#significantly lower than in previous elections

[justinspoliticalcorner]

Erin Reed at Erin In The Morning:

News broke this weekend that Republican leaders have unveiled the House version of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), a traditionally bipartisan bill critical to funding the U.S. military. This year, however, the NDAA has become a battlefield, as Republicans inserted a provision barring TRICARE, the military’s health insurance program, from covering gender-affirming care for transgender dependents under 18. The move explicitly targets the children of servicemembers, a decision that risks derailing the $895 billion defense bill. Reports suggest the controversial amendment may be a non-starter for most Democrats and could jeopardize the bill’s passage, particularly as a handful of Republican defections remain possible.

The newly released 1,813-page bill, unveiled Saturday, primarily focuses on standard defense expenditures. However, buried within its extensive language is a controversial provision: “Section 708.” This clause would prohibit TRICARE from covering any medical treatments for gender dysphoria in transgender youth under 18 that “could result in sterilization.” While the bill itself does not specify which treatments would be banned, as fertility often remains possible for transgender youth receiving gender-affirming care, a separate House GOP memo, obtained by Fox News, clarified the intent: to “ban transgender medical treatment for children,” including “puberty blockers and hormones.”

You can see the NDAA provision and the House GOP memo here.

The provision represents a mildly scaled-back version of earlier proposals introduced in the Senate version of the bill prior to the election. Those Senate provisions not only targeted transgender youth but also sought to restrict gender-affirming surgeries for transgender adults in the military. If enacted, such policies could severely disrupt the lives of transgender servicemembers by jeopardizing their access to care and stripping transgender family members of vital healthcare coverage. Though Republicans campaigned heavily on transgender issues in 2024 and currently control the House, the inclusion of the provision could complicate the bill’s passage.

[...] The bill will reportedly undergo a procedural rule to determine whether a simple majority will suffice for its passage. Some Republicans may vote to block the bill, either due to opposition to the anti-trans provision or frustration over the absence of additional far-right priorities. Without Democratic support, the bill could be pushed into a process requiring a two-thirds majority, a scenario that would likely strip out the anti-equality provision to ensure its passage. Smith stated to Politico that he was uncertain on how Democrats would vote on the procedural motion, stating that he was “sure people will be in different places.”

The type of care that would be targeted is considered lifesaving for many transgender youth. A Cornell review of more than 51 studies determined that trans care significantly improves the mental health of transgender people. One major study even noted a 73% lower suicidality among trans youth who began care. A similar study found a 40% reduction in actual suicide attempts over the previous year. In a recent article published in the Journal of Adolescent Health in April of 2024, puberty blockers were found to significantly reduce depression and anxiety. A randomized controlled trial in Australia, which was only possible through an innovative methodology, showed a 55% reduction in suicidality for trans men able to start testosterone. In Germany, a recent review by over 27 medical organizations has judged that “not providing treatment can do harm” to transgender youth, and a recent medical consensus in France supported their use. The evidence around transgender care led to a historic policy resolution condemning bans on gender affirming care by the American Psychological Association, the largest psychological association in the world, which was voted on by representatives of its 157,000 members.

This week, the NDAA is likely to contain a provision banning Tricare from covering gender-affirming healthcare for trans dependents under 18.

See Also:

LGBTQ Nation: Congressional Republicans hijack military spending bill to target trans kids

The Advocate: Nearly 300 groups urge Congress to reject anti-trans provision in defense spending bill

The Advocate: House Republicans are trying to ban gender-affirming care for youth in new military budget

[arpov-blog-blog]

..."PRESIDENT BIDEN’S JOB APPROVAL RATING has plummeted during his three years in office to historic lows—lower than President Obama’s was at this point before he won re-election in 2012, lower even than President Trump’s was in October 2020 before he lost.

The numbers make clear that Biden is a much weaker candidate than he was when he defeated Trump three years ago. It’s unlikely Biden’s approval will recover significantly before November. But—crucially—that doesn’t mean he will lose the election.

There are multiple theories for why Biden remains underwater, with higher disapproval than approval. Most of the electorate has concluded that Biden is too old. As some commentators have noted, in his long career, Biden has never been popular; his initial honeymoon in the presidency was a temporary deviation from the norm as the country basked in the relief of dumping Trump.

Biden’s peak approval registered at about 54 percent in the spring of 2021, according to FiveThirtyEight’s average of polls. There was one big reason: Americans, coming out of the pandemic, had hope. The Biden administration was competently managing the vaccine rollout and most of us had had one or both shots and celebrated a return to normal life.

Biden’s polling crashed to earth that fall, after the withdrawal from Afghanistan and the battle over the bloated and ill-fated Build Back Better bill. By the end of his first year in office, 10 percent more Americans disapproved of his job performance than approved. He lost favor with a majority because he lost the support of his own voters. The centrist Biden inspires no zeal from his base the way Obama did, let alone the way a cult leader like Trump does. He has no buffer.

So the spring of 2021 was a rare time of artificially elevated national mood. It’s hard to imagine a scenario other than a major national emergency in which any president reaches 53 percent approval again. We live in an age of extreme polarization and zero-sum politics, in which entrenched partisans despise a president from the opposing party, and the default dourness Americans naturally revert to (see: current economic data vs. polling about the economy) means the in-power coalition is also likely to be disappointed. Biden polls poorly on nearly all the issues that comprise the umbrella of job approval: inflation/economy, foreign policy, immigration, crime, and his fitness/age. But we can’t know how voters prioritize them (or other issues) when making their choice. And even if Biden manages to stabilize the southern border, help end the war in Gaza, and preside over continuing economic improvements and low inflation, his job approval might not budge.

YET APPROVAL RATINGS MAY NO LONGER BE a useful benchmark in future campaigns, especially if Biden overperforms his polling in 2024 the way Democrats did in 2022 and 2023. An analysis by FiveThirtyEight found that Democrats did so by an average of 10 points in special elections throughout 2023, outperforming the partisan lean of the districts—and the polls—even where they lost.

Before the 2022 midterms, both parties predicted doom for Democrats because Biden’s approval was at 40 percent according to Gallup—lower than previous presidents who had faced massive losses in their first midterms. But Democrats outran Biden’s job approval everywhere, defending Senate seats in swing states like Arizona, Nevada, and Georgia, winning Pennsylvania’s open seat, and losing just ten House seats in what was predicted to be a wipeout.

A year later, the same thing: In 2023, Kentucky governor Andy Beshear won re-election, and Democrats took back control of the Virginia state legislature (ending Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s hope of a presidential run) and scored a major abortion ballot victory in deep-red Ohio."

