Oil and gas pipelines under construction

Chief executive officer Datuk Dr Wan Zawawi Wan Ismail said the price forecast was based on uncertainties pertaining to the COVID-19 pandemic recovery, political situation and stimulus packages. "We forecast the average CPO price to be at RM3,846 per tonne for the first quarter and second quarter of 2021, ranging from a low of RM3,502 per tonne to a high of RM4,190 per tonne,” he said at the virtual Palm Oil Internet Seminar (POINTERS) 2021 today. He said palm oil exports are also expected to increase marginally from 17.39 million MT in 2020 to 17.5 million MT in 2021. "China, India, the European Union, ASEAN, Saudi Arabia, Africa, and the United States will be the major export destinations for Malaysia,” he pointed out. In March 2021, Wan Zawawi said the delivery price for CPO already exceeded RM4,100 per tonne despite the reinstatement of CPO export duties and the prices are expected to remain firm as concerns of supply limitations due to heavy rains in January and February ... » Learn More about MPOC: Moderate recovery seen for Malaysia’s palm oil exports in 2021

KUALA LUMPUR: Indonesia, the world's biggest palm oil producer, will increase its refined palm oil exports after raising taxes, leaving Malaysia to become more competitive in crude palm oil (CPO) exports, a leading industry analyst said on Monday. The reordering of palm oil trading follows Indonesia's decision last month to raise the export levy to a progressive system of US$55 to $255 per tonne of CPO, depending on price levels to generate funds for its palm-based biodiesel programme. This gives Indonesian refiners a sizeable advantage over rival Malaysian refiners in the export market, even after Malaysia, the world's second-largest palm oil producer, raised its January CPO export tax to 8%, analyst James Fry said during a virtual industry conference. "This is going to change the whole balance of exports between Malaysia and Indonesia," he said. Fry is chairman of commodities consultancy LMC International and his comments are closely watched by the industry. "We should now ... » Learn More about Malaysian crude palm oil exports becomes more competitive

When Teh Nur Shafiqah Ab Samad enrolled in an aircraft engineering technology course at a local university, the 22-year-old soon found herself volunteering to teach kindergarten children about the main parts of aircraft and marshalling signals. Her reason for wanting to be part of the junior aviators programme, run by the Air Scout unit at her university, was fairly straightforward — she wanted to inspire more young people to pursue careers in the field of aviation. “As a child, I was always fascinated by aeroplanes. “Every time, I saw contrails in the sky, I would make a silent wish to be able to work with these amazing machines one day, ” said Shafiqah. Abdul Mueiem showing the milestones of the Malaysian Air Scout movement at the museum within the Scouts Association headquarters in Kuala Lumpur. Now in her final year, she has risen through the ranks and is now crew leader of Universiti Kuala Lumpur Institute of Aviation Technology’s (UniKL MIAT) Air Scout unit. Her ... » Learn More about Soaring fascination with planes

KUALA LUMPUR: The crude palm oil (CPO) futures contract on Bursa Malaysia Derivatives may see volatile trading next week, ahead of the release of production, stocks and exports data. Singapore-based Palm Oil Analytics owner and co-founder Dr Sathia Varqa said markets will closely monitor the Malaysian Palm Oil Board's (MPOB) data, which is due on Monday. In addition, investors are also awaiting April 1-10 projections by cargo surveyors, which are likely to be released next week. "Focus will be on March production. However, prices are likely to be firmer but volatile," he told Bernama, today. Earlier this week, Sathia said global demand and export for palm oil products will see strong recovery from April to June 2021, mainly from India and China, which are severely understocked at the moment. He said China's stocks have been in deficit for many months with the latest data showing stocks being in deficit by 27 per cent. Meanwhile, palm oil trader David Ng expects CPO prices ... » Learn More about CPO futures to see volatile trading next week, eyes on MPOB data

DUBAI (Reuters) - The United Arab Emirates has selected the first Arab woman to train as an astronaut, as the Gulf country rapidly expands into the space sector to diversify its economy. Emirati national Nora al-Matrooshi, a 27-year-old mechanical engineering graduate currently working at Abu Dhabi's National Petroleum Construction Company, will join NASA's 2021 Astronaut Candidate Class in the United States. The UAE is using its space programme to develop its scientific and technological capabilities and reduce its reliance on oil. In February a UAE probe reached the orbit of the planet Mars, the Arab world's first interplanetary expedition. The UAE has plans to launch a moon rover by 2024 and even a vision for a Mars settlement by 2117. Matrooshi will be joined by another Emirati, Mohammed al-Mulla, making a total of four people under the UAE Astronaut Programme. They include Hazza al-Mansouri who became the first Emirati in space in 2019 when he flew to the International ... » Learn More about UAE selects first Arab woman for astronaut training

