Latest news with #SCAP
Yahoo
03-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Scientists issue warning over new factor that can increase pneumonia risk: 'May occur through daily behaviors'
A new study found a relationship between microplastics exposure and increased risk of one serious type of lung infection. Researchers analyzed microplastics in samples of mucus and liquid from the lower respiratory tracts of 50 patients suffering from community-acquired pneumonia, a serious lung infection that is contracted outside of a health care setting and has high morbidity and mortality rates. They evaluated patients with both severe community-acquired pneumonia and non-severe community-acquired pneumonia to see how the inhalation of microplastics might trigger the condition. They found that the higher the concentrations of microplastics in these samples, the higher risk of suffering from SCAP. Microplastic concentrations were significantly associated with multiple respiratory microbiota and inflammatory factors in the lung fluid samples. The researchers also discovered that participants who performed frequent housework or were more sedentary were more likely to suffer high exposure to microplastics. "Inhalation exposure to [microplastics] in adults may occur through daily behaviors," the researchers stated. "We found that participants who frequently engaged in housework or spent more than one hour on it exhibited a higher ratio of high exposure to [certain types of microplastics] compared to those who rarely or never performed housework." This study adds to the growing body of research about the health effects of microplastics, small plastic particles that are found in air, food, soil, and water. Because microplastics have infiltrated the environment, they have also been discovered throughout the human body, including in brains, blood, and reproductive organs. Though the science continues to evolve, researchers have already tied microplastic exposure to severe health consequences including cancer, dementia, chronic kidney disease, and impaired blood flow in the brain. This particular research also highlights the connection between microplastic exposure and housework; previous studies have revealed that cleaning products contain significant amounts of these tiny plastic fragments. Scientists have made encouraging breakthroughs when it comes to cleaning up microplastics from the environment. For instance, one group of researchers found a way to remove microplastics from farm soil using a type of processed farm waste. And another group of scientists found that it's possible to remove microplastics from water using egg it's important to attack microplastics at their source by reducing the amount of plastic we use. You can help by eliminating single-use plastics that you rely on: Go for reusable bags and water bottles, bar shampoo, and metal razors. Do you worry about air pollution in your town? All the time Often Only sometimes Never Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Join our free newsletter for weekly updates on the latest innovations improving our lives and shaping our future, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Business Recorder
19-06-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
Pakistan salaried class rejects govt's claim of giving relief in income tax
Representatives of the Salaried Class Alliance of Pakistan (SCAP) said on Thursday the government had done a 'number juggling' and given almost no relief in income tax to the salaried individuals in the budget proposals for the fiscal year 2025-26. In a press conference at the Karachi Press Club on Thursday, they pointed out that the tax authorities have targeted to collect Rs540 billion in income tax from employees working in regulated sectors in FY26, compared to Rs550 billion to be received in the outgoing FY25. 'The Rs10 billion relief to the entire working class nationwide is a so-called relief. This is number juggling,' said Bilal Farooq Rizvi, a member of the SCAP. 'We reject the government's claim of relief to the salaried class people (in the budget 2025-26),' he said. According to the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) reports, the income tax collection from salaried class people would be Rs550 billion in FY25, higher by Rs112 billion compared to FBR's set target for the outgoing year. Numbers speak: Sindh agriculturalists spend more on vehicle registration, pay less in income tax According to the budget proposals for FY26, the tax rate for those earning Rs600,001 to Rs1.2 million has been slashed to 2.5% from 5%. Individuals earning between Rs1.2 million and Rs2.2 million will pay 11%, down from 15%, along with a drop in the fixed tax component from Rs30,000 to Rs6,000. For the Rs2.2 million to Rs3.2 million bracket, the rate has been reduced to 23% from 25%, and the fixed tax lowered from Rs180,000 to Rs116,000. For those earning above Rs3.2 million annually, the rates remain unchanged. The 30% tax on incomes up to Rs4.1 million and 35% for those earning more continues. However, fixed taxes for the two slabs have been reduced to Rs346,000 and Rs616,000 from Rs430,000 and Rs700,000 