Latest news with #612
Egypt Independent
24-05-2025
- Business
- Egypt Independent
Sisi ratifies final accounts for FY 2023–2024 budgets of several authorities
CAIRO, May 22 (MENA) – President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi has ratified laws approving the final accounts for the budgets of several government entities for the 2023–2024 fiscal year. The approved budgets include those of the National Institute for Governance and Sustainable Development with LE231,083,980, the National Authority for Quality Assurance and Accreditation of Education with LE79,570,302, the Cairo International Stadium Authority with LE162,944,450, and the University Support and Development Authority with LE1,256,680,366. Additionally, the president ratified final accounts for the Grand Egyptian Museum, totaling LE10,735,845,612, the National Academy for Training, amounting to LE407,748,708, the General Authority for Tourism Development, with LE3,696,610,325, and the Prison Manufacturing and Production Fund, recording LE775,144,524. The laws were published in the Official Gazette. (MENA)
Daily Tribune
19-05-2025
- Health
- Daily Tribune
BD16.67mln spent on outsourced staff for hospitals and health centres
Twenty companies are supplying 1,430 workers including cleaners, barbers and programmers to Bahrain's hospitals and health centres under contracts worth a combined BD16.67 million, the Ministry of Health has said. The work is spread over 24 agreements signed by government hospitals and primary care centres, covering everything from security and transport to gardening and IT support. Funding comes from Chapter Two of each entity's budget. In a reply to a question by MP Khalid Buanaq, Her Excellency Dr Jaleela bint Al Sayed, the Minister of Health, said the contracts followed the separation of healthcare bodies from the ministry as part of a wider shift to give hospitals and clinics more say in their own dayto-day operations. Each body is now able to make its own arrangements so long as it sticks to the public tender law, its executive rules and the state's financial rulebook. Hospitals signed 13 contracts with nine companies to supply 1,008 workers. The largest of these was a BD3.705 million deal for cleaning Salmaniya Medical Complex. Other sums included BD563,612 for cleaning services at Jidhafs Maternity Hospital and several health centres, BD646,937 for administrative offices, BD34,584 for the Psychiatric Hospital and BD9,900 for Muharraq Special Healthcare Centre. Transport work was covered by a BD192,000 deal for 21 drivers. Laundry duties were filled under a BD327,000 contract for 29 staff.
Daily Record
05-05-2025
- Health
- Daily Record
Older people with arthritis, joint or back pain could be due up to £441 every month
Nearly half a million people are receiving either £73.90 or £110.40 each week through Attendance Allowance or Pension Age Disability Payment. Pension Credit – Could you or someone you know be eligible? The latest figures from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) show there are now nearly half a million people across Great Britain receiving Attendance Allowance support for arthritis, making it the most-claimed health condition by people over State Pension age. More than 44,550 older people in Scotland are now receiving either £73.90 or £110.40 each week, along with 1,786 living abroad. This tax-free benefit is not affected by savings or income and is paid every four weeks which means someone on the lower rate will receive £295.60 every pay period while those on the higher rate will receive £441.50. Arthritis is the most common disabling condition - an umbrella term used by the DWP to cover a multitude of health conditions. The condition typically causes stiffness, swelling, pain and inflammation in a joint and accounts for more than one-third (35%) of all of the 1.6 million claims for Attendance Allowance. Across Great Britain, an estimated 20m people have arthritis or other, similar conditions that affect the joints, so if you are living with arthritis, back, joint, muscle or chronic pain, you could be eligible for support from the DWP through the benefit. People claiming Attendance Allowance for arthritis There are now nearly 1.7m older people claiming Attendance Allowance across Great Britain including 149,997 living in Scotland. The number of people claiming Attendance Allowance for arthritis in August 2024: Scotland: 149,997 England: 1,406,281 Wales: 110,047 Living abroad: 5,612 Great Britain total: 1,672,590 Many more people may be entitled to Attendance Allowance but simply do not know enough about it to make a claim. New claims for the benefit have now been replaced in Scotland by a similar payment designed to help those over State Pension age with a disability or long-term health issue - Pension Age Disability Payment (PADP). Older people with a Scottish postcode, thinking about making a claim for Attendance Allowance, should claim PADP instead - full details here. Below is an overview of what you should know about Attendance Allowance, including how to start your application. Full details about claiming Attendance Allowance can be found on the website here. It is also worth considering making a claim for Attendance Allowance - or Personal Independence Payment (PIP) or Adult Disability Payment (ADP) if you or a family member are below State Pension age. You can find out more about claiming PIP or ADP here. What is Attendance Allowance? Attendance Allowance helps with extra costs if you have a physical or mental disability or illness severe enough that makes it hard for you to look after yourself - it does not cover mobility needs. You do not need to have someone caring for you in order to make a claim. Who can claim? You should apply for Attendance Allowance if you have a disability or illness and need help or supervision throughout the day or at times during the night -even if you don't currently get that help. This might include: Help with your personal care - for example getting dressed, eating or drinking, getting in and out of bed, bathing or showering and going to the toilet Help to stay safe You should also apply if you have difficulties with personal tasks, for example if they take you a long time, you experience pain or you need physical help, like a chair to lean on. Attendance Allowance isn't just for people with a physical disability or illness. You should also claim if you need help or supervision throughout the day or night and have: a mental health condition learning difficulties a sensory condition - if you are deaf or visually impaired How much could I get on Attendance Allowance? You could receive £73.90 if you need help during the day or at night or £110.40 if you need help during the day and at night, or if you are terminally ill. The benefit is paid every four weeks , which means you could receive either £295.60 or £441.60 every pay period. You can spend the money however you like and it could help you stay independent in your own home for longer. This might include: paying for taxis helping towards bills paying for a cleaner or gardener Can I claim Attendance Allowance even if I have savings and other income? Yes. Attendance Allowance isn't means-tested so it doesn't matter what other money you have coming in or how much you have in savings either - there's no limit. it is also tax-free and you will be exempt from the Benefit Cap so you won't have money taken away from any other benefits. Will Attendance Allowance affect my State Pension? No, it won't affect your State Pension and you can even claim it if you're still working and earning money. How does Attendance Allowance affect other benefits? The other benefits you get might increase if you get Attendance Allowance, these include: Extra Pension Credit Housing Benefit Reduction Council Tax Reduction How do I make a claim? You will need to complete a long claim form when you apply for Attendance Allowance. It might seem daunting at first but help is available from your nearest Citizens Advice, so don't let the form put you off applying. If you'd prefer to do it yourself you can follow the Citizens Advice guide on how to fill in your claim form here. Full details of how to get the application form by post or over the phone can be found on the website here. What happens if I am about to reach State Pension age? If you are thinking about applying for Attendance Allowance when you reach State Pension age, you might be better off claiming Personal Independence Payment (PIP) straight away - you may be able to get more money. Who cannot claim Attendance Allowance? You cannot claim Attendance Allowance if you live in Scotland - apply for PADP instead. You won't be able to get Attendance Allowance if you already get PIP or Disability Living Allowance (DLA) to pay for your care. If you apply for Attendance Allowance while getting DLA, the DWP will usually reassess your DLA award instead. You can renew your PIP or DLA when the existing award ends as long as you still meet the eligibility criteria. If your renewal is unsuccessful you can apply for Attendance Allowance instead. Find out more about Attendance Allowance on the website here.
