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okbet verification VALLADOLID, Spain (Reuters) -Atletico Madrid hammered bottom side Real Valladolid 5-0 in a LaLiga encounter at the Jose Zorrilla stadium on Saturday and provisionally moved into second place in the standings. Atletico, who claimed their seventh straight win in all competitions, are on 32 points, two ahead of Real Madrid, who have two games in hand. Barcelona, who lost 2-1 to Las Palmas earlier on Saturday, remain top with 34 points. "I'm happy with the team's performance. We know that every match is important and we came out very well today. Three important points and let's keep going like this," Atletico forward Antoine Griezmann told DAZN. Clement Lenglet opened the scoring for Atletico after 26 minutes with a close-range finish from Marcos Llorente's cross from the right, marking the French defender's first LaLiga goal since 2020. Julian Alvarez doubled the lead in the 35th minute, pouncing on a rebound from goalkeeper Karl Hein who had blocked Griezmann's shot but could not deny the Argentine striker from the second attempt. Rodrigo De Paul made it 3-0 two minutes later with a first-time low shot, before Griezmann added another goal seven minutes into the second half after a brilliant move that drew applause from the opposing fans. "I am grateful for the applause (from Valladolid fans). That's what we footballers want, for them to enjoy us, whether they are our opponents or our team," Griezmann added. "The affection is appreciated. I feel very good and I hope to give more." Valladolid's Ivan Sanchez got the closest chance to put the hosts on the scoresheet but his 72nd-minute attempt hit the crossbar. Alexander Sorloth then scored a stoppage-time winner as Valladolid slumped to their tenth defeat in 15 games, leaving them bottom of the table on nine points. "There is no explanation, we played a very bad game," Valladolid captain Javi Sanchez said. "We have to be critical of ourselves. We had the hope of turning the situation around but it didn't go well." (Reporting by Janina Nuno Rios in Mexico City; editing by Clare Fallon)Head in the gameThe AP Top 25 college football poll is back every week throughout the season! Get the poll delivered straight to your inbox with AP Top 25 Poll Alerts. Sign up here . JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — Walter Payton Award finalist Irv Mulligan had 116 yards rushing, Jackson State took control in the third quarter and the Tigers rolled past Southern 41-13 on Saturday to win the SWAC Championship. Jackson State (11-2) claimed the conference title for the fourth time and will play MEAC champion South Carolina State in the Celebration Bowl on Dec. 14 in Atlanta. Southern (8-5) led 10-3 late in the second quarter before Jackson State ended the half on an Emari Matthews 2-yard touchdown run and followed it up with Mulligan’s 1-yard TD run to open the third quarter. Now leading 17-10, the Tigers added Gerardo Baeza’s 45-yard field goal and Zy McDonald’s 23-yard touchdown run to take a 27-10 lead into the fourth quarter. Jackson State wrapped up the conference title with two touchdowns in the final 6 1/2 minutes. The Jaguars’ 28-yard field goal by Joshua Griffin in the fourth quarter marked the end of a six-game streak in which Jackson State had not allowed a point in the final period. Also, Southern was only the third team since Oct. 5 to score in the second half against Jackson State. In addition to Muligan’s 116 yards on the ground, McDonald ran for 95 yards and the Tigers totaled 275 yards and four rushing touchdowns. McDonald completed 6 of 11 passes for 75 yards with a touchdown and an interception. Czavian Teasett had 127 yards passing and 56 yards rushing for Southern. __ Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here . AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-football

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CHICAGO (AP) — (AP) — Des Watson led Loyola Chicago with 14 points and sealed the victory with a 3-pointer with 32 seconds remaining as the Ramblers knocked off South Florida 74-72 on Saturday. Watson shot 3 for 15 (2 for 8 from 3-point range) and 6 of 8 from the free-throw line for the Ramblers (8-0). Kymany Houinsou scored 12 points while finishing 5 of 7 from the floor and added seven rebounds and five assists. Jalen Quinn had 12 points and shot 4 of 8 from the field and 4 of 4 from the free-throw line. The Ramblers extended their winning streak to eight games. The Bulls (5-4) were led by Jayden Reid, who recorded 23 points, seven rebounds and four assists. Kasen Jennings added 13 points for South Florida. Jamille Reynolds had 12 points, 11 rebounds and four assists. Justin Moore scored six points in the first half and Loyola Chicago went into the break trailing 38-35. Watson scored a team-high nine points for Loyola Chicago in the second half, including their game-winning shot in the final minute. NEXT UP Loyola Chicago next plays Sunday against San Francisco at home, and South Florida will visit Utah State on Saturday. The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .

In a remarkable turn of events, Austria's far-right Freedom Party clinched its first-ever victory in Styria's state election, according to a projection on Sunday. This win mirrors the sentiments of September's general election, underscoring the party's strengthening position in the Austrian political landscape. The projection, conducted by pollster Foresight for national broadcaster ORF and the APA news agency, indicates that the eurosceptic and Russia-friendly Freedom Party (FPO) secured 35.4% of the votes. The conservative People's Party followed with 26.7%, highlighting a notable shift in voter preferences. This electoral outcome, projected with a 1.2 percentage point margin of error, signifies the Freedom Party's growing clout even as national coalition negotiations persist, excluding the far-right faction. (With inputs from agencies.)CHICAGO (AP) — (AP) — Des Watson led Loyola Chicago with 14 points and sealed the victory with a 3-pointer with 32 seconds remaining as the Ramblers knocked off South Florida 74-72 on Saturday. Watson shot 3 for 15 (2 for 8 from 3-point range) and 6 of 8 from the free-throw line for the Ramblers (8-0). Kymany Houinsou scored 12 points while finishing 5 of 7 from the floor and added seven rebounds and five assists. Jalen Quinn had 12 points and shot 4 of 8 from the field and 4 of 4 from the free-throw line. The Ramblers extended their winning streak to eight games. The Bulls (5-4) were led by Jayden Reid, who recorded 23 points, seven rebounds and four assists. Kasen Jennings added 13 points for South Florida. Jamille Reynolds had 12 points, 11 rebounds and four assists. Justin Moore scored six points in the first half and Loyola Chicago went into the break trailing 38-35. Watson scored a team-high nine points for Loyola Chicago in the second half, including their game-winning shot in the final minute. NEXT UP Loyola Chicago next plays Sunday against San Francisco at home, and South Florida will visit Utah State on Saturday. The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .SANTA CLARA, Calif. , Dec. 19, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- FuriosaAI , an emerging leader in AI semiconductor solutions, is closing out the year with rapid technical and customer progress with its second-generation chip, RNGD (pronounced 'Renegade'). The recently announced AI solution has achieved compelling performance metrics in real-world enterprise deployments meeting the demand for inference with advanced large language and multimodal models. The new performance benchmarks showcase RNGD's ability to meet industry-leading throughput demands for Llama 3.1 models, including the 8B and 70B variants, with additional optimizations already in progress. The company also announced key software features that bring advanced optimization for customers currently sampling RNGD hardware in their production environments. These achievements represent the first phase of Furiosa's vision for AI infrastructure that overcomes the inherent limitations of GPUs. RNGD delivers winning throughput metrics with Llama 3.1 8B and 70B : Building on the AI-native Tensor Contraction Processor (TCP) architecture of RNGD , Furiosa is redefining real-world AI deployments, delivering unmatched performance, programmability, and power efficiency. Furiosa's RNGD recently achieved a throughput of 3,200–3,300 Tokens per Second (TPS) when running the LLaMA 3.1- 8B model. In single-user scenarios, RNGD consistently delivers 40–60 TPS performance. Additionally, RNGD demonstrates exceptional power efficiency, consuming 181W per card, with further optimization efforts underway. Rather than excessively boosting per-user performance, the company aims to maintain performance levels exceeding typical text-reading speeds (10–20 TPS or higher) while optimizing for multi-user environments and achieving a balanced performance approach. Furiosa is advancing the performance and efficiency of the LLaMA 3.1- 70B model. With just two RNGD cards, LLaMA 3.1- 70B can be executed effectively. Currently, a single server supports up to 100 concurrent user queries, with ongoing optimizations aiming to achieve 8,000 TPS per server when equipped with 8 RNGD cards. With the release of SDK v2024.3.0, Furiosa will expand the range of preloaded models. The SDK will also include support for tensor parallelism, enabling seamless processing across multiple elements without requiring model modifications, and a torch.compile, providing the foundation for executing customized models. Integration with HuggingFace Optimum will further empower customers to leverage a broader variety of models. Advanced optimization tools delivered to early RNGD customers: Building on these milestones, domestic and global enterprise customers are conducting tests with Furiosa to find a more efficient solution for scaling the inference of their self-developed models, compared to their existing setup. Their objective is to manage TCO effectively as they prepare for large-scale AI adoption. Furiosa plans to provide a high-quality AI development environment through a powerful and user-friendly SDK optimized for RNGD. The SDK v2024.1.0, currently available through the Early Access Program (EAP), is designed to handle high-performance processing of multiple LLM serving requests. It incorporates optimization techniques such as PagedAttention, Block KV Cache, and Continuous Batching, while also supporting various token sampling methods, including Greedy, Beam Search, and Top-k/p. These features allow developers to seamlessly create AI services customized to meet a wide range of