Victoria's major regional hospitals are still showing financial red flags, with some also failing to provide the healthcare they pledged to provide, ACM can reveal. or signup to continue reading An analysis of the health services' 2023-24 annual reports, as well as their statements of priority - the contracts they sign with the Victorian government - showed many recorded operating deficits running into the tens of millions of dollars. It showed others were bailed out by the government with even greater sums, while some recorded huge deficits even after equally large bailouts. But the analysis showed a handful of services were also falling well short of their activity targets: the amount of clinical care they have contractually agreed to provide over the year. ACM has published since February, 2024 of Victoria's regional hospital system and to meet their activity targets. As these services negotiate with the government over their 2025 budgets and activity levels, the documents show most are still struggling to keep both their healthcare and budget under control. Nearly every major regional hospital in Victoria recorded a substantial deficit in 2023-24. ACM used the net result from transactions, which tallies revenue from transactions against expenses. The Department of Treasury and Finance calls it "a summary measure of the ongoing sustainability of operations". Bendigo Health notched a $27 million deficit, Goulburn Valley Health $42 million, Northeast Health Wangaratta $12 million and Albury Wodonga Health $51 million. The only two large regional health services with a surplus were Grampians Health ($44 million) and South West Healthcare ($27 million). But they were both only in the black because they each had money for their hospital redevelopments - $113 million for Grampians Health and $65 million for South West Healthcare - sitting on their ledger. Several services also received huge amounts of "supplemental funding" to keep them afloat during the year. Bendigo Health received $46 million, Northeast Health Wangaratta $28 million, and Albury Wodonga Health $55 million. Grampians Health received more than $75 million in supplemental funding. This was nearly four times the bailout funding received by Barwon Health in Geelong, a health service 50 per cent larger than Grampians Health. The data also showed every major regional health service failing to keep the required amount of cash on hand to pay staff and run its healthcare operations. The government mandate is for each service to have 14 days' operating cash available. Goulburn Valley Health and Albury Wodonga Health had just seven days' cash. South West Healthcare had 10. Northeast Health Wangaratta had two days' available cash. Both Grampians Health and Bendigo Health refused to say how many days' cash they had, but confirmed it was less than 14. ACM asked several of the health services what they were doing to get their budgets under control. Bendigo Health said it was still negotiating with the government over its 2024-25 budget, but was "committed to operating sustainably, ensuring that it delivers its promised activity while maintaining a balanced budget". South West Healthcare CEO Craig Fraser said the service had negotiated a "break even operational budget for 2024-25" with the government. "While it will require continued close budget management, we are confident it can be achieved placing us in a better financial and operational position," Mr Fraser said. Grampians Health didn't discuss its budget, but said it would "continue to work with the Department of Health to achieve financial sustainability". Albury Wodonga Health did not respond. Over the past year, we have improved access to care, particularly in the regional locations. The state government said its for 2024-25 had allowed a "reset" of health service budgets. The government has increased the funding it provides for each healthcare activity, which it said would offer health services a "fair price", paving the way for "greater financial certainty and stability to the sector". It also created a new entity, Hospitals Victoria, to keep the health services on a tighter financial leash. "We're working with health services to ensure every dollar is spent on delivering the frontline care Victorians need," a spokesperson said. A comparison of each health service's annual report with its statement of priority revealed several services delivering much less clinical care than promised. The statement of priority lists the contracted activity target, while the annual report records the actual number of activity units delivered. Each unit is worth about $5000 in funding to the health service. A big operation like a knee or hip replacement might cost five units, while a simple colonoscopy would cost just 0.4 units. The documents showed Grampians Health fell 5400 units (about $27 million or 2700 surgeries) short of its 2023-24 target. Goulburn Valley Health fell 6838 units short (about $34 million or 3400 surgeries), while South West Healthcare fell 4512 units short ($22.5 million or 2250 