Tesoro says it’s been planning for a strike and will continue operating two of the effected refineries, including one in Carson.; Credit: Getty Images

More than 800 workers walked off the job early Sunday at an oil refinery in Carson because of a labor dispute, joining workers at eight other refineries around the country. 

National strikes have been rare in the refining business. The last one happened in 1980, and it took three months to resolve. If this dispute lasts that long, analysts say gas prices could rise.

“It’s very possible we may have seen the last of two dollar gasoline in the near term,” said Carl Larry director of oil and gas at consulting firm Frost & Sullivan. “Without production from these refineries, we’re going to see tighter supply and higher prices."

Making matters worse, many refineries are switching over to summer blend gas, which is cleaner burning, but also more expensive.

Jim Burkhard, Managing Director at IHS Cambridge Energy Research Associates, cautions that it is too soon to know what the effect of the strike will be, and even though the steelworkers have 64 percent of U.S. oil output in their hands, there’s still a lot of other supply.

 “Remember the oil market overall is very well supplied right now,” said Burkhard. "There's plenty of refining capacity around the world, you would just have some modification of trade flows."

The Carson refinery processes 363,000 barrels per day at peak capacity and employs 1,450 workers. Tesoro Corporation, which operates the plant, says it’s been planning for a strike and will continue operations.

"Tesoro is confident that the Company can continue to safely operate the refineries and meet customer commitments until resolution is reached with the [United Steel Workers]," Tesoro said in a written statement.

The USW represents workers at 65 U.S. refineries. It says the facilities where workers have not walked out will continue operating under a rolling 24-hour contract extension. 

“This work stoppage is about onerous overtime; unsafe staffing levels; dangerous conditions the industry continues to ignore; the daily occurrences of fires, emissions, leaks and explosions that threaten local communities without the industry doing much about it; the industry’s refusal to make opportunities for workers in the trade crafts; the flagrant contracting out that impacts health and safety on the job; and the erosion of our workplace, where qualified and experienced union workers are replaced by contractors when they leave or retire,” USW International Vice President Gary Beevers said in a written statement.

This content is from Southern California Public Radio. View the original story at SCPR.org.

Global cotton markets saw slight declines and stabilisation in recent weeks, with NY/ICE December futures trading between 67–75 cents/lb since June, now at 71 cents/lb. The global A Index dipped from 85 to 83 cents, while China's index dropped from 101 to 97 cents due to a weaker yuan. Indian and Pakistani spot prices also declined, but both rupees remained stable against the dollar.

The best Apple deals on MacBooks, AirPods, and more, from a shopping reporter who tracks deals year-round.

Cooking oil prices in India rose significantly. Palm and sunflower oil prices increased. International prices surged due to production issues. India's demand for cooking oil remained high. The situation surprised the industry. FMCG companies faced pressure to increase prices.

Onion prices in India are anticipated to decrease further due to the arrival of the new kharif crop. The government has been selling onions from its buffer stock at subsidized rates to combat recent price increases. Over 4,850 tonnes of onions have been transported via railway to major cities, including Delhi, to enhance supply and stabilize prices.

India's wholesale price index rose to 2.36 percent in October. Food prices increased, pushing retail inflation to a 14-month high. The Reserve Bank of India held its benchmark interest rate steady. The central bank maintained its inflation forecast for the fiscal year at 4.5 percent. Food price volatility remains a concern for inflation and economic stability.

Inflation remains substantially lower than it did during its 2022 peak — but Americans are still frustrated with high prices.

1. Gold prices fall for 4th straight day, silver remains steady; check the latest prices in your city  Upstox
2. Business News Live Today November 14, 2024: Niva Bupa share price dips over 3% after rising into the green on debut, See details of its ₹2,200 crore IPO  Hindustan Times
3. Gold prices today: Key market trends investors should know  CNBCTV18
4. Gold and silver prices today on 14-11-2024: Check latest rates in your city  Mint
5. Gold slips to further lows today on November 14: Know gold, silver rates in Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai, Kolkata and other cities  The Financial Express

Dua Lipa is currently on the road for her 2024 and 2025 Radical Optimism Tour. Resale ticket prices start at $39.

