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.
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Daily strawberry consumption can significantly reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases, as per a new study emphasising on the health benefits of this popular fruit.
Strawberries are not only popular for their taste but also play a prominent role in promoting heart health. They are also known as America’s favourite fruit, reported an international magazine.
At Nutrition 2024, the annual meeting of the American Society for Nutrition, a new study focusing on cardiovascular health and improved glucose control was presented. The meeting was held on June 30 in Chicago.
Dr Lasantha Krishan Hirimuthugoda, who is a postdoctoral research associate at the Illinois Institute of Technology, presented the research findings.
The dose-related effects of strawberry fruit intake on endothelial function and glucose control are part of the study’s aimed investigation. It specifically focuses on investigating the relationship of flow-mediated dilation (FMD) responses to intervention on cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk.
With a body mass index (BMI) of 29.8±4.8 kg/m2, 36 women and 32 men, aged 20 to 62 years were included in the study.
The effects of strawberry intake on FMD as well as the relationship of the FMD responses to intervention on CVD risk were assessed by the researchers.
Eating strawberries daily for 4 weeks compared to control suggesting a dose-response toward higher to lower median, respectively, significantly influenced the FMD percentage (Kruskal-Wallis test, p<0.001).
Additionally, no significant differences between interventions in changes from baseline were suggested by the preliminary analyses of CGM (Kruskal-Wallis test p>0.05).
“A diet low in fruit is among the top three risk factors for cardiovascular disease and diabetes,” said co-author Britt Burton-Freeman, PhD, professor at the Illinois Institute of Technology.
He added: “Adding as little as one cup of strawberries a day to your diet may show beneficial effects on your cardiovascular health.”
Notably, the daily recommended value of vitamin C is fulfilled by a serving of 8 strawberries (one cup). A host of other nutrients and beneficial bioactive compounds are also provided by this fruit.
US Republican Senator Marco Rubio introduced a bill on Friday, aiming to halt security assistance to Pakistan for its alleged threats towards India.
The US-India Defence Cooperation Act requires a report on Pakistan’s “use of offensive force, including through terrorism and proxy groups against India”.
The proposed bill also aims to “bar Pakistan from receiving assistance if it is found to have sponsored terrorism against India”.
Senator Rubio also proposed to strengthen the US-India partnership to counter China’s influence, saying it is essential to enhance the strategic diplomatic, economic, and military relationship with New Delhi.
The bill aims to provide support to India in its response to growing threats to its territorial integrity and provide necessary security assistance.
Senator Rubio, in his legislation, has proposed to treat India as the same status as US allies such as Japan, Israel, South Korea, and other North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) allies regarding technology transfers.
He also suggests providing a limited exemption for India from Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA) sanctions.
It is to be noted that CAATSA — a tough US law — authorises the US administration to impose sanctions on countries that purchase major defence hardware from Russia.
The bill, if approved, would allow India to purchase equipment from Russia currently used by the Indian military without having to face US sanctions.
Furthermore, the legislation also seeks to “set a sense of Congress that expeditious consideration of certifications of letters of offer to sell defence articles, defence services, design and construction services, and major defence equipment to India is consistent with US interests and it is in the interest of peace and stability India to have the capabilities needed to deter threats”.
It also aims to authorise the Secretary of State to enter into a memorandum of understanding with India to increase military cooperation.
The bill also seeks to expedite excess defence articles to India for two years and grant India the same status as other allies and expand International Military Education and Training Cooperation with New Delhi.
President Asif Ali Zardari is receiving Head of Dawoodi Bohra community Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin at the Bilawal House in Karachi on July 26, 2024. —President House
President Zardari says community participating in economy.
Commends Bohra community’s services in different sectors.
Zardari also appreciates services of Saifuddin for Pakistan.
KARACHI: Head of Dawoodi Bohra community Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin called on President Asif Ali Zardari at the Bilawal House in Karachi on Friday.
Speaking on the occasion, President Zardari lauded services of the Bohra community and said it was playing a significant role in the socio-economic development of Pakistan.
The president said that the community was actively participating in the economy and business sectors of Pakistan.
