The Federal Reserve Federal Reserve Gov. Lael Brainard warned against raising the federal funds target rate “prematurely” during a speech at a National Association for Business Economics conference in Washington.“There is a risk that the intensification of international cross currents could weigh more heavily on U.S. demand directly, or that the anticipation of a sharper divergence in U.S. policy could impose restraint through additional tightening of financial conditions,” Brainard said.She continued, “For these reasons, I view the risks to the economic outlook as tilted to the downside. The downside risks make a strong case for continuing to carefully nurture the U.S. recovery – and argue against prematurely taking away the support that has been so critical to its vitality.”Instead, Brainard said she is arguing in favor of “watching and waiting.” She also noted that she does not consider improvement in the labor market “a sufficient statistic” for judging inflation. continue reading » 8SHARESShareShareSharePrintMailGooglePinterestDiggRedditStumbleuponDeliciousBufferTumblr
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Indonesia to set price ceiling for COVID-19 swab tests
“In setting the standard price, we don’t want private laboratories to experience losses, but we also don’t want the public to spend that much for PCR tests. So, we will also involve the BPKP [Development Finance Comptroller] in doing this,” Doni said.He went on to say that the BNPB had distributed millions of reagents for PCR tests across the country so that they could provide swab testing for free. “We’ve provided free tests to 51 percent of the people who have taken swab tests,” he said.As of Sept. 9, Indonesia has tested a total of 2.5 million swab samples from 1.4 million people. The country has recorded 203,342 confirmed COVID-19 cases, with 8,336 deaths so far.Topics : “It’s very expensive in private laboratories because they are commercial and they have set their margins too high. We’re currently preparing a standard price. The BNPB head will recommend the maximum price to the Health Minister,” Dody told lawmakers in the hearing.Dody said the BNPB would recommend that private laboratories and hospitals follow the agency’s baseline price of below Rp 500,000 and add it to a reasonable profit margin.National COVID-19 task force chief Doni Monardo, who also chairs the BNPB, said during a hearing with the commission on Sept. 3 that several hospitals charged more than Rp 2.5 million for PCR tests. Therefore, he said, it was important to set a price ceiling for such tests. The National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) will assist the Health Ministry in setting a price ceiling for COVID-19 swab tests following numerous complaints over the high prices set for the tests in many private facilities.BNPB acting deputy for emergency response Dody Ruswandi said on Wednesday that private health facilities had set considerably high prices to profit from polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests.The price for the agency’s PCR tests has been set at a maximum Rp 500,000 (US$ 33.7) in some 300 state-owned laboratories, Dody said in a hearing with the House of Representatives Commission VIII overseeing disasters and social affairs.
Coronavirus ravages Latin America’s working class, Mexico deaths reach 75,000
The sprawling and densely populated working-class neighborhoods of Mexico City have been among the hardest hit in the region by the virus and the ensuing economic pain.Alejandro Castillo, 68, never stopped selling colorful women’s leggings at his stall in Mexico City’s outdoor Tepito market during the pandemic, but sales have dropped to a third of what he is used to.”It’s like a nightmare, because you can’t see when it’s going to end,” Castillo said.Still, Castillo considers himself lucky. One fellow vendor and his son recently tested positive for COVID-19, two weeks after a nephew died of the disease. Another nephew of his colleague was so weakened by the virus that he can barely speak. Latin America remains the epicenter of the coronavirus pandemic, even as infections spike again in Europe and the global death toll is likely to surpass 1 million this weekend.In Mexico, numbers have remained stubbornly high for months even after coming off summer peaks, as the government prioritized increasing hospital capacity over tests and contact tracing.The confirmed coronavirus caseload rose to 710,049 on Wednesday, according to updated data from the health ministry, along with a reported death toll of 74,949.With the testing rate far below most other large countries, Mexican officials recognize the true numbers are much higher.President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador on Thursday reiterated that infections and deaths were declining.”In Mexico we haven’t had – knock on wood – a new outbreak, we’re trending downwards in general,” he said in his morning news conference.But for stall-holder Castillo the danger still feels uncomfortably present.”Cases have been growing closer recently. And there’s still not really a policy to deal with the pandemic, at least that’s what we see,” Castillo said. Topics :
Mexico was set to surpass 75,000 confirmed coronavirus deaths on Thursday, as the pandemic ravages Latin American nations with large informal economies where workers have grappled with the twin threats of hunger and contagion.Mexico has the world’s fourth-highest coronavirus death toll, according to a Reuters tally, behind the United States, Brazil, and India. Despite closing schools and offices six months ago, the Mexican government has struggled to contain the virus’ spread.More than half of Latin America’s active population have informal jobs in areas such as street commerce and domestic labor. In Mexico, working from home or strict social distancing measures can mean no income, since the welfare safety net is small.
