MANILA, Philippines — There will be mixed fuel price adjustments starting Tuesday, Oct. 14, with only the price of gasoline going up.
In an advisory on Monday, Jetti Petroleum and Seaoil announced that they would hike the price of gasoline per liter by 30 centavos.
“Gasoline remained supported due to an uptick in domestic demand,” the companies said.
https://business.inquirer.net/552481/mixed-price-adjustments-gasoline-up-kerosene-down
MANILA, Philippines – A solid cushion of foreign reserves and an anticipated easing action by the US Federal Reserve (Fed) this month could give the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) room to front-load further rate cuts.
This move would support economic growth without putting too much pressure on the peso.
In a note to clients, BMI Research, a unit…
https://business.inquirer.net/552414/more-bsp-rate-cuts-likely-ahead-says-fitch-unit
MANILA, Philippines – The Philippines’ decision to open the renewable energy (RE) sector to full foreign ownership has resulted in the installation of approximately 20 gigawatts (GW) of new power capacity, a government official revealed.
Department of Energy (DOE) Undersecretary Rowena Cristina Guevara acknowledged the significant role played by the private sector in helping the country achieve its renewable energy targets.
https://business.inquirer.net/552415/doe-full-re-foreign-ownership-added-20-gw-to-ph-power-supply
国際ニュース
トランプ氏、人質解放の実績誇示 イスラエル国会で演説
2025年10月13日 20:36（20:38更新）
[有料会員限定記事]
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【エルサレム共同】13日、トランプ米大統領は訪問先のイスラエル国会で演説を行った。演説のためイスラエル国会に到着したトランプ氏＝エルサレム（ロイター＝共同）
トランプ氏は、自身が提示したパレスチナ自治区ガザの和平計画に基づき、イスラム組織ハマスによる人質解放を実現させたとその実績を誇示した。
また、トランプ大統領は「新たな中東の…」と述べ、和平に向けた展望を示した。
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※この記事は有料会員限定です。
残り443文字。
7日間無料トライアル・1日37円で読み放題。年払いならさらにお得です。
https://www.nishinippon.co.jp/item/1410797/
By Rahul | Tue, 14/10/2025 – 00:04
The Sri Lankan Navy apprehended 47 Indian fishermen and seized five boats for ‘illegal fishing’ late Wednesday into early Thursday.
The incidents occurred in the north of Mannar and off Delft Island as the boats trespassed into Sri Lankan waters, according to an official statement from the Sri Lankan Navy. The North Central and Northern Naval commands were deployed to drive away fishing boats and arrest and seize boats of those who continued to engage in illegal fishing activities.
Four fishing boats, along with 30 fishermen, were handed over to the fisheries inspector of Mannar, while the other boat and the remaining 17 fishermen were handed over to the inspector of Malaidi for onward legal proceedings.
According to the Sri Lankan Navy, the arrests were made during regular proactive operations against poaching. “These efforts underscore the collective robust approach and steadfast commitment to safeguarding the nation’s marine ecosystems while ensuring the economic security and wellbeing of its citizens,” the Navy stated.
Fishing rights and maritime boundaries in the Palk Strait have been subject to long-standing tensions, including in the bilateral relations between India and Sri Lanka. Last month, 12 Indian fishermen were arrested and their boat was seized near Delft Island in Jaffna.
The Sri Lankan Navy has repeatedly taken action against Indian fishermen for entering Sri Lankan waters, including seizing boats and arrests. Indian fishermen, particularly from Tamil Nadu, have routinely accused Sri Lankan security forces of harassment, arrests, and even fatal shootings.
http://www.tamilguardian.com/content/sri-lankan-navy-arrests-47-indian-fishermen-illegal-fishing
**EPFO Approves Liberalised Partial Withdrawal Rules to Benefit Over 70 Million Account Holders**
In a significant reform aimed at enhancing the ease of living for more than 70 million account holders, the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) has approved liberalised partial withdrawal rules. This landmark decision allows members to withdraw up to 100 per cent of their eligible provident fund balance, reported PTI.
