Chandigarh: In a midnight reshuffle, the Haryana govt has reassigned 44 senior bureaucrats, including prominent IAS officer Ashok Khemka, who has been appointed additional chief secretary of the transport department. The administrative overhaul, largest since the new govt took office, signals a shift in the state’s governance priorities. Senior bureaucrat Khemka, a 1991-batch IAS officer known for his reformist stances, replaces senior IPS (Indian Police Service) officer Navdeep Singh Virk, an additional director general of police. Khemka, who shares a close professional association with senior minister Anil Vij, will now work under him in the transport department. He last served under Vij in his previous term when his portfolio was sport along with science and technology. In other major appointments, 1990-batch IAS officer Sumit Mishra Singh, has been assigned as new additional chief secretary (home), replacing Anurag Rastogi, who gets full-time charge as financial commissioner and additional chief secretary (revenue and disaster management). Senior bureaucrat Sudhir Rajpal (1990 batch) has becomes additional chief secretary for health and family welfare, medical education, and Ayush. Meanwhile, Amit Kumar Aggarwal (2003 batch) takes on multiple roles, including commissioner and secretary for information, public relations, languages, and culture, as well as commissioner for development and panchayats, besides foreign cooperation. Ashima Brar (2004 batch) has been named excise and taxation commissioner and managing director of Haryana Vidyut Prasaran Nigam Limited. G Rajni Kaanthan (2004 batch) is the new transport commissioner. Other significant postings include Sanjeev Verma as director general of sport and Ayush, and Yash Pal (2011 batch) taking on roles in land records, revenue, and disaster management. This latest round of appointments has been closely watched, given its potential to influence Haryana’s bureaucratic and political landscape. We also published the following articles recently Pankaj Joshi given additional charge of chief secretary Pankaj Joshi, additional chief secretary to the Gujarat chief minister, has been given the additional charge of chief secretary as Raj Kumar, the current chief secretary, takes a 10-day leave for his son's wedding. Kumar is set to retire in January 2025, and Joshi is anticipated to succeed him. 2nd batch of rlyPOs join IRITM Indian Railway Management Service's second batch of probationary officers commenced a 104-week training course at the Indian Railway Institute of Transport Management. The program includes classroom education, practical training, and exposure to advanced technologies and industry practices, aiming to provide comprehensive knowledge of railway operations and general management. Uttarakhands additional chief secretary reviews capital expenditure, directs officials to meet set target At a review meeting, state additional chief secretary Anand Bardhan assessed the progress of the capital expenditure, SASCI, and budget targets for the current fiscal year. Departments are urged to meet goals to secure Union incentives. With capital expenditure currently at Rs 4,415 crore, the target is to reach Rs 7,000 crore by December.PTI’s political committee discusses option of calling off protest march Delegation of PTI leaders went to Adiala Jail to meet Khan but they could not meet their leader ISLAMABAD: The PTI’s political committee last night deliberated on the issues of calling off November 24 protest march in view of IHC decision, and the controversy created by Bushra Bibi. According to some PTI leaders, who were part of the last night deliberations, majority of the committee members were in favour of calling off the November 24 protest march in the light of IHC decision. They were of the view that dialogue with the government should be given a chance. It was decided by the PTI’s political committee to present this option (of calling off the protest call and giving dialogue a chance) to the jailed party’s founder chairman Imran Khan for a decision by him. Following the political committee’s recommendation, a delegation of PTI leaders went to Adiala Jail to meet Khan but they could not meet their leader. Later KP Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur convened a meeting of party leaders in Peshawar to discuss the issue of protest march. PTI leader and KP CM’s adviser Barrister Saif when approached said that although he is not member of the political committee, there is discussion within the party to challenge the IHC decision. On the issue of serious controversy generated by Bushra Bibi’s video statement regarding Saudi Arabia, party sources said, majority of the political committee members were unhappy and spoke against it. However, they could not decide to publicly reject Bushra Bibi’s statement. Some of the leaders suggested that the PTI should distance itself from Bushra Bibi’s statement and let her defend herself. However, it could not be decided.