requirements. The SDK and online sample will be available after the release of v2024.3.0. Furiosa remains committed to delivering the most sustainable AI deployment solutions through rigorous optimization at an unprecedented pace. "With RNGD now in customers' hands, we are accelerating the next generation of frontier LLMs to unlock emerging Agentic AI applications—bringing advanced reasoning capabilities to enterprise verticals, all at dramatically lower costs," said June Paik , Co-Founder and CEO of FuriosaAI. Furiosa Expands Global Footprint with Strategic Leadership Appointment Furiosa is scaling production and expanding its leadership team with the appointment of Alex Liu as Senior Vice President of Product and Business. A Technology Emmy Award winner and co-founder of NETINT Technologies, Alex brings over 20 years of expertise in startup management, technology innovation, and strategic leadership. At NETINT, he spearheaded groundbreaking achievements, including the development of the world's first VPU SoC, setting new industry benchmarks and securing the prestigious 2024 Technology Emmy Award. At Furiosa, Alex will lead global product management, go-to-market strategies, and partnerships to drive innovation and align the company's AI-native technologies with a vision to empower the development of planet-scale AI infrastructure. RNGD is currently sampling with customers, and mass production will ramp up in partnership with TSMC for 2025 availability. To learn more about Furiosa, please visit https://furiosa.ai/ . About FuriosaAI FuriosaAI is a semiconductor company dedicated to creating sustainable AI computing solutions that make powerful AI accessible to all. With its innovative Tensor Contraction Processor architecture, FuriosaAI is revolutionizing the AI hardware landscape, offering unparalleled efficiency and programmability for the most demanding AI workloads. For more information, please visit https://furiosa.ai/ . View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/furiosaai-ends-2024-on-a-high-note-llama-3-1-performance-sdk-release-leadership-expansion-302336756.html SOURCE FuriosaAI

SEATTLE (AP) — The Seattle Seahawks rode their dominant defense to a big win over a division rival to vault into first place in the NFC West. No, it isn’t 2013. These are the 2024 Seahawks, who, after struggling mightily against the run earlier this season, held the visiting Arizona Cardinals to 49 rushing yards in Sunday's 16-6 victory . The defensive line kept Kyler Murray under consistent pressure thanks to a dominant performance from Leonard Williams, the secondary flew around to smack away passes, and safety Coby Bryant scored on a 69-yard pick-6. Sunday's defensive performance was reminiscent of the Seahawks of a decade ago and a promising sign that first-year coach Mike Macdonald’s system is starting to click. Macdonald, who coordinated Baltimore's NFL-best defense last year, was leading one of the worst rush defenses in the league earlier this season. But Seattle consistently stuffed the Cardinals, who came in as the fifth-best running team in the league at 149.4 yards per game. “Three games in a row now we played pretty decent on defense,” Macdonald said. “There is an expectation and standard here throughout the course of our Seahawks history that we’re trying to live up to and build on. So that’s the idea.” At 6-5, the Seahawks drew even with the Cardinals in the tightly bunched division. The teams play each other again in two weeks at Arizona. What’s working Last month's trade for linebacker Ernest Jones IV has clearly paid off. Seattle hasn't allowed a running back to rush for more than 79 yards since its Week 8 loss to Buffalo, which was Jones' first game in a Seahawks uniform. He has led the team in tackles in every game he's played and has helped resurrect the run defense. What needs help The Seahawks' run game continues to underperform. Seattle got 65 yards on the ground Sunday, with the Cardinals holding Kenneth Walker III to 41 yards on 16 attempts. Zach Charbonnet had 22 yards on six carries. Walker hasn’t topped 100 yards since Week 1. Offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb needs to think of something different to get the running backs involved. Stock up Williams single-handedly disrupted the Cardinals with 2 1/2 sacks, four quarterback hits, three tackles for loss and one pass defensed. “I thought he was dominant,” Macdonald said. “I knew he played great and then I looked at the stat line and he played out of his mind.” The Seahawks finished with five sacks, seven quarterback hits, five tackles for loss and six pass deflections against the Cardinals, shutting down a team that had averaged 29.3 points over its previous three games. Stock down Geno Smith finished with 254 yards passing and a touchdown, but he threw another momentum-stalling interception. Smith was picked off on a third-and-6 play on the Arizona 18-yard line at the start of the fourth quarter, ending an 11-play, 73-yard drive. Smith has an NFL-most 12 interceptions this season, more than in either of his previous two seasons as the Seahawks' full-time starter. “That was a huge drive for us. ... Obviously made a terrible mistake down there, something I got to clean up,” Smith said. “But it was a big drive. We wanted to put the game ahead at least two scores.” The offensive line has contributed to the problem. Guard Anthony Bradford left with an ankle injury, and the line struggled to protect Smith, who was sacked five times. Injuries Macdonald said Bradford is expected to miss next week's game. Key number 77 — Jaxon Smith-Njigba led the team with six catches for 77 yards and a touchdown, marking the fourth consecutive game that Smith-Njigba has led the team in receptions. He topped 100 yards receiving in the previous two games. “He’s getting open,” Smith said. “He’s catching the ball. He’s doing a great job in the screen game. All-around great player. I just think the way that teams are playing us coverage-wise, I feel like it’s the ultimate sign of respect.” Up next The Seahawks play at the struggling New York Jets on Sunday. ___ AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl Shane Lantz, The Associated Press