Arsenal or Chelsea? Michael Owen and Joe Cole reveal who players would prefer to join
Comment Advertisement Chelsea beat Malmo on Thursday night (Picture: Getty Images)‘They’re on the same points in the Premier League, on the same goal difference in the Premier League, and in the same round of the Europa League. It’s pretty much a level playing field, but which team would you prefer to play for?‘Which team do you look at and go, wow what player, good team? Everyone says Chelsea are under a big cloud, but I’d prefer Chelsea every day of the week over Arsenal.’Cole believes the higher levels of expectation is a major draw at Stamford Bridge, with prospective signings not convinced they would lift trophies at the Emirates. Would players rather play under Sarri or Emery? (Picture: Getty Images)Michael Owen and Joe Cole are both in agreement that players would favour a move to Chelsea over Arsenal because of a greater chance of silverware.The two Premier League giants are on the same number of points after 26 games in the Premier League this season, winning, drawing and losing the same number of matches while also sat on exactly the same goal difference.Both clubs are just a point behind Manchester United who currently occupy the fourth and final Champions League spot, with both desperately hoping to play top-tier European football again next season.Unai Emery and Maurizio Sarri have been under pressure in recent weeks, in what is their first seasons in charge, but despite Chelsea’s recent struggles, including a 6-0 defeat to Manchester City on Sunday, former Liverpool and Manchester United striker Owen believes players would choose the Blues over their London rivals ‘every day of the week’.AdvertisementAdvertisement‘Chelsea and Arsenal are virtually mirror image,’ Owen told BT Sport. Metro Sport ReporterFriday 15 Feb 2019 8:02 amShare this article via facebookShare this article via twitterShare this article via messengerShare this with Share this article via emailShare this article via flipboardCopy link43Shares
Arsenal or Chelsea? Michael Owen and Joe Cole reveal who players would prefer to join Arsenal were beaten by BATE Borisov (Picture: Getty Images)‘Because the expectation is that they (Chelsea) have always got to be there (competing for titles), which Chelsea have been for the last 20 years, it becomes a crisis quicker than it does at Arsenal,’ Cole added.‘With Arsenal, they’re probably not going to win anything, they’re in a ten year transitional period. Chelsea demand to win things.‘If you’re a player, you’d much rather move to Chelsea than Arsenal, there’s a better quality of player there and you’ve got more chance of winning things.’More: Manchester United FCRio Ferdinand urges Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to drop Manchester United starNew Manchester United signing Facundo Pellistri responds to Edinson Cavani praiseEx-Man Utd coach blasts Ed Woodward for two key transfer errorsWho would players rather join?Arsenal0%Chelsea0%Share your resultsShare your resultsTweet your results Advertisement
UK sponsors face tax on pension fund investment costs
UK sponsors will be unable to claim back tax for asset management costs paid on behalf of pension funds, according to the country’s tax office.The clarification comes in a policy paper by HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) in response to a 2013 European Court of Justice (ECJ) ruling following a case brought by Dutch engineering firm PPG Holdings.The HMRC said tripartite agreements – between sponsors, service providers and UK trustees – could still be subject to VAT rebates but would be ineligible for corporation-tax deductions.“In this context,” it said, “only costs recognised in the profit and loss account and contributions to pension schemes may attract a deduction for corporation tax purposes. “Direct payment by an employer of asset management costs does not clearly fall into either of these categories.”In a separate note by Linklaters, the law firm said the PPG ruling resulted in European tax offices no longer being able to distinguish between the treatment of administration costs and those incurred as a result of investment activities.“This ruling raised issues for HMRC, whose practice has been to let employers recover VAT incurred on scheme administration costs but not on investment costs,” it said. In 2014, in the wake of the PPG case, HMRC was forced to update its guidance.As a result, the tax office said its current approach to taxation would remain in place until the end of 2015 – a practice that has been extended for a further 12 months.PensionDanmark last year won a separate ECJ court case, brought by its service provider ATP, which saw defined contribution (DC) funds put on par with special investment vehicles.The ruling allowed PensionDanmark to reclaim DKK200m (€26m) in VAT charges levied against it due to its administration and investment management services.
