Panaji: A day after the Union Budget was presented, CM Pramod Sawant on Thursday said that the state government may get over Rs 7,000 crore under various Centre-sponsored schemes. “By March 31, we will get over Rs 5,000 crore,” Sawant said. He said that the state will get more benefits this year compared to the previous years. Sawant said Goa will set aside Rs 2,000 crore from the fund for a circle road connecting all border points of the state. He said that urban development funds have been announced in the Union Budget and the state will seek funds for all 13 municipalities. He said that the state is aiming to get additional Rs 500 crore for developing rural infra. The CM said the state will take the Centre’s help to open an artificial intelligence (AI) centre of excellence and a Skill India centre. He said the Centre’s assistance will also be sought to launch a national hydrogen mission, set up two cities to be developed as tourism centres and establish organic farming centres in … [Read more...] about Goa may get Rs 7,000 crore from Union Budget: CM | Goa News – Times of India
‘Windfall profits from the proceeds of war’: Shell profit doubles as conflict drives up energy costs
Global energy giant Shell has said that its annual profits doubled to a record high last year as oil and natural gas prices soared after Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Key points: Shell has made bumper profits despite increasing pressure to cut climate-changing carbon emissions The company is also raising its dividend payout by 15 per cent and buying back $US4 billion worth of shares Critics say that the record profits will feel incredibly unfair as millions are struggling with the high cost of energy London-based Shell Plc posted adjusted earnings of $US39.9 billion ($A55.99 billion) for 2022 in its financial results for the final three months of the year. Adjusted earnings in the fourth quarter, which exclude one-time items and fluctuations in the value of inventories, rose to $US9.8 billion. Shell is the latest oil company to report bumper profits, even as the fossil fuel industry faces increasing pressure to cut climate-changing carbon emissions. … [Read more...] about ‘Windfall profits from the proceeds of war’: Shell profit doubles as conflict drives up energy costs
No immediate action on Alice Springs alcohol bans, PM says governments will act on community’s wishes
It could be up to a week before a decision is made on whether Intervention-era alcohol bans are reinstated in central Australia in a bid to arrest a spike in crime and alcohol-fuelled violence. Key points: The Commonwealth and NT governments will consider "next steps" in cabinet meetings next week Leaders Anthony Albanese and Natasha Fyles met to discuss the report commissioned during the PM's trip to Alice Springs last week The report was to advise on whether alcohol bans should be temporarily reinstated Following a meeting with NT Chief Minister Natasha Fyles on Thursday, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said both governments would discuss potential next steps with their respective cabinets next week. The two leaders met in Canberra to discuss the report delivered to them on Wednesday by Central Australian Controller, Dorelle Anderson. The review, which has not been publicly released, was commissioned during the prime minister's trip to Alice Springs for … [Read more...] about No immediate action on Alice Springs alcohol bans, PM says governments will act on community’s wishes
Man co-accused of $1.7m Melbourne jewellery heist granted bail as wife at ‘end of her life’
A man accused of making off with $1.7 million of gold after robbing a jewellery shop owner at knifepoint has been released on bail because his wife is gravely ill and "towards the end of her life". Key points: The $1.7 million of gold has not yet been recovered, despite a series of raids across Melbourne The store owner was found bound and gagged Defence lawyer Karen Sheridan suggested the incident might have been motivated by an insurance payout Prosecutors said Kamran Orouji, 65, and Masoud Izadi, 60, carried out the armed heist at Zara Jewellers in Dandenong in Melbourne's south-east in late December, during which the store owner was told: "Open your safe, or else I'll cut your neck." Detective Senior Constable Tom Ballintyne told the Melbourne Magistrates Court 17 kilograms of gold, valued in excess of $1.7 million, was stolen from the safe and was yet to be recovered. "We've made multiple inquiries trying to locate the gold. We had five search warrants … [Read more...] about Man co-accused of $1.7m Melbourne jewellery heist granted bail as wife at ‘end of her life’
DP may fast-track special counsel for first lady
Democratic Party lawmakers including floor leader Park Hong-keun demanding an independent counsel to investigate alleged stock manipulation involving first lady Kim Keon-hee at the National Assembly on Wednesday. [YONHAP] The Democratic Party (DP) is considering fast-tracking an independent counsel investigating into stock price manipulation and other alleged misdeeds by first lady Kim Keon-hee. According to the JoongAng Ilbo on Thursday, the DP — which has a majority of seats in the National Assembly — may propose a bill to create an independent counsel without having to go through the National Assembly’s legislation and judiciary committee by directly submitting the matter for a vote on the main floor. In September, the DP submitted to the legislation and judiciary committee a bill to create an independent counsel to look into allegations regarding the first lady’s involvement in manipulating Deutsche Motor's stock price, resume falsification and corrupt corporate sponsorships … [Read more...] about DP may fast-track special counsel for first lady
U.S. extends olive branch after North’s ‘nuke-for-nuke’ comment
F-35A fighters from the South Korean Air Force fly alongside F-22 and F-35B fighters from the U.S. Air Force in the skies above the Yellow Sea on Wednesday. [DEFENSE MINISTRY] The United States is not seeking confrontation with North Korea and is open to discussions with the reclusive state, according to an unnamed source from the White House National Security Council quoted by Reuters. “We have made clear we have no hostile intent toward the DPRK and seek serious and sustained diplomacy to address the full range of issues of concern to both countries and the region,” the source said, referring to the North by the acronym for its official name, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. The statement was issued after the North said Thursday it will fight “nukes with nukes” in a hardline response to U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin’s latest pledge to deploy more strategic assets to shore up the U.S. security commitment to South Korea during his visit to Seoul. In an … [Read more...] about U.S. extends olive branch after North’s ‘nuke-for-nuke’ comment