[starseedfxofficial]

China & Japan’s Market Moves: Forex Insights The Inflation Tango: What China's CPI & Japan's GDP Numbers Mean for Forex Traders Picture this: You're at a dance floor, and the partners are the global markets, moving to the rhythm of inflation and growth. Last night, China and Japan unveiled their latest economic moves—and let’s just say, they’re not in sync. But hidden in their data is a wealth of opportunities for the savvy Forex trader. China’s Inflation Conundrum: The Slow Waltz China’s CPI (Consumer Price Index) for November came in at 0.2% year-on-year, falling short of the expected 0.5% and marking a decline from the previous 0.3%. Month-on-month, the CPI dipped by 0.6%, worse than the forecast of -0.4% and October’s -0.3%. Meanwhile, the Producer Price Index (PPI) showed a drop of 2.5% year-on-year, which was slightly better than expectations (-2.8%) but still highlights a troubling deflationary trend. Why It Matters: For Forex traders, this indicates weakening domestic demand in China. A slowdown in inflation often signals reduced consumer spending, which could lead to further monetary easing by the People’s Bank of China (PBoC). Pro Tip: Keep an eye on the USD/CNY pair. With the U.S. dollar riding high on Fed’s hawkish stance, any dovish signals from China’s central bank could push the yuan lower. But here’s the twist—a weak yuan might boost China’s exports, strengthening trade-related currencies like the Australian dollar (AUD). Japan’s Growth Surge: A Surprising Jive Over in Japan, Q3 GDP figures were revised upwards. Quarterly growth rose to 0.3%, beating expectations of 0.2%, while annualized GDP jumped to 1.2% from an initial estimate of 0.9%. However, the revised capital expenditure (CapEx) figure disappointed, slipping to -0.1% from the previous quarter. Why It Matters: This mixed bag of data suggests resilience in Japan’s economy but underscores the struggles of businesses to increase investment. For Forex traders, the yen’s response to this data is crucial. Contrarian Insight: While the yen is often seen as a safe-haven currency, a stronger GDP might not boost it significantly if CapEx remains weak. Watch for Bank of Japan’s next move—will they maintain their ultra-loose monetary policy, or could these growth numbers prompt a subtle shift? Middle East Tensions: The Geopolitical Beat In geopolitical news, U.S. President-elect Trump’s envoy made a bold statement, demanding the release of hostages in the Middle East before the inauguration. Such rhetoric often heightens uncertainty, driving investors toward safe-haven assets like gold and the yen. Trading Tip: Use geopolitical headlines as a barometer for risk sentiment. Increased tensions could strengthen the yen and Swiss franc (CHF) while pressuring riskier currencies like the AUD and emerging market pairs. How to Turn These Moves Into Trades - Pairing Strategies: - USD/JPY: Consider going long if geopolitical risks spike, as safe-haven demand strengthens the yen. - AUD/USD: Monitor Chinese economic updates for clues on Australian dollar’s trajectory. Weak Chinese data often weighs on AUD. - Timing the Market: - Look for breakout opportunities during overlapping trading sessions (e.g., Asian and London markets) when volatility spikes. - Risk Management: - Use tight stop-loss orders when trading news-driven moves. Forex markets can reverse quickly, especially when central banks intervene. Trade Smarter, Not Harder China’s inflation slowdown and Japan’s growth surprise offer plenty of actionable insights for Forex traders. But remember, markets are as unpredictable as a late-night karaoke session. Stay flexible, keep your trading plan updated, and don’t let the noise drown out the signals. Want more insights like this? Check out our advanced trading tools and community memberships to stay ahead of the curve. —————– Image Credits: Cover image at the top is AI-generated   Read the full article

[head-post]

Austrian Freedom Party scores historic win in national vote

The Austrian Freedom Party (FPÖ) won nearly 29 per cent of the vote after all ballots were counted, securing its first victory in parliamentary elections. Despite the victory, it remains unclear whether the party will lead the next government.

The Austrian People’s Party (ÖVP), of which incumbent Austrian Federal Chancellor Karl Nehammer is a member, came second with 26.5 per cent. This party thus lost the support of 11 per cent of voters compared to the results of the last parliamentary elections held in Austria in 2019. The FPÖ, on the other hand, improved its 2019 result by 13 percentage points.

The Social Democratic Party of Austria (SPÖ) managed to get 21.1 per cent of voters on its side (0.1 per cent decrease in support). With this result, the SPÖ will be the third largest political force in the Austrian National Council (lower house of parliament).

The New Austria and Liberal Forum party (NEOS) gained 9 per cent of the vote in the election, improving its previous result by 0.9 per cent. Meanwhile, the Greens, who are currently the ANP’s ruling coalition partners, received 8 per cent of the vote, losing the support of 5.9 per cent of voters.

Small parties such as the Communist Party of Austria and the Beer Party gained significantly less than the 4 per cent of votes needed to gain representation in the Austrian parliament. It is indicated that most of the postal ballots were counted. The remaining votes are expected to be counted by October 3.

The future of parliament is in doubt

Even though the Freedom Party won the Austrian parliamentary elections, they will hardly be able to form a government. Karl Nehammer has repeatedly rejected not only the possibility of entering into a coalition with the FPÖ, but also the very idea of negotiating such a coalition. For his part, Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen, who represents the Greens, said he would not appoint FPÖ chairman Herbert Kickl as the country’s chancellor.

Kickl said on ORF TV:

I am ready to negotiate with everyone, the main thing is how the federal president will behave.

The Election Commission reported a turnout of 78 per cent, indicating a high turnout in this election. The position of the Freedom Party and the uncertainty over the formation of a government have put Austria’s political future at a crossroads.

Read more HERE

[invisiblerambler]

Lucky for all of you my brain is full of bees tonight, and I don't have therapy until Friday.

This is going to be entirely incoherent and a meditation on about thirty things at once.

School started last week and naturally my body reacted in a very normal way which is activating my fight or flight in a way I'm not sure any other single thing in my life does, actually I'm almost sure of that.

My instinct is to name off all the things I like about the program and the opportunities it's brought me in order to not look like an asshole, but honestly it's been really hard and it's hard not to feel like everyone secretly hates or even worse just tolerates me.

I am aware it is probably my own damage and trauma but that doesn't help. The utmost awareness of everything about this situation isn't doing fucking anything to lower my resting heart rate or feel less like my skin is crawling with bees. The answer is probably to get back on an anti anxiety medication but the expected challenge with that is the idea of finding a new provider in my new state and going through the process of titrating up on medication sounds completely awful actually. I know the alternative is suffering for the next 8 or 9 months for what will amount to a couple hours of work on the front end, but I can barely cook for myself right now much less manage something that complex.

I am forcing myself to hopefully for the final time go to the DMV tomorrow and get my drivers license done. I will be honest if it wasn't an election year I would not be worried about getting it done in a timely way because as a student you get a grace period and my previous state's license is good until 2028 so I wouldn't be seeing the inside of a DMV anytime soon.

But it is an election year and after going twice this summer with bad results (half my fault, but also fuck real id) I need to just close the loop on this whole bureaucratic nightmare.

I also need to exploit to it's logical conclusion the fact that I am basically a free agent at my job presently so why wouldn't I just do every single boring task during work hours while I can get paid for it.

I also wrote out a list of the people who I need to follow up with either over email or text. It makes me feel sick because I have a horrible fear that these people don't actually want to speak to me or otherwise engage and not that they just got busy and lost track of our correspondence.

It was really comforting to talk to D the other night. I felt so significantly less alone hearing that she had been in a similar way singled out by a peer.

I didn't realize how not seriously literally everyone had taken what happened until she actually listened.

I don't think she would make a lunch invitation without seriousness behind it. And I don't need an excuse to ditch work for a couple hours and go across town.

I did make a dentist appointment today so everyone clap for that.

Life admin (mostly) feels easier than things like doing school work which is genuinely like pulling teeth. I am being so avoidant of everything to have to do with school it's like I'm allergic to it.

Maybe if I write it down enough times I won't actually have to do any of it.

I hate that school makes doing every other thing in my life feel awful.

Including but not limited to life admin.

Everything is a lot, and I'm trying to be okay with that instead of feeling like I have to fix it. It will even out, I will even out. (I hope)

[newstfionline]

Monday, August 5, 2024

Hurricane Debby to bring heavy rains and flooding to Florida, Georgia and S. Carolina (AP) The center of Hurricane Debby is expected to reach the Big Bend coast of Florida early Monday bringing potential record-setting rains, catastrophic flooding and life-threatening storm surge as it moves slowly across the northern part of the state before stalling over the coastal regions of Georgia and South Carolina. Debby was located about 100 miles (161 kilometers) west of Tampa, Florida, with maximum sustained winds of 75 mph (120 kph). Forecasters warned heavy amounts of rain from Debby could spawn catastrophic flooding in Florida, South Carolina and Georgia.