Will ‘Yellowstone’ Fulfill ‘1883’ Prophecy & 6 More Burning Questions We Need Answered“Wanted” posters with the names and faces of health care executives have been popping up on the streets of New York. Hit lists with images of bullets are circulating online with warnings that industry leaders should be afraid. The apparent targeted killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson and the menacing threats that followed have sent a shudder through corporate America and the health care industry in particular, leading to increased security for executives and some workers. In the week since the brazen shooting , health insurers have removed information about their top executives from company websites, canceled in-person meetings with shareholders and advised all employees to work from home temporarily. An internal New York Police Department bulletin warned this week that the online vitriol that followed the shooting could signal an immediate “elevated threat.” Police fear that the Dec. 4 shooting could "inspire a variety of extremists and grievance-driven malicious actors to violence," according to the bulletin, which was obtained by The Associated Press. “Wanted” posters pasted to parking meters and construction site fences in Manhattan included photos of health care executives and the words “Deny, defend, depose” — similar to a phrase scrawled on bullets found near Thompson’s body and echoing those used by insurance industry critics . Thompson's wife, Paulette, told NBC News last week that he told her some people had been threatening him and suggested the threats may have involved issues with insurance coverage. Investigators believe the shooting suspect, Luigi Mangione , may have been motivated by hostility toward health insurers. They are studying his writings about a previous back injury, and his disdain for corporate America and the U.S. health care system. Mangione’s lawyer has cautioned against prejudging the case. Mangione, 26, has remained jailed in Pennsylvania, where he was arrested Monday . Manhattan prosecutors are working to bring him to New York to face a murder charge. UnitedHealthcare’s parent company, UnitedHealth Group, said this week it was working with law enforcement to ensure a safe work environment and to reinforce security guidelines and building access policies, a spokesperson said. The company has taken down photos, names and biographies for its top executives from its websites, a spokesperson said. Other organizations, including CVS, the parent company for insurance giant Aetna, have taken similar actions. Government health insurance provider Centene Corp. has announced that its investor day will be held online, rather than in-person as originally planned. Medica, a Minnesota-based nonprofit health care firm, said last week it was temporarily closing its six offices for security reasons and would have its employees work from home. Heightened security measures likely will make health care companies and their leaders more inaccessible to their policyholders, said former Cigna executive Wendell Potter. “And understandably so, with this act of violence. There’s no assurance that this won’t happen again,” said Potter, who’s now an advocate for health care reform. Private security firms and consultants have been in high demand, fielding calls almost immediately after the shooting from companies across a range of industries, including manufacturing and finance. Companies have long faced security risks and grappled with how far to take precautions for high-profile executives. But these recent threats sparked by Thompson's killing should not be ignored, said Dave Komendat, a former security chief for Boeing who now heads his own risk-management company. “The tone and tenor is different. The social reaction to this tragedy is different. And so I think that people need to take this seriously,” Komendat said. Just over a quarter of the companies in the Fortune 500 reported spending money to protect their CEOs and top executives. Of those, the median payment for personal security doubled over the last three years to just under $100,000. Hours after the shooting, Komendat was on a call with dozens of chief security officers from big corporations, and there have been many similar meetings since, hosted by security groups or law enforcement agencies assessing the threats, he said. “It just takes one person who is motivated by a poster — who may have experienced something in their life through one of these companies that was harmful," Komendat said. Associated Press reporters Wyatte Grantham-Philips in New York and Barbara Ortutay in San Francisco, contributed to this report. The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content.