surgeries). The activity shortfalls are particularly concerning when 61,000 Victorians remain on the state's planned surgery wait lists and emergency department wait times are than metropolitan Melbourne. ACM understands South West Healthcare's outpatient activity shortfall was less severe than the figures reported in its statement of priority. Mr Fraser said the service treated 1200 more inpatients in 2023-24 than the year prior, as well as 7000 extra outpatients. A Grampians Health spokesperson said the organisation had "improved access to care, particularly in the regional locations, and enhanced care options though increased cross-campus collaboration". "Like many health services, Grampians Health is experiencing high demand and increasing numbers of complex cases," the spokesperson said. Correspondent covering key issues across regional Victoria, based in Melbourne. Correspondent covering key issues across regional Victoria, based in Melbourne. DAILY Today's top stories curated by our news team. WEEKDAYS Grab a quick bite of today's latest news from around the region and the nation. WEEKLY The latest news, results & expert analysis. WEEKDAYS Catch up on the news of the day and unwind with great reading for your evening. WEEKLY Get the editor's insights: what's happening & why it matters. WEEKLY Love footy? We've got all the action covered. WEEKLY Every Saturday and Tuesday, explore destinations deals, tips & travel writing to transport you around the globe. WEEKLY Going out or staying in? Find out what's on. WEEKDAYS Sharp. Close to the ground. Digging deep. Your weekday morning newsletter on national affairs, politics and more. TWICE WEEKLY Your essential national news digest: all the big issues on Wednesday and great reading every Saturday. WEEKLY Get news, reviews and expert insights every Thursday from CarExpert, ACM's exclusive motoring partner. TWICE WEEKLY Get real, Australia! Let the ACM network's editors and journalists bring you news and views from all over. AS IT HAPPENS Be the first to know when news breaks. DAILY Your digital replica of Today's Paper. Ready to read from 5am! DAILY Test your skills with interactive crosswords, sudoku & trivia. Fresh daily! Advertisement Advertisement( MENAFN - Caribbean News Global) By Pan Tzu-yu and Frances Huang TAIPEI, Taiwan, (CNA) – The Central bank of the Republic of China (Taiwan) believes Taiwan faces a relatively low risk from the tariff hikes US president-elect Donald trump has threatened to impose when he returns to the White House in January, citing the Trump Risk index compiled by the US-based think tank Information technology & Innovation Foundation (ITIF). Trump once said that to him,“the most beautiful word in the dictionary is tariff” as he has threatened to raise tariffs on China-made merchandise by 60 percent and impose 10-20 percent tariffs on goods from other countries, which has raised uncertainty over global trade. However, the central bank said in a report that Taiwan is categorized by the ITIF as a low-risk country amid Trump's tariff threats. The Trump Risk Index used quantitative metrics in four areas - military spending, trade balance, toughness on China and anti-US policies - to assess which allies are most likely to face tariffs or other retaliatory measures. The central bank said Taiwan is only evaluated to have high risks in the trade balance index, while its risks are low in the three other areas of military spending, toughness on China and anti-US policies. While considering the ratio of Taiwan's trade balance with the United States to its gross domestic product (GDP), the central bank said the upcoming Trump administration is expected to look the ratio of Taiwan's military spending to its GDP, its ties with China and mutual benefits in its trade policies toward Washington. After assessing all of these four factors, the central bank said, the new US government will decide how to use its tariff hike weapons so the risks faced by Taiwan could be relatively low. Taiwan obtained a total score of 1.33 in the index, indicating its risk is lower than that of South Korea (0.16) and Japan (0.36), according to the index (higher scores represent lower risks). In addition, the central bank said Taiwan boasts strong semiconductor and information and communications technology (ITC) industries which are capable of producing complicated and irreplaceable tech gadgets, so the impact resulting from Trump's tariff hikes on semiconductor and ITC industries could be limited. However, the central bank cautioned Trump's tariff hikes could dilute Taiwan's semiconductor resources, hurt the country's industrial clusters as a whole and affect exports, investments and employment. According to a hypothesis from the International Monetary Fund, if the US imposes an additional 10 percent tariff on all of its imports, its trading partners could launch retaliatory measures, and under such circumstances, about one quarter of global trade is expected to be directly impacted, and global economic losses could continue for years. Academia Sinica, the