Mexican army acknowledges some of its soldiers have been killed by cartel bomb-dropping drones (AP) The Mexican army acknowledged for the first time Friday that some of its soldiers have been killed by bomb-dropping drones operated by drug cartels. Defense Secretary Gen. Luis Cresencio Sandoval did not provide exact figures on the number of casualties suffered in the attacks, almost all of which occurred in the western state of Michoacan. The army had previously acknowledged that soldiers had been wounded in Michoacan by improvised explosive devices, or IEDs. Sandoval did not say when the attacks took place, but suggested they targeted patrol units. He said the army was acquiring anti-drone systems to combat the threat.

Maduro victory sparks fears of new exodus of Venezuelans (AFP) A despondent Jose Vasquez, 31, has decided to join a mass exodus of Venezuelans seeking a better life elsewhere, having lost all hope in his future with the contested reelection of President Nicolas Maduro. “There is no light at the end of the tunnel. I’m leaving,” the 31-year-old told AFP. Some 7.5 million people have already left the country in the last decade to escape the oil-rich nation’s grave economic crisis, according to the United Nations refugee agency (UNHCR). And surrounding nations are bracing for another exodus after Maduro was declared the victor of Sunday’s election. The opposition claims it was the rightful winner and the dispute has sparked deadly protests, leaving at least 16 dead. Vasquez studied to be a teacher, but now works as a salesman, as salaries in his chosen profession were so low “that they are useless.” Ahead of the vote, pollster ORC Consultores had found that 18 percent of Venezuelans were considering emigrating within six months if Maduro remained in power.

The ‘cheaper’ Paris Olympics (Yahoo News) There are very few cases where something that costs nearly $9 billion can be called “cheap.” The Paris Olympics is one of them. While the 2024 Summer Games do carry an enormous price tag, it is significantly lower than other recent editions of the event. The numbers can vary wildly based on what’s counted as an Olympic expense, but the most recent high-quality estimate puts the cost of Tokyo’s 2021 Games at $13.7 billion, Rio in 2016 at $23.6 billion and London in 2012 at $16.8 billion. Recent Winter Olympics have also come with staggering price tags, with estimates for the 2022 Games in Beijing running as high as $35 billion. So relative to those examples, Paris really can argue that it hosted its Games on the cheap. The primary way the Paris organizing committee kept costs down was by relying on existing venues for the competition, rather than building a series of brand-new arenas as previous hosts have done. Roughly 95% of the competition will take place in venues that already exist or in temporary ones that are much more affordable than the permanent locations that other hosts have built—which often become little-used “white elephants” after the Games are completed.

Ukraine hits airfield, fuel depots, sub in overnight drone attacks on Russian regions (New York Post) A massive drone attack walloped the military command center Russia is using to wage its war against Ukraine on Saturday. The overnight barrage destroyed ammunition plants and fuel depots in Russia’s Belgorod, Kursk, and Rostov regions. Among the successful targets was the Morozovsk airfield, where Russia keeps its fighter-bomber jets. The Russian airfield has played a crucial role in the Kremlin’s operations against Ukraine. Russia also lost its B-237 Rostov-on-Don attack submarine, which was sunk Saturday outside Sevastopol in Ukrainian bomb strikes. Ukraine’s Ministry of Defense noted on X the sub was now resting at “the bottom of the Black Sea.”

Dozens killed as anti-government protests resume in Bangladesh (Washington Post) Violence erupted between Bangladeshi security forces and anti-government protesters Sunday, killing at least 57 people, according to a Washington Post tally of reports from hospitals and police. Local media placed the toll even higher, saying nearly 100 people had died. At least 14 police officers were among the dead, Enamul Haque, a police spokesperson, said in a statement. Hospital officials in several districts, including Magura and Sirajsganj, said many of the victims they received had bullet wounds. Sunday’s protests are the latest bout of unrest in the South Asian country—where some 200 people were killed last month in clashes between security forces and student protesters.

Bombs Rain Down in Myanmar as Junta Evades Sanctions to Buy Jet Fuel (NYT) The family ducked for cover when junta jets roared over their home in central Myanmar. U Har San and his wife crawled under a table, and their daughter, eight months pregnant, hid under a bed. Bombs rained down, he said, even though no rebel fighters were in their village. Their daughter died. The attack last month on the village of Lat Pan Hla is a feature of Myanmar’s brutal war strategy. Unable to defeat the rebels on the ground, it has increased its indiscriminate bombing of civilian targets to terrorize the population. The airstrikes have also taken a heavy toll on resistance fighters. But the resistance fighters continue to make gains on the ground. In recent weeks, rebel armies seized a prison in Shan State, freeing hundreds of political prisoners, and on the opposite side of the country, another rebel army captured a civilian airport in Rakhine State. The escalating attacks on civilians have made it clear that Myanmar is evading sanctions aimed at blocking the flow of jet fuel that the regime needs to keep its bombers, fighter jets and helicopter gunships in the air. In separate attacks, the junta recently bombed a wedding and a monastery, killing some 60 people.

With Smugglers and Front Companies, China Is Skirting American A.I. Bans (NYT) In the southern Chinese city of Shenzhen, a mazelike market stretches for a half-mile, packed with stalls selling every type of electronic imaginable. It’s an open secret that vendors here are offering one of the world’s most sought-after technologies: the microchips that create artificial intelligence, which the United States is battling to keep out of Chinese hands. One vendor said he could order the chips for delivery in two weeks. Another said companies came to the market ordering 200 or 300 chips from him at a time. A third business owner said he recently shipped a big batch of servers with more than 2,000 of the most advanced chips made by Nvidia, the U.S. tech company, from Hong Kong to mainland China. As evidence, he showed photos and a message with his supplier arranging the April delivery for $103 million. The United States, with some success, has tried to control the export of these chips. Still, The New York Times has found an active trade in restricted A.I. technology—part of a global effort to help China circumvent U.S. restrictions amid the countries’ growing military rivalry.

Countries urge nationals to leave Lebanon as Mid-East war fears grow (BBC) The US has urged its citizens to leave Lebanon on “any ticket available”, amid worries of a wider conflict in the Middle East. An increasing number of countries issue similar warnings, including the UK. Iran has vowed “severe” retaliation against Israel, which it blames for the death of Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran on Wednesday. His assassination came hours after Israel killed Hezbollah senior commander Fuad Shukr in Beirut. Western officials fear that Hezbollah, an Iran-backed militia and political movement based in Lebanon, could play a heavy role in any such retaliation, which in turn could spark a serious Israeli response. The UK, Sweden, France, Canada and Jordan have urged their citizens to leave Lebanon, as a growing number of flights are cancelled or suspended at the country’s only commercial airport, in Beirut.

In Gaza, Even Poetry and Toilets Aren’t Safe From Thieves (NYT) As he perused a market selling everything from stolen children’s shoes to battered plumbing pipes, Mahmoud al-Jabri was surprised to find something familiar: his own book collection. Among the collection was his first published work of poems, with his handwriting scrawled along the margins. Even more shocking than seeing the book he had toiled for years to create was that the vendor wanted a paltry 5 shekels, or about $1, for it. The salesman suggested using the pages for kindling. “I was torn between two feelings,” he said, “laughter and bitterness.” In Gaza, even poetry books can become a source of profit for enterprising thieves. A pervasive lawlessness has emerged from the rubble of cities obliterated since Israel launched its all-out offensive on the enclave in retaliation for the Hamas-led attacks of Oct. 7. “Thieves’ markets,” as they are called by locals, have proliferated across Gaza, selling loot plundered from homes, businesses and even hospitals. With Israel blocking the flow of most goods into Gaza, the markets have become important places for finding household necessities. And visits to the markets have become a weary ritual for Gazans seeking to reclaim stolen pieces of their lives.

