Getting the expensive fertility treatments covered would be possible, but an uphill battle, health policy experts said.
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India’s Q1 GDP data: Investment, consumption growth picks up pace | Economy & Policy News
Increased capital expenditure (capex) by the private sector and households lifted growth in capital investment to 7.5 per cent in Q1FY25 (April-June) from 6.46 per cent in the preceding quarter, the data released by the National Statistical Office (NSO) on Friday showed.
Gross fixed capital formation (GFCF), which represents infrastructure investment, contributed 31.3 per cent to gross domestic product (GDP) in Q1FY25, as against 31.5 per cent in the preceding quarter.
An investment share above 30 per cent is considered important for driving economic growth.
The rise in capital investment during Q1 comes even as capital expenditure by the central government declined owing to the general elections.
The data sourced from the Controller General of Accounts (CGA) showed that the Centre’s capex in Q1 stood at Rs 1.8 trillion, nearly 33 per cent lower than the Rs 2.7 trillion during the corresponding period last year.
Rajani Sinha, chief economist, CARE Ratings, said GFCF exhibited robust growth during Q1, surpassing the previous quarter’s performance, despite a contraction in the Centre’s capex. This suggests increased capex by households and the private sector. Notably, household investment in real estate has remained particularly strong after the pandemic ebbed.
Echoing similar views, Madan Sabnavis, chief economist, Bank of Baroda, said capital formation showed steady growth due mainly to housing and private investment.
“With the government coming back in a big way, there will be acceleration,” he added.
Meanwhile, growth in private final consumption expenditure (PFCE), which is taken as a proxy for household consumption, grew strongly to a seven-quarter high of 7.4 per cent during Q1FY25 from 3.9 per cent in Q4FY24, due to a partial correction in skewed consumption demand.
The share of PFCE in GDP rose to 60.4 per cent during the quarter as compared to 57.9 per cent in Q4FY24.
“The main indicators of consumption so far indicate the skewed nature of consumption growth is correcting somewhat with the pickup in two-wheeler sales, etc. The quarterly results of fast-moving consumer goods companies also point to revival in rural demand, which is favourable both for consumption as well as GDP growth,” said Paras Jasrai, senior economic analyst, India Ratings.
However, Aditi Nayar, chief economist, ICRA Ratings, said the increase in PFCE was surprising, given the moderation in urban consumer sentiment and sporadic heatwaves, which affected footfalls in certain retail-focused sectors such as passenger vehicles and hotels.
“Notwithstanding some green shoots, rural demand is expected to have remained uneven in the quarter, amid the spillover of the impact of the poor monsoon in the preceding year,” she added.
However, government expenditure, measured by government final consumption expenditure (GFCE), contracted (-0.24 per cent) during the quarter. The share of GFCE in GDP fell to 10.2 per cent in Q1FY25 from 12.2 per cent in Q4FY24.
“The government expenditure patterns suggest contractionary fiscal policy. For three consecutive months (May-July 2024) expenditure growth has been negative. However, this is more due to negative capex growth, and capex growth picked up in July and this will result in expenditure growing, albeit at a slower pace,” Jasrai said.
First Published: Aug 30 2024 | 10:06 PM IST
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The Creators of ‘Industry’ Know Banking Is a Rigged Game
Ambition is a curse in the arena of high finance. At the prestigious London investment bank Pierpoint, which doubles as the backdrop for the Gen Z banking drama Industry, a cohort of university graduates vie for money and power. Harper (Myha’la), Yasmin (Marisa Abela), and Rob (Harry Lawtey) are desperate to prove they belong, that they’ve got the mettle to survive the battleground of the trading floor, but Pierpoint is a special kind of hell: Ambition is only as useful as your will to lie, cheat, and outmaneuver your way to the top. As easily as it opens doors, it just as easily gets you stabbed in the back.
“When you go down the laundry list of what they’ve done and what they did to get there,” cocreator Mickey Down says of his beloved characters, “they can be considered pretty heinous individuals.” But their savory deceit is why we watch. It’s why Industry has become The Show of the Season, the internet’s new meme-machine, drawing expected-but-flawed comparisons to Succession, another HBO supernova. Industry is a beast all its own.
