MANILA, Philippines – President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. wants power distributors to stop charging customers for system loss. Watch this report by Lance Spencer Yu to see what that actually means, why some of it may be unavoidable, and why removing the charge could take up to a year. – Rappler.com
Islamabad: Talks with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for the release of the next loan tranche are scheduled to take place in Islamabad next month. However, the rising circular debt in the power sector has emerged as a major challenge for the government. According to details, review talks between Pakistan and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) are expected to be held in Pakistan next month. However, the increase in power-sector circular debt has become a significant challenge for the government. Sources said that the power-sector circular debt has exceeded the IMF-set limit by Rs130 billion. The IMF had set a target of keeping the circular debt in the power sector limited to Rs1,600 billion. According to sources, the circular debt increased further due to rising energy prices amid the US-Iran war. During the talks with the IMF, the government will discuss targets related to energy-sector reforms including circular debt in the electricity and gas sectors. Pakistan will also brief the IMF on its progress toward achieving economic reform targets. According to sources, the Prime Minister has directed the economic team to prepare an alternative plan instead of further increasing electricity prices. Pakistan will brief the IMF on the targets set under the structural benchmarks. If the talks are successful, they will pave the way for the release of the fifth tranche under the current loan programme. According to sources, Pakistan could receive approximately $1 billion as the fifth tranche. In addition, Pakistan may receive around $200 million in additional funding to help address losses caused by climate change.
Gold prices witnessed a sharp decline across Pakistan on Saturday, providing some relief to buyers after recent fluctuations in the bullion market. The decrease came in line with a fall in international gold prices, according to the All Pakistan Gems and Jewellers Association. The association said the price of 24-karat gold per tola dropped by Rs3,700, bringing the new rate to Rs426,736. Similarly, the price of 10 grams of 24-karat gold fell by Rs3,202, with the new price fixed at Rs365,857. Jewellers said the domestic gold market remained under pressure due to changes in global bullion prices. They explained that local gold rates are determined by international market trends along with fluctuations in the value of the Pakistani rupee against the US dollar. In the international bullion market, the price of gold also registered a noticeable decline. The price per ounce dropped by $37, settling at $4,043. Market analysts said international gold prices continue to fluctuate because of changes in investor sentiment, global economic conditions, inflation expectations and movements in the US dollar. These factors directly influence gold prices in Pakistan.
I require my students to use AI, and some have called this out in my teaching evaluations. My defense is that they will compete with and alongside these systems the moment they graduate, and exposure under supervision beats discovery under pressure.
It’s welcome news after motorists suffered through a rough August with pump prices swinging sharply due to the continuing conflict in the Middle East
Global crude oil prices fell by more than $1 a barrel on Thursday after a period of gains, as concerns over weaker oil consumption in 2026 outweighed ongoing supply risks linked to the conflict in the Middle East. Brent crude futures declined by $1.29, or around 1.5%, to $87.69 per barrel, while US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude dropped $1.30, or about 1.6%, to $81.97 per barrel. Market sentiment was pressured by fresh estimates indicating that global oil demand could grow more slowly than previously expected next year. The weaker demand outlook has encouraged investors to reassess the strength of the oil market despite continued uncertainty over supplies from the Middle East. The latest decline came after the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) lowered its forecast for global oil demand growth in 2026 to 580,000 barrels per day in its monthly oil market report. This marks the fourth consecutive reduction in the organisation’s demand-growth projection. The ongoing conflict involving Iran and the United States and Israel has disrupted energy supplies and shipping routes, creating significant uncertainty in international oil markets. However, analysts say the economic and logistical disruptions are also weighing on fuel consumption and broader global demand. Despite the latest decline, supply concerns continue to provide some support to crude prices. Traders remain focused on developments in the Middle East, particularly the impact of the conflict on oil production, exports and major shipping routes. Analysts are therefore expecting continued volatility in global oil prices as markets balance two opposing factors: the risk of supply shortages caused by geopolitical tensions and the possibility of weaker demand resulting from disruptions to economic activity. The latest OPEC forecast is likely to remain an important factor for investors in the coming sessions, particularly as traders assess whether weaker demand can offset the supply risks currently affecting the global energy market.
The National Capital Region records the country’s highest unemployment rate at 8.2%, as young Filipinos entering the workforce struggle to find enough jobs