State lawmakers struggle with Ohio's death penalty regulationsWEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau returned home Saturday after his meeting with Donald Trump without assurances the president-elect will back away from threatened tariffs on all products from the major American trading partner. Trump called the talks “productive” but signaled no retreat from a pledge that Canada says unfairly lumps it in with Mexico over the flow of drugs and migrants into the United States. After the leaders’ hastily arranged dinner Friday night at Trump's Mar-a-Lago club in Florida, Trudeau spoke of “an excellent conversation” but offered no details. Trump said in a Truth Social post later Saturday that they discussed “many important topics that will require both Countries to work together to address.” For issues in need of such cooperation, Trump cited fentanyl and the “Drug Crisis that has decimated so many lives as a result of Illegal Immigration," fair trade deals "that do not jeopardize American Workers” and the U.S. trade deficit with its ally to the north. Trump asserted that the prime minister had made “a commitment to work with us to end this terrible devastation” of American families from fentanyl from China reaching the United States through its neighbors. The U.S., he said, “will no longer sit idly by as our Citizens become victims to the scourge of this Drug Epidemic.” The Republican president-elect has threatened to impose a 25% tax on all products entering the U.S. from Canada and Mexico as one of his first executive orders when he takes office in January. U.S. customs agents seized 43 pounds of fentanyl at the Canadian border last fiscal year, compared with 21,100 pounds at the Mexican border. On immigration, the U.S. Border Patrol made 56,530 arrests at the Mexican border in October alone and 23,721 arrests at the Canadian border between October 2023 and September 2024 — and Canadian officials say they are ready to make new investments in border security. Trudeau called Trump after the Republican's social media posts about the tariffs last Monday and they agreed to meet, according to a official familiar with the matter who was not authorized to publicly discuss detail of the private talks. The official said other countries are calling Canadian officials to hear how about how the meeting was arranged and to ask for advice. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, after speaking with Trump on the telephone, said Thursday she was confident a tariff war with Washington would be averted. At the dinner that was said to last three hours, Trump said he and Trudeau also discussed energy, trade and the Arctic. A second official cited defense, Ukraine, NATO, China, the Mideast, pipelines and the Group of Seven meeting in Canada next year as other issues that arose. Trump, during his first term as president, once called Trudeau “weak” and “dishonest,” but it was the prime minister who was the first G7 leader to visit Trump since the Nov. 5 election. "Tariffs are a crucial issue for Canada and a bold move was in order. Perhaps it was a risk, but a risk worth taking,” Daniel Béland, a political science professor at McGill University in Montreal. Trudeau had said before leaving from Friday that Trump was elected because he promised to bring down the cost of groceries but now was talking about adding 25% to the cost of all kinds of products, including potatoes from Prince Edward Island in Atlantic Canada. “It is important to understand that Donald Trump, when he makes statements like that, he plans on carrying them out. There’s no question about it,” Trudeau said. “Our responsibility is to point out that he would not just be harming Canadians, who work so well with the United States, but he would actually be raising prices for Americans citizens as well and hurting American industry and business,” he added. The threatened tariffs could essentially blow up the North American trade pact that Trump’s team negotiated during his first term. Trudeau noted they were able to successfully renegotiate the deal, which he calls a “win win” for both countries. When Trump imposed higher tariffs as president, other countries responded with retaliatory tariffs of their own. Canada, for instance, announced billions of new duties in 2018 against the U.S. in a response to new taxes on Canadian steel and aluminum. Canada is the top export destination for 36 U.S. states. Nearly $3.6 billion Canadian (US $2.7 billion) worth of goods and services cross the border each day. About 60% of U.S. crude oil imports are from Canada, and 85% of U.S. electricity imports are from Canada. Canada is also the largest foreign supplier of steel, aluminum and uranium to the U.S. and has 34 critical minerals and metals that the Pentagon is eager for and investing in for national security. Canada is one of the most trade-dependent countries in the world, and 77% of Canada’s exports go to the U.S. ___ Gillies reported from Toronto.