Now in its third season, its most audacious and anxiety-riddled, Industry occupies the esteemed Sunday night 9 pm slot that Games of Thrones and The Sopornos made famous. The show is still the show many of us fell in love with when it debuted in 2020: all ego and heart and reckless ambition. Only, Down and cocreator Konrad Kay have upped the stakes even more this time around, illustrating how sinister and deep relationships run across media, politics, and finance for London’s privileged class.
This week’s upcoming episode—deliciously-titled “White Mischief”; fans of Uncut Gems rejoice, this one’s just for you—marks the season’s halfway point. Over Zoom from their respective residences in London, Down and Kay spoke with me about where the show has been and where it’s possibly headed next.
JASON PARHAM: I read that the initial pitch for this season was “coke and boats.” What was HBO’s response?
MICKEY DOWN: We had a 30,000-foot view of what the season was going to be in terms of the business story. And then we thought, look, we shouldn’t be scared to have a slight genre element to the show. We were already talking about Yasmin’s father, which we thought was one of the most interesting parts of the second season. We had the idea that her dad’s gone missing, and she’s been bearing the brunt of that in the media. We had all of that. We just hadn’t decided how to show it yet. So we said, what if we have a secondary timeline that has a bit of a mystery element to it? And what if we start the show from there? So we sent an email to HBO with the header “coke and boats” and said this is where we want to start the show.
Incredible.
MD: We told them that we want to dip back into this timeline when we feel like it’s good punctuation. We wanted to have this slow drip feel of what actually happened on the boat. And their response was very positive.
The show is continually testing its limits. Erect penises. Cum scenes. Crazy yacht parties. All kinds of drugs. Did HBO ever ask you to reel it in?
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Shop 13 Denim Shirts Similar to One Katie Holmes Just Wore
Another day, another trendy basic to copy from the quintessential NYC girl, Katie Holmes. As we begin to make the transition from summer to fall and also begin to scratch our heads about what we’re going to wear for the confusing weather to come, we can always look to Holmes to help us figure it out. And one trendy basic she just chose for a recent walk around NYC is the perfect thing.
We all own white button-downs and will never stop wearing them, but if you’re looking for a more forward alt this fall, it’s a denim button-down shirt. Holmes found the ideal outfit to wear with her denim shirt: a full midi skirt and ballet flats. I honestly couldn’t think of a more perfect summer-to-fall outfit if I tried. But before we can all copy it, we need to get ourselves a denim button-down, and there are lots to choose from. Keep scrolling to shop some of the best ones on the internet.
(Image credit: The Image Direct)
On Katie Holmes: Khaite bag
Shop Denim Button-Down Shirts
Lioness
Off Duty Denim Shirt
Polo Ralph Lauren
Big Pocket Denim Shirt
Favorite Daughter
The Ex-Boyfriend Denim Shirt
The Row
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Veronica Beard Jean
Aderes Top
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Aiden High-Low Denim Shirt
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Dante Shirt Vintage Indigo Denim
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Oasis warns fans tickets relisted at inflated prices 'will be cancelled' as some soar to £3,235
Fans who missed out on pre-sale tickets for the band’s 2025 tour will try their luck with general ticket sales on Saturday
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NASA Sets Coverage for Starliner News Conference, Return to Earth
NASA will provide live coverage of the upcoming activities for Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft departure from the International Space Station and return to Earth. The uncrewed spacecraft will depart from the orbiting laboratory for a landing at White Sands Space Harbor in New Mexico.
Starliner is scheduled to autonomously undock from the space station at approximately 6:04 p.m. EDT Friday, Sept. 6, to begin the journey home, weather conditions permitting. NASA and Boeing are targeting approximately 12:03 a.m., Saturday, Sept. 7, for the landing and conclusion of the flight test.
NASA’s live coverage of return and related activities will stream on NASA+, the NASA app, and the agency’s website. Learn how to stream NASA programming through a variety of platforms including social media.
