchdown strike on the opening drive was negated by a holding call.

Following a missed field goal on that first drive, Texas put up points on its next four possessions to take command and a 24-3 lead into halftime.

“I just enjoy big moments,” Ewers said.

With the victory, Texas took a big early step to a return to the playoff after advancing there last year. The Longhorns fell in the Sugar Bowl semifinal to Washington, even though Ewers threw for 318 yards in the 37-31 loss.

“I thought he played really efficiently,” Sarkisian said of the Michigan performance. “He got completions. I didn’t feel like there was a throw that got forced today.”

The 19-point victory was Texas’ largest road win against a top-10 opponent since 1979, when the Longhorns defeated Missouri, 21-0. It also handed the Wolverines their first overall loss since falling to TCU in the 2022 College Football Playoff and first home loss since 2020.

“When we were at Alabama, we were trying to prove, not only to ourselves, but to everybody what type of team we are,” Ewers said. “Coming here and getting the job done. … feels just about the same.”



Source link

Notre Dame suffers stunning upset to Northern Illinois, Huskies record first ever win over top-10 opponent

0


Northern Illinois kicker Kanon Woodill’s 35-yard field goal in the final minute proved to be the difference maker in the Huskies’ matchup with the fifth-ranked Notre Dame Fighting Irish

Notre Dame did try to pull off a last-second comeback, but a 62-yard field goal was no good. Northern Illinois would go on to celebrate an improbable 16-14 victory in South Bend, Indiana.

The upset marked the Huskies first non-conference victory against a ranked opponent since a 19-16 win over the then-21st Alabama Crimson Tide in 2003. It also gave Northern Illinois its first win in program history against a team ranked in the top-10 of the AP Top 25.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

Sep 7, 2024; South Bend, Indiana, USA; Northern Illinois Huskies center Logan Zschernitz (65) prepares to snap the ball in the first quarter against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Notre Dame Stadium. (Matt Cashore-Imagn Images)

Notre Dame, on the heels of an impressive road win over Texas A&M, looked like it was in position to get some separation from Northern Illinois as it clung to a 14-13 lead in the fourth quarter. The Fighting Irish gained possession after a punt with 7:49 left and drove from their 25 to the Northern Illinois 49.

OKLAHOMA STATE HANGS ON IN DOUBLE OVERTIME TO AVOID ARKANSAS UPSET

Fighting Irish quarterback Riley Leonard launched a pass deep up the middle intended for Kris Mitchell, but Amariyun Knighten made the interception and returned it 33 yards to the 50-yard line with 5:55 to play.

Northern Illinois football player makes a tackle

Northern Illinois safety Santana Banner tackles Notre Dame quarterback Riley Leonard during a NCAA college football game between Notre Dame and Northern Illinois at Notre Dame Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024. (Michael Clubb / USA TODAY NETWORK)

Knighten’s interception set up the winning field goal from Woodill, his third of the day.

Notre Dame struck first as quarterback Riley Leonard side-stepped the Huskies defense for an 11-yard touchdown run with 8:28 left in the first quarter.

Northern Illinois coach Thomas Hammock was emotional after the game and said he was “proud” of what his team accomplished on Saturday.

Northern Illinois football players celebrate

Northern Illinois celebrates after wining a NCAA college football game 16-14 against Notre Dame at Notre Dame Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024, in South Bend. (Michael Clubb / USA TODAY NETWORK)

“I’m so proud of our kids, the coaches, everybody,” Hammock said during a postgame television interview as he wiped tears from his eyes. “They believed. They believed and we came in and got it done.”

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

Notre Dame will likely drop considerably in next week’s rankings before they travel to West Lafayette for a game against Purdue on Sept. 14. Meanwhile, Northern Illinois will enjoy a bye week before hosting Buffalo on Sept. 21.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.





Source link

‘Super proud’ Sabalenka downs Pegula to win US Open thriller

0


Belarus’s Aryna Sabalenka kisses the trophy after defeating USA’s Jessica Pegula during their women’s final match on day thirteen of the US Open tennis tournament at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York City, on September 7, 2024. — AFP

NEW YORK: Aryna Sabalenka said she felt “super proud” to win the US Open and claim her third Grand Slam crown with a thrilling victory over a gallant Jessica Pegula in a rollercoaster final on Saturday.