Sydney Morning Herald
03-05-2025
- Politics
- Sydney Morning Herald
Our shared humanity rises above all
In the space of five minutes on a recent Monday morning I was reminded of how precious it is to belong to the human family. Coming out of the grocery store, a woman from my parish waved cheerily to me. Thirty seconds later at the lights another woman called out 'Hello!' from her car. A minute later a complete stranger said 'You look fabulous' as I rounded the corner into my coffee shop, perhaps because I was decked out in layers of pink. There I met my neighbour and his walking group, and we had a bit of a chat about the weather. Five minutes and the world was on my side. Yesterday, across the nation, we voted. Only each one of us knows what we put on that ballot paper in the cardboard confessional that is the voting booth. We have thought about where our core values lie and what aligns most generally with that. We know that whatever the outcome, there will have to be compromise and good will to achieve consensus on plans for the future of our nation. We hope that our elected representatives care that the common good prevails and that they ensure that fairness, equity, access and justice are the goals for the decision-making that affects us all. And after all the point-scoring and kissed babies and exhausting analysis, we resume our lives today. We will get on with being neighbourly because that's how we live day to day. That shared humanity is in the greeting of the young Indian barista who sees me most mornings as I bustle in to read the paper. It is the 612 bus driver who waits for the elderly passenger to be seated before driving off. It is the amiable shuffle and chat of those who await the opening of the door at the Balwyn library at 10am and who rush in to read the papers. It is my brother who donates $50 each year to the Good Friday Appeal for the Royal Children's Hospital. It is the quiet gathering of strangers standing next to each other at the local dawn service on Anzac Day. It is the memory of mateship that lives on and grows in meaning. Such is life in the suburbs and country towns across the nation. We are loving our neighbours in the incidental ebb and flow of our lives. We have our inner circle, but the outer circle also adds joy and colour to our days. Whenever we take part in something, and make an effort to engage with others, we are adding a new richness to our lives, and the lives of others. We become more expansive, kinder, gentler, less judgemental. This is where I cast my vote. I have faith in the goodness and decency of people. I believe in the best of them, the best of us.
The Age
03-05-2025
- Politics
- The Age
Our shared humanity rises above all
In the space of five minutes on a recent Monday morning I was reminded of how precious it is to belong to the human family. Coming out of the grocery store, a woman from my parish waved cheerily to me. Thirty seconds later at the lights another woman called out 'Hello!' from her car. A minute later a complete stranger said 'You look fabulous' as I rounded the corner into my coffee shop, perhaps because I was decked out in layers of pink. There I met my neighbour and his walking group, and we had a bit of a chat about the weather. Five minutes and the world was on my side. Yesterday, across the nation, we voted. Only each one of us knows what we put on that ballot paper in the cardboard confessional that is the voting booth. We have thought about where our core values lie and what aligns most generally with that. We know that whatever the outcome, there will have to be compromise and good will to achieve consensus on plans for the future of our nation. We hope that our elected representatives care that the common good prevails and that they ensure that fairness, equity, access and justice are the goals for the decision-making that affects us all. And after all the point-scoring and kissed babies and exhausting analysis, we resume our lives today. We will get on with being neighbourly because that's how we live day to day. That shared humanity is in the greeting of the young Indian barista who sees me most mornings as I bustle in to read the paper. It is the 612 bus driver who waits for the elderly passenger to be seated before driving off. It is the amiable shuffle and chat of those who await the opening of the door at the Balwyn library at 10am and who rush in to read the papers. It is my brother who donates $50 each year to the Good Friday Appeal for the Royal Children's Hospital. It is the quiet gathering of strangers standing next to each other at the local dawn service on Anzac Day. It is the memory of mateship that lives on and grows in meaning. Such is life in the suburbs and country towns across the nation. We are loving our neighbours in the incidental ebb and flow of our lives. We have our inner circle, but the outer circle also adds joy and colour to our days. Whenever we take part in something, and make an effort to engage with others, we are adding a new richness to our lives, and the lives of others. We become more expansive, kinder, gentler, less judgemental. This is where I cast my vote. I have faith in the goodness and decency of people. I believe in the best of them, the best of us.