respectively. A slight relief has also been provided in the form of a 1 percentage point cut in the surcharge, down to 9% from 10% for individuals earning more than Rs10 million a year. Adeel Khan, another SCAP member, claimed 'the income tax collection from salaried people has jumped 7 to 8-time in the past 3 to 4-year, increasing to Rs550 billion in FY25 compared to Rs70-80 billion a few years ago.' Budget 2025-26: Pakistan govt offers tax relief to salaried class, but representatives unhappy The government has targeted salaried class people to achieve the FBR tax collection target of Rs14.1 trillion in FY26, 'as it knows this is the soft target and they will not restore to violent protests and sit-ins and will neither block roads like political parties and shopkeepers do to get their demands accepted,' he added. Khan said the government provided a meager relief of a maximum of Rs7,000 a month in income tax to the people appearing in middle income groups, reducing their monthly tax burden to merely 'Rs493,000 a month in FY26 from Rs500,000 a month paid in FY25'. The employees working in the formal sectors were given a minimum relief of only Rs20,000 a month in income tax to the people falling in the middle income brackets. 'The provided so-called relief is no relief. This would make almost no difference in our lives,' he said. SCAP member Iesha Fazal said, 'The provided relief is insignificant. This is tantamount to playing with the salaried class people. This is a joke. We reject it'. They appealed to the authorities concerned to reduce the income tax rates by at least 2.5% for all the taxable slabs, including the individuals falling in the upper income brackets. The government can still make changes in its proposals, as the Parliament is yet to give its official nod to the proposed budget and Finance Bill 2025. 'Pakistan salaried class paid 5 times more taxes than exporters, retailers in outgoing FY25' Another SCAP member Rizwan Hussain said they would file a case in a court of law to get the due relief in income tax if the government approved the proposed tax rates as it was in the Finance Bills 2025. He reiterated SCAP's old demand of removing the super tax completely, which the government reduced by 1% to 9% in the budget proposals for FY26. Hussain also demanded relief in taxes on investment in mutual funds and similar investment products FY26.
Business Recorder
10-06-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
Budget 2025-26: Pakistan govt offers tax relief to salaried class, but representatives unhappy
In a move to ease the tax burden on the working population, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb has announced cuts in income tax rates for low- to middle-income salaried individuals in the federal budget for 2025-26. However, representatives of the salaried class remain dissatisfied, citing minimal relief and continued neglect of broader tax reforms. The budget maintains the income tax exemption threshold at Rs600,000 annually, rejecting the long-standing demand by the Salaried Class Alliance of Pakistan (SCAP) to increase it to Rs1.2 million. The government has instead focused on offering limited tax rate reductions for individuals earning between Rs600,001 and Rs3.2 million annually. Budget 2025-26: Pakistan targets 4.2% growth as Aurangzeb presents proposals 'for a competitive economy' According to the Finance Bill 2025-26, the tax rate for those earning Rs600,001 to Rs1.2 million has been slashed to 1% from 5%. Individuals earning between Rs1.2 million and Rs2.2 million will pay 11%, down from 15%, along with a drop in the fixed tax component from Rs30,000 to Rs6,000. For the Rs2.2 million to Rs3.2 million bracket, the rate has been reduced to 23% from 25%, and the fixed tax lowered from Rs180,000 to Rs116,000. For those earning above Rs3.2 million annually, the rates remain unchanged. The 30% tax on incomes up to Rs4.1 million and 35% for those earning more continues. However, fixed taxes for the two slabs have been reduced to Rs346,000 and Rs616,000 from Rs430,000 and Rs700,000 respectively. A slight relief has also been provided in the form of a 1 percentage point cut in the surcharge, down to 9% from 10% for individuals earning more than Rs10 million a year. 'Pakistan salaried class paid 5 times more taxes than exporters, retailers in outgoing FY25' While these measures appear to provide some reprieve for the salaried class, SCAP has called them insufficient. 'The reduction in income tax rates for salaried individuals is insignificant,' said Komal Ali, a member of SCAP. 'Any relief is being negated by increased tax rates on investment avenues such as banking products and mutual funds, which many salaried individuals rely on.' She also criticized the government for failing to widen the tax net. 'The budget is silent on taxing millions of wealthy individuals who remain outside the tax system. The Finance Minister did not mention efforts to bring agriculture or the retail sector into the fold,' she added. In FY25, salaried individuals contributed over Rs550 billion to the national exchequer, making them one of the most tax-compliant groups in Pakistan.