Our tax doctrine LAHORE: Pakistan’s tax doctrine prioritises revenue collection, often at the expense of economic stability and fairness. The state lacks the resolve to document the economy, instead appeasing traders with the option to pay slightly higher taxes in undocumented modes to satisfy the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Reforms in Pakistan are perceived as IMF-driven, creating an impression that they are undesirable but necessary to maintain engagement with the lender. This apologetic stance tarnishes the reputation of the IMF and highlights the government’s reluctance to pursue sustainable economic growth. Without a fair and transparent tax regime, the informal economy will continue to expand, further widening the gap between government income and expenditures. Pakistan’s growing fiscal deficit leaves little room for borrowing, as debt servicing now constitutes the largest expenditure in the national budget. Addressing this imbalance requires immediate reforms that successive governments have failed to implement. The National Tax Reforms Commission’s interim report of 1986 identified tax evasion, smuggling and corruption as the three fundamental challenges facing Pakistan’s economy. These issues remain unresolved 38 years later. Although the IMF has repeatedly urged Pakistan to document its economy, the government has evaded meaningful action for four decades, perpetuating a broken system. The reluctance of politicians to embrace reforms and the business community’s preference for maintaining the status quo stifle progress. Under the current system, businesses pass income tax burdens onto consumers, while informal sectors flourish, undermining efforts to expand the tax net. The excessive general sales tax (GST) of over 17 per cent exacerbates these challenges. High tax rates incentivise tax evasion through practices like under-invoicing by importers and underreporting by local manufacturers. The coexistence of a robust informal sector further pressures formal businesses to adopt informal practices to stay competitive. The IMF generally recommends prudent measures to enhance revenue for public expenditures. However, when governments hesitate due to political concerns, the IMF resorts to pushing for politically less-damaging but regressive taxation policies. These measures disproportionately burden the poor and exacerbate income inequality. Special interest groups, particularly rent-seeking bureaucrats, benefit from the current system, enabling informality to thrive. This nexus between informal entrepreneurs and corrupt officials obstructs meaningful reform. Breaking this cycle requires strict enforcement and accountability. Tax administration credibility is another critical issue. While tax officials often turn a blind eye to informal activities, they impose excessive scrutiny on registered taxpayers. This inconsistent approach undermines trust and encourages further tax evasion. Effective tax reforms demand political will, robust governance and transparent policies that promote economic equity. Addressing the systemic flaws in Pakistan’s tax doctrine is essential to fostering a sustainable and inclusive economic future.What Has Filmmaker Michael Moore Said About UnitedHealthcare CEO Shooting?

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Qatar tribune Agencies Washington In a significant shift in global trade dynamics, the United States has steadily reduced its garment imports from China over the past decade. This decline, spurred by the US-China trade war and concerns over China’s human rights violations, has opened doors for other Asian countries to expand their presence in the American apparel market. According to a recent report by the United States International Trade Commission (USITC), China—once the dominant supplier of garments to the US—saw its market share plummet by 16.4 percent between 2013 and 2023. In contrast, nations like Vietnam, Bangladesh, India, and Cambodia have emerged as major beneficiaries of this shift. China’s dominance in the US apparel market was once unassailable. Its large-scale production capabilities, efficient supply chains, and competitive pricing made it the go-to source for American retailers. However, several factors have eroded China’s market share over the past decade. The US-China trade war that began in 2018 under the Trump administration, imposed tariffs on hundreds of billions of dollars’ worth of Chinese goods, including apparel. These tariffs significantly increased the cost of importing garments from China, prompting US companies to explore alternative sourcing options. Reports of forced labour in China’s Xinjiang region, where a significant portion of the country’s cotton is produced, have drawn widespread condemnation. In response, the US enacted the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act in 2021, banning imports of goods made with forced labour from Xinjiang. This legislation further dis-incentivised American companies from sourcing garments from China. As China’s economy has matured, wages have risen, making it less competitive compared to other low-cost garment-producing nations in Asia. While China’s loss has been significant, it has provided opportunities for other Asian countries to increase their exports to the US. These nations have leveraged their strengths to fill the gap left by China. Vietnam has been the