top research institution in Taiwan, said Taiwan and the US, and Taiwan and China are highly correlated with each other economically so if the US and China's economy weakens, Taiwan's economy will suffer. Economist Lin Chang-ching (林長青) said Trump's tariff hikes and domestic tax cuts could slow down the global economy and worsen investment environments, so his policies have become a common concerns of many countries. Echoing Academia Sinica, the Chung-Hua Institution for Economic Research (CIER), which has forecast Taiwan's GDP growth will reach 3.1 percent in 2025, said if the US and China stay stable, Taiwan's GDP growth could hit 3.2 percent, while if Washington and Beijing do not fare well economically, Taipei's growth could be cut to 2.93 percent. While Trump's policy has created uncertainty for the global economy, CIER president Lien Hsien-ming (連賢明) said efforts at artificial intelligence development could continue to drive the global economy ahead, adding that global risks and opportunities will co-exist in 2025. According to a recent survey conducted by CIER, 28.7 percent of respondents in the local manufacturing sector are participating in the AI supply chain or planning to develop AI applications to enter the supply chain. The post Taiwan categorized by the ITIF as a low-risk country amid Trump's tariff threats appeared first on Caribbean News Global . MENAFN29122024000232011072ID1109040089 Legal Disclaimer: MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.
Nine takeaways from Illinois State basketball's matchup with Illinois-ChicagoHomeStreet EVP Godfrey B. Evans sells $53,547 in stockCatcher Martín Maldonado was released by the White Sox in July and didn’t sign with another club in the final months of the 2024 season. But that doesn’t mean he’s walking away, as Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic ( X link ) relays that the backstop is hoping to play one more season. Maldonado, now 38, has a long track record as a glove-first catcher. In almost 4,000 career plate appearances at the major league level, he has produced a batting line of .203/.278/.344. That translates to a wRC+ of 70, indicating he’s been 30% below league average at the plate in his career. But behind the plate is where he has created his value. He has a career tally of 59 Defensive Runs Saved, one of the top ten marks in the majors from 2012 to the present. Outlets like FanGraphs, Baseball Prospectus and Statcast have given him strong grades for his framing, blocking and throwing in his career. On top of those quantifiable elements, he’s been lauded for intangibles like working with pitchers and providing clubhouse leadership. Despite the lack of offense, he has signed four different contracts in the past six years, each with annual values between $2MM and $5MM. Teams have generally been willing to tolerate his lineup presence in exchange for his other contributions. He tested the limits of that tolerance in 2024, however, and found a breaking point. He signed a one-year, $4.3MM deal with the White Sox going into the most recent season. But he hit just .119/.174/.230 in his 147 plate appearances, striking out in 34.7% of them while only drawing a walk 5.4% of the time. Though the Sox surely knew they weren’t going to be getting an elite bat, that was poor even by Maldonado’s low standards, so he was released in July. It appears that Maldonado would prefer a better final act as a major leaguer, so he’ll try to get back in action in 2025. After missing the past few months of the season, he recently suited up for Leones del Escogido in the Dominican Winter League. He hit two home runs in his ten games there but slashed .114/.184/.314 in that small sample, for what it’s worth. Maldonado won’t have huge earning power with the way his 2024 season went, but what could work in his favor is that the catching market isn’t strong overall. Guys like Danny Jansen , Kyle Higashioka and Carson Kelly represent the top of the free agent market. Clubs like the Nationals, Padres, Marlins, Rays and others could be on the lookout for catching upgrades this offseason, so perhaps Maldonado will be able to find some interest, though he’d likely be looking at minor league offers. This article first appeared on MLB Trade Rumors and was syndicated with permission.
BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — Louisiana’s Republican-controlled Legislature approved a constitutional amendment on Friday that would allow them to expand the number of crimes in which juveniles between 14 and 16 years old could be tried as adults. The state’s constitution currently outlines 15 violent juvenile offenses, such as rape, murder and armed robbery, which prosecutors can handle in adult courts. Any changes to that list of crimes must be approved by voters. But the constitutional amendment sponsored by Republican Sen. Heather Cloud — which require voter approval in March 29 elections to take effect — would allow legislators the power by a two-thirds vote to decide what juvenile crimes can be transferred to adult courts. It’s