Israeli raids in West Bank cities help fuel militant violence (Washington Post) Israeli raids targeting Palestinian militants in the West Bank are taking an enormous toll on daily life in the territory, leaving hundreds dead and neighborhoods destroyed, tactics residents and local fighters say are feeding resentment and causing more unrest. Since the Oct. 7 attacks, Israeli forces have killed 554 Palestinians in the West Bank, according to the United Nations, which is higher than any annual total since the United Nations began counting in 2005. Thousands more have been arrested or wounded, in sweeping operations backed by drones, warplanes and helicopter gunships. Israel, which occupies the West Bank, says the firepower is necessary to prevent attacks on Israeli citizens. But the forays into Palestinian cities and refugee camps have done little to subdue the militants. Instead, the violence is helping grow their ranks, furnishing new recruits angered by the conflict. “They are destroying all the infrastructure, the electricity, the shops,” Ashraf Jaradat, 42, said just hours after Israeli forces withdrew following a raid on Jenin on July 5. An airstrike targeting five militants that day shattered Jaradat’s windows and cracked the water tank on his roof. “We get sick and tired of this,” he said. “The children are traumatized.”

[influencermagazineuk]

Upcoming UK Government Set to Gain from Declining Inflation and Fuel Prices

Britain's upcoming government is set to gain from a reduction in household financial pressure due to a slowdown in inflation and a decrease in fuel prices, although costs remain high for many families. Data from the British Retail Consortium (BRC) indicates that annual UK shop price inflation dropped to 0.2% last month from 0.6% in May, the slowest rate since October 2021, as retailers lowered prices on key products like butter and coffee. Ahead of Thursday’s general election, separate figures from the RAC reveal that petrol and diesel prices fell for the second consecutive month in June, offering some relief to families grappling with the cost of living crisis. However, the RAC noted that fuel prices remain "too expensive" in England, Wales, and Scotland. The RAC’s monthly fuel watch reported that the average price of petrol in the UK at the end of June was just under 145p per litre, down from 148p at the beginning of the month. Diesel prices decreased from nearly 154p to about 150p. "Fuel prices are still nowhere near where they should be despite falling for the second consecutive month," the RAC stated. It pointed out that fuel costs are lower in Northern Ireland, with petrol being 4.5p cheaper per litre on average and diesel 8p cheaper than in the rest of the UK. Simon Williams, the RAC’s head of policy, said: “While it’s good news that prices at the pumps have fallen for the second month in a row, it also leaves a bad taste because drivers in Great Britain are still paying much more than those in Northern Ireland.” Williams highlighted that Shell and BP owned forecourts were the most expensive, referencing Competition and Markets Authority data showing Shell-owned sites as the priciest in the UK. “We remain baffled how the same fuel can be sold at vastly different prices by the biggest retailers, whether supermarkets or the world’s largest oil companies,” he added. Rishi Sunak has made lowering inflation a key focus of the Conservatives’ general election campaign, following the official headline rate dropping to the Bank of England’s 2% target in May from a peak of 11.1% in October 2022. Shadow Chancellor Rachel Reeves, however, emphasized that household financial pressure remains "acute" as average prices are still significantly higher than before the cost of living crisis. According to the latest update from the BRC, food inflation slowed to 2.5% in June, down from 3.2% in May, marking the 14th consecutive month of deceleration in grocery price growth. This indicates that while average prices in UK shops are still rising, they are doing so at a slower rate than in previous months. Helen Dickinson, the chief executive of the BRC, noted that retailers have reduced the prices of essential items such as butter and coffee. Non-food prices also showed deflation, meaning average prices are lower compared to a year ago, as shops aimed to increase sales by offering discounts. “This trend was particularly noticeable for TVs, with attractive deals aimed at capitalizing on the excitement of the Euros,” she said. “The winner of Thursday’s election will benefit from the efforts of retailers to lower costs and prices, helping to ease the cost of living for millions of households". Read the full article

[freepressjournals]

India's Government Debt: A Beacon of Safety and Prudence

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has recently highlighted the robust and secure nature of India’s government debt, describing it as “safe and prudent.” In a series of posts on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), Sitharaman emphasized that debt assessments should consider GDP growth, often overlooked in straightforward comparisons of absolute numbers.

Sitharaman contrasted the current government’s fiscal management under Prime Minister Narendra Modi with that of the previous Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA). She noted that despite facing the economic challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Modi administration has demonstrated superior fiscal discipline.

Addressing the promises made by Congress in its manifesto, Sitharaman questioned the fiscal feasibility of schemes proposed by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, such as the ‘Khata Khat’ initiatives. Gandhi had promised to transfer ₹1 lakh to one woman in every poor household if Congress wins the elections. Sitharaman challenged this by asking how Congress plans to finance such schemes, whether through substantial borrowing or increased taxes.

She highlighted that India’s debt-to-GDP ratio stood at 81% in 2022, which is significantly lower than that of several major economies. For comparison, Japan’s debt-to-GDP ratio was 260.1%, Italy’s was 140.5%, the USA’s was 121.3%, France’s was 111.8%, and the UK’s was 101.9%. This comparison underscores India’s relative fiscal stability.

Additionally, Sitharaman pointed out that India’s central government debt is predominantly rupee-denominated, with external borrowings accounting for less than 5% of total debt. This structure minimizes India’s exposure to exchange rate volatility. She recalled that the central government’s debt as a percentage of GDP was reduced from 52.2% in 2013–14 to around 48.9% in 2018–19 through fiscal consolidation efforts. During this period, the fiscal deficit was also reduced from 4.5% in FY14 to 3.4% in FY19.

However, the fiscal deficit surged to 9.2% of GDP in 2020–21 due to the pandemic and necessary government interventions to protect lives and livelihoods, increasing the central government’s debt to 61.4% of GDP. Post-pandemic, the Modi government has adopted a balanced approach to fiscal consolidation while maintaining economic growth, reducing the fiscal deficit to 5.8% in the Revised Estimates for FY24.

In conclusion, Sitharaman’s detailed breakdown underscores the prudent management of India’s government debt, emphasizing the country’s strong fiscal position relative to other major economies. The current administration’s focus on fiscal consolidation and economic growth post-pandemic showcases a commitment to maintaining financial stability while fostering development.

[totallyhussein-blog]

Is enough being done to combat poverty in Britain?

Patrick Butler of The Guardian has warned that, The collapse of the UK’s social contract is leaving millions of low-income families “surviving not living” and forced to endure unacceptable levels of poverty, according to an independent cross-party report.

The Poverty Strategy Commission, which seeks to forge a new national political consensus on reducing poverty, and which includes former ministers from the three main parties, says poverty levels are too high and hardship is becoming more extreme. It warns a “more of the same” approach to poverty in the future will fail.

It estimates the broad annual cost of significantly reducing poverty in the UK at £36bn – equivalent to £6,000 a year for 6 million families in poverty – a figure reached through a combination of benefits and wage increases, and investment to lower housing and energy costs, and improved health services.