Ahead of Starliner’s return, NASA will host a pre-departure news conference at 12 p.m., Wednesday, Sept. 4, from the agency’s Johnson Space Center in Houston. NASA’s Commercial Crew and International Space Station Program managers and a flight director will participate.
To attend the pre-departure news conference in person, U.S. media must contact the NASA Johnson newsroom by 5 p.m., Tuesday, Sept. 3, at jsccommu@mail.nasa.gov or 281-483-5111. To join the pre-departure news conference by phone, media must contact the NASA newsroom no later than two hours prior to the start of the call.
NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams launched aboard Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft on June 5 for its first crewed flight, arriving at the space station on June 6. As Starliner approached the orbiting laboratory, NASA and Boeing identified helium leaks and experienced issues with the spacecraft reaction control thrusters. For the safety of the astronauts, NASA announced on Aug. 24 that Starliner will return to Earth from the station without a crew. Wilmore and Williams will remain aboard the station and return home in February 2025 aboard the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft with two other crew members assigned to NASA’s SpaceX Crew-9 mission.
NASA’s coverage is as follows (all times Eastern and subject to change based on real-time operations):
Wednesday, Sept. 4
12 p.m. – Starliner pre-departure news conference from NASA’s Johnson Space Center on NASA+, the NASA app, YouTube, and the agency’s website.
Friday, Sept. 6
5:45 p.m. – Undocking coverage begins on NASA+, the NASA app, YouTube, and the agency’s website.
6:04 p.m. – Undocking
10:50 p.m. – Coverage resumes for deorbit burn, entry, and landing on NASA+, the NASA app, YouTube, and the agency’s website.
Saturday, Sept. 7
12:03 a.m. – Targeted landing
1:30 a.m. – Post-landing news conference with the following participants:
- Joel Montalbano, deputy associate administrator, Space Operations Mission Directorate at NASA Headquarters in Washington
- Steve Stich, manager, Commercial Crew Program, NASA Kennedy Space Center in Florida
- Dana Weigel, manager, International Space Station, NASA Johnson
- John Shannon, vice president, Boeing Exploration Systems
- Mark Nappi, vice president and program manager, Boeing Commercial Crew Program
Coverage of the post-landing news conference will stream live on NASA+, the NASA app, YouTube, and the agency’s website.
To attend the post-landing news conference in person, U.S. media must contact the NASA Johnson newsroom by 12 p.m., Sept. 6. To join the post-landing news conference by phone, media must contact the NASA Johnson newsroom no later than one hour prior to the start of the event.
See full mission coverage, NASA’s commercial crew blog, and more information about the mission at:
https://www.nasa.gov/commercialcrew
-end-
Joshua Finch / Jimi Russell
Headquarters, Washington
202-358-1100
joshua.a.finch@nasa.gov / james.j.russell@nasa.gov
Leah Cheshier
Johnson Space Center, Houston
281-483-5111
leah.d.cheshier@nasa.gov
Steve Siceloff
Kennedy Space Center, Florida
321-867-2468
steven.p.sieceloff@nasa.gov
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Lateral entry is no panacea: Political turbulence hits govt’s move | Expert Views
 "How can the road ahead for lateral entry in bureaucracy be smoother?")
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Illustration: Ajay Mohanty
It was the year 2020. A friend of mine from Chandigarh sent me a clipping of an ad that he thought I might be interested in. The Punjab Government had advertised the position of chief executive officer (CEO) for the Punjab CSR Authority. My interest was immediately ignited by the many possibilities the job offered.
I had long wanted to “give back.” What better way than to go back and serve your home state and that too in attracting CSR (corporate social responsibility) funds from corporations, and then redeploying them for the public good? On the personal
Disclaimer: These are personal views of the writer. They do not necessarily reflect the opinion of www.business-standard.com or the Business Standard newspaper
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If Alzheimer’s Drug Ads Had More Data, Here’s What Might Happen
Prominently featuring severe adverse effects of a fictitious Alzheimer’s disease drug in print advertising was associated with consumers perceiving the drug as riskier, survey data showed.