World number two Sabalenka triumphed 7-5, 7-5 to add the New York title to her back-to-back Australian Open victories.

Pegula went down fighting, however, recovering from 0-3 and break point down to lead 5-3 in the second set before Sabalenka came through.

The 26-year-old from Belarus clubbed 40 winners to become the first woman since Angelique Kerber in 2016 to capture both hardcourt majors in the same season.

“I remember all those tough losses in the past here and it’s going to sound easy but never give up on your dream and just keep trying, keep working hard,” said Sabalenka, the runner-up last year and semi-finalist in 2022 and 2023.

“I’m speechless right now. So many times I thought I was so close to get the US Open title. It has always been a dream of mine and finally I got this beautiful trophy.

“I’m just super proud of myself. I’m super proud of my team as well.”

Pegula had arrived in New York with a title in Toronto and runner-up spot to Sabalenka in Cincinnati.

She had won 15 out of 16 matches on the North American summer hard court swing.

“I wish she would have at least let me get one set. We had a tough match in Cincinnati a few weeks ago and she’s one of the best in the world,” said the American.

“She’s super powerful and isn’t going to give you anything. She can take the racquet out of your hand.

“I’m just glad I was able to stay in there and keep taking opportunities.”

Sabalenka made a point of thanking the crowd after taking a thinly-veiled dig at the atmosphere she had faced when she defeated New York-born Emma Navarro in the semi-finals.

“Honestly guys, thank you. I heard a lot of support. You were cheering for me on those good moments but of course I expected you to cheer for Jessica. I wouldn’t be normal if you were to cheer for me,” she said.

‘Incredible two weeks’

“Thank you so much for all this support throughout this incredible two weeks.”

Sabalenka lost the 2023 US Open final to Pegula’s compatriot Coco Gauff and she struggled to settle in during the early stages on Saturday as a flurry of errors handed the home favourite a break for 2-1.

But the powerful Sabalenka levelled immediately and broke again for 4-2.

A capacity crowd of 23,000 included sporting royalty such as Olympic 100m gold medallist Noah Lyles, NBA star Steph Curry and former Formula 1 world champion Lewis Hamilton watched on.

Most were behind Pegula but the 30-year-old was defenceless against the remorseless hitting of the world number two, whose screams echoed beneath the closed roof of the cavernous Arthur Ashe Stadium.

Pegula, who had knocked out world number one Iga Swiatek and then battled from a set and break down to see off Karolina Muchova in the semi-final, clung on.

From 2-5 down, she hit back for 5-5, breaking Sabalenka as the Australian Open champion served for the set.

In a marathon 12th game, however, Pegula saved four set points but not the fifth.

Sabalenka had unleashed 25 winners and committed 23 unforced errors to Pegula’s nine and 11, illustrating a dramatic contrast of styles in the 60-minute opener.

For the second match in succession, Pegula was soon a set and break down again, a double fault allowing Sabalenka to move ahead 3-0.

Incredibly, the 30-year-old stormed back to lead 5-3 before Sabalenka broke in the 10th game as her opponent attempted to level the final.

Sabalenka held her nerve to claim victory when Pegula went long with a weary drive.

“If I can’t take confidence from this, there’s got to be something wrong,” said Pegula on her performance.

“I’m kind of annoyed. I feel I should have done better and stuff like that. But I think that will pass in a little bit.”



Source link

Yellen says U.S. economy remains solid, on path to ‘soft landing’ with no meaningful layoffs

0


U.S. Secretary of the Treasury Janet Yellen speaks listens to a presentation during a tour at the IRS Processing Facility on September 06, 2024 in Austin, Texas. 

Brandon Bell | Getty Images

Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen sought to reassure the public on Saturday that the U.S. economy remains strong, despite a string of weak job reports that have rattled investors and weighed on the stock market.

“We’re seeing less frenzy in terms of hiring and job openings, but we’re not seeing meaningful layoffs,” Yellen said at the Texas Tribune Festival in Austin. “I’m attentive to downside risk now on the employment side, but what I think we’re seeing, and hope we will continue to see, is a good, solid economy.”

Yellen said job growth has slowed compared to the “hiring frenzy” when the U.S. reopened after the Covid-19 pandemic, but the economy is “deep into a recovery” and “basically operating at full employment.”

