Typhoon noru

PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – Thailand news compiled by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Tensions boil over at flood scheme hearing The Nation / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: A melee occurred at a public hearing yesterday in Samut Songkhram on the effects of the government’s Bt350-billion flood-prevention and water-management programme, after a large number of protesting residents angrily pressured government officials in charge of the scheme. This prompted a premature end to the event, before local vocational students attempted to prevent the officials from leaving the venue. More than 10,000 residents in the province’s Mae Klong area, where floodway structures under the programme would replace their homes and vast areas of farmland, attended the session to oppose the project. Officials from the Water and Flood Management Commission had, however, expected only 800 to attend, with most of them allegedly having been prepared, for Bt800, to show their approval for … [Read more...] about Phuket Gazette Thailand News: Flood scheme talks turn fracas; Pheu Thai vows tit for tat; Typhoon donation scamsters caught

Share to Twitter Share to Linkedin As with fishing, when it comes to investing there’s always the tale of the one that got away. Those, like so many of us, who have seen their portfolios has flounder over the past year, will probably take no consolation in knowing that a surprising number of vintage-car investments beat the market—and did so handily—during 2022. The Standard & Poor’s 500 index may have dropped by 19.4% last year, but the statisticians at the collectible-car website Classic.com have identified a sizable list of desirable up-and-comers that appreciated in value by as much as 88% over the same period, based on auction data. While these include some of the usual sports car suspects from the likes of Ferrari, Lamborghini, and Porsche, the list also includes many affordable and appreciating pickup trucks and SUVs for those looking to get some skin in the game without breaking the bank. Among the most noteworthy vintage rides shooting up in … [Read more...] about Forget The Market—You Should Have Invested In These Vintage Cars For Maximum Returns

FAST RIDE |A contraption called “skate,” which runs through the idle tracks of the Philippine National Railways, remains the primary mode of transportation for residents of Barangay Travesia as they travel to and from the Guinobatan town center in Albay province. (Photo by MICHAEL B. JAUCIAN / Inquirer Southern Luzon) LIGAO CITY, Albay, Philippines — The “Bicol Express” may leave the station, after all. Ako Bicol Rep. Elizaldy Co, chair of the House committee on appropriations, on Monday said the Philippine National Railways (PNR) project for long-haul rail trips to Bicol region would soon be revived as the national government started renegotiating with the Chinese government for its resumption despite the earlier cancellation of a P147-billion loan. “Since there is an economic [rebound], there is a very huge chance that [President Marcos] will push through with the project even though he lost in Bicol during [the 2022 national] elections. For him, there’s no politics; if that’s … [Read more...] about Revival of Manila-Bicol rail link a gov’t priority, solons say

Residents from different communities of Barangay Pampang in Angeles City danced and paraded through the road and streets of their village while wearing colorful costumes and powdered charcoals on their faces to celebrate the Ulingan Festival during the feast of Santo Niño on Sunday. (Photo from RWG Shots and Angels through the Lens) ANGELES CITY — Pampang village here staged on Sunday (Jan. 15) its local version of the Sinulog Festival to pay tribute to Santo Niño, its patron saint. Dozens of village folk in colorful costumes paraded the roads and streets of Pampang while dancing and chanting “Viva Señor Santo Niño!” while hundreds of residents and spectators from other areas watched their performances. Known as “Ulingan Festival,” participants and spectators wore powdered charcoals on their faces and other parts of their body. Pampang village and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) officials described the festival as “the Sinulog in Barangay Pampang celebration.” Residents of the … [Read more...] about Angeles City village stages own version of Sinulog Fest

Hyundai Aura 2022 facelift sedan unveiled (Image: Hyundai Motors India) Ahead of the upcoming Auto Expo 2023 , Hyundai Motor India has unveiled the new Aura facelift sedan, with its enhanced features being projected as one of the key selling points. The bookings for the premium four-wheeler have been opened for Rs 11,000 onwards, the automobile major said in a press release on January 9. The bookings can be made either through the company's official portal or by visiting any of its authorised dealership stores. The new Aura sets a new benchmark with over 30 safety features, Hyundai said, adding that the vehicle comes along with the "first-in-segment features such as standard application of 4 airbags (dual front + side), optional 6 airbags, tyre pressure monitoring system (Highline) and curtain airbag". "We are confident that the new Hyundai AURA will redefine benchmarks in the Indian market while embodying Hyundai Motor India's dedication to customer safety and … [Read more...] about Hyundai Aura facelift unveiled, bookings open for Rs 11,000; check details