The study included 1,007 American adults who were shown one of four print ads with information ranging from qualitatively described benefits and common adverse effects to quantitatively described benefits and severe adverse effects of an imaginary anti-amyloid monoclonal antibody for Alzheimer’s.
As quantitative data replaced qualitative descriptions in the ads, and as information about severe adverse effects was included, survey respondents perceived the drug to have greater risks, be less effective, or have more risks than benefits, reported Michael DiStefano, PhD, of the University of Colorado in Aurora, and co-authors.
Respondents also were less likely to ask their physician about the drug, consider using the drug, or recommend it to a family member, the researchers reported in a JAMA Network Open research letter.
“The findings add to the evidence base that consumer perceptions of a drug can be significantly influenced by the content and layout of ads,” DiStefano told MedPage Today.
FDA guidance says direct-to-consumer promotional communications, including print advertisements, should describe a drug’s benefits and risks in a balanced way and offer recommendations for presenting quantitative efficacy and risk data.
Print product-claim ads must include a brief summary of all risks, but there’s no requirement that every risk be prominently presented or that severe risks be highlighted, DiStefano and colleagues noted.
“This is one of those gee-whiz studies that have to be done over and over, lest we forget: Talking about side effects is a real turn-off and hurts sales, even when the advertisement features efficacy and benefits,” noted Lon Schneider, MD, MS, of the University of Southern California in Los Angeles, who wasn’t involved with the study.
“It’s a slippery slope,” Schneider told MedPage Today. “Emphasizing side effects could inhibit some people from accepting necessary medicines, vaccines, insulin, or analgesics, as examples,” he said.
“Much of the controversy with Alzheimer’s treatments are their small, questionably important, clinical effects and expense in terms of both money and time,” Schneider continued. “With that in mind, risks become of even greater concern than they otherwise would. People who participated in this study are telling us that.”
Prescribing information for the two anti-amyloid Alzheimer’s drugs currently available in the U.S. — lecanemab (Leqembi) and donanemab (Kisunla) — carry boxed warnings for amyloid-related imaging abnormalities (ARIA), which include ARIA with edema (ARIA-E) and ARIA with hemosiderin deposition (ARIA-H).
The American Academy of Neurology has issued guidance emphasizing judicious patient selection to minimize risks of serious adverse events like ARIA with these drugs. Appropriate use recommendations include monitoring guidelines for ARIA, noting that while most cases have been asymptomatic, a few have been serious or fatal.
DiStefano and colleagues collected data using the NORC AmeriSpeak Omnibus survey from November 30 to December 4, 2023. Among 1,007 survey respondents, 23% were ages 65 and older, and about half (51.3%) were women. The survey had a 16% completion rate.
Respondents saw one of four print ads for a fictitious Alzheimer’s drug called Altana (altenemab injection for intravenous use). Ads were based on published risk and benefit data for lecanemab.
The first ad included qualitatively described benefits and common adverse effects; the second added qualitatively described severe adverse effects. The third ad had quantitatively described benefits and common adverse effects, and the fourth one added quantitatively described severe adverse effects.
The quantitative language in the third and fourth ads stated that in “an 18-month clinical trial, people taking Altana declined in cognitive function on average by 1.21 points on an 18-point scale (7%), while people not taking the drug declined in cognitive function on average by 1.68 points on an 18-point scale (9%).”
The fourth ad also stated that in a clinical trial, “31 out of 898 people (3%) had life threatening symptoms of swelling or bleeding in the brain compared to 2 out of 897 (0.2%) in people not taking the drug.”
After viewing an ad, participants used 5-point scales to report their perceptions of Altana’s benefits and risks, its risk-benefit balance, their likelihood of asking a doctor about the drug, and their likelihood of using it or recommending that a family member use it.
Results were not significant between respondents who viewed the two ads with quantitative information (the third and the fourth ads), DiStefano and colleagues reported. “However, in the sensitivity analysis, those who viewed an advertisement with quantitative description and severe adverse effects were significantly more likely to perceive the drug as riskier,” they wrote.
The FDA should consider requiring severe adverse events for Alzheimer’s drugs be prominently displayed in print advertising, the researchers suggested. “We do not think that the brief summary requirement for print ads is adequate,” DiStefano said. “These summaries may be written in technical language or may not be displayed prominently in the print ad.”