The band's previous performance in India was in 2016 as part of the Global Citizen Festival in Mumbai

1. Piyush Goyal urges companies to cut prices to boost consumption  Moneycontrol
2. Piyush Goyal demands a rate cut, RBI Governor's speech follows — all the action at Global Leadership Summit  CNBCTV18
3. RBI should definitely cut interest rates, says Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal  The Economic Times
4. 'India's Average Inflation Lowest Under Modi Govt Since 1947; RBI Should Cut Rates': Piyush Goyal  News18
5. RBI governor Shaktikanta Das' response after Piyush Goyal calls for rate cut  Moneycontrol

Parents say they feel penalised by the high cost of formula, which cannot be discounted under the law.

Tomatoes, onions, and potatoes disappearing from common man’s plate, says Jairam Ramesh

Import-reliant edible oil sector, heightened vegetable prices continue to exert pressure on the CPI basket, raising concerns over household inflation expectations

Global uncertainty, weak domestic economy pushing gold, rupee and equity

Evri and Yodel customers are the least satisfied with their experience when it comes to contacting parcel firms for help, Ofcom has found, while Amazon and DHL are the best performers. 

1. ₹50000 for 1 night in Ahmedabad? Fans claim Coldplay’s upcoming concert skyrocketed hotel prices  Hindustan Times
2. Coldplay announces 4th India show in Ahmedabad: Check out ticket sale details  Hindustan Times
3. Everything You Need to Know About The World's Largest Cricket Stadium In Ahmedabad, Which Will Hold Coldplay's Gujarat Concert  NDTV
4. Coldplay Announces New Concert in Ahmedabad: Know The Date and How To Book Tickets  News18
5. Coldplay announces fourth show in Ahmedabad after Mumbai due to unprecedented demand  Moneycontrol

Govt disposing of buffer stock in retail markets at lower prices, says Consumer Affairs Ministry

Many people I talk to are eager for "prices to get back to normal", but that's not how inflation works. Medora Lee does a good job reminding us of that.

When talking about inflation, it's important to remember that inflation is a rate that measures how fast prices are rising. If the consumer inflation rate drops from its 40-year high of 8.6% in May, prices are still rising - just not as fast.

Consumers won't feel immediate relief even as the inflation rate slows because many of those elevated prices are likely here to stay, said Michael Ashton, managing principal at Enduring Investments in Morristown, NJ.

"The price level has permanently changed," said Ashton. "Until your wages catch up (to inflation), it will continue to hurt."

Even when inflation returns to target 2% levels, prices won't return to "normal" 2019 levels. Prices will continue to grow, but at a slower and more predictable rate.

"Once core prices go up, generally they don't come down," Roussanov said. "In the last 40 to 50 years, we've never seen deflation in core goods. Most durable goods and services don't really come down in price."

And deflation is more dangerous than inflation because it can lead to a total economic collapse. When people believe that their money will buy more in a year than it will now, they stop consuming and just wait.

Additionally, modest, predictable inflation is seen as a sign of a growing economy. It incentivizes people to spend money now rather than waiting, allows wages to increase either in line or above inflation to boost the standard of living and makes it easier for businesses to plan, according to the Federal Reserve and IMF.

Oil prices saw a partial recovery on Tuesday following Israel’s military response to Hezbollah’s recent attacks. The geopolitical tensions in the Middle East have once again highlighted the region’s critical role in global energy markets, causing fluctuations in oil prices. The latest conflict began when Hezbollah launched a series of rocket attacks into northern Israel, prompting a swift and decisive retaliation from the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF). The IDF targeted key Hezbollah positions in southern Lebanon, aiming to neutralize the threat and prevent further escalation. This exchange of hostilities has raised concerns about potential disruptions to oil supplies from the region, which is a significant factor in the global energy market. In response to these developments, Brent crude futures rose by 2.5%, settling at $82.30 per barrel, while West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures increased by 2.7%, closing at $78.50 per barrel. Analysts attribute this rebound to fears of supply chain disruptions and the market’s sensitivity to geopolitical instability in the Middle East. Energy market experts have noted that while the immediate impact on oil production and supply routes remains limited, the situation underscores the vulnerability of global oil markets to regional conflicts. The Middle East accounts for a substantial...

In recent months, Europe has witnessed a surprising and significant economic event: negative power prices. This phenomenon, where electricity producers must pay consumers to take their power, has raised eyebrows across the continent. While it may seem counterintuitive, negative power prices are a direct result of the evolving energy landscape, particularly the rise of renewable energy sources. Understanding Negative Power Prices Negative power prices occur when electricity supply far exceeds demand. This situation often arises during periods of low consumption, such as weekends or holidays, combined with high levels of electricity generation. In such cases, power producers, unable to store excess energy, must pay consumers or other utilities to absorb the surplus. This is especially common in countries with a large share of renewable energy, where generation can be unpredictable. The Role of Renewable Energy Renewable energy, particularly wind and solar, has played a pivotal role in driving negative power prices. Europe has been at the forefront of the transition to green energy, with substantial investments in wind farms and solar panels. However, these energy sources are inherently variable—wind patterns fluctuate, and solar power is contingent on daylight and weather conditions. On particularly windy or sunny days, renewable energy production...

