Diesel price memes

New York: Oil prices jumped higher on Thursday (Friday in Manila) after OPEC+ countries allowed crude production to rise only slightly, while US stocks unwound over concerns about rising inflation despite the US Federal Reserve’s (Fed) attempt to allay fears. After a videoconference lasting less than three hours, the OPEC groups of oil producers and its allies decided to extend output cuts enacted at the pandemic’s outset into April, while the production boost they did approve amounted to only a third of what observers had predicted. OPEC stands for the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries. Oil prices surged by more than 5 percent by the end of the meeting, reaching levels not since early January, before dialing back slightly. “Today’s decision is clearly a positive outcome for oil prices,” said analyst Fawad Razaqzada at Thinkmarkets. “With (coronavirus) vaccinations well underway across important regions of the world, travel demand should keep prices supported ... » Learn More about Oil prices increase on OPEC+ output decision

PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – Thailand news compiled by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Thai Army ready: We shall fight them in the kitchens Phuket Gazette PHUKET: The Royal Thai Army has declared war on pad kaphrao . A sign banning the spicy stir-fried basil dish has appeared in the canteen at the Office of the Army Secretary in Bangkok. Evidently senior officers disliked the odor created by all that garlic and chilli commingling with basil. Complaints had been filed against the canteen about the smell, so staff tried to fix ventilation hoods over the food stalls that were making the pad kaphrao . It didn’t help – the odor was still wafting into officers’ quarters. The only answer was to reassign the dish to an inactive post. “If you want pad kaphrao you can go have it somewhere else,” Army Chief General Prayuth Chan-ocha said. On the social media, there was speculation that kaphrao is now categorized as a chemical weapon, and laments over the Thai ... » Learn More about Army to battle pad kaphrao; Abhist warns PM over amendment; Big three to reduce prices

Land prices in Greater Bangkok are projected to rise at a rapid rate in the second half of 2021, in part because of the forecast of an economic recovery. Vichai Viratkapan, acting director-general of the Real Estate Information Center (REIC), said land prices in Greater Bangkok last year kept increasing, with a year-on-year rise of 17.1% in the price index of vacant land in the fourth quarter. The land price index escalated from 2019 before slowing down in the third quarter of 2020 to 0.7% growth quarter-on-quarter, he said. But the quarterly margin increased to 7.3% in the fourth quarter. "New infections late last year mean the first half index will slightly increase," said Mr Vichai. "But with an economic and property market recovery expected, a higher increase as in 2019 will likely be seen in the second half of this year," said Mr Vichai. According to REIC, a quarterly increase in the land price index in the fourth quarter of 2019 was the highest at 11%, following the ... » Learn More about Land prices to spike in H2

LOS ANGELES: Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s bombshell TV interview set Twitter alight, with shock and expressions of support, as well as anger from their critics and some tongue-in-cheek commentary on one of the most-watched media events of the year so far. Markle told Oprah Winfrey in an interview aired Sunday on CBS that she contemplated suicide after joining the British royal family and raised allegations of racism, including official concern about the skin color of their child. The explosive statements prompted messages of support, as well as barbs against the monarchy. “Conversations. About how dark. The baby. Would be. My God in Heaven,” tweeted activist and writer Brittany Packnett Cunningham. On Markle contemplating suicide, she added: “Meghan’s admission here is courageous and brave – and asking for help always is.” And while a number of users, including some British media figures, accused the couple of boosting their public image at the expense of the monarchy ... » Learn More about Harry and Meghan interview sparks shock, anger and memes on Twitter

Thailand’s e-Commerce vendors who refuse to display their prices for products on their pages will now face severe penalties. Many online e-Commerce vendors only reveal their prices to potential buyers in private messages. Thailand’s Bangkok Post on Tuesday announced that online e-Commerce vendors must display prices . Also other details explicitly on their online platforms, with violators being fined up to 10,000 baht per offence. The Central Committee on Goods and Service Prices said vendors must show prices so customers are better informed before deciding whether to contact them. Apart from the price, vendors must also publish other details, including service charges, the type, size and weight of their products, on all websites and online platforms. The vendors will also be required to display unit prices and to avoid anything being lost in translation the listing should write in Arabic numerals. Written messages that relate to prices or service charges must be ... » Learn More about Thailand’s E-Commerce Vendors to Be Fined for Not Displaying Price