The study had several limitations including the low completion rate of the survey.
Disclosures
This work was supported by grants from Arnold Ventures and the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.
DiStefano reported receiving grants from the PhRMA Foundation and the Institute for Clinical and Economic Review. One co-author reported being previously employed as a consultant at Blue Matter Consulting and Health Technology Analysts.
Primary Source
JAMA Network Open
Source Reference: Markell J, et al “Consumer perceptions of safety information in direct-to-consumer print advertisements for Alzheimer drugs” JAMA Netw Open 2024; DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.31110.
Elon Musk’s Standoff With Brazil Reaches a Tipping Point
Brazil’s top court is expected to block access to X in the country of more than 200 million people as a prominent judge locks horns with site owner Elon Musk.
Musk has been engaged in a months-long feud with Supreme Court Judge Alexandre de Moraes over X’s moderation policies. Earlier this year, Moraes opened an inquiry against X after Musk rebuffed a court order to block accounts supporting former right-wing president Jair Bolsonaro that allegedly spread fake news and hate speech.
Internet firms must have a legal representative in Brazil who can act as a go-between for the government and the corporation. X currently doesn’t have one, because the site shut down its offices in Brazil earlier this year after it said Moraes threatened the legal representative with arrest as part of the inquiry. A Supreme Court-imposed deadline for X to install a new representative passed on Thursday night.
“Soon, we expect Judge Alexandre de Moraes will order X to be shut down in Brazil—simply because we would not comply with his illegal orders to censor his political opponents,” X’s global affairs account claimed in a post on Thursday night. “These enemies include a duly elected Senator and a 16-year-old girl, among others.”
Musk quoted that post and alleged that Moraes is “an evil dictator cosplaying as a judge.”
In its statement, X framed the court’s decisions as breaking Brazil’s own laws, alleging they are “illegal” and saying it would publish all related court documents.
Moraes’ office did not immediately return a request for comment.
On Friday morning, X appeared to still be available in Brazil, with users posting from São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro.
Still, it appears the wheels are turning. Moraes already froze bank accounts belonging to Starlink, the satellite internet firm that Musk owns a portion of, this week. A statement from Starlink posted to X said that the company has a quarter-million customers in Brazil and that the action was an “unfounded” attempt to hold Starlink responsible for fines levied against X for failing to turn over documents. The company said it would seek a legal remedy.
A nation as large as Brazil blocking X would be a significant event regardless of the circumstances, but it’s worth noting that it comes amid a global push to reign in large platforms and their billionaire owners.
This week, billionaire Telegram CEO Pavel Durov was arrested in France and charged with “complicity” in a raft of serious crimes occurring on the app, which has gained a reputation for being lightly moderated over the years. The arrest sent shockwaves through the global tech industry, with Musk commenting, “dangerous times.”
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Autumn Allure With Nordstrom – Julia Berolzheimer
Thank you to Nordstrom for sponsoring this post.
As September rolls in, a mix of neutral and deep tones emerge, perfectly capturing the autumnal spirit. Nordstrom offers an enticing palette of rich, earthy colors that mirror the changing leaves and crisp evenings. This seasonal shift also invites a luxurious blend of textures, from supple suede and leather to soft wools and blends ideal for layering. With Nordstrom’s free shipping, hassle-free returns, and the exclusive perks of The Nordy Club, your shopping experience becomes effortlessly enjoyable. Discover my latest selection of favorites below…
Elevate your layering game with this cozy cardigan, crafted from a luxurious wool-cashmere blend and adorned with elegant imitation pearl buttons for a touch of refined sophistication.
Go a little wild with your transitional wardrobe with these chic slide sandals, featuring genuine calf hair in a bold animal print that effortlessly combines comfort and style.
Oasis: Noel Gallagher’s daughter Anais hits out at fan ‘ageism and misogyny’ ahead of band’s ticket pre-sale | Ents & Arts News
Anais Gallagher has hit out at “ageism and misogyny” among Oasis fans over who deserves tickets for the band’s reunion gigs.