part of a wider push in Louisiana, which already has the in the country behind Mississippi, to implement tough-on-crime policies under Republican Gov. Jeff Landry. Since taking office in January, Landry has passed laws to treat 17-year-olds as adults in the criminal justice system, and allow as punishment for certain sex crimes against children. Supporters of the measure to make it easier to expand prosecution of juveniles as adults — backed only by Republican legislators — say it will grant lawmakers more flexibility to give prosecutors the tools they need to increase public safety. Vesting authority in the constitution “has hamstringed Louisiana from being able to address changes in an ever-changing juvenile crime landscape,” Cloud said on the Senate floor on Nov. 14. Opponents, including Democrats, social workers and criminal justice reform advocates, said specific offenses routing juveniles to adult courts should remain part of the constitution to keep this power in the hands of voters. “We’re taking the people’s voice away over how children should be treated in this state,” Democratic Sen. Katrina Jackson-Andrews said. Critics also argue the changes fail to confront the root causes of juvenile crime, namely poverty and underinvestment in education. Transferring juveniles into adult court would also prevent them from accessing age-appropriate rehabilitative services, criminal justice reform advocates and social workers testified during the legislative session. “I can view this in no other way than just giving up on children,” Democratic Sen. Royce Duplessis said on the Senate floor. “We’re going to say we’re just going to treat them all as adults, and we’re not going to do our part as a society, as policymakers, to address what’s really failing — this is not going to do a single thing to deter crime.” Some lawmakers said that juveniles committing violent crimes had been deprived of care from a young age and were past the point of rehabilitation, blaming their families as opposed to societal factors. “Some of these kids are already lost when they’re 2 years old,” said Republican Rep. Tony Bacala in a House committee hearing. Unless they are transferred to an adult court, young people tried in juvenile court can only be imprisoned until age 21 according to state law. The effect of the proposed constitutional change will be to open the door for Republican lawmakers to give prosecutors the power to hand down lengthy prison sentences to 14- to 16-year-olds, including for less severe crimes, said Bruce Reilly, deputy director of the Louisiana-based criminal justice reform advocacy group Voice of the Experienced. The Louisiana District Attorneys Association and the Louisiana Sheriffs’ Association said they supported the measure. But New Orleans Sheriff Susan Hutson said she was concerned the measure would “almost certainly further strain our already short staff” in the jail system. Federal law still considers 17-year-olds and younger as juveniles and requires them to be kept separate from adult inmates. District Attorney Tony Clayton, who represents West Baton Rouge and two other parishes, said he would not try a juvenile as an adult for having “marijuana in his wallet,” but for violent crimes. Violent crimes are on the decline nationwide according to the latest data from FBI’s Uniform Crime Reporting. Since mid-2023, which in 2022 had the among large cities nationwide. Conservative lawmakers argued this was the result of tough-on-crime penalties passed this year and Republican Gov. Jeff Landry’s decision to send state troops to New Orleans. Lawmakers supporting the amendment have focused on high-profile violent crimes by juveniles, such as a committed by teenagers — who were charged as adults — in which an elderly woman was beaten and dragged to her death. Louisiana is one of five states that classifies 17-year-olds as adults in the criminal justice system, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. _____ Brook is a corps member for The Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues. Follow Brook on the social platform X: @jack_brook96 Jack Brook, The Associated Press
Liverpool vs Man City: Prediction, kick-off time, TV, live stream, team news, h2h results, odds
Bronze Market Size, Scope 2031 by Key Companies- Lebronze Alloys, Wieland Metals Inc., LDM B.V., National Bronze & Metals Ningbo Boway Alloy Material Co Ltd 11-23-2024 06:46 PM CET | Advertising, Media Consulting, Marketing Research Press release from: Verified Market Research USA, New Jersey: According to Verified Market Research analysis, the global Bronze Market size is reached a valuation of USD 9.33 Billion in 2023, with projections to achieve USD 11.37 Billion by 2031, demonstrating a CAGR 2.50% from 2024 to 2031. What is the current state and outlook of the bronze market? The bronze market, driven by demand in industries such as manufacturing, construction, and automotive, is poised for moderate growth. As of 2024, the price of bronze is heavily influenced by the cost of copper, tin, and aluminum-its primary