economy 19 - The Latremie Post

Megaworld allots P 3.4B to expand 3 townships

MANILA, Philippines – Developer Megaworld Corp. announced plans to invest PHP 3.4 billion to expand three of its townships across the country.

The company is banking on the strength of its provincial projects to drive growth in the coming years.

In a regulatory filing on Monday, Megaworld revealed that it would reinvest the proceeds raised from selling its shares in its real estate investment trust (REIT) into these expansions.
https://business.inquirer.net/552419/megaworld-allots-p-3-4b-to-expand-3-townships

You can now withdraw your entire PF balance anytime

**You can now withdraw your entire PF balance anytime**
*By Dwaipayan Roy | Oct 13, 2025, 07:55 pm*

The Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) has taken a significant step to enhance the ease of living for its members. In a major decision, the EPFO’s Central Board of Trustees (CBT) has approved allowing members to withdraw up to 100% of their eligible Provident Fund (PF) balance. This withdrawal includes both the employee and employer contributions.

### Key Decision Announced at 238th CBT Meeting

The decision was made during the 238th meeting of the CBT held in New Delhi, chaired by Union Minister for Labour and Employment, Mansukh Mandaviya. This move is set to bring greater flexibility and convenience for EPFO members in managing their PF accounts.

### Major Changes in PF Withdrawal Rules

Previously, full withdrawal from the PF account was only permitted in cases of unemployment or retirement. Under the new liberalized rules, members can now access their entire eligible PF balance, subject to certain conditions and specific categories.

In addition to this, the CBT has simplified the existing partial withdrawal provisions. Earlier, there were 13 complex rules governing partial withdrawals, which have now been consolidated into a single, streamlined rule divided into three categories:

– Essential needs (such as illness, education, and marriage)
– Housing needs
– Special circumstances

### Increased Flexibility for Education and Marriage Withdrawals

The new rules also increase the limits on withdrawals for education and marriage expenses. Withdrawals for education purposes can now be made up to 10 times, while those for marriage can be done up to 5 times.

Moreover, the minimum service requirement to be eligible for all partial withdrawals has been uniformly reduced to just 12 months. This is a significant relaxation compared to the previous norms, where members had to justify their withdrawal reasons under “Special Circumstances,” often resulting in claim rejections.

### Member Benefits: Minimum Balance and Auto-Settlement of Claims

To ensure members continue to benefit from the high interest rates offered by EPFO (currently 8.25% per annum), the CBT has introduced a new rule requiring a ‘Minimum Balance’ of 25% of contributions to be maintained in the PF account at all times. This provision helps preserve the compounding benefits and aids in building a substantial retirement corpus.

The board has also announced a move towards greater automation, eliminating the need for any documentation for partial withdrawal claims. This paves the way for 100% auto settlement of claims, making the process faster and hassle-free for members.

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This landmark decision by the EPFO is expected to bring greater financial flexibility to millions of PF members across India, enabling them to access their funds effortlessly when needed.
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/business/epfo-members-can-now-withdraw-entire-balance/story

インドとカナダ、貿易拡大へ　外相会談、原子力協力も

国際：インドとカナダ、貿易拡大へ　外相会談で原子力協力も

（2025年10月13日 20:51 更新）

【ニューデリー共同】インドのジャイシャンカル外相は13日、首都ニューデリーでカナダのアナンド外相と会談し、両国間の貿易拡大で合意した。

両外相は、クリーンエネルギー移行を支援するため、民生用原子力協力についても協議を行った。

詳細は有料会員限定の記事となります。残り211文字。

7日間無料トライアルで1日37円から読み放題。年払いならさらにお得です。
https://www.nishinippon.co.jp/item/1410804/

Indian team to visit US this week for trade talks

A team of senior Indian officials will visit the United States (US) this week for trade talks, with negotiations on the proposed Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA) progressing positively, news agency PTI reported, citing a top government official.

The BTA was initiated in February after leaders of India and the US directed officials to negotiate the pact. The first tranche of the agreement is planned to be concluded by the fall of 2025 (October-November). So far, five rounds of negotiations have been completed.

“The Indian team will visit this week. Negotiations are going in a positive direction. Both sides are of the view that talks should be fast-tracked,” the official added.

Last month, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal led an official delegation to New York for trade discussions, during which India and the US agreed to continue negotiations for an early conclusion of a mutually beneficial agreement. Goyal met with US Trade Representative (USTR) Jamieson Greer and Ambassador-designate to India Sergio Gor to discuss key trade issues.

These talks come amid tensions following the Trump administration’s imposition of steep tariffs on Indian goods, including a 25 percent additional duty on Russian crude oil. India has described these duties as “unfair, unjustified and unreasonable,” while Indian industry has also raised concerns over H1B visa policies.

Recent phone conversations between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump, however, have raised hopes for a positive outcome.

After a brief pause, Assistant US Trade Representative for South and Central Asia Brendan Lynch met Indian officials in New Delhi on September 16 to push for an early and mutually beneficial conclusion of the agreement. The sixth round of talks, initially scheduled from August 25-29, was postponed following the imposition of the high import duties.

On energy cooperation, the official said India may require more gas from the US in the long run. Goyal has previously stated that India expects to expand trade in energy products, with US involvement critical to the country’s energy security goals.

The proposed BTA aims to more than double bilateral trade to USD 500 billion by 2030 from the current USD 191 billion, PTI reported.

The US has been India’s largest trading partner for the fourth consecutive year in 2024-25, with bilateral trade valued at USD 131.84 billion, including USD 86.5 billion in exports.