The interim report of the commission, published on Tuesday, seeks to put poverty reduction back on the party political agenda before the next general election. It is concerned at the lack of urgency from the two main parties over the scale and nature of poverty, and society’s failure to offer adequate protection to its poorest.

As Holly Bancroft the social affairs correspondent for the Independent reported back in August, Hungry children have resorted to stealing food as more than 120,000 young people are now living in extreme poverty in the UK.

Buttle UK, which works with children and young people in crisis, surveyed over 1000 frontline workers, who collectively look after more than 200,000 children in poverty. Some 60 per cent of the children they worked with were living in destitution – up from 45 per cent the previous year and 36 per cent in 2021.

Responses to the survey laid bare the “degrading and unsustainable” levels of poverty that children in Britain are facing. They include:

Children rushing to open and eat a tin of cold beans they were handed because they were so hungry

A child refusing to go to school because she didn’t have any shoes that fit, was living in an unheated dark house, and was forced to steal an apple out of hunger “like a story from the 1800’s”

Unwashed children being bullied at school because of their ripped clothes. One boy was unable to attend a job interview because he could not afford the bus fare and had no suitable clothes

A three-year-old with extreme dental problems because his parent was using milk and juice to help him feel full because it was cheaper than food

A two-year-old seen playing with a button and some fluff on the floor because he had no toys

The charity described the term destitution as one describing the absolute lowest standard of living any adult, child or young person can experience, adding that the “lived reality is degrading and unsustainable”.

[newsonomics]

Bidenomics: Rebuilding America's Economy From The Middle Outwards

Following his election as president of the United States of America, Joe Biden and his Vice president Kamala Harris set out to restructure the American economy. ‘Bidenomics’ is the name given by the media to Joe Biden’s economic philosophy, which is centred around building the economy from the middle outwards as opposed to focusing on the upper class. Biden believes that, if he puts more money into the economy, he can build up the working and middle class of America and reduce the disparity between workers and the upper class. Whilst there are parts of Bidenomics which seem promising, there are equally many issues which will need to be addressed for the plan to be successful.

In contrast to previous policies such as Reaganomics and Nixonomics, ‘Bidenomics’ rejects the ‘trickle down philosophy’ in which the upper classes receive greater tax cuts than those below them in the economy, so the larger businesses grow even more. Instead, it focuses on building competition amongst growing businesses, meaning that costs decrease, and wages increase. The injection of funds into the working- and middle-class economies has been seen since 2020 through initiatives such as the American Rescue Plan, which has so far boosted consumer activity, brought higher wages, and allowed borrowers to return their loans more easily. The American Rescue Plan essentially marked the beginning of the implementation of Bidenomics, with $1.9 trillion being allocated to the middle and working classes in many different forms. For example, $1,400 per person checks are available to single people making less than $75,000, and heads of households making less than $112,000. Alongside this, child poverty was cut by 46% in the first years of Biden’s presidency, alongside drug costs for seniors being significantly decreased by the IRA. Due to such a quick increase in employment, the recovery of industry in the U.S has finally begun since the COVID pandemic, and ‘It has rarely been easier for an American to find a job than it is today,’ (Intelligencer, 2023). With over 13 million more jobs becoming available, Biden has managed to reach records and highs of the past half-century.

However, there are also many issues with Biden’s policy. By throwing such amounts of money into the economy, inflation has greatly increased in the United States. Items such as shirts and groceries have become unaffordable for those working lower-end jobs as, due to inflation, wages are worth much less and prices for basic products are increasing. So, whilst it can’t all be placed on Bidenomics, this economic philosophy has been a large cause behind the rising cost of living and poor wages in the U.S.A. Some mention that Biden’s plans have temporarily decreased inflation to 3% in June from the 4% of May, but a one-month improvement is definitely not enough for Biden to help his low approval ratings (around 33%). 

So, the question lies, does Bidenomics have the potential to truly succeed and rebuild the American economy from the ground up, considering the current unpopularity of the campaign and the issues with inflation as the government pumps more and more money into the economy?

Well, the main issue is that any good economy which evolves from Bidenomics will always come with a side dish of inflation. Bidenomics can only work when there is a small amount of inflation which encourages the economy to grow. However, in this case, the policy isn’t exactly scalable because it only involves a few injections of cash into the circulation. If you turn it the other way round and pump consistent, large sums into the economy, the economy will temporarily thrive, but inflation will rise to become a primary, critical issue in America. So, in conclusion, Bidenomics isn’t sustainable either way unless the government finds the exact sweet spot where there is a perfect balance of inflation control and growth of the economy, but that is less of a plan, and more so a utopian concept due to many other factors affecting both elements.

[aparticularbandit]

Surrogate: Chapter Two

Chapter Summary: I’m sorry, Agatha murmurs soft after what feels like the thousandth ultrasound, her head lowered, the picture held tight in her left hand, so tight it should wrinkle, except that she’s intentional that it doesn’t

(Later, she will show the image to Cian, point out all the differences between this picture and the last one they got, and her heart will catch in her throat. Her eyes will prick with tears. And Cian will run a hand soothingly along her back as she says, even softer than she speaks now, It’s been two years and it isn’t me and I’m scared, and then, finally, Don’t tell me everything’s going to be alright, Cian, just—

She will sniffle.  Rub her nose with the back of one hand.  Wipe away tears before they have the opportunity to fall.  And then continue on as though nothing has happened at all.)

Part of The Valentines Collection.

Rating: T.

previous chapter / next chapter

Prenatal care is not cheap.

Eve knows that.  She’s had two other children – seven years apart – and seen the spike in prices the second time through compared to the first time.  Of course, Rowena was the result of celebrating Christopher’s successful campaign to be elected governor (not an accident; they’d been trying for months at that point, but apparently being called Governor Valentine did more for her husband than being called Mayor), and it seems, giving the timing of everything, that Lily was a result of a similar celebration (also not an accident, given that this sort of thing had been more complicated for Agatha and Cian to set up than it was for Eve and her husband).  Despite the spike in prices, it had actually been significantly easier to pay for that pregnancy; all of the money that had previously been funneled into the campaign was simply moved to paying for prenatal care.  Still expensive, yes, but taken care of.

Her first pregnancy had been, in a word, horrible.

If it wasn’t being abandoned by the sperm donor as soon as he found out she was pregnant, it was moving back into her old bedroom in her mother’s house and depending entirely on the kindness of her mother to pay for a pregnancy that a lot of her friends told her she shouldn’t keep in the first place – because she shouldn’t let her entire life be ruined by an asshole who’d left as soon as she’d told him and who’d never looked back.  They were right, but she’d….

Eve wanted her son.

Her mother had tried to be there for every appointment – and there had been a lot of costly appointments – but she’d still been so busy with work so much of the time.  Eve had gone to so many of them by herself; even when Christopher learned that she was going alone, learned that she hated going alone, and offered to go with her, she’d refused him.  It had been nice for him to come to her aid when she’d panicked over being left, but at the time, she’d been…cautious about starting anything with him again.  He’d broken up with her, after all, and she didn’t know why he’d suddenly changed his mind. She’d still loved him, of course, but….

This isn’t about that.

This is about prenatal care.

And how expensive it is.

And how horrible Eve’s first pregnancy was because 1) that asshole abandoned her, 2) she’d gone to those visits primarily alone, 3) the pregnancy had been rough, and 4) the actual birth was extremely traumatic.  There was a reason it took so many years before she’d tried again with Christopher, there was a reason she probably never would have had another child at all if she hadn’t explicitly wanted to have one with Christopher, and even then, it had taken years before she’d been able to agree to even try.