Spotlight on Tule Red Restoration Project
A celebration ceremony for the completion of the Tule Red Restoration Project – one of the most significant tidal wetland rehabilitation efforts in California’s recent history – took place recently at the edge of the Suisun Marsh in Solano County’s Grizzly Bay region.The Suisun Marsh is the largest brackish water marsh on the west coast and part of the San Francisco Bay tidal estuary. As a landscape subject to tidal ebb and flood, a section of marsh was diked off in the early 1900’s by duck club enthusiasts to create freshwater habitats for game.In August 2019, Dutra was contracted by the State and Federal Contractors Water Agency (SFCWA) and the California Department of Water Resources to begin excavation work so that tidal water could flow back into the southern Suisun Marsh and effectively restore 400 acres of wetlands.“Projects like Tule Red and the Winter Island Habitat Restoration project we completed earlier this year really showcase Dutra’s skills in performing effectively among difficult marsh environments,” said Ryan Abood, project manager for Dutra. “Even with unforeseen timeline setbacks, our team performed expertly to get the job done.” The Tule Red Restoration Project is part of a larger, multi-phased effort to meet a requirement set forth by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to rehabilitate 8,000 acres in the Delta region for native fish and plant species to thrive.The $1.8 million project required strategic channel excavation, demolition of existing water control structures– including lowering of the outer dike – and the relocation of 15,000 cubic yards of earth among the murky terrain.
Japan’s Ecobunker Shipping launches LNG bunker vessel
The Ecobunker Tokyo Bay is a multi-bunkering vessel capable of both ship-to-ship LNG and VLSFO (very low sulphur fuel oil) bunkering. The company, a joint venture between Uyeno Transtech, Sumitomo, Yokohama Kawasaki International Port Corporation and the Development Bank of Japan said it held a naming and launching ceremony on Tuesday. The 95.5 meter-long vessel is capable of holding 2.500 cubic meters of the chilled fuel. It also has a 1,500-cbm VLFSO tank capacity. Ecobunker Shipping, a Japanese owner and operator of LNG bunkering vessels, launched its first ship at the Fukuoka Shipbuilding yard. The company has also pledged to continue promoting eco-friendly bunker fuel, also aiming to contribute in developing Tokyo Bay as one of the world’s leading LNG bunkering hubs.
Courtesy of Ecobunker Shipping Ecobunker Shipping said it will further work on outfitting the vessel including installation of equipment and tanks. With the consideration of COVID-19 pandemic, the naming & launching ceremony was held with a limited number of attendees.