Continued growth of agricultural land values is expected due to a relatively short supply of farmland.

Farmland values in England have increased 14 per cent over the past year.

SA median house prices. The biggest drop is within the Adelaide metro region. Regional SA prices have also dropped as well. With consumer confidence dropping, SA median house prices will continue to drop into the year 2009.
SA median house prices

The latest South Australia median house prices for December 08 is up. Overall, both metropolitan and regional areas have dropped in prices. With the worldwide economy deteriorating and the Australian economy moving into recession, house prices will continue to drop.

Looking for the right water bed, you have various ways to break! Water beds and Jacuzzis are real luxury items at the present time, because you can find these conditions not only in posh hotels and health centers, but often also in private households. Get info on water beds under mattresses wasserbetten.ch. of Chicago has […]

I guess it's now official. The real estate bubble has burst. When the inventory figures for homes show they are going up nationwide AND it's in the national media, you can be sure that it's already been happening for a few months now. The NY Times and Jouranl and just about every other news outlet decided today that it was a story - so I guess it's official.

Those of us in the real estate business have known it for the last 3 months and we could have told you so. We have sales figures and "time on market" statistics that can back up our claims. We have been telling successful sellers what's happening and how to price their homes accordingly. Now - 3 months later, the media is catching on.

The story is that the supply of homes on the market is rising and the number of buyers isn't. What that means to you is that your home will sit on the market longer without selling. In fact, two of the articles I've read state simply that it would take over 6 months to sell all the homes currently for sale. What they leave out is that more homes come on the market every day, further increasing the glut.

As the number of homes on the market increases, it takes further price reductions to get some of those homes to sell quicker, which, in turn, lowers the reflected market price of all homes. Sellers will wait and wait and then lower their price - too late. What they don't realize is that they are chasing the market down.

The market price of their home goes down and then they lower their price just above the market price and wait. While they wait, the market price goes down further, putting them farther and farther away from the market value, until they lower the price again.

So, as a seller, what should you do right now?

Simple, lower your price to a point that is BELOW the current market value. Ask your agent to take some time and do a good market analysis to get a feel for what your home is worth right now. Then, price it below that number. If you do this, you will have hungry and willing buyers lining up to make offers on your home... but only for a short time in a falling market. If you wait too long, and the market coninues to drop, then you will be priced above the market again and have to reassess the situation.

The smart thing to do is price your home low and let the market come to you, rather than chasing the market down. One strategy results in buyers, the other results in foreclosures. But you have to decide which strategy to persue.

We are pleased to announce that the price per user has been lowered to $65 per user for site licenses of 20 to 49 users.

Farmscape for November 12, 2024

A Guelph based hog market analyst is forecasting a modest increase in Canadian pork production in 2025 and higher prices.
“The Competitive Status of the Canadian Pork Industry,” was the topic of a keynote address last week at Saskatchewan Pork Industry Symposium 2024 in Saskatoon.
Kevin Grier, with Kevin Grier Market Analysis and Consulting, says Canada is the sixth largest pork producer in the world but the fourth largest exporter so, as the old saying goes, it punches above its weight.

Quote-Kevin Grier-Kevin Grier Market Analysis and Consulting:
In terms of the outlook for 2025 I'm expecting, based on the last Hogs and Pigs Report, to have a modest increase in production in 2025.
We have less beef because of where we are at in the cattle cycle and we're going to have less beef next year and the year after that so pork should be able to make competitive gains in the meat case or on the menu at restaurants so, in some respects, the pork industry is probably hoping that pork can gain market share at the expense of beef.
We still will be aggressive exporters and I'm hoping to see, for the sake of the industry, improved demand in 2025 because of the beef situation so we should have more production.
But, probably and hopefully for the sake of producers, we should see an increased price in 2025 compared to 2024.
Again, part of our keys is the fact that we are a low-cost producer at the farm level.
According to data from InterPIG, Canada is always among the lowest cost producers in the world, a little bit higher cost than Brazil or the United States, but always right there among the most competitive in terms of producer production costs.
We may not be a low-cost producer at the packer level but we compete in other ways, through increased quality specifications, service, that sort of thing so from the farm to the packer we are competitive industry and that's how we compete, on costs but also on service and quality.