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Beneath our feet lies a world often taken for granted, yet it forms the foundation of life on earth. Soil, with its rich, fertile composition, is the unsung hero of our ecosystems. It nurtures plants, supports agriculture, regulates water, and even combats climate change. As we approach World Soil Day, celebrated annually on December 5, it is imperative to reflect on the critical role soil plays in our lives and the urgent need to preserve this vital resource. Rich soil is the lifeblood of gardening, farming, and forestry. It acts as a reservoir of nutrients, allowing plants to grow and thrive. When soil is fertile, it not only supports plant life but also sustains the billions of microorganisms that contribute to a healthy ecosystem. These organisms break down organic matter, recycle nutrients, and improve soil structure, creating an environment where roots can penetrate deeply and plants can flourish. Gardening enthusiasts know the value of rich soil. A healthy garden begins with soil teeming with nutrients and life. The right balance of organic matter, minerals, and moisture transforms barren land into a thriving oasis. Whether growing vegetables, cultivating flowers, or planting trees, the quality of the soil determines the success of the endeavour. Poor soil leads to stunted growth and weak plants, while fertile soil nurtures vibrant greenery, abundant yields, and healthy ecosystems. Feeding the world Fertile soil is essential for feeding the global population. It serves as the foundation for agriculture, enabling the cultivation of crops that sustain billions. Wheat, rice, maize, and countless other staples owe their existence to the soil beneath them. Fertile soil provides plants with essential nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, which are crucial for their growth and productivity. Livestock depends on pastures that grow from rich soil, and even fish farming benefits from plants cultivated in fertile environments. In essence, soil nourishes the entire food chain, ensuring that people around the world have access to nutritious food. Healthy soil acts as a natural sponge, absorbing and storing water. This ability reduces the risk of floods and droughts, maintaining a stable water cycle. In agriculture, well-maintained soil minimises irrigation needs by retaining moisture, making farming more sustainable. Soil also plays a vital role in combatting climate change. It acts as a carbon sink, storing vast amounts of carbon dioxide that would otherwise contribute to global warming. By maintaining healthy soil, we can reduce greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate the effects of climate change. Rich, well-structured soil is less prone to erosion. It binds together through organic matter and root systems, preventing the loss of topsoil due to wind or water. Without fertile soil, landscapes become barren, and agricultural productivity declines. Soil is home to an incredible diversity of life. Microorganisms, insects, fungi, and small animals all thrive in healthy soil, contributing to its fertility and functionality. This biodiversity creates a balanced ecosystem that benefits both plants and animals. World Soil Day, organised by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), highlights the importance of healthy soil and encourages global efforts to protect it. Each year, a specific theme sheds light on the challenges and solutions related to soil management. This initiative aims to raise awareness about the essential role of soil in sustaining life and the urgent need to combat soil degradation. The 2024 theme focuses on the preservation of soil fertility, a pressing concern as overuse and neglect threaten this invaluable resource. Unsustainable farming practices, deforestation, and urbanisation degrade soil, depleting it of nutrients and reducing its ability to support life. World Soil Day reminds us that protecting soil is not just an agricultural issue; it is a global responsibility. Modern agricultural practices, while aimed at increasing productivity, often harm soil health. Overuse of chemical fertiliser and pesticides destroys beneficial microorganisms, leaving the soil lifeless and compacted. Deforestation removes the protective cover of trees, exposing soil to erosion. Urban sprawl seals fertile land under concrete, permanently removing it from use. Climate change further exacerbates the problem. Rising temperatures and unpredictable weather patterns disrupt the delicate balance of soil ecosystems. As soil dries out or floods, its ability to retain nutrients and support plants diminishes. Preserving soil fertility is not just a task for farmers and policymakers; it is a collective effort that requires action from all of us. Farmers can use crop rotation, cover crops, and organic fertiliser to maintain soil health. These methods reduce nutrient depletion and improve soil structure, ensuring long-term productivity. Planting trees and maintaining vegetation cover can prevent soil erosion. Natural barriers like hedgerows and terraces also help protect soil from wind and water damage. Composting kitchen