President Zardari said the services of Bohra community in education, health and other sectors too were commendable. He also appreciated the services of Saifuddin for Pakistan in the field of social services.
The Bohra spiritual leader arrived in Karachi on July 4, following an invitation extended by the Government of Pakistan and the local Dawoodi Bohra community for the “Ashara Mubaraka” congregations wherein he delivered a series of sermons.
Sindh Governor Kamran Tessori, Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi had also attended the religious event on July 14.
Lady Gaga expresses sense of honour to perform at Olympics 2024
Lady Gaga shared her thoughts on the incredible honour of performing at the Olympics opening ceremony in Paris.
The 38-year-old singer, who performed a rendition of Mon Truc En Plumes’ along the Seine River on Friday, July 26, took to her Instagram to express gratitude and her ultimate sense of pride.
She expressed her emotions in a heartwarming caption that read, “I feel so completely grateful to have been asked to open the Paris @Olympics 2024 this year. I am also humbled to be asked by the Olympics organizing committee to sing such a special French song—a song to honor the French people and their tremendous history of art, music, and theatre.”
In addition, the pop star expressed her deep sense of pride and honor in showcasing her respect for French culture through her electrifying performance.
She continued, “Although I am not a French artist, I have always felt a very special connection with French people and singing French music.”
“I wanted nothing more than to create a performance that would warm the heart of France, celebrate French art and music, and on such a momentous occasion remind everyone of one of the most magical cities on earth—Paris.”
Gaga confessed that the Olympic Games never fail to move her to tears, further showcasing her genuine support and admiration for the athletes.
There are 15 major fasts and festivals that fall in the month of August.
The month of August is about to begin. According to the Hindu calendar, the month of Sawan has already started. August 5 is set to be the second Monday of the month of Sawan. This month is considered to be very auspicious for the devotees of Lord Shiva. This month is filled with festivals and celebrations. There are several occasions during this period, in which people perform special rituals while keeping fast. According to an astrologer, there are 15 major fasts and festivals that fall in the month of August. Know about this in detail in this article.
In an interview, Pandit Sanjay Upadhyay from Varanasi said that Sawan will continue till August 19, after which the month of Bhadrapada will begin. The Bhadrapada month is also known by the name of Bhadra. The astrologer mentioned that as per the calendar, important festivals like Sawan Shivaratri, Hariyali Teej, Nag Panchami, Raksha Bandhan, Sri Krishna Janmashtami, and Ekadashi fall in this month. Various rituals and celebrations are held on these auspicious occasions across the country. People often keep fast and perform the rituals.
Here is the complete list of festivals in the month of August provided by Pandit Sanjay Upadhyay:
August 2, 2024 (Friday)- Sawan Shivaratri
August 4, 2024 (Sunday)- Sawan Amavasya
August 5, 2024 (Monday)- Third Monday of Sawan Month
August 6, 2024 (Tuesday)- Mangala Gauri Vrat
August 7, 2024 (Wednesday)- Sawan Hariyali Teej
August 9, 2024 (Friday)- Nag Panchami
August 11, 2024 (Sunday)- Bhanu Saptami, Goswami Tulsidas Jayanti
August 12, 2024 (Monday)- Fourth Monday of Sawan Month
August 13, 2024 (Tuesday)- Fourth Mangala Gauri Vrat
August 16, 2024 (Friday)- Putrada Ekadashi Vrat
August 19, 2024 (Monday)- Sawan Purnima, Raksha Bandhan, Last Monday of Sawan month
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This undated image shows a view of Italy’s Cinque Terre. — Pexels
The path, famously known as the Via dell’Amore, or Path of Love, in Italy’s picturesque Cinque Terre region has recently reopened more than a decade after a lengthy closure following a landslide in 2012.
However, tourists planning to visit the destination, which is known for its stunning coastal views and romantic ambiance, will face new and stricter rules that aim to control numbers of visitors and preserve the site.
According to Daily Express, starting this month, access to the Via dell’Amore will be limited to 4,000 visitors per day. To manage this, tourists will need to purchase tickets for timed entry slots.
Additionally, staff will be stationed along the route to monitor visitor behaviour and ensure that the path is respected as the “open-air museum” it has become.