Grier invites any interested to contact him at kevingrier.com to request a three-month trial subscription to his Canadian Pork Market Report.
For more visit Farmscape.Ca.
Bruce Cochrane.

       *Farmscape is produced on behalf of North America’s pork producers

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Maruti Suzuki recently launched the new fourth-generation Dzire with prices ranging between Rs 6.79 lakh and Rs 10.14 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi). It continues to be based on the Swift hatchback, shares the same platform and engine but sports a differentiated look. It even goes one up on the equipment front. The new Dzire is available in four trims – LXi, VXi, ZXi and ZXi+ – and we take a close look at all the features you get in each trim.

2024 Maruti Suzuki Dzire trims, variants explained

The Dzire is powered by the same Z12E engine as the Swift: 82hp, 112Nm, 3-cylinder naturally aspirated. It’s available with a 5-speed manual gearbox as standard on all four trims; the AMT is available on all but the base trim. The new Dzire also gets a CNG powertrain right from launch, available on the mid-spec VXi and ZXi trims. Coupled with a 5-speed manual gearbox, the Dzire produces 69.75hp and 101.8Nm in CNG spec.

The new Dzire’s ARAI-rated fuel efficiency figure is 24.79kpl in manual form and 25.71kpl in AMT guise. Meanwhile, in CNG spec, the Dzire returns a claimed efficiency of 33.73km/kg.

New Maruti Dzire variant-wise features

Maruti Dzire LXi: Rs 6.79 lakh

Powertrain: petrol-MT

• Projector halogen headlights
• LED tail-lights
• 14-inch steel wheels without covers
• Shark fin antenna
• Black and beige dual-tone interior
• Fabric seat upholstery
• Adjustable front seat headrests
• Analogue instrument cluster with MID (multi-information display)
• All four power windows
• Auto up/down for the driver-side window
• Keyless entry
• Manual AC
• Tilt-adjustable steering wheel
• Six airbags
• Rear defogger
• 3-point seat belts with reminders for all seats
• Electronic stability program (ESP)
• Hill-hold assist
• ABS with EBD
• Reverse parking sensors

Maruti Dzire VXi: Rs 7.79 lakh–8.74 lakh

Powertrain: petrol-MT, petrol-AMT, CNG-MT

• 14-inch steel wheels with covers
• Chrome finish on the front grille
• Turn indicators on wing mirrors
• Body-coloured door handles and wing mirrors
• Electrically adjustable and foldable wing mirrors
• Silver insert on dashboard
• 7-inch touchscreen
• Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay
• 4 speakers
• Steering-mounted controls
• OTA updates
• Voice assistant
• USB and Bluetooth connectivity
• Height-adjustable driver’s seat
• Adjustable rear headrests
• Day/night inside rearview mirror (IRVM)
• Front roof lamp
• Rear centre armrest with cupholders
• Rear AC vents

Maruti Dzire ZXi: Rs 8.89 lakh–9.84 lakh

Powertrain: petrol-MT, petrol-AMT, CNG-MT

• Auto LED headlights
• LED daytime running lamps
• 15-inch single-tone alloy wheels
• Chrome window garnish
• Silver trim and faux wood insert on dashboard
• Push button start/stop
• Wireless phone charger
• Key-operated boot opening
• Auto AC
• 6 speakers (including 2 tweeters)
• Connected car tech
• Reverse parking camera
• TPMS

Maruti Dzire ZXi+: Rs 9.69 lakh–10.14 lakh

Powertrain: petrol-MT, petrol-AMT

• 15-inch dual-tone alloys
• LED front fog lamps
• Front footwell illumination
• Leatherette-wrapped steering wheel
• 9-inch touchscreen
• Arkamys-tuned sound system
• Single-pane sunroof
• Coloured MID on instrument console
• Cruise control
• Auto-fold wing mirrors on locking the car
• 360-degree camera

Bookings for the new Dzire are ongoing for a token amount of Rs 11,000, and the introductory prices will be applicable till December 31, 2024. The Dzire rivals the Hyundai Aura, the Tata Tigor and the Honda Amaze, with the Amaze also due to receive an all-new generation next month.