The 24-year-old social media influencer, who is Noel Gallagher’s eldest daughter, was responding to those saying die-hard fans should take precedence over young women who have discovered the Manchester band more recently.
Credit: Oasis X account
Noel and Liam Gallagher confirmed the group’s reunion on Tuesday morning, following weeks of speculation.
Now, 33 years after their first gig and 15 years after the group came to an acrimonious end ahead of a gig in Paris, they will return for a run of 17 shows in the UK and Ireland.
Anais wrote in a TikTok post: “One thing I won’t stand for is the ageism and the misogyny around people getting tickets.
“Sorry, if a 19-year-old girl in a pink cowboy hat wants to be there, I will have my friendship bracelets ready.”
She was responding to a video posted on TikTok by Josie Cannell, who said she had seen people online complaining that “everyone now suddenly loves Oasis”.
In her video, Josie said: “What do you mean everyone suddenly loves them? Everyone has always loved them.
“They’re one of the most famous bands in the whole entire world.”
She later posted a follow-up video expressing her happiness and surprise that Anais had commented on her “Oasis hot take”, adding that “you can’t gatekeep the most famous band to come out of the UK if we’re disregarding the Beatles”.
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Everything you need to know about the Oasis reunion
Pre-sale ballot codes sent out
Many fans have spent the day hoping to be selected in a pre-sale ballot for tickets, with Noel and Liam confirming all codes had been sent to fans by just after 1pm.
To enter, fans had to say who the band’s original drummer was and were offered the options of Chris Sharrock, Alan White and the correct answer, Tony McCarroll, who drummed with the band from their formation until 1995.
Entrants were also asked how many times they had seen the band.
People who received a code will have a chance to purchase tickets from 7pm to 10pm on Friday, but they are not guaranteed success as tickets will be sold on a “first come first served basis”.
Read more:
Are Liam and Noel actually friends again?
Noel Gallagher jokes about Oasis split
In their post telling fans that all codes had been sent out, the brothers said: “If you didn’t get a code to access the pre-sale, you can join the general sale tomorrow morning”.
Ticket prices for the concerts range from around £73 up to the most expensive ticket costing over £506.
Oasis will play five nights at Wembley Stadium, along with five dates at Manchester’s Heaton Park, three at Edinburgh’s Murrayfield, two at Dublin’s Croke Park, and two at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium.
Tickets go on general sale at 9am on Saturday.
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Unlocking the Profound Meaning of the 711 Angel Number
Numerology, the study of the energetic vibrations and symbolic associations of numbers, provides a deeper understanding of the 711 angel number and its profound significance.
The Number 7 in Numerology
In numerology, the number 7 is associated with spiritual awakening, inner wisdom, and a deep connection to the divine. It represents the pursuit of higher truths, the exploration of our intuition, and the cultivation of a strong spiritual foundation.
When the number 7 appears in the 711 angel number, it is a call to nurture your spiritual growth, trust your intuition, and seek a deeper understanding of your place in the universe. This numerical sequence encourages you to engage in practices that nourish your soul and align you with your higher purpose.
The Number 1 in Numerology
The number 1 in numerology is a symbol of new beginnings, independence, and personal power. It represents the ability to manifest our desires and take control of our lives, aligning with our authentic selves and embracing our unique talents and abilities.
The presence of the number 1 in the 711 angel number reinforces the message of stepping into your personal power, embracing your individuality, and taking bold actions towards your goals. This numerical sequence is a reminder that you have the capacity to create the life you desire, and that the divine realm is supporting your efforts.
The Synergy of 7 and 1 in 711
When the numbers 7 and 1 come together in the 711 angel number, they create a powerful synergy that amplifies their individual meanings. This numerical sequence is a profound message from the universe, urging you to trust your intuition, embrace your spiritual journey, and step into your personal power.
The 711 angel number is a clear sign that you are on the right path, aligning with your true purpose and embracing your unique gifts. It encourages you to seek higher truths, nurture your inner wisdom, and have faith that the divine realm is guiding and supporting you every step of the way.
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