This undated image shows a view of Italy’s Via dell’Amore or Path of Love. — Unsplash
This measure addresses the challenges of overtourism in Cinque Terre, a coastal national park consisting of five fishing villages.
“We’re not doing it to make money,” Fabrizia Pecunia, the mayor of Riomaggiore, said. “In 2011 it had around 870,000 visitors so we basically want to keep the old numbers but distribute [them] better.”
The path’s €23 million renovation involved extensive safety improvements, including the removal of fragile rocks, installation of steel netting over landslip-prone areas, and the extension of an open-sided tunnel through the cliff.
The restoration project, which took nine years of planning and two years of intense construction work, aimed to enhance both safety and aesthetics.
The Via dell’Amore, which was first opened in 1931, will be open to visitors from 8:30am to 7:00pm in summer and until 5:00pm in winter.
Via dell’Amore was initially built to connect the isolated villages of Riomaggiore and Manarola.
Before its construction, residents had to either climb 600 steps over the cliffs or take a train, which began service in 1874.
WASHINGTON – United States Republican Senator Marco Rubio proposed bill aimed at blocking security aid to Pakistan due to its alleged threats against India.
The contentious legislation called out Pakistan for alleged use of offensive tactics, including terrorism and proxy warfare against neighboring India. It also seeks to cut off Washington’s financial aid to Pakistan if it is found to sponsor terrorism.
The bill aimed to strengthen US-India partnership to counter China’s growing influence, emphasizing the need to boost strategic, diplomatic, economic, and military ties with India.
It further suggests treating New Delhi similarly to US allies such as Japan, Israel, South Korea, and NATO members for technology transfers. The bill also proposes a limited exemption for India from the Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA), which would allow India to purchase Russian military equipment without triggering US sanctions.
The bill also called to expedite defense sales to India, increase military cooperation through a memorandum of understanding, and expand international military education and training programs with India.
ESPN baseball reporter. Covered the Washington Wizards from 2014 to 2016 and the Washington Nationals from 2016 to 2018 for The Washington Post before covering the Los Angeles Dodgers and MLB for the Los Angeles Times from 2018 to 2024.
NEW YORK — Kodai Senga‘s season debut was going about as well as the New York Mets could have hoped Friday night: The right-hander had nine strikeouts through five innings against the Atlanta Braves, and the Mets held a six-run lead in what would be an eventual 8-4 victory to take the top spot in the National League wild-card race.
Then Austin Riley hit a measly infield popup and Senga tumbled to the ground, writhing in pain, before the ball landed in first baseman Pete Alonso‘s glove.
Senga ended up on his back, grabbing his left calf. An athletic trainer rushed out to check on him. Senga stood up and limped off the field to an ovation from an appreciative — and concerned — home crowd.
Minutes later, the Mets announced Senga exited with a left calf strain. Senga, who was not made available to reporters after the game, is scheduled to undergo an MRI on Saturday. Manager Carlos Mendoza said he was told it was not an Achilles injury but hinted that Senga could miss an extended period.
“You hate to see him go down like that, especially after what he’s been through the whole year,” Mendoza said. “But people will step up if he’s down.”
For five innings, there was nothing to be concerned about. The shoulder injury that had landed Senga on the injured list to start the season was a distant memory. The mechanical hiccups that the cautious Senga cited as the reason for his longer-than-expected recovery period were nonexistent.
His only rough patch surfaced in the second inning when he gave up a leadoff single to Travis d’Arnaud. Two batters later, Adam Duvall swatted a two-run home run to give Atlanta a 2-0 lead.
The Mets, keeping to their recent form, responded with three home runs in a seven-run third inning, knocking Charlie Morton out of the game before he could record nine outs.
Senga didn’t give up another hit across his 5⅓ innings. He issued one walk to the nine strikeouts. His four-seam fastball averaged 95.8 mph and touched 98. He induced 12 whiffs — five with his signature forkball. He threw 73 pitches, six shy of his total from his fourth and final rehab start last Friday.
“The same guy I saw last year,” Mets catcher Francisco Álvarez said. “He was nasty.”
That guy last year posted a 2.98 ERA in 29 starts to finish second in NL Rookie of Year voting, seamlessly transitioning to the States after 11 professional seasons as a star in Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball.