Also See:

Maruti Dzire new vs old: price, engine, features comparison

2024 Maruti Suzuki Dzire review: India's favourite sedan massively updated

Maruti Suzuki recently launched the new fourth-generation Dzire with prices ranging between Rs 6.79 lakh and Rs 10.14 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi). It continues to be based on the Swift hatchback, shares the same platform and engine but sports a differentiated look. It even goes one up on the equipment front. The new Dzire is available in four trims – LXi, VXi, ZXi and ZXi+ – and we take a close look at all the features you get in each trim.

2024 Maruti Suzuki Dzire trims, variants explained

The Dzire is powered by the same Z12E engine as the Swift: 82hp, 112Nm, 3-cylinder naturally aspirated. It’s available with a 5-speed manual gearbox as standard on all four trims; the AMT is available on all but the base trim. The new Dzire also gets a CNG powertrain right from launch, available on the mid-spec VXi and ZXi trims. Coupled with a 5-speed manual gearbox, the Dzire produces 69.75hp and 101.8Nm in CNG spec.

The new Dzire’s ARAI-rated fuel efficiency figure is 24.79kpl in manual form and 25.71kpl in AMT guise. Meanwhile, in CNG spec, the Dzire returns a claimed efficiency of 33.73km/kg.

New Maruti Dzire variant-wise features

Maruti Dzire LXi: Rs 6.79 lakh

Powertrain: petrol-MT

• Projector halogen headlights
• LED tail-lights
• 14-inch steel wheels without covers
• Shark fin antenna
• Black and beige dual-tone interior
• Fabric seat upholstery
• Adjustable front seat headrests
• Analogue instrument cluster with MID (multi-information display)
• All four power windows
• Auto up/down for the driver-side window
• Keyless entry
• Manual AC
• Tilt-adjustable steering wheel
• Six airbags
• Rear defogger
• 3-point seat belts with reminders for all seats
• Electronic stability program (ESP)
• Hill-hold assist
• ABS with EBD
• Reverse parking sensors

Maruti Dzire VXi: Rs 7.79 lakh–8.74 lakh

Powertrain: petrol-MT, petrol-AMT, CNG-MT

• 14-inch steel wheels with covers
• Chrome finish on the front grille
• Turn indicators on wing mirrors
• Body-coloured door handles and wing mirrors
• Electrically adjustable and foldable wing mirrors
• Silver insert on dashboard
• 7-inch touchscreen
• Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay
• 4 speakers
• Steering-mounted controls
• OTA updates
• Voice assistant
• USB and Bluetooth connectivity
• Height-adjustable driver’s seat
• Adjustable rear headrests
• Day/night inside rearview mirror (IRVM)
• Front roof lamp
• Rear centre armrest with cupholders
• Rear AC vents

Maruti Dzire ZXi: Rs 8.89 lakh–9.84 lakh

Powertrain: petrol-MT, petrol-AMT, CNG-MT

• Auto LED headlights
• LED daytime running lamps
• 15-inch single-tone alloy wheels
• Chrome window garnish
• Silver trim and faux wood insert on dashboard
• Push button start/stop
• Wireless phone charger
• Key-operated boot opening
• Auto AC
• 6 speakers (including 2 tweeters)
• Connected car tech
• Reverse parking camera
• TPMS

Maruti Dzire ZXi+: Rs 9.69 lakh–10.14 lakh

Powertrain: petrol-MT, petrol-AMT

• 15-inch dual-tone alloys
• LED front fog lamps
• Front footwell illumination
• Leatherette-wrapped steering wheel
• 9-inch touchscreen
• Arkamys-tuned sound system
• Single-pane sunroof
• Coloured MID on instrument console
• Cruise control
• Auto-fold wing mirrors on locking the car
• 360-degree camera

Bookings for the new Dzire are ongoing for a token amount of Rs 11,000, and the introductory prices will be applicable till December 31, 2024. The Dzire rivals the Hyundai Aura, the Tata Tigor and the Honda Amaze, with the Amaze also due to receive an all-new generation next month.

Also See:

Maruti Dzire new vs old: price, engine, features comparison

2024 Maruti Suzuki Dzire review: India's favourite sedan massively updated

A number of major firms have warned over the impact of higher National Insurance costs.

The increase compares with a decrease during the the same period in 2023.

The average home cost £581,000 at the end of September - down from £651,000 a year earlier.

The rate at which prices are rising has dropped below the Bank of England's target of 2%.

Despite the increase, the lender warns mortgage costs could remain "higher for longer" following the Budget.