SINGAPORE - As part of its Thank You, Mom campaign, Procter & Gamble (P&G) says it is tying up with supermarket chain NTUC FairPrice and will deliver 500 care packs to mothers of Singapore's Special Olympic athletes over this May 8-10 weekend. The bundles, worth $50,000 in total, contain items like face cream and food items like rice, cooking oil and milk. They are delivered directly to the recipient's home. For Ms Chan Kam Ling, whose son Jeremy Yeo Zhi Hui competes in athletics and swimming, it was a welcome distraction with the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. She said: "Mother's Day was the last thing on my mind when we don't remember what day it is any more. When the care package arrived, it was as though suddenly someone thought of us mothers." P&G vice-president for Singapore, Malaysia and Vietnam, Shankar Viswanathan, paid tribute to the work of parents like Ms Chan. He added: "Through this campaign, we thank mums for their boundless love, care, and support ... » Learn More about FairPrice, P&G deliver 500 care packs to mums of Special Olympians to celebrate Mother’s Day

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia is clearly not seen as a “strategic environmental partner on climate action” by the United States, said Democratic Action Party's secretary-general Lim Guan Eng on Thursday (Apr 8). This came after environment minister Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man explained that Malaysia is not involved in a US-led virtual leaders summit for climate change as it is not among top greenhouse gas emitters and those most vulnerable to the effects of climate change. In a statement, Mr Lim said: “Tuan Ibrahim’s explanation why Malaysia was not invited has shown him to be no different from former US President Donald Trump’s lack of knowledge and enthusiasm for climate change activism." Mr Lim stated that the reasoning by the minister was unacceptable. “Tuan Ibrahim’s rationale for Malaysia’s exclusion is that Malaysia is not climate-vulnerable like Vietnam and Indonesia, as well as not a big country contributor to 80 per cent of greenhouse gases (GHG) to limit global warming to 1.5 ... » Learn More about Malaysia not seen as ‘strategic environmental partner’ by US, says DAP leader on climate summit snub

AUGUSTA, Ga.: Japan's Hideki Matsuyama stormed home in style to put himself in position to become the first Asian golfer to win the Masters as he held a four-shot lead after the rain-interrupted third round at Augusta National on Saturday. Matsuyama, who began the day three shots behind overnight leader Justin Rose, played eight holes after a 78-minute weather delay and went a sizzling six under over that stretch for a seven-under-par 65 that brought him to 11 under. "Before the horn blew I didn't hit a very good drive, but after the horn blew for the restart I hit practically every shot exactly how I wanted to," Matsuyama, whose last PGA Tour win came in 2017, said through an interpreter. "This will be a new experience for me being a leader going into the final round in a major. I guess all I can do is just relax tonight, prepare well and just do my best tomorrow." Rose (72), seeking his first Green Jacket after a pair of close calls, was in a four-way share of second ... » Learn More about Japan’s Matsuyama in control of Masters, leads by four shots

Key figure: Deby at a Sahel summit in the French city of Pau in January last year N'DJAMENA - Chad headed into presidential elections on Sunday in which Idriss Deby Itno, the country's ruler for the last three decades, looks assured of a sixth term. A key ally in the West's anti-jihadist campaign in the Sahel, Deby, 68, is frontrunner in a six-candidate race without major rivals after a campaign in which demonstrations were banned or dispersed. Chad has struggled with poverty and instability since gaining independence from France in 1960. Its leader, Deby, is a former rebel and career soldier who seized power in a coup in 1990 and has twice, with French help, thwarted attempts to oust him. Other candidates include Albert Pahimi Padacke, 55, a former prime minister under Deby, and Felix Nialbe Romadoumngar, 64 -- officially "leader of the opposition" as his URD party has eight seats in the National Assembly. Lydie Beassemda, 54, a former minister of agricultural production, ... » Learn More about Chad votes with 30-year ruler Deby poised for sixth win

This file photo taken on April 16, 2019 shows charred debris inside Notre-Dame-de Paris in Paris in the aftermath of a fire that devastated the cathedral. April 15, 2021 marks the two years anniversary of the fire that devastated Notre-Dame-de-Paris Cathedral, in the center of the French capital. Photo by LUDOVIC MARIN / POOL / AFP PARIS — On the evening of April 15 2019, France and the world watched transfixed in horror as flames ravaged Notre-Dame cathedral in Paris, fearful that the heritage landmark could be lost to humanity forever. While the spire collapsed and much of the roof was destroyed, the efforts of firefighters ensured the great mediaeval edifice survived the night. Yet the road to restoration has been long and arduous and it is only expected to return to its former glory in April 2024, five years after the fire. The cause of the blaze remains a subject of uncertainty, although investigators are so far rejecting any idea of foul play and focusing on a ... » Learn More about Two years on, Notre-Dame awaits long path to pre-fire glory