Months of fear, even with Christopher with her, even going through everything with Agatha, even no longer being so alone, even not having to worry about money, even with the visits and the check-ins and the assurances, and still that creeping growling in her stomach – which, more often than not, was Rowena curled up against her bladder and not actual fear, which was more likely to cause her heart to constrict—

And her birth had gone as well as could be hoped, once it started, despite all of the fear she’d built up.

Agatha’s, on the other hand, despite all of the good will she had built up—

~

Prenatal care is not cheap, but Eve’s husband is in his second year as governor of Connecticut – good health care, fairly good pay (over three times what he’d made as mayor of Haddington) – and if they’d had enough to cover everything before, they have more than enough to take care of everything now.  Even with all of the extra visits that Eve assures Agatha she does not need (and yet still has because Agatha insists and her concern is palpable and Eve wants to do her best to comfort and console her as they go through this pregnancy together).

And that’s…that’s the thing, isn’t it?

Together.

Christopher doesn’t come to the visits and appointments with her, although Eve would much prefer him, because there are only so many people allowed in the room at once – for Eve, who will feel crowded, not that she would say that ever, but that her OB/GYN would definitely point it out – and Agatha should be there.  Deserves to be there.  And considering the circumstances, Eve will never deny Cian should they ever wish to join.

Cian doesn’t join them very often.  Perhaps that’s respect. Perhaps that’s consideration for Eve. Perhaps that’s the way their fear speaks; Agatha’s yells through clinging, through needing to be there, through needing to know at every moment that the greatest of care is being taken for who will, eventually, be her child, to the point that it’s smothering – or would be, if Eve doesn’t completely understand what it’s coming from and why she’s like that – but Cian’s fear speaks in their hands off approach, in their very intentional trust in Eve and the care she’s giving to carrying their child – their acknowledgement that this is all out of their hands, which is good and right, except that really it’s a refusal to get attached to this new child and this new pregnancy in the same way that they did with Lily.  And Eve understands that, too.

Eve understands a lot of things.  She understands Christopher’s hesitancy to go to the visits at all; he will, to support her, to be with her, but it’s the same as Cian – he doesn’t want to get attached – and perhaps that is even more valid because…because this isn’t their child, it won’t be his child, and any attachment he has – it’s a lose/lose situation, isn’t it? But he whispers it, sometimes, when her bump first begins to show, when he kisses her jaw gentle, when he runs a soft hand along the skin of her belly, how proud he is of her, reminds her how much he loves her—

And she hears it, underneath all of that, how much he would rather this child be theirs, too.  How much he wants to keep them, whoever they end up being.  How much he would love another child – every child – that Eve might ever want to have.

She already knows that after this…after this, that’s it for her.  Rowena should have been it for her, but Agatha needed help, and she…she’d seen. She didn’t want them to have to go through that whole long process of finding another possible surrogate when she was…she was right here, and she didn’t want to do it again but she will – she is – for them.

They deserve their child to come from family.

Even if it hadn’t been Eve, even if the surrogate had been another woman, the donor….

They could ask Wong again, but the truth of the matter is that if they couldn’t have material from either Agatha or Cian themselves, the next closest is Christopher.

And hate her for it all you want, but Eve absolutely refuses to let any other woman bear her husband’s child.

Even if it won’t really be his child.

~

I’m sorry, Agatha murmurs soft after what feels like the thousandth ultrasound, her head lowered, the picture held tight in her left hand, so tight it should wrinkle, except that she’s intentional that it doesn’t.

(Later, she will show the image to Cian, point out all the differences between this picture and the last one they got, and her heart will catch in her throat. Her eyes will prick with tears. And Cian will run a hand soothingly along her back as she says, even softer than she speaks now, It’s been two years and it isn’t me and I’m scared, and then, finally, Don’t tell me everything’s going to be alright, Cian, just—

She will sniffle.  Rub her nose with the back of one hand.  Wipe away tears before they have the opportunity to fall.  And then continue on as though nothing has happened at all.)

Eve runs her hand protectively over her swollen belly – not nearly what it will be later, barely even noticeable at all – and does not smile the way she might have with Rowena.  For what?

You’re barely showing, and I’m all up in your—  Agatha gestures.  —everything.  Her head hangs low, and she rubs her arm with her free hand.  You’re not an idiot, hon.  You know how to take care of—

Hey, Eve interrupts, one corner of her lips lifting ever so slightly.  Come here.

Agatha glances up – most of the time, their age difference doesn’t bother Eve, and it doesn’t bother her now – it is only in this moment that Agatha seems so much younger than she is, not just younger than Eve, although that’s true, too, but ever so much more than that.  She looks almost like she did when she was seventeen, when she’d gone through all of those auditions and been denied by each and every one of them, when she hadn’t known what she’d done wrong – when she was so small because she hadn’t been—

What’s wrong?

Nothing’s wrong.  Just come here.

When Agatha steps closer, Eve loops the wrist of her free hand with her thumb and forefinger and then places Agatha’s palm gentle on her stomach.  Do you feel her?

No, I—  Then Agatha’s eyes light up, soft blue eyes sparkling bright.  Is that—?

Mmhm.  Eve smiles easy and resists the urge to reach out, to brush strands that have broken out of Agatha’s messy ponytail back out of her face.  She wakes up whenever she hears you.

It isn’t true, not exactly, but Eve says it anyway because she knows it’s what Agatha wants to hear.

Agatha smiles and runs her hand along Eve’s stomach.  It…it’s weird, she says, to feel it from this side after….  Her voice trails off, and the light in her eyes darkens.  She removes her hand then and steps back.  Thank you.

Of course, Eve murmurs gentle.  Always.

~

The monthly family dinners quickly become weekly family dinners.

Eve isn’t entirely opposed to this, since Christopher spends so much time at work.  When he first became governor, she’d still been pregnant with Rowena, and he was home in time for dinner every day.  He’d taken time off when Rowena was born, too – as much as he could, considering – but after….

Well, it isn’t like it’s anything new.  Christopher wants to save the world, to do the best he can for his state – for his city, when he’d been mayor of Haddington – and she’s used to it, used to occasionally having to drag him from his office because otherwise he would honestly pass out there.  She’s not upset with him.  She loves him.  She loves how dedicated to the people he is.

Sometimes, Eve just wants him home.

Brendan is older now, with more complicated schoolwork, and Rowena is older now, but she’s still barely two years old.  She walks and talks and has opinions, but she still needs constant care and attention.  Sometimes she babbles, sometimes she pulls her mom’s jewelry out of places that Eve isn’t certain how she got to them and drapes them around her neck, sometimes she just dances around the house as she walks, but she rarely, if ever, sits in one place for much longer than a few minutes.  Brendan tries to help keep an eye on her in the way that only a nine-year-old can, which is to say, not very well.

Christopher misses a family dinner due to a meeting that goes far, far longer than he ever thought that it would (and he calls Eve, he apologizes profusely on the phone, and from that moment on absolutely refuses to schedule meetings late enough on family dinner days for this to ever happen again (later, when Claire is president, this is significantly harder; later, when Claire is president, they don’t have weekly – or even monthly – family dinners; later, when Claire is president, she makes a point of being home so that she can eat with Eve and Rowena as often as she can, as many times a week as she can, clinging to that sense of normalcy while everything else is so distinctly not normal; but later is not now)), and between the children being children (she loves them, she loves them, she loves them, she does) and Agatha being…Agatha (she loves her, she does, but she’s not sure she can take all of these questions all of the time) and hormones running rampant (while she is angry, she blames Agatha for this, too; when she’s less angry, she blames herself), Eve snaps.