Time of India
10-06-2025
- General
- Time of India
Kerala HSCAP 2025 second allotment result released: Check direct link to download scorecards
H Tired of too many ads? go ad free now SCAP second allotment list 2025: The Directorate of General Education, Kerala, has officially released the Kerala HSCAP Second Allotment Result 2025 for Plus One admissions. The results were made available on Monday, June 9, 2025, through the Higher Secondary Centralized Admission Process (HSCAP) portal at This second round of allotments pertains to candidates who submitted applications for Class 11 admissions under the Single Window System across various higher secondary schools in the state. According to the Directorate's official notification, the admission process based on the second allotment list will take place from 10 AM on June 10 to 5 PM on June 11, 2025. Students who have received allotments are required to report in person to the allotted institutions, accompanied by their parents or legal guardians. At the time of admission, candidates must present all original documents, including: The second allotment letter SSLC mark sheet Transfer Certificate Conduct Certificate Caste or community certificate (if applicable) Any other documents as specified by the institution. HSCAP second allotment result 2025 : Steps to access Students can follow the steps below to access their second allotment results: Visit the official HSCAP website: Navigate to the 'Candidate Login' section on the homepage. Enter your application number and password to log in. View and download your second allotment result. Take a printout of the result for submission during admission. Alternatively, candidates can click on the link provided to download the HSCAP second allotment result 2025. HSCAP second allotment result 2025: What's next? Once the second allotment-based admissions conclude, further allotment rounds may be announced depending on the availability of vacant seats. The Directorate is expected to release a revised seat matrix and updated schedule, should additional allotment phases be required. The HSCAP allotment system, implemented by the Kerala government, ensures a transparent and merit-based admission process to the higher secondary courses in government and aided schools across the state.
Business Insider
04-06-2025
- Business
- Business Insider
I got a bachelor's degree for free through Starbucks. Working while studying was hard, but it made college possible for me.
This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Megan Allison, a 23-year-old Starbucks store manager in Philadelphia. Allison graduated in May with a bachelor's degree from Arizona State University. She got the degree through the Starbucks College Achievement Plan (SCAP), which covers tuition toward a Bachelor's degree in ASU's online program. About 13% of Starbucks employees, whom Starbucks calls "partners," are currently participating in the program, according to the company. The interview has been edited for length and clarity. When I started working at Starbucks, I was 18 years old. I had aged out of foster care, and I really didn't have parents around. I was kind of making it for myself. I was DoorDash-ing and working as a housekeeper at the time. I really didn't have plans. My mom always wanted to encourage me to go to school. But I was feeling very lost. I got a job at a Starbucks near me in Virginia. Immediately, I felt at home there in a way that I hadn't felt anywhere else before. I worked there for about six months, then I transferred to a Starbucks Reserve location in Baltimore. I was working on my associate degree when my store manager told me about SCAP. I said, "That's in my future, but I'm not there yet." When I graduated from community college in the spring of 2022, I immediately knew that I wanted to continue my education. I enrolled at Arizona State in the fall through SCAP. Now, retrospectively, I can see that I had a lot of opportunities, but at the time, I had no financial resources, no connections. So, for me, it was SCAP or nothing. It gave me a next step, because I didn't know what I wanted to do, who I wanted to be, or what I wanted to study. I went into my college degree studying communications, but I switched to psychology. My classes — learning about what motivates people and what drives people to succeed — really helped me understand my partners at Starbucks and how to be a better leader. Also, meeting different people through my classes and reading all sorts of literature by people of different backgrounds gave me more perspective. Having a degree gave me the confidence to pursue more opportunities As a barista, I took a full course load while getting my bachelor's degree. Then, I became a shift supervisor, so I had to slow down my coursework a bit. I usually worked from noon until 8:30 p.m. I would get home at 9 o'clock and do homework until 1 in the morning. I was promoted to assistant store manager in 2023. A few months later, I became a store manager at a Starbucks in Philadelphia. It was hard to work and study, but I kept going with it. This spring, I got to fly to Arizona and graduate. I'm still a store manager with Starbucks. My goal was always to get my degree and then move on. Starbucks didn't feel like a big-girl job for me. But the longer that I've been here, the more I see a community and a culture that I want to be a part of. Eventually, I would like to work in career development and talent acquisition. I would love to work at Starbucks in that field. I just found out about the Starbucks fellowship program, where you can get an internship on the corporate side, so I might do that. Earlier in my time at Starbucks, store leaders would ask me, "Have you ever considered being a store manager? Have you ever considered being a store manager trainer?" Having a degree gave me the confidence to pursue more opportunities.