biggest beneficiary, solidifying its position as a top supplier to the US apparel market. The country’s proximity to China has allowed it to capitalise on existing supply chain infrastructure while offering lower costs. Additionally, Vietnam has signed free trade agreements with key global partners, including the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), which enhances its competitiveness. Known for its expertise in producing ready-made garments, Bangladesh has expanded its foothold in the US market by offering competitive pricing and large-scale production capabilities. Investments in sustainability and compliance with international labour standards have further boosted its appeal to American buyers. India has emerged as a strong contender, especially in categories like cotton apparel and textiles. Government initiatives such as the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme and a focus on enhancing manufacturing capacity have enabled Indian exporters to seize opportunities created by China’s declining market share.Cambodia’s garment sector has also seen growth, and the credit goes to preferential trade agreements and competitive labour costs. Despite challenges like limited infrastructure, the country has managed to attract US buyers seeking alternatives to China. The redistribution of market share among Asian countries has far-reaching implications for the global apparel industry. US companies have increasingly adopted a “China plus one” strategy, diversifying their supply chains to reduce dependence on a single country. This trend not only mitigates risks associated with geopolitical tensions but also ensures greater resilience against disruptions like the Covid-19 pandemic. With more countries vying for a larger slice of the US apparel market, competition among Asian exporters has intensified. This has encouraged nations to invest in improving quality, sustainability, and compliance standards. Sustainability has become a key focus area for US retailers, who are under growing pressure from consumers and regulators to adopt ethical sourcing practices. Countries like Bangladesh and India have responded by investing in green technologies and sustainable manufacturing processes, further enhancing their appeal. As Donald Trump is all set to begin his new tenure in January 2025, after the historic election win, experts are closely watching how his administration might impact US-China trade relations and the broader apparel market. Trump’s first term was marked by a hardline approach to China, including the imposition of tariffs that disrupted global trade flows. As he will be returning to office, similar policies could further accelerate the decline in US garment imports from China, benefiting alternative suppliers in Asia. Trump’s “America First” policy emphasised boosting domestic manufacturing. While it is unlikely that the US will become a major garment producer due to high labour costs, policies encouraging reshoring could impact import patterns. A Trump administration might continue or even intensify scrutiny of China’s human rights practices, leading to stricter regulations on imports from the country. This could further pressure US companies to pivot away from Chinese suppliers. However, there are challenges for emerging exporters in Asia. While countries like Vietnam, Bangladesh, India, and Cambodia have successfully increased their market share, they face several challenges in maintaining and expanding their foothold, which include infrastructure limitations, geopolitical risks, compliance costs, etc. The decline in US garment imports from China marks a pivotal shift in global trade dynamics, driven by geopolitical tensions, human rights concerns, and economic factors. While this has created opportunities for other Asian countries, the road ahead is fraught with challenges, from infrastructure bottlenecks to compliance pressures. For now, Vietnam, Bangladesh, India, and Cambodia are reaping the benefits of this transition, showcasing the importance of adaptability and resilience in navigating the complexities of global trade. Copy 10/12/2024 10Trump promises to end birthright citizenship: What is it and could he do it?

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Chicago Faucets Introduces HyTronic® TempShield® Series FaucetsHOUSTON, Dec 9 (Reuters) - Oilfield service companies ramped up hiring in November, adding 1,890 jobs in the sector, according to data from trade group Energy Workforce & Technology Council released on Monday. Oilfield service hiring can serve as an indicator of the health of the sector. Companies bringing on more employees could imply more drilling to come. Total jobs in the U.S. energy services sector rose to 655,630 in November, up from 654,062 in October, the data showed. In Texas, home of the prolific Permian basin which accounts for just under half of national oil production, 765 jobs were added, bringing the state's total to 319,489. President-elect Donald Trump promised voters lower fuel prices, pledging to ramp up domestic production in his "dril, baby, drill" campaign. But in practical terms, Trump cannot fully control prices . And producers broadly remain focused on capital discipline over new drilling. Sign up here. Reporting by Georgina McCartney in Houston; Editing by Bill Berkrot Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles. , opens new tab