components. The market has seen price fluctuations due to supply chain issues, geopolitical tensions, and raw material shortages. While global demand for bronze is growing, particularly in Asia-Pacific countries with expanding infrastructure and industrial production, the market faces challenges, including competition from alternative materials like aluminum and plastics. Additionally, increasing recycling efforts are reducing demand for newly mined bronze, affecting overall market growth. Despite these hurdles, demand in emerging economies, coupled with a rise in sustainable manufacturing practices, should help maintain moderate growth through the next decade. https://www.verifiedmarketresearch.com/download-sample/?rid=23166&utm_source=OpenPR&utm_medium=386 What are the key factors driving investment in the bronze market? Investment in the bronze market is largely driven by several factors: industrial demand, infrastructure development, and raw material pricing. Firstly, the increasing construction of infrastructure, particularly in developing countries, is one of the strongest demand drivers for bronze, particularly in construction components and machinery. Secondly, the automotive and manufacturing sectors, which utilize bronze for high-performance alloys, continue to expand. Thirdly, the rising prices of copper and tin, key components of bronze, are a notable factor in market movements, making bronze a more volatile but potentially lucrative investment. Moreover, the push for green technologies and sustainable manufacturing offers a unique opportunity, as bronze is highly recyclable, aligning with global sustainability trends. These factors together suggest continued demand and potential for strategic investments, especially in emerging markets. What are the risks and challenges for investors in the bronze market? Investing in the bronze market presents several risks. First, price volatility of its core components (copper and tin) can cause significant fluctuations in the price of bronze, leading to unpredictable returns. Additionally, geopolitical issues-such as trade disputes, tariffs, and resource nationalism-pose a risk to supply chains and may disrupt the stability of prices. Another risk is the growing competition from alternative materials like aluminum and composites, which could reduce the demand for bronze, particularly in sectors like automotive and construction. Furthermore, increased recycling initiatives and the shift towards sustainable production may reduce reliance on newly mined bronze, affecting long-term demand. Investors should carefully monitor raw material prices, global trade conditions, and technological innovations to navigate these challenges effectively. Major companies Lebronze Alloys, Wieland Metals Inc., LDM B.V., National Bronze & Metals Ningbo Boway Alloy Material Co Ltd, Diehl Metall Stiftung & Co. Kg, KME Germany GmbH & Co Kg., Concast Metal Products Co, PMX Industries Inc, Ningbo Xingye Shengtai Group Co., Ltd. Trends Global Market Expansion: As markets continue to globalize, numerous enterprises in the Bronze sector are actively exploring opportunities in emerging markets. Leveraging their expertise and resources, these companies are strategically expanding their footprint and reaching out to new customer segments, thereby capitalizing on evolving market dynamics. Sustainable Practices: There's a noticeable surge in prioritizing sustainability within the market, spurred by both consumer preferences and regulatory mandates. This shift is manifesting in heightened adoption of eco-friendly materials, implementation of energy-efficient processes, and proactive initiatives aimed at waste reduction. Digital Transformation: The Bronze market is swiftly embracing digital transformation, incorporating cutting-edge technologies like AI, IoT, and blockchain. This transition is significantly enhancing operational efficiency, fostering product innovation, and elevating customer experiences through personalization. Health and Wellness: Consumers are placing a growing emphasis on health and wellness, catalyzing the introduction of functional and nutritious products in the Bronze market. Additionally, there's a notable trend towards integrating health-focused attributes into existing offerings to meet evolving consumer expectations. Key Segments Are Covered in Report Bronze Market, By End-Use Industry • Marine • Automotive • Aerospace & Defense • Industrial • Infrastructure & Construction • Electrical & Electronics • Others. Bronze Market, By Type • Aluminum Bronze • Silicon Bronze • Phosphor Bronze • Leaded Tin Bronze • Others Get a Discount On The Purchase Of This Report @ https://www.verifiedmarketresearch.com/ask-for-discount?rid=23166&utm_source=OpenPR&utm_medium=386 Barriers to Entry Strong Brand Loyalty: Established brands enjoy strong customer loyalty and trust, making it difficult for new entrants to capture market share without substantial investment in brand building and marketing campaigns. Economies of Scale: Existing players benefit from economies of scale, which