The announcement came during the Central Board of Trustees (CBT) meeting chaired by Union Minister Mansukh Mandaviya. The board resolved to simplify the existing 13 complex withdrawal rules into three clear categories:
– **Essential Needs** (such as illness, education, marriage)
– **Housing Needs**
– **Special Circumstances**
### Key Highlights of the New Withdrawal Rules
– **Full withdrawal (100%) allowed:** Both employee and employer contributions can be withdrawn entirely under specified conditions.
– **Increased withdrawal limits:** Education-related withdrawals can be made up to 10 times the previous limits, and marriage withdrawals up to 5 times, a significant jump from the earlier combined limit of 3 times.
– **Reduced minimum service requirement:** Members are now eligible for partial withdrawals after just 12 months of service.
– **Easier claims under Special Circumstances:** Members no longer need to specify reasons, reducing the chance of claim rejections.
– **Minimum balance to retain:** A minimum balance of 25 per cent must be retained in the account to ensure long-term retirement savings are protected.
– **Documentation-free processing:** The new process aims for 100 per cent auto-settlement of claims, making withdrawals faster and hassle-free.
### Revised Final Settlement Rules
The CBT also approved changes to the final settlement timelines:
– The waiting period for full EPF withdrawal has been reduced from 2 months to **12 months** after leaving an employer.
– The timeline for final pension withdrawal has been extended to **36 months** to safeguard pension benefits.
### ‘Vishwas Scheme’ Introduced to Ease Litigation
To minimize litigation, EPFO introduced the ‘Vishwas Scheme’ to resolve pending penalty cases under Section 14B. The scheme offers a flat penalty rate of 1 per cent per month, with reduced rates for shorter defaults. It covers both pending and ongoing litigations and will be operational for 6 months, extendable by another 6 months.
### Doorstep Digital Life Certificate Service for Pensioners
The board also approved a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with India Post Payments Bank (IPPB) to provide doorstep Digital Life Certificate (DLC) services free of charge to EPS 1995 pensioners. This initiative aims to help elderly pensioners, especially in rural areas, continue receiving their pensions smoothly without hassle.
### EPFO 3.0: A Member-Centric Digital Revamp
As part of the EPFO 3.0 digital transformation, a new member-centric digital framework was approved. Key features include:
– Integration with core banking solutions
– Adoption of cloud-native technology
– API-first architecture to enable faster, automated claims
– Payroll-linked contributions
– Multi-language self-service portals
### Investment Strategy and Digital Initiatives
Four fund managers have been selected to manage EPFO’s debt investment portfolio for a five-year term, ensuring safe and effective investment of retirement savings.
Minister Mansukh Mandaviya also launched several key digital initiatives focused on enhancing the efficiency and user-friendliness of EPFO services, reinforcing the organisation’s commitment to delivering seamless experiences to members.
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*With inputs from PTI*
https://www.mid-day.com/news/india-news/article/epfo-simplifies-13-complex-claim-rules-allows-100-per-cent-partial-withdrawal-check-complete-details-here-23598521
**How Much Gold Can Indians Own? Know the Law**
*By Dwaipayan Roy | Oct 13, 2025, 05:48 PM*
With Dhanteras and Diwali approaching, many families are considering their gold purchases. Understanding the legal aspects of gold ownership in India is essential before making any investment.
### Historical Background
The Gold Control Act of 1968 once imposed restrictions on gold ownership in India. However, this law was repealed in 1990. Since then, there are no legal limits on how much gold a person can own, provided they can prove the legitimate source of the gold through invoices or inheritance documents.
### Limits on Seizing Gold Jewelry During Raids
The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) has issued specific guidelines for income tax officials during raids on gold holdings. According to a circular dated May 11, 1994, there are limits on the quantity of gold jewelry that cannot be seized during such raids. These limits are:
– 500 grams for married women
– 250 grams for unmarried women
– 100 grams per male member of the family, regardless of marital status
These measures are intended to protect genuine personal holdings from confiscation.