The Mets’ decision to trade Max Scherzer and Justin Verlander as part of a midseason run of deals last summer — and the front office’s decision to not acquire a frontline starter over the winter — elevated Senga to de facto ace entering spring training. But Senga was shut down with a right posterior capsule strain less than a week into camp — so quickly that Mendoza never got the chance to watch Senga throw live until Friday.
“Pretty impressive,” Mendoza said. “Nasty.”
Between Senga’s dominance and the offense’s third-inning eruption, Citi Field was electric. That changed with Riley’s popup. In a few seconds, Senga’s return, a massive boost to the club’s rotation for their playoff push, was soured.
For now, the Mets will return to life without him. They’ll ditch their plans for a six-man rotation and roll with a standard five-man. Acquiring a starting pitcher before Tuesday’s trade deadline isn’t out of the realm of possibility.
Two months ago, the thought of the Mets adding pieces for a postseason push was laughable. But on Friday they snatched the top NL wild-card spot from the Braves, who were 10 games ahead in the standings on May 29 — the day reliever Jorge Lopez threw his glove into the crowd during a 10-3 loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers. The Mets called a players-only meeting after the defeat. López was designated for assignment the next day.
Since then, the Mets are 33-16, good for the best record in the majors. They’ve done it all — with the exception of 5⅓ innings Friday — without Senga. Chances are they’ll be without him again. The question is for how long.
Petrol, Diesel latest price today in India. Check city-wise rates here
Petrol, Diesel Prices Today On July 27, 2024: Oil marketing companies (OMCs) announce fuel prices at 6 am every day. The OMCs adjust prices in response to global crude oil prices and fluctuations in foreign exchange rates, ensuring consumers are always informed about the latest fuel costs.
Government oil marketing companies release the latest petrol and diesel prices daily at 6 am in the country.
The prices have remained unchanged in most parts of the country since March 2024 when the central government cut petrol prices by Rs 2. Before that, the fuel prices remained steady since May 2022, following a reduction in fuel taxes by the central government and several states.
Petrol Diesel Price Today In India (Check city-wise rate table below)
Check city-wise petrol and diesel prices on July 27:
City
Petrol Price (Rs/litre)
Diesel Price (Rs/litre)
Delhi
94.72
87.62
Mumbai
103.44
89.97
Chennai
100.85
92.44
Kolkata
103.94
90.76
Noida
94.66
87.76
Lucknow
94.65
87.76
Bengaluru
102.86
88.94
Hyderabad
107.41
95.65
Jaipur
104.88
90.36
Trivandrum
107.62
96.43
Bhubaneswar
101.06
92.91
Factors Affecting Petrol And Diesel Prices In India
Crude oil price: The primary raw material for the production of petrol and diesel is crude oil; as such, its price directly influences the ultimate cost of these fuels.
The exchange rate between the Indian rupee and the US dollar: As a major importer of crude oil, India’s petrol and diesel prices are also influenced by the exchange rate between the Indian and US dollar.
Tax: Various taxes on petrol and diesel are imposed by both the central and state governments. These taxes may differ across states, exerting a notable influence on the ultimate prices of petrol and diesel.
The cost of refining:
The final price of petrol and diesel is additionally influenced by the expenses incurred in refining crude oil into these fuels. The refining process can be costly, and the refining expenses may fluctuate based on factors like the type of crude oil utilised and the refinery’s efficiency.
The demand for petrol and diesel: The demand for petrol and diesel can also affect their prices. If demand for these fuels increases, it can lead to higher prices.
Know the price of petrol and diesel through SMS
You can also find out the latest petrol and diesel prices in your city through SMS. If you are a customer of Indian Oil, then you will have to write RSP along with the city code and send it to 9224992249. If you are a customer of BPCL, then you can get information about the new price of petrol and diesel by writing RSP and sending it to 9223112222. Whereas, if you are a customer of HPCL, then you can find out the price of petrol and diesel by writing HP Price and sending it to 9222201122.
Haris is Deputy News Editor (Business) at news18.com. He writes on various issues related to markets, economy and companies. Having a decade of experi…Read More
