my Say: Struggle for the future of food
“A Long Food Movement” — to transform the world food system by 2045 — principally authored by Pat Mooney with a team including IPES-Food director Nick Jacobs, analyses how food systems are likely to evolve over the next quarter century with technological and other changes. The report notes that “hi-tech”, data processing and asset management corporations have joined established agribusinesses in reshaping world food supply chains. If current trends continue, the food system will be increasingly controlled by large transnational corporations (TNCs) at the expense of billions of farmers and consumers. The report warns that giving Big Ag the “keys of the food system” worsens food insecurity and other existential threats. Very timely, “A Long Food Movement” is an urgent call to action for the long haul.
Source:The Edge Markets
May 08, 2021 04:07 UTC
Mothers Day: A toast to the mother figures in our life
Dr Shamala Durairajanayagam, a plastic and reconstructive surgeon in her 40s, feels that Mothers Day is a special day to appreciate all those who have been a “mother figure” in one’s life. Dhanya (right) with her grandmother (Dr Shamala's mother-in-law), Dr Varalakshmi. Photo: Shamala DurairajanayagamEvery year on Mothers Day, Dr Shamala receives handmade cards with endearing words from her three children, aged 15, 12 and seven. This year, Mothers Day will be during MCO 3.0, but their celebrations aren’t impacted because they’re having it at home. So, this time, they’ll prepare the Mothers Day lunch for the whole family and I’m really looking forward to that!” she enthuses.
Source:The Star
May 08, 2021 01:52 UTC
Mums and children bond over items of yesteryear
An active Girl Guide in school, Sri Devi went on to receive the Queen’s Guide Award in May 1995 when she was 18. I hope my stories and experience from my childhood days will motivate her, ” said Sri Devi. Catherine saved her wedding saree and maternity clothes for her daughters to use when the time was appropriate. However, Catherine swapped her wedding saree for her engagement saree because she wanted to bequeath the former to her daughters. “Although they