Hotels in the northern province of Chiang Mai have been forced to cut their rates by up to 90%, in a desperate bid to attract more domestic tourists. According to a Bangkok Post report, La-Iad Bungsrithong, from the northern chapter of the Thai Hotels Association, says with tourists mainly favouring the southern beach destinations this month, hotel operators in the north of the country are preparing for the forthcoming low season. The resurgence of Covid-19 late last year meant that in December, only 1,000 Chiang Mai hotels, offering between 20,000 and 30,000 rooms, stayed open. This month, occupancy rates have plummeted to less than 3% and are not expected to rise beyond 5% during the Songkran holiday next month. La-Iad says traditional target markets such as China are currently off-limits due to the Chinese government placing restrictions on citizens travelling out of the country. “Even though vaccine distribution has started globally, the target markets for Chiang Mai such as ... » Learn More about Chiang Mai hotels slash prices amid ongoing slump in tourism

Brent crude futures for May hit $71.38 a barrel in early Asian trade, the highest since Jan. 8, 2020, and were at $70.56 a barrel by 0730 GMT, up $1.20, or 1.7%. US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude for April rose $1.08, or 1.6%, to $67.17. The front-month WTI price touched $67.98 a barrel earlier, the highest since October 2018. Asian stocks also rose after the US Senate approved a US$1.9 trillion stimulus bill while positive economic data from the United States and China bode well for a global economic rebound. Yemen's Houthi forces fired drones and missiles at the heart of Saudi Arabia's oil industry on Sunday, including a Saudi Aramco facility at Ras Tanura vital to petroleum exports, in what Riyadh called a failed assault on global energy security. "We could see further upside in the market in the near-term, particularly as the market probably now needs to be pricing in some sort of risk premium, with these attacks picking up in frequency," ING analysts said in a report, ... » Learn More about Brent hops past US$70 for first time since pandemic began after Saudi attack

NEW YORK (REUTERS) - Oil prices settled lower on Monday (March 9), retreating from a session peak above US$70 a barrel after attacks on oil facilities in Saudi Arabia lifted prices that high for the first time since the Covid-19 pandemic began. Yemen's Houthi forces fired drones and missiles at the heart of the Saudi oil industry on Sunday, including a Saudi Aramco facility at Ras Tanura vital to petroleum exports. Riyadh said there were no casualties or loss of property. "The situation evaporated when it became obvious that there was no damage to the largest oil facility in the world," said Bob Yawger, director of energy futures at Mizuho. Brent climbed as high as US$71.38 a barrel in early Asian trade, its highest since Jan 8, 2020. It settled down US$1.12 or 1.6 per cent at US$68.24. US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude settled down US$1.04 or 1.6 per cent at US$65.05. The session high was US$67.98 a barrel, its highest since October 2018. Brent and WTI prices have ... » Learn More about Oil settles lower, shrugs off Saudi attack after climbing above US$70/barrel

Philippine Red Cross (PRC) gets green light to use saliva tests in detecting Covid-19. Image from the Philippine Red Cross MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) is now offering RT-PCR COVID-19 saliva testing via drive-through in Lipa City, Batangas, in support of the country’s efforts to combat the deadly respiratory disease. In a statement on Monday, PRC said it has partnered with an outlet shopping destination in Lipa to conduct the drive-through saliva testing, which is located in LIMA Estate. Lipa City residents and other neighboring areas can get accurate results in a “more convenient, less-invasive, and safer way,” PRC said. The saliva test costs P2,000 and the collection process will only take 10 minutes. Results will be sent directly to the e-mail address provided by the client within 12 to 40 hours after the test. The site is open from Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. National Operations Head of Aboitiz InfraCapital’s Commercial Business ... » Learn More about PH Red Cross offers drive thru saliva test in Lipa City

SARAWAK has formed an integrated standard operating procedure monitoring team led by the police to control the spread of Covid-19 cases in Sibu district. The team, which started the task on March 3, will monitor the situation three times a week. It comprises the police, the army, Road Transport Department, Public Works Department (JKR), Domestic Trade and Consumers Affairs Ministry, Immigration Department, Sibu Municipal Council, Agriculture Department, Rela, Unity Department and the Marine Department. Sibu crime prevention and community safety division head DSP Ariffin Bahar said the operation was to ensure the public and business community strictly adhered to the SOP during the conditional movement control order until March 15. “The team members will go around to ensure people use the MySejahtera app to register their particulars, scan their body temperature and wear face mask before entering any shop. “Business premises should have a registry book for customers to note ... » Learn More about Coordinated effort to ensure all sectors in Sibu division adhere to SOP