### Tax Implications on Gold
The tax treatment of gold depends on its form and the holding period:
– Physical gold, Gold Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs), and other digital gold products are considered capital assets.
– If sold within 12 months of purchase, the gains are treated as short-term capital gains (STCG) and taxed according to the individual’s income tax slab (ranging from 5% to 30%).
– If held for more than 12 months, the gains qualify for long-term capital gains (LTCG) tax at a flat rate of 20% under the current tax regime, without the benefit of indexation.
### Conclusion
There is no restriction on the amount of gold an individual can own in India today. However, it is crucial to maintain proper documentation to prove the source of gold and to be aware of tax liabilities when selling gold assets. As the festive season nears, investors should make informed decisions regarding their gold purchases to stay compliant with the law.
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/business/is-there-limit-on-gold-ownership-in-india/story
（2025年10月13日 19:31 更新）
※この記事は有料会員限定です。
【ストックホルム共同】スウェーデンの王立科学アカデミーは13日、2025年のノーベル経済学賞を米ノースウエスタン大学のジョエル・モキイア教授ら3人に授与すると発表しました。
授賞理由は「イノベーション（技術革新）による経済成長のメカニズムの解明」です。
なお、この記事の続きをご覧いただくには、有料会員登録が必要です。7日間の無料トライアルのほか、1日あたり37円の読み放題プランもご利用いただけます。年払いプランでさらにお得にご利用可能です。
クリップ機能は有料会員限定のサービスです。
**Just 500 TCS Employees Are on H-1B Visas in the US**
*By Dwaipayan Roy | Oct 13, 2025, 01:33 PM*
**Tata Consultancy Services (TCS)**, India’s largest IT services company, has announced a significant reduction in its reliance on H-1B visas for its workforce in the United States. According to the company, only about 500 of its employees currently hold H-1B work permits to work in the US.
This move reflects TCS’s strategic shift to localize its workforce in the US and adapt to evolving immigration policies under the Donald Trump administration.
### TCS’s Past Reliance on H-1B Visas
TCS has historically been one of the biggest beneficiaries of the H-1B visa program among Indian IT firms. As of September 2025, the company had received approximately 5,505 H-1B visas, according to data from Moneycontrol.
However, during a recent post-earnings call, TCS’s Chief HR Officer, Sudeep Kunnummal, noted, “We have significantly localized our workforce in the US.” This signals a clear intent to reduce dependence on visa-based employees and increase the presence of local talent.
### Adapting to Changes in Immigration Policy
Kunnummal further emphasized, “We believe our business model will be able to adapt quickly to any changes in immigration policy.” His comments come just a month after the US government announced an increase in the annual H-1B visa fee, a decision that sparked concerns about potential short-term disruptions in workforce deployment for IT companies operating in the US.
### Proposed Overhaul of the H-1B Visa System
In addition to the fee hike, the US Department of Homeland Security has proposed changes to the current lottery-based H-1B visa system. The new proposal aims to implement a wage-based selection process that prioritizes higher-paid and higher-skilled applicants.
This overhaul is part of the US government’s broader effort to ensure that H-1B visas are allocated to the most qualified candidates.
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TCS’s shift toward localizing its US workforce and adapting to these regulatory changes highlights the company’s proactive approach in navigating the evolving landscape of international work visas.
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/business/h-1b-visa-tcs-reduces-its-dependence-to-just-500-employees/story
**New Partnerships & Initiatives Strengthen R&D and Open Opportunities for Local Talent**
*Event Reinforces Selangor’s Role as Malaysia’s Hub for Semiconductor and AI Innovation*
The Selangor Smart City & Digital Economy Convention (SDEC) took place last week, marking a significant milestone in Malaysia’s drive towards becoming a design-led, innovation-driven nation. Organised by the Selangor Information Technology & Digital Economy Corporation (Sidec), the four-day convention ran from 8 to 11 October 2025 under the theme **“AI × Semiconductor: Blitzscaling Malaysia’s Deep Tech.”**
The officiating ceremony featured the launch of SDEC 2025 by Amirudin Shari, Menteri Besar of Selangor, alongside distinguished guests. The event acknowledged new semiconductor partners, reinforcing Selangor’s role as Malaysia’s data and chip innovation hub.