She hides in the bathroom afterward, hands on the counter, shaking, hair wilder than it normally is for family dinners, half-pulled out of her ponytail – she’d scrambled to be more presentable because she’d almost forgotten about the dinner in the first place, and then she’d remembered and Brendan had needed help with his homework and Rowena had been crying about something that Eve could do absolutely nothing about (and now she was crying because she wanted her daddy, and Eve couldn’t do anything about that either), and then Christopher had called and said he wasn’t coming – and maybe it was all a perfect storm of horrible because that happens even on what should have been the best days – and she looks in the mirror and sees her eyes fade from wild and angry, her cheeks spotted with red, to just as red, dry, stinging.  She takes a deep breath in and wipes her eyes and splashes her face with cold water before patting it down (some of those pulled out strands of hair don’t dry near fast enough, and she can feel the cold as she tucks them behind her ears) and then forces herself to pretend that she’s better now when, really, she isn’t.

The child gestating within her—

Eve pauses, before she opens the door, and places a hand on her swollen stomach and feels the tiniest of hands reaching up to touch hers.  This is for you, she wants to say, and when you get here, all of this will be worth it, but the thing of it is—

I love you, she murmurs instead, and her heart aches, and she walks back into the chaos.

Agatha is with Brendan, because Agatha has always been better with older children, and Cian holds Rowena calm and safe in their arms, because Cian is good with everyone, except for Eve, except when she is mad, because when Eve is mad, she wants to fight, and Cian is always so calm.  Cian’s calm doesn’t soothe her the way she expects it soothes Agatha; it just makes her more angry.

But Eve isn’t angry right now.

She’s just tired.

~

Agatha headlines ballets, and Cian runs a dance studio.

Agatha cannot take time off, although she will just as soon as their child is born.

Cian takes on fewer classes, gives more to the other dance teachers at their studio, and chooses to come help Eve at home.

Eve tells them not to do this, but there’s such a vast difference between call me if you need anything and I’m here, point me in a direction to help.  So many people tell her to call if she needs help, but so few of them are actively there.  It’s not like Eve knows ahead of time when to call people or when she’ll need help, and it’s not like Eve would actually call anyone when she does need it.

But Cian is there, Cian is just there, and while sometimes Eve is ashamed of adding another person into their chaos—

There are days when she hears the doorbell ring, and she expects someone – something else – and then it’s Cian, it’s just Cian, and she throws her arms around them and clings to them in a manner not dissimilar to the way Agatha had clung to them after—

No.

No.

It’s not the same.

(Cian is too tall.  She cannot throw her arms around their neck.  She tries.)

Cian is soft and gentle.  Cian can get Rowena to take a nap just by sitting with her.  Cian can get Brendan to focus on his homework by sitting with him and pointing out new ways of looking at things that, strictly speaking, are not the way he is being taught to do them (but this is before that matters so much, back when finding the right answer is the important thing).  And when Eve’s feet are sore and she feels bloated, Cian can cook and clean and keep giving her a freshly wet rag to cool her throbbing head.

~

You’re not perfect, Eve mutters once.  Christopher can do all of this.

One corner of Cian’s lips quirks upward as they continue to scrub at a dirty dish, and they don’t even look at her when they say, Christopher is off saving the world.  Sometimes it’s nice to have someone saving the home.

Something about that sits wrong with her, but she can’t disagree with it.

The next time Cian brings a cool rag, Eve grabs their wrist and holds their hand to her stomach, forces it to stay there.  She stares up at them.  This is your child, she thinks but does not say. This is yours, and you did this to me, and you’re going to deal with it.

Cian doesn’t struggle, just leaves their hand there, and as the child within Eve moves within her, as she releases her grip, they move their hand along her stomach, and the child’s touch moves with them.  I’m here, they murmur, kneeling to the floor and, with Eve’s gentle nod of quiet, pained permission, they gingerly kiss her stomach.

I’m here.

[bopinion]

2023 / 09

Aperçu of the Week:

"The hell is empty and all the devils are here."

(William Shakespeare)

Bad News of the Week:

Last year, I cheered about the fact that an agreement had been reached across the EU that, as of 2035, no more vehicles may be sold that have a fossil fuel engine - the so-called "combustion engine phase-out." It is true that cars registered up to 31.12.2034 may continue to be driven. As long as they can. But at least there will be no more new polluters. After all.

The whole thing had only one small flaw: the decision still had to reach a majority in the relevant Council of Ministers. In form from at least 15 EU members, representing at least 65% of the EU population. Italy, Poland, Bulgaria had already signaled that they would vote against it or abstain - which is taken as a rejection. But the majority seemed to stand. Seemed. Because that has unexpectedly changed. Since Germany, as the most populous country, could no longer vote in favor, tipping the balance. Because the consent of the mentioned majority is factually unattainable with Germany changing sides. What had happened?

Germany is currently governed by a coalition of three parties. Social Democrats, Greens and Liberals. Only when these three agree can they speak with one voice. If they don't agree, there is an automatic abstention. And that is exactly what happened. Since the Liberals insist that vehicles with engines that have been proven to produce no emissions because they burn so-called e-fuels are not considered combustion vehicles.

Stupidly, this is currently a symbolic discussion, since e-fuels are incredibly expensive and therefore inefficient in view of the enormous energy requirements which must also come exclusively from renewable sources. Physicists speak here of a "low degree of efficiency", significantly lower than an electric motor. Since for the same performance a multiple of energy must be spent. And this also against the background that it is completely illusory that there will be energy in abundance in 2035. Which is also much cheaper than today. Sorry when I start laughing...

But that's where we are now. Because of the patronage politics of a party that was elected by just 11.5% of the electorate of a single EU member. And to which the (social democratic) chancellor Olaf Scholz submits - for the sake of peace. So the planned vote was hastily postponed. And everyone blames the other. At whose expense? The future and the planet. Thanks for nothing!

Good News of the Week:

The history of the love-hate relationship between the United Kingdom and the European Union is getting a new chapter. And this time a good one: the "Windsor Agreement". A brief review of history: Between the country of Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, which share the island of the same name, there have long been sometimes bloody conflicts, keyword IRA. This has already sung U2 with the evergreen "Sunday, Bloody Sunday". Peace was achieved with the Good Friday Agreement, which fortunately continues to this day. The decisive factor was and still is the largely open border between the two states.

As long as the UK was a member of the EU, like Ireland, everything was easy. After Brexit, however, an EU external border now suddenly cut right through the Irish people. A resurgence of conflict was to be feared if it were actually enforced harshly. Therefore, Northern Ireland was given a special role in the negotiations between Brussels, Dublin, London and Belfast, remaining partially within the European single market. Boris "The missing haircut" Johnson, however, torpedoed the deal negotiated by the previous government. After all, it did not fit his catchy Brexiteer slogan of "taking back control." A unilateral termination was announced, corresponding bills were on the table, pacta sunt servanda no longer counted.

But now Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen have managed to find a healthy middle ground, to forge a solid compromise. The Windsor Agreement simplifies imports and exports, especially between Northern Ireland and Great Britain, for example for food and pharmaceuticals. EU monitoring ensures that European standards are respected, as onward transport to Ireland (so the EU) remains possible, since traditional customs controls are largely absent. This is a solution that is especially good for the inhabitants of the island. It's nice when common sense prevails.

Personal happy moment of the week:

Last Wednesday, my new work colleague was at our house for dinner. Because my family was curious about who I was raving about. Because for the first time I was allowed to choose a colleague myself. And I had a good feeling right away. Which was confirmed in reality. And then he's also a nice guy. And he brought along a good wine. Thank you!