Ambassador-designate Gor, a senior White House official and close aide of President Trump, has stated on the social media platform X that he discussed the economic ties and increased investment between the two countries during his recent visit to India.

(With PTI inputs)
https://www.mid-day.com/news/india-news/article/india-us-trade-talks-2025-delegation-to-visit-america-as-negotiations-progress-23598523

石破首相「地方創生つながった」　ミャクミャクに感謝状

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title: 石破首相「地方創生つながった」ミャクミャクに感謝状
date: 2025-10-13 16:39
categories: [政治]
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石破茂首相は13日、大阪・関西万博の閉会式であいさつを行いました。世界中の人々が万博会場を訪れたことについて、「新しい日本の幕開けになり、地方創生にもつながった」と述べました。

また、万博のマスコットキャラクター「ミャクミャク」については、「愛くるしい姿で成功に導いた」と感謝の意を表しました。

※この記事は有料会員限定です。
（残り179文字）
7日間無料トライアルで、1日37円から読み放題。年払いならさらにお得です。

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https://www.nishinippon.co.jp/item/1410751/

How Tesla plans to reverse its sales decline in Europe

**How Tesla Plans to Reverse Its Sales Decline in Europe**
*By Dwaipayan Roy | Oct 13, 2025, 01:33 PM*

Tesla has launched new “Standard” versions of its popular Model Y and Model 3 cars in Europe as part of its strategy to counter declining sales in the region. These new models are priced just under €40,000 (approximately ₹41.3 lakh), making them about €5,000 (around ₹5 lakh) cheaper than the current “Premium” versions.

### Sales Decline in Europe
Tesla’s sales in Europe have plummeted by over 30%, with around 134,000 vehicles sold through August this year. This represents a significant 33% drop compared to the same period last year. The decline has been attributed to several factors, including a lack of affordable models, increasing competition from other electric vehicle (EV) manufacturers, and concerns surrounding CEO Elon Musk’s political views.

### Rising Competition: BYD’s Success
Chinese automaker BYD is rapidly expanding its presence in the European EV market. The company sold nearly 96,000 vehicles in the region, marking an impressive 280% increase from last year. BYD’s rapid growth further highlights the challenges Tesla faces amid rising competition and its ongoing sales slump.

### Global Performance and Challenges
Tesla’s global sales have also taken a hit, with about 1.22 million cars sold in the first three quarters of this year—a 6% decline from the same period last year. The company’s performance has been notably affected in Europe, where competition from automakers like BYD is intensifying, and in China, where sales are also declining.

As Tesla rolls out more affordable options like the new Standard Model Y and Model 3, the company aims to regain market share and revitalize its sales momentum in Europe’s highly competitive EV landscape.
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/auto/how-tesla-plans-to-boost-sales-in-europe/story

US set to charge fees on Chinese ships in a bid to save shipyards

NEW YORK, United States – An escalating trade war between China and the United States faces another flashpoint Tuesday when Chinese ships will be required to start paying a special fee to dock at US ports.

The move, announced by the US Trade Representative (USTR) in April, triggered reciprocal measures from Beijing, which will impose similar fees on American vessels.

https://business.inquirer.net/552352/us-set-to-charge-fees-on-chinese-ships-in-a-bid-to-save-shipyards

PH to protest China’s attack on BFAR vessel

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines will protest a China Coast Guard (CCG) ship’s attack on a fisheries vessel off Pag-asa Island on Sunday morning.

The incident has been condemned by both the United States and the European Union, describing it as an “aggressive” and “dangerous” action.

Fortunately, nobody was injured when the CCG ship fired its water cannon, then rammed and slightly damaged the BRP vessel.
https://www.inquirer.net/457638/ph-to-protest-chinas-attack-on-bfar-vessel/

「並ばない万博」長蛇の列　予約にも苦労、残った課題

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title: 「並ばない万博」長蛇の列、予約にも苦労　残った課題とは
date: 2025-10-13 06:00
categories: 社会
tags: 大阪・関西万博, 予約, 長蛇の列, 課題
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大阪・関西万博は、「並ばない万博」を掲げ、チケットや入場・来館日時のオンライン予約を通じて運営されてきました。しかし、実際にはゲート前や会場内で長蛇の列ができる場面も見られ、運営側の苦労や来場者の戸惑いが浮き彫りとなっています。

予約システムに関しても、スムーズに利用できた人もいれば、つながりにくさや希望の日時の確保が困難だったという声もありました。こうした課題は、来場者の体験向上と万博運営の効率化に向けて今後の改善点として残っています。

大阪・関西万博は、10月13日に閉幕を迎え、約半年間で延べ2,500万人の来場がありました。会期中の盛り上がりとともに、“並ばない”理想の実現に向けた挑戦は続いていくでしょう。

※この記事は有料会員限定記事の一部抜粋です。全文の閲覧には会員登録が必要となります。
7日間無料トライアルや、月額37円で読み放題のプラン、年払いプランもご用意しております。

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https://www.nishinippon.co.jp/item/1410625/

PNB Holdings bets on IT-BPM, lifestyle retailers

The real estate spinoff firm of Philippine National Bank (PNB) is pinning its hopes on the rapidly growing IT and business process management sector (IT-BPM) as well as lifestyle-oriented brands.

This strategy aims to maintain high occupancy rates in its properties while differentiating the company from its competitors.

Joselito Consunji, COO of PNB Holdings Corp. (PHC), shared insights on these plans, highlighting the focus on key growth sectors to drive sustained success.
https://business.inquirer.net/552312/pnb-holdings-bets-on-it-bpm-lifestyle-retailers