A Posco employee produces stainless steel at the No. 1 cold-rolling facility at Pohang plant in North Gyeongsang, on Jan. 19. [POSCO] Posco's Pohang plant will be completely operational Friday, 135 days since it was hit by Typhoon Hinnamnor. All 17 rolling facilities will be fully restored, including three blast furnaces. The plant in North Gyeongsang was shut down on Sept. 7 after it as flooded as a nearby river overflowed due to heavy rainfall. It was the first time for Korea’s largest — and the world’s fifth largest — steelmaker to halt an operating line in 49 years. Operations of three blast furnaces resumed in the week after the incident, but restoring rolling facilities took longer time due to the massive and heavy equipment. "Of 15 motor drives at the No. 2 hot-rolling facility, 11 had to be replaced," Posco said in Thursday's statement. "Experts initially said this would take more than one year for full restoration." "We could advance the schedule as so many … [Read more...] about Posco Pohang plant up and running after 135-day shutdown

A Posco employee produces stainless steel at the No. 1 cold-rolling facility at the Pohang plant in North Gyeongsang, on Jan. 19. [POSCO] Posco Holdings warned of a 47 percent decline in operating profit last year, partly caused by a closing of its Pohang steel mill after it was flooded by Typhoon Hinnamnor in September. In an earnings guidance announcement Friday, the company said it expects to report 4.9 trillion won ($4 billion) in operating profit for 2022, down 46.7 percent on year. That is below a market consensus of 5.8 trillion won compiled by FnGuide. Profitability in steelmaking sharply fell after Posco halted operations of its Pohang rolling facilities in North Gyeongsang on Sept. 7 due to Typhoon Hinnamnor. For Korea’s largest steelmaker, and the world’s fifth-largest, it was the first time an operating line was forced to stop in 49 years. Sales are expected to be 84.8 trillion won, up 11.1 percent on year, in line with market expectations of 85 trillion won. … [Read more...] about Flood causes 47% drop in operating profit at Posco Holdings

Water is a resource we often take for granted. When we turn on our faucets, we expect clean water to flow. It has become indispensable as we use it for almost all daily activities, from bathing, cleaning, drinking, and cooking. The demand for reliable potable water in Metro Manila has increased considerably over the years. This is due to a number of factors, among them urban migration and intensified economic activities. Cities have become more densely populated, with the construction of high-rise buildings and condominiums creating an unprecedented demand for water that now stretches the limits of the existing water infrastructure. Meanwhile, climate change has begun to affect existing raw water sources. Changes in rainfall patterns have led to longer droughts and more severe typhoons, which ultimately affect the availability of water supply. Today, the main raw water source of Metro Manila and nearby provinces is the Angat Dam. This over-reliance on just one primary … [Read more...] about Here’s how Maynilad is addressing the growing demand for clean water

The Philippine Association of Feed Millers Inc. (Pafmi) renewed its calls for the implementation of an industry-based corn farming development program. Pafmi, a group composed of more than 30 feed milling companies nationwide, said crafting a long-term development blueprint for the local corn industry “should provide an impetus to modernize corn farming and put in place much-needed harvest and post-harvest infrastructure.” “A national corn development program that encompasses the whole value chain starting from the farm until the produce reaches the market and industrial users will allow the country to reduce its dependence on imports,” the group said in a statement. Pafmi recalled that a yellow corn development roadmap had been crafted two years ago, wherein stakeholders recognized the need for an efficient and stable supply chain of industry inputs like seeds, fertilizer and other inputs; quality corn in efficient production systems for food, feeds and industrial uses by … [Read more...] about Feed millers push for corn development program

Guests at a wedding reception in Tagaytay City, Philippines, received uncommon party favors — “expensive” bags of onions — on Tuesday from a newlywed couple. A video of the event shows the couple, Jayson and Lorellei, standing among an abundance of onions accumulated for their guests to take home, according to Manila Bulletin . Wedding coordinator Aldrik Gohel explained that the bride’s family has an onion business in San Juan, Ilocos Sur. “Onions are expensive,” he said, the outlet reported. As the valuable vegetable is costly in the Philippines, the couple thought of giving it away as a gift to attendees. Gohel says attendees stood in line, amused as they anticipated their “aromatic party favors,” the outlet noted. (RELATED: Sen. Jack Reed Calls For Investigation Into Egg Price Spike) A total of 150 kilograms of onions were distributed during the wedding. In the Philippines, the onion is considered the country’s new gold, according to NPR . Twice the … [Read more...] about ‘Onions Are Expensive’: Couple Hands Out Unusual Wedding Favors