The treasury secretary’s comments come a day after the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported another month of cooler-than-expected jobs data.

Nonfarm payrolls, a measure of U.S. job creation, increased by 142,000 in August, lower than the Dow Jones forecast of 161,000. The miss renewed worries about a slowing labor market, with the S&P 500 falling Friday to finish out the worst week since March 2023.

The unemployment rate, however, edged lower to 4.2% and job growth in August was higher than July. The stock market sold off steeply early last month, after the weak July report touched off renewed fears of a recession in the U.S.

Yellen on Saturday tried to calm jitters about the state of the economy: “I don’t see red lights flashing.”

The jobs data has raised worries about whether the Federal Reserve can clinch a so-called “soft landing,” raising interest rates to bring inflation under control and then executing cuts before the economy enters a recession. The Fed is widely expected to lower interest rates this month.

Yellen said the U.S. is on that path: “It really has been amazing to be able to get inflation down as meaningfully as we have. This is what most people would call the soft landing,” she said.



Source link

Plan to hit 18-week NHS wait target ‘set to fail’

0


Getty Images Three surgeons in masks and green gowns operate on a patient who is lying down, unseenGetty Images

The government’s plan to tackle the hospital backlog in England will fail without a fundamental reform in how services work, health leaders say.

Labour aims to increase the number of appointments and operations done each week by 40,000, to help hit the 18-week waiting time target.

But NHS Confederation research found that would only deliver about 15% of the extra capacity needed to get back to reaching the target, which has not been hit since 2006.

It called for a wider transformation of hospital care, including greater use of digital technologies to improve productivity.

The warning comes ahead of the release of a government review of NHS performance later this week.

Led by NHS surgeon and independent peer Lord Ara Darzi, the review was ordered by Health Secretary Wes Streeting shortly after the election, to help identify the biggest barriers to improving waiting times.

Sources close to the review said it would be a warts-and-all report, including criticism about the lack of productivity in some areas.

There will also be a warning about the state of children’s health, and how that has deteriorated in the past decade.

Sir Keir Starmer referred to Lord Darzi’s upcoming review in his first major interview this weekend, telling the BBC the NHS had been “broken” by previous Conservative-led governments.

Fundamental changes

The review is likely to pave the way for an expansion of surgical hubs, which are used to carry out low-complexity, high-volume treatments such as hip replacements and cataract surgery.

This week a study by the Health Foundation think tank said in places where they had been introduced, the number of treatments had risen by a fifth.

Existing hospitals will also be asked to do more, with staff paid time-and-a-half to work weekends to ensure 40,000 more appointments and treatments a week can be done, as promised in Labour’s election manifesto.

But the NHS Confederation research, carried out jointly with consultancy Carnall Farrar, said this alone would not be enough to start hitting the 18-week target again.

Currently there are 7.6 million people on the NHS waiting list, with more than 40% having waited over 18 weeks. The target is for 92% to be seen within 18 weeks.

Matthew Taylor, chief executive of the NHS Confederation, which represents managers, said the scale of the challenge facing the government should not be underestimated.

“Forty-thousand more operations and appointments a week won’t be nearly enough to hit the target. The NHS needs reform, not just ever more activity.”

The NHS Confederation called for fundamental changes, including investment in digital technologies and greater use of robotic surgery and AI.

Significant savings could be achieved through carrying out fewer appointments before and after treatment, it said.

Follow-up checks could be done remotely and in some cases scrapped altogether, leaving it to the patient to decide whether they needed to be seen.

The number of assessments and appointments carried out could also be reduced by joining up care better for the 1.2 million people who are waiting for more than one treatment.

The report also said hospitals had to do better at vetting their waiting lists, warning time was being wasted chasing up patients who no longer needed treatment, either because they had already paid for it privately, decided not to have it or, in some cases, had died.

But it said achieving these productivity improvements would require upfront investment in buildings and technology.

The report also called for more to be done to prevent ill health, to reduce the numbers needing treatment.

The Department of Health and Social Care said improving productivity and investing in technology would be part of its plan, alongside expanding the number of appointments and operations.

“Fixing the NHS will be difficult and will take time, but this government will deliver the investment and reforms needed to turn the service around,” its spokesperson added.



Source link