The SOUTH AFRICAN ENERGY CRISIS is an ongoing period of widespread national blackouts of electricity supply. It began in the later months of 2007 and continues to the present. The South African government-owned national power utility and primary power generator, ESKOM, and various parliamentarians attributed these rolling-blackouts to insufficient generation capacity.
According to Eskom and government officials, the solution requires the construction of additional power stations and generators. CORRUPTION and MISMANAGEMENT mismanagement of Eskom, most notably during the Jacob Zuma administration, have exacerbated this energy crisis, neglect by ESCOM STAFF in addition to multiple acts of SABOTAGE has also contributed to ongoing power supply problems.
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IMF AND ECONOMY
CASH STRAPPED PAKISTAN FAILS TO REACH DEAL WITH IMF ON STALLED BAILOUT FUNDS
The deadlock persists between Pakistan and IMF as the two sides have failed to reach the staff-level agreement to unlock the USD 1.1 billion loan tranche.
The deadlock persists between Pakistan and International Monetary Fund as after 10 days of "tough" talks both the sides have failed to reach the staff-level agreement to unlock the USD 1.1 billion loan tranche, as per the News International report.
This development comes in connection with the negotiations, which took place between IMF and Pakistan from January 31 to February 9, concluded in Islamabad. The IMF's mission had arrived in Islamabad to hold talks with Pakistani authorities.
DEADLOCK BETWEEN PAKISTAN GOVERNMENT AND IMF ?
Pakistan Finance Minister Ishaq Dar was due to hold a press conference for the resumption of the programme. However, he has not made an official announcement regarding the matter.
Pakistan's Secretary of Finance Hamed Sheikh released a statement late Thursday night without revealing details stating "an agreement has already been struck with the IMF on prerequisite measures".
Notably, the IMF's loan is critical for Pakistan's economy as the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP)-held foreign exchange reserves have dropped to USD 2.91 billion.
Pakistan entered a USD 6 billion International Monetary Fund (IMF) programme during Imran Khan's government in 2019, which was increased to USD 7 billion last year. The bailout package has been repeatedly stalled after Khan regime reneged on SUBSIDY AGREEMENTS and failed on its TAX COLLECTION COMMITMENTS outlined in the deal. ( REPUBLIC WORLD DOT.COM )
HEALTHCARE WORKERS ON STRIKE - BRITAIN
In an escalating pay dispute, tens of thousands of nurses and ambulance workers have staged Britain's largest-ever health workers' strike on Monday (February 6), the health minister warning that this will put further strain on the National Health Service (NHS). The largest strike in the NHS's 75-year history included both nurses and ambulance personnel after they had been striking separately on and off since late last year. ( WION )