A key highlight of SDEC 2025 was the announcement of Synopsys’ expansion in Malaysia through Intelligent Circuit Engineering Sdn Bhd. This move represents a significant step towards strengthening the nation’s semiconductor R&D capabilities while opening new career pathways for Malaysian engineers.
Another major development was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Cheah Hun Wah, representing Oppstar Berhad, and Dr Simon Hsu, representing AsicAI Co. and serving as executive director of AIRIS Labs. This partnership aims to advance collaborative innovation in IC design, focusing on developing Arm-based AI-RAN chips through Oppstar’s subsidiary, AIRIS Labs Sdn Bhd. This initiative marks another bold stride in Selangor’s mission to build a globally competitive deep-tech ecosystem.
Over the four days, SDEC 2025 featured two flagship summits—**Semiconductor Innovation** and **AI Innovation**—alongside the **Malaysia Semiconductor Recruitment Day** and the **Selangor Twin Accelerator Programme**. Collectively, these events showcased Malaysia’s accelerating transition towards a design-led, innovation-driven digital economy powered by talent, technology, and collaboration.
Building on Selangor’s emergence as Southeast Asia’s fastest-growing digital hub, SDEC 2025 positions the state at the heart of Malaysia’s semiconductor and AI ecosystems. This year’s programme featured renowned speakers including Prof Jack Sun (former CTO, TSMC), CK Tseng (President, Arm ASEAN), June Paik (CEO, FuriosaAI), Jim Keller (CEO, Tenstorrent), and YH Simon Hsu (Director, NARLabs Taiwan). They shared valuable insights on how AI and semiconductors are transforming global industries.
Complementing these discussions was the Malaysia Semiconductor Recruitment Day 2025, which connected top engineering talent with over 30 semiconductor companies offering 500 career opportunities — making it the country’s largest hiring event for the deep-tech sector.
Highlighting the convention’s mission, Yong Kai Ping, CEO of Sidec, said,
> “SDEC 2025 is more than a conference — it is Malaysia’s bridge to the future of deep technology. By uniting the worlds of artificial intelligence and semiconductors, we are shaping the next decade of innovation made by Malaysia, not just made in Malaysia.”
As the main sponsor, Affin Group played a key role in empowering Malaysia’s digital economy by supporting entrepreneurs and technology-driven SMEs. Syed Mashafuddin, representing Affin Group, expressed:
> “Affin Group is proud to stand alongside Sidec and the Selangor state government in advancing Malaysia’s deep-tech ecosystem. Through strategic collaborations like SDEC 2025, we aim to bridge finance and innovation, fueling growth for startups, SMEs, technology enterprises, and large companies that will define Malaysia’s next decade of digital leadership.”
Marking its tenth anniversary, SDEC 2025 underscored Selangor’s decade-long commitment to advancing the digital economy through landmark initiatives such as the Malaysia Semiconductor IC Design Park and the Selangor Twin Accelerator Programme.
The convention was supported by strategic partners including Xendit (strategic payment partner), Plug and Play APAC (strategic global partner), Arm, Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA), Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC), Cradle, Cyberview, Malaysia Semiconductor Industry Association (MSIA), Malaysia Automotive Robotics and IoT Institute (MARii), and Internet Alliance.
As Malaysia’s deep-tech ambitions continue to gain momentum, SDEC 2025 stands as the region’s most comprehensive platform connecting innovation, industry, and investment — cementing Selangor’s position as the launchpad for Southeast Asia’s next wave of digital breakthroughs.
https://www.digitalnewsasia.com/digital-economy/sdec-2025-where-ai-chips-and-talent-converge-selangor