enable them to lower production costs per unit and offer competitive pricing, posing a barrier for new entrants to achieve similar cost efficiencies. High Capital Requirements: Entry into Bronze Market requires substantial initial investment in manufacturing facilities, distribution networks, and marketing, making it challenging for new entrants to compete effectively. Regulatory Hurdles: Compliance with Bronze industry regulations and standards adds complexity and cost to market entry, especially for startups or smaller firms lacking resources to navigate regulatory requirements effectively. Regional Analysis North America (USA and Canada) Europe (UK, Germany, France and rest of Europe) Asia-Pacific (China, Japan, India, and Rest of Asia Pacific) Latin America (Brazil, Mexico, and Rest of Latin America) Middle East and Africa (GCC and Rest of the Middle East and Africa) The report offers analysis on the following aspects: (1) Market Penetration: Comprehensive information on the product portfolios of the top players in the Bronze Market. (2) Product Development/Innovation: Detailed insights on the upcoming technologies, R&D activities, and product launches in the Bronze market. (3) Competitive Assessment: In-depth assessment of the market strategies, geographic and business segments of the leading players in the market. (4) Market Development: Comprehensive information about emerging markets. This report analyzes the market for various segments across geographies. (5) Market Diversification: Exhaustive information about new products, untapped geographies, recent developments, and investments in the Bronze Market. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) 1. What are the present scale and future growth prospects of the Bronze Market? Answer: The Bronze Market size is reached a valuation of USD 9.33 Billion in 2023, with projections to achieve USD 11.37 Billion by 2031, demonstrating a CAGR 2.50% from 2024 to 2031. 2. What is the current state of the Bronze market? Answer: As of the latest data, the Bronze market is experiencing growth, stability, and challenges. 3. Who are the key players in the Bronze market? Answer: Lebronze Alloys, Wieland Metals Inc., LDM B.V., National Bronze & Metals Ningbo Boway Alloy Material Co Ltd, Diehl Metall Stiftung & Co. Kg, KME Germany GmbH & Co Kg., Concast Metal Products Co, PMX Industries Inc, Ningbo Xingye Shengtai Group Co., Ltd. are the Prominent players in the Bronze market, known for their notable characteristics and strengths. 4. What factors are driving the growth of the Bronze market? Answer: The growth of the Bronze market can be attributed to factors such as key drivers technological advancements, increasing demand, and regulatory support. 5. Are there any challenges affecting the Bronze market? Answer: The Bronze market's challenges include competition, regulatory hurdles, and economic factors. For More Information or Query, Visit @ https://www.verifiedmarketresearch.com/product/bronze-market/ Inquiry: Mr. Edwin Fernandez Verified Market Research USA: +1 650 781 4080 APAC: +61 485 860 968 EMEA: +44 788 886 6344 Website:- https://www.verifiedmarketresearch.com/ About us: Verified Market Research Verified Market Research is a leading global research and consulting firm with over 10 years of experience providing advanced analytical research solutions, tailored consulting and in-depth data analysis to individuals and companies seeking accurate, reliable and timely research. Data and technology consulting. It provides insights into strategic and growth analysis, the data you need to achieve business goals, and helps you make key revenue decisions. Our research works as partners to provide our clients with accurate and valuable information to help them make better data-driven decisions, understand market forecasts, capitalize on future opportunities and help optimize efficiency. The industries we cover span a wide range of industries including technology, chemicals, manufacturing, energy, food and beverage, automotive, robotics, packaging, construction, mining and gas. etc. Verified Market Research help you understand comprehensive market indicator factors as well as current and future market trends. Our analysts have extensive expertise in data collection and management, using industry methodologies to collect and examine data at every step. They are trained to combine the latest data collection techniques, superior research methodologies, specialized knowledge, and years of collective experience to produce informative and accurate research results. Having served over 5,000 clients, we provide trusted market research services to over 100 global Fortune 500 companies, including Amazon, Dell, IBM, Shell, Exxon Mobil, General Electric, Siemens, Microsoft, Sony and Hitachi. We provided it. We work with some of the world's leading consulting firms, including McKinsey & Company, Boston Consulting Group and Bain & Company, delivering customized research and consulting projects for companies around the world. This release was published on openPR.