World
German inflation hits highest level since 2012
Berlin, Jan 16 (IANS) German consumer prices rose by the fastest pace measured since 2012 during the past year, official figures published on Tuesday by the Federal Statistical Office revealed.
According to the Wiesbaden-based government statisticians, average annual inflation reached 1.8 per cent in 2017 after 0.5 per cent in 2016. The Office attributed this development to higher energy, foodstuff and housing costs, Xinhua news agency said.
Another source of pressure on prices was identified by German media in the European Central Bank (ECB)’s ultra-loose monetary policy. The ongoing large bond-purchasing program adopted by the Frankfurt-based institution remains a source of controversy in Germany.
Recent data from the wider Eurozone suggest that ECB President Mario Draghi’s unorthodox efforts to reinvigorate the growth in the bloc are increasingly bearing fruit.
However, annual inflation in the Eurozone was still below the ECB’s official goal of just under two percent at 1.4 per cent in 2017, according to Eurostat.
Following a cheapening of energy during previous years, a spike in the cost of crude oil (3.1 per cent), heating oil (16 per cent) and gasoline (6 per cent) combined to contribute to higher overall inflationary pressure in Germany compared to other Eurozone countries in 2017.
Furthermore, the domestic cost of foodstuffs rose by 3 per cent, while rental costs (exclusive of heating) were up 1.4 per cent during the same period.
Nevertheless, German price growth slowed again slightly to a monthly rate of 1.7 per cent in December. This was mainly due to reduction in energy price growth from 3.7 per cent in November to 1.3 per cent during the last month of 2017.
–IANS
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National
Foodman Vishal Singh Honored for Hunger Free World Mission in Bangkok
Lucknow: Vishal Singh, a renowned social worker from Lucknow, also known as Foodman, has once again made India proud. He was honored by the Happy Hands Gloves Cooperative Limited Company in Korathai, Thailand, for his work with the Hunger Free World Mission.
The Hunger Free World Mission’s meeting was held in Korathai, Thailand, under Vishal Singh’s leadership. Representatives from several countries, including Mr. Raja Dwivedi (Managing Director of Happy Hands Gloves Limited), Thailand Coordinator Mr. Raja Mishra, and member Mr. Varun Singh, attended the event.
Under Vishal Singh’s leadership, the attendees took a pledge to work together toward creating a hunger-free world.
Speaking on the occasion, Vishal Singh explained that the main goal of the Hunger Free World Mission is social participation. He said the mission is not just about feeding people but also about meeting other basic needs of those who are struggling. The mission focuses on helping families of terminally ill patients in hospitals by providing food and shelter. It also works to fulfill essential needs like education, jobs, and care for the elderly.
For the last 16 years, the Vijay Sri Foundation has been providing free services, benefiting thousands of people. Vishal Singh highlighted that the mission aims to gain global recognition like other organizations such as WHO, WWF, and Red Cross, which work for social causes.
During this meeting, Vishal Singh was appointed as the Chairman of the Hunger Free World Mission by representatives from various countries. They also discussed holding regular meetings in different countries to push the mission forward.
Business tycoon Dr. Abhishek Verma has also supported this humanitarian mission, vowing to promote the idea of “Seva Parmo Dharma” (Service is the highest duty) worldwide. Vishal Singh praised him, stating that people like Dr .Abhishek Verma inspire others to work for the betterment of society.
Recently, Romania’s Ambassador, Mr . Daniela Sezonov Ţane, invited Vishal Singh to the Romanian Embassy in Delhi, where they discussed the mission in detail. Impressed by his humanitarian work, she honored Vishal Singh and invited him to Romania to take the mission forward .
Food man Vishal Singh has been serving the people of India for the past 16 years. Through the Vijay Sri Foundation, he provides free meals to cancer patients & their families ,shelter, and education for women & children along with running free old-age homes in Lucknow.
In addition to his humanitarian work, Vishal Singh also addresses issues like crime and corruption through his role as Chairman of Seva Path Media and Managing Director of Vijay Sri Foundation.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Vishal Singh and his team worked tirelessly to provide food and help to the needy, including starving children, elderly citizens, and pregnant women. Despite contracting the virus himself, he continued to assist others after his recovery. He even created a life-saving oxygen regulator using household items, which was praised by doctors both in India and abroad.
In his address at the meeting, Vishal Singh spoke about his mission to create a hunger-free world. He pointed out that India’s large population, along with issues like unemployment and poverty, has caused the country to fall on the Hunger Index. He urged people to contribute just one handful of grains daily to help create a hunger-free world.
He concluded by saying that through social participation, we can empower the people around us, meet their basic needs, and work together to build a stronger, more prosperous, and developed society.