November non-fendered Sybesma prize to Faddis
FARMINGTON, N.M. – Her first season in a Karl Chevrolet Northern SportMod came to an end with two awards for Juanita Faddis.The Farmington, N.M., driver earned Allstar Performance State championship honors in Utah, then capped off 2014 with November honors for non-fendered divisions in the Sybesma Graphics IMCA Facebook Fan Favorite contest. “I’d raced a Southern SportMod for three years but this was really a learning season for me,” said Faddis, recipient of a mini-mod door from Sybesma. “The biggest difference between the two divisions is how the cars drive. They have a different feel.” “We had a lot of heat race wins (16) and I was pretty stoked about my finish in the Lady Eagle points (13th) but I’m still looking for my first feature win in a Northern SportMod,” she added. “I’m going to return to the division next year and run for national points, multiple track championships and hopefully to defend my state championship.”Faddis registered a dozen top five finishes in 33 starts at four different tracks this year. Aztec Speedway was closest to home, just 10 minutes away, while Montezuma County Fairgrounds Speedway in Cortez, Colo., necessitated a one-hour tow.She had 15 starts at Desert Thunder Raceway and Diamond Mountain Speedway. All but one of those races was part of weekend doubleheaders. “Price is six hours away and Vernal is 7-1/2 hours one way, but they’re both worth the trip,” Faddis said. “Price is fast. Vernal is banked in one and two and flat in three and four. They’re both fun.” Introduced to motorsports by husband Kevin, Faddis got her four-wheeled start in a local mini-stock division. Kevin heads her crew, assisted by son Christopher “Tubby” and Jonnie Vialpando. Sponsors are Monster Bucks of the West, A-1 Rentals, Wade’s World and Spitfire Chassis by Ron Woods, all of Farmington; Shocked By Baxter of Albuquerque; D & M Motorsports of Grants; Rockstar Energy Drink; parents Duane and Barbara Taylor; children Christopher and Monica; daughter-in-law Debra and granddaughters Patricia and Anna Phillips.
February 11, 2019 Police Blotter
February 11, 2019 Police Blotter021119 Decatur County Fire Report021119 Decatur County EMS Report021119 Decatur County Law Report021119 Decatur County Jail Report021119 Ripley County Police Blotter
James William Pittman Sr.
James William Pittman Sr., 76, of Moores Hill passed away Thursday, January 16, 2020 at his home with family by his side. James was born Monday, October 25, 1943 in Casey County, Kentucky, the son of the late Luther and Nettie (Durham) Pittman. He married Norma Fulton October 15, 1960 and she survives. James was a laser press operator for FKI in Fairfield, Ohio. He was a member of the Lighthouse Baptist Church. His hobbies included: making knives, staying home working around the house, going to flea markets, and antiques. He enjoyed spending time with his family and especially his grandchildren.James is survived by his wife Norma of Moores Hill; daughter Cindy Chesney of Dillsboro; sons: James (Becky) Pittman Jr. of Oxford, Ohio, Russell (Alisa) Pittman of Milan, and Derek (Tiffany) Pittman of Madison; ten grandchildren; ten great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; brothers: Benny (Doris) Pittman, Danny (Sandy) Pittman, and Larry (Linda) Pittman; and sister Bessie (George) Smith. He was preceded in death by his parents, grandchildren Jacob Russell Pittman and Sabrina Taylor, brother Bobby (Judy) Pittman; sisters: Effie (Chester) Haggard, Ruth (Edd) Starnes, Glora (Robert) Bastin, and Joann(Glen) Partin.A service celebrating his life will be held 12 Noon Monday, January 20 at Lighthouse Baptist Church, 4938 N State Road 101, Milan, Indiana 47031 with Pastor Daryl Thayer officiating. Burial will follow in Green Cemetery. Family and friends may gather to share and remember him 10 AM-12 Noon Monday also at the church. Memorials may be given in honor of James to the Family. Sibbett-Moore Funeral Home entrusted with arrangements, Box 156, Moores Hill, IN 47032, (812)744-3280. You may go to www.sibbettmoore.com to leave an online condolence message for the family.