I couldn't care less...

...that I had actually once (okay: two weeks ago) placed my hopes in Chinese foreign policy. That was probably an air act. Like China's alleged "peace plan for Ukraine", which was announced at the Munich Security Conference. Now it is on the table. And it is not worth the paper it was written on. Cloudy blah-blah that still does not differentiate between aggressor and victim. Against the background of rumors about arms deliveries and saber rattling against allegedly encroaching influence of the West, this makes a sound that makes me increasingly worried.

As I write this...

...I am saddened that I wasn't able to finish my weekly blog post until today (Wednesday of the following week!). Because I'm just working too much at the moment. 12 hours on Sunday alone. The day before yesterday and yesterday too. So thank you to my regular readers for understanding that sometimes you just can't do like you want to do it. Much appreciated!

Post Scriptum

"What will tip over first - the fossil fuel economy or the climate?" recently asked journalist Jochen Bittner. He hopes for the former. And if, for example, the world's largest institutional investor Blackrock withdraws from financing fossil energies, that is a step in that direction. But as the saying goes, people vote with their feet. The other day, a friend who works at BMW told me that the current trend is toward large engines, for which almost any price will do. A free ride for free citizens. As if there were no tomorrow. As long as it somehow works.

His wife is a scientist, works in the pharmaceutical industry. Studied, smart, interested and recently grandma. And then she seriously asks whether there have not always been cycles of warming and cooling on this planet. And that she's going skiing the next day - in other words, pursuing the sport that has been proven to cause the most environmental damage. As the saying goes, people vote... you know the rest.

Democracy is stupidly no guarantee for a positive development, because for that all voters would have to be ready to inform themselves solidly and then to decide consequently. And without looking out for their own advantage. But that is obviously too much to ask. The very same functionality determines whether capitalism does evil or good in a free society. Joe Manchin or Greta Thunberg.

I believe many politicians that they actually want to do the right thing. But they have to be elected or re-elected. And the voters supposedly can't be expected to accept something being imposed on them. That's exactly the point: humanity - at least in the so-called West - has to say goodbye to cherished habits if it wants to survive. It won't work without giving up comfort.

[infinity-compliance]

Interest rate on PF deposits may be near 8% for FY23

New Delhi: The government may peg the interest rate on provident fund deposits at nearly 8% for 2022-23, almost at the same level as in the previous fiscal, people familiar with the matter told ET.They said the earnings of the Employees' Provident Fund Organisation were being worked out but 8% was doable considering higher returns on investments this year."Return on EPFO investments this year have been strong with reduced withdrawals on account of Covid-19 pandemic. Even investments in equity are expected to fetch better returns than last year, making a clear case of either retaining the interest rate at 8.1% or bringing it a tad lower to 8%," a senior government official said on the condition of anonymity. Another official said raising the interest rate beyond 8.1% will widen the difference between PF rates and rates on public provident fund (PPF) and general provident fund (GPF) which stands at 7.1%."The government will stick to around 8% to avoid any political backlash as it heads into key state assembly elections this year, followed by general elections next year," the second official added.The central board of trustees of EPFO is expected to meet later this month or in early March to decide on the interest rate that will be recommended by its Finance Investment and Audit committee based on the earnings for 2022-23. The retirement fund body had announced the interest rate of 8.1% for 2021-22, which was the lowest in four decades and was significantly lower than 8.5% credited in the preceding year. This was on an estimated income of ₹76,768 crore with ₹450 crore as surplus. Exchange Traded Fund The CBT is also expected to take a call on the threshold on redemption of exchange traded funds at its upcoming meeting.It had in its last meeting in October 2022, proposed fixing a threshold on ETF redemption to ensure minimum returns and better payout to its subscribers. EPFO started investing in equities in 2015-16, starting with 5% in the first year, 10% in the second year and 15% in the subsequent years. Source link https://www.infinitycompliance.in/product/online-company-registration-in-india/ Read the full article

[hakesbros]

Failed Gop Candidate Charged In Four Shootings At Democratic Lawmakers Homes In New Mexico

— Prosecutors say a failed GOP candidate accused of orchestrating a sequence of drive-by shootings at the homes of Democratic elected officers in New Mexico’s largest metropolis is a hazard to the community and should be detained pending trial. "As robust believers in some nice advantages of homeownership, we think the continued market rebalance is actually a great factor," mentioned Bailey. The housing market decelerated significantly throughout 2022, creating extra alternatives for homebuyers, in stark reversal of the frenzied seller's market of the previous yr. According to a model new report from RE/MAX, the year new home builders in albuquerque's most telling stats have been accentuated in December, the place home gross sales had been down 38% from a year in the past, while the variety of homes for sale was up 69% within the report's fifty three metro areas. With the housing market displaying indicators of strain due to adjustments in inventory, inflation, and interest rates, understanding the trigger of this decline in sales is vital. Out of those components, skyrocketing inflation is hurting homeowners the most by sending rates of interest even higher.

He allegedly requested his accomplices "to shoot lower into the homes and to take action earlier in the evening...when targets can be less doubtless be lying down." New Mexico state Sen. Linda Lopez was another a type of targeted in the shootings. While nobody was injured in the capturing at her home, bullets did rip through her 10-year-old daughter's bed room, inflicting debris to fall on the child. One of the alleged accomplices was arrested in Pena's vehicle after officers pulled the automobile over, police mentioned. Inside, officers additionally found weapons, money and lots of of fentanyl tablets. There had been 660 closed gross sales, 631 pending gross sales and 569 new listings in December, in accordance with GAAR.

This info just isn't meant to be used in determining an individual's eligibility to attend a school or to use or profit from other city, city or local providers. Use our mortgage calculatorto see how a lot it will be to finance a house in Albuquerque. A failed Republican candidate for New Mexico’s state legislature who claimed the election was “rigged” was arrested Monday for allegedly orchestrating a string of shootings on the homes of Democratic officers within the state, police stated. Jan An unsuccessful Republican state House candidate in New Mexico was arrested on Monday and accused of orchestrating current homes for sale albuquerque shootings at four local elected officials' homes, the Albuquerque Police Department said. Detectives recognized Pena as their key suspect using a combination of cellphone and vehicle data, witness interviews and bullet casings collected on the lawmakers’ homes, police stated. His arrest came one week after Medina introduced that they had recognized a suspect in the shootings.

Check to see if you qualify for the primary time home buyers program or a VA home mortgage. The Westside is a large area that starts at the western financial institution of the Rio Grande, and extends west up and over the western escarpment, to the north is bordered by the City of Rio Rancho, and south to Central Avenue . There are nice new homes albuquerque choices for housing, schooling, and recreation. The Albuquerque Real Estate on the west aspect consists of affordable home choices such as townhomes, and enormous master-planned communities like Ventana Ranch, Paradise Hills, Taylor Ranch, & 7 Bar Ranch.

I can name him today with a query, and he would reply and bear in mind all my family members' names. If you determine to list with John my greatest recommendation is to observe homes for sale in albuquerque new mexico his recommendations to the element. Because of John's work, our home offered for 10% more than the asking value to the first couple who noticed it.

The Petroglyph National Monument is managed jointly by the City of Albuquerque and the National Park Service. It occupies 7,244 acres of Albuquerque Real Estate on the west mesa. Great day hike trails result in a few of the almost 20,000 petroglyphs within homes for sale in albuquerque nm the area. Boca Negra Horseman’s Complex is situated near Petroglyph National Monument on the west aspect as well and is and glorious facility managed by the City of Albuquerque.