and garden waste returns valuable nutrients to the soil. It enriches soil with organic matter, improving its texture, water retention, and fertility. Limiting the use of synthetic fertiliser and pesticides prevents the destruction of soil microorganisms. Organic alternatives, such as compost and natural pest control methods, are more sustainable. Public campaigns Public campaigns and education about the importance of soil can inspire communities to take action. Simple practices, such as planting trees or starting a composting initiative, can make a significant difference. Fertile soil underpins the economies of nations reliant on agriculture and shapes the cultural and social fabric of communities. Without healthy soil, humanity would face severe challenges, including food shortages, ecosystem collapse, and intensified climate crises. As we reflect on the role of soil, it becomes clear that this resource deserves more respect and care. It is not merely dirt beneath our feet; it is the foundation of life, supporting everything from the food we eat to the air we breathe. Preserving soil fertility is an investment in the future, ensuring that generations to come inherit a planet capable of sustaining life. By recognising the importance of soil and adopting sustainable practices, we can protect this invaluable resource and reap its countless benefits for years to come. Rich soil is a treasure worth preserving, a gift to humanity and the earth itself.

Employees’ representatives in the Central Board of Trustees (CBT) of the Employees Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) , cutting across political boundaries, attacked the EPFO authorities for not implementing the Supreme Court’s verdict on higher pension even after two years. In a detailed note submitted to the meeting of the CBT held here on Saturday (November 30, 2024), the EPFO said it had issued pension payment orders to just 16,282 out of the 17,48,775 subscribers of the Employees Pension Scheme who opted for higher pension. The EPFO told the meeting that it has rejected 2,60,352 applications so far. Trade union representatives R. Karumalaiyan of the CITU and S.Mallesham of the BMS raised the issue in the meeting. Union Labour Minister and CBT Chairman Mansukh Mandaviya asked the officers present to expedite the processing of the applications for higher pensions. He assured the trade union leaders that strict action would be taken against officers who slow down the process. Mr. Karumalaiyan also raised the issue of increasing the minimum PF pension, to which the Minister said the Centre was considering various options on this proposal. The EPFO said in a status note on the implementation of the November 2022 Supreme Court verdict, a copy of which is with The Hindu , said the calculation of pension was being undertaken in the same manner as was done for normal pensioners — those contributing up to the wage ceiling. No change in calculation method The CBT members had questioned the proposal to calculate the pension on a pro rata basis, and argued that such a method would be against the top court verdict. The EPFO said in the note that there is “no separate formula in the EPS 1995 for members who will be eligible for pension on higher wages in compliance with the directions of the Supreme Court. Therefore, the same methodology of pro-rata determination of pensionable salary, taking average monthly pay drawn during contributory period of service in the span of 60 months preceding the date of exit from the membership of the pension fund for post September 1, 2014 retirees, will be utilised for calculation of pension on higher wages.” The EPFO said that over ₹1.8 lakh crore was needed to settle 50% of the applications for higher pension. It said that while the actuarial analysis/ study can be completed only after all the applications are finally processed, interim actuarial evaluations will continue for every 50,000 demand letters issued. “Evaluation of sample data of around 38,000 applicants for pension on higher wages shows a deficit of around ₹9,500 crore i.e. approximately ₹25 lakh per person. An initial estimate suggested that approximately a sum of ₹ 1,86,920 crore will be depleted out of the fund on settlement of even as less as 50% of the Joint Options (post 2014 cases) received.” The EPFO said its head office was regularly monitoring the processing of applications for validation of joint options by the field offices. “The field offices have been conducting webinars, video conferences and public outreach programmes to educate the applicants and the employers. So far, more than 3,000 meetings/ webinars have been conducted with the employers. Special help desks have also been set up in all the field offices to assist the applicants,” the EPFO said. Published - November 30, 2024 11:26 pm IST Copy link Email Facebook Twitter Telegram LinkedIn WhatsApp Reddit India / pension and welfare / wage and pension / Delhi

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How to Invest 100k to Make $1 MillionFuriosaAI Ends 2024 on a High Note: Llama 3.1 Performance, SDK Release, Leadership ExpansionAP Business SummaryBrief at 3:50 p.m. ESTNone