Latest news with #490
The Citizen
5 days ago
- Sport
- The Citizen
Young Dundee High hockey star is looking for sponsorship to represent South Africa in the Netherlands
Young Dundee High hockey star is looking for sponsorship to represent South Africa in the Netherlands Local hockey star Celiwe Zibula is calling on the community for support as she prepares to take her passion for the sport to the international stage. The Dundee High School learner is one of only 13 players selected to represent South Africa in the Netherlands from October 5 to 13, an opportunity she describes as a dream come true. 'I'm incredibly excited to share this journey and represent my community with pride,' said the dedicated athlete. 'Hockey has always been my passion and this tour is a chance to grow, learn and compete at a high level.' Zibula is appealing to individuals, businesses and organisations for sponsorship to help cover the cost of the tour, which totals R67,490 (excluding visa fees). Anyone interested in sponsoring Zibula can contribute to: account number – 62406256174; bank – FNB; account type – cheque. For more information or to offer support, Zibula can be contacted directly on 078 510 4826. HAVE YOUR SAY: Like our Facebook page, follow us on Twitter and Instagram or email us at Add us on WhatsApp 071 277 1394. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
Hindustan Times
19-05-2025
- Hindustan Times
136 smugglers arrested, 11-kg heroin seized: Punjab Police
As many as 136 smugglers were arrested during the cordon-and-search operation at 490 locations across the state, Punjab Police said on Sunday. As many as 109 FIRs were registered under the state government's anti-drug campaign — Yudh Nashian Virudh. With this, the number of total drug smugglers arrested has reached 11,860 in 78 days, the police said. Special DGP, law and order, Arpit Shukla said the raids resulted in a recovery of 11.3-kg heroin and ₹3.48 lakh drug money from the possession of arrested drug smugglers. He informed that over 200 police teams, comprising over 1,400 police personnel, under the supervision of 95 officers, conducted the raids across the state and checked 532 suspicious persons during the day-long operation. Meanwhile, 39 vehicles were impounded and 511 were challaned at 92 checkpoints in 10 districts during a special operation aimed at keeping tabs on drug trafficking and liquor smuggling. The special operation — OPS Seal-XIII, aimed at checking the vehicles entering or exiting the state, was carried out on the direction of director general of police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav, the police said. The SSPs of border districts were directed to organise joint checkpoints at strategic places and mobilise a maximum number of manpower to lay strong 'nakas' at sealing points under the supervision of gazetted officers or SHOs. Sharing details, special DGP, law and order, Arpit Shukla said well-coordinated nakas involving over 1,000 police personnel were set up under the supervision of inspectors or DSPs at 92 entry/exit points of 10 districts, which share boundaries with four states and Chandigarh. He said that 4,244 vehicles were checked, of which 511 were challaned and 39 were impounded.
Economic Times
15-05-2025
- Business
- Economic Times
Speaker Mike Johnson says congressional members are paid peanuts, need to trade stocks to support their families
Live Events FAQs (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel House Speaker Mike Johnson says members of Congress should be allowed to trade stocks so they can support their families. He said this while talking to the press on explained that Congress salaries haven't increased since 2009. He added that, after adjusting for inflation, members make 31% less now than in warned that if this keeps going, "less qualified people" will want to run for Congress because it's a big sacrifice with not enough said, "At least let them, like, engage in some stock trading so that they can continue to take care of their family."This comes at a time when stock trading by Congress members is being closely looked at again. The reason is Donald Trump's announcement of big tariffs on global trade tariffs were later changed and the stock market reacted strongly to those changes. Some people noticed strange trading activity like big spikes in NASDAQ call volume on April 9, just minutes before Trump paused tariffs for some of this, Sen. Adam Schiff (D-MA) and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) is asking for an investigation into possible insider posted on social media saying, "We're about to learn a few things," as Congress members must submit financial disclosures by May 15.A website called Capitol Trades, which tracks what Congress members are trading, found some surprising example, Rep. Rob Bresnahan (R-PA), who wants to ban congressional stock trading, has already made over $5.6 million through 490 trades since he got elected in also said people need to make a "reasonable decision" with their family about whether they can afford to live in both Washington and their home state, and do everything the job needs.Q1. What did Mike Johnson say about Congress salaries?He said they haven't increased since 2009 and are worth less now.Q2. Why are people talking about insider trading in Congress now?Some stocks moved right before news about tariffs came out.
Newsweek
15-05-2025
- Business
- Newsweek
China's Plan to Boost Birth Rates Is Paying Off—in New Zealand
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. China's ongoing efforts to raise its birth rate have seemingly contributed to a surge in New Zealand's top-performing stock. The a2 Milk Company, a major New Zealand dairy producer whose products are popular with Chinese consumers, saw its shares climb to 43 percent, Bloomberg reported. The implication is that investors anticipate a growing demand for infant formula and related products tied to potential demographic shifts in China, according to Bloomberg analysts. Why It Matters The news highlights how sweeping policy changes in China—boosting marriage rates and encouraging families—can create ripple effects for international consumer and export sectors. China's population decline and attempts to reverse it carry significant implications, not only domestically but also for global supply chains, trade and commodity markets. Analysts are watching whether China's policy causes meaningful shifts in demand for foreign products—particularly in sectors such as dairy and baby nutrition, which rely on the country's vast consumer base. A stock photo of babies in St. Elisabeth and St. Barbara Hospital in Halle, Germany, in January 2011. A stock photo of babies in St. Elisabeth and St. Barbara Hospital in Halle, Germany, in January 2011. AP What To Know China's population fell for a third consecutive year in 2024, with marriage registrations dropping to under 6.1 million couples, a decline from 7.68 million in 2023, according to China's Ministry of Civil Affairs. In response, China introduced new rules to streamline the marriage registration process, including removing the need for household registration books and allowing couples to register marriages outside their hometowns. This change is particularly relevant in a society where, as of 2020, more than 490 million people live away from their registered hometowns, the national census showed. Local governments have expanded incentives since 2021, including subsidies for children, extended maternity leave and housing support. In cities such as Hohhot, first-time parents can receive $1,400, with greater subsidies for subsequent children. The New Zealand-based a2 Milk Company, which derives 68 percent of its revenue from China and other Asian countries, outperformed all other stocks on the benchmark S&P/NZX 50 Index, Bloomberg reported. Jun Bei Liu, the founder and lead portfolio manager at Ten Cap in Sydney, named a2 as one of her top 10 stock picks. "We should see a better birth rate in the latter part of this year to early next year, and the company is very well-positioned for that rebound," she said, per Bloomberg. What People Are Saying Greg Smith, the head of retail at Devon Funds Management in Auckland, said: "[A2 Milk] has become a proxy for the amount of consumer stimulus effectively in China, which is by far their biggest and most important market." Commenting on China's efforts to increase birth rates, Xiujian Peng, a senior research fellow at Victoria University's Centre of Policy Studies in Melbourne, previously told Newsweek: "Without comprehensive reforms, these efforts may have only a marginal effect on reversing declining fertility trends." "International experience suggests that more comprehensive policies tend to be more effective. For example, France successfully increased its fertility rate from 1.64 in 1993 to 1.8–1.9 between the 1990s and 2010s, while Denmark saw a rise from 1.38 in 1983 to 1.7–1.8 over the same period." What Happens Next The National People's Congress is expected to address further proposals, which may lower marriage age minimums and eliminate limits on childbirth. Meanwhile, global investors and exporters remain watchful for further policy shifts and their direct effects on international trade flows and consumer markets.
Mercury
01-05-2025
- Business
- Mercury
Pressure rising as rents climb higher in Hobart
Hobart rents are on the move — and the trend is upward. Compared to the other capital cities, Hobart recorded the second-highest quarterly growth in March rental prices, according to REA Group's Market Insight report. The data showed that median advertised rental home prices in Hobart — houses and units combined — grew 4.8 per cent over the March quarter to reach $550 per week. This was miles ahead of the combined capital city growth figure, 1.6 per cent, and just behind market-leading Darwin at 5 per cent. Despite the increase, Hobart remains the least expensive capital city to rent in. Research by REA Group senior economist Anne Flaherty found that the speed of rental growth has accelerated in the first three months of 2025, reversing the trend of slowing growth seen late last year. MORE: Kylie Kwong's brother's Tassie paradise up for auction Hone your backhand at home: Landmark to fetch top dollar Just three properties': Aus rental crisis hits new breaking point Ms Flaherty said unit rents in Hobart increased by 2.1 per cent over the March quarter to $490 per week, while house rents were up 4.5 per cent over the same period to sit at $585 per week. She said regional Tasmania's rental prices lifted just 1.1 per cent over the quarter, yet remain 4.7 per cent above March 2024 levels at $450 per week. Unit rent growth in regional Tasmania held flat over the March quarter sitting at $400 a week, while house rents grew 2.2 per cent over the same period to reach $460 per week, the economist said. 'Looking ahead, the more modest pace of rent growth seen over the past 12 months is expected to continue throughout the rest of this year,' Ms Flaherty said. Meanwhile, separate research shows that rent hikes are outpacing inflation. New figures from reveal national rents have surged more than 14 per cent over the past two years, with further increases expected. The last time rents grew this steeply was during the global financial crisis, but this time the pressures are even more complex — record migration, ultra-low vacancy rates and a shortfall in housing supply are fuelling a surge that's catching millions in its wake. The website's property expert, Mansour Soltani, said renters were now facing a very different economic reality to mortgage holders. 'Inflation is easing and the RBA is moving closer to rate cuts, but renters are being left behind,' Mr Soltani said. 'There's a growing divide between homeowners who are set to see some relief, and renters who are still copping steep price increases.' MORE: Historic Salamanca building seeks multimillion-dollar sale Right by the river, one of Hobart's finest homes for sale analysis shows rents rising 7.3 per cent in 2023 and a further 6.4 per cent in 2024 — far outpacing the overall CPI rate of 6.6 per cent. If current conditions persist, rents could jump another 18 per cent by 2030. Last month, a REA Group report into rental affordability put a spotlight on the struggles faced by Tasmanians. It found that a typical household income allowed people to rent only one in five properties listed on Tasmania was named the third-least affordable state for renters. Angus Moore, REA Group's executive manager of economics, said the challenge is even tougher for those in lower income brackets, with the report finding just 1 per cent of homes would be affordable. 'It highlights the importance of Commonwealth Rent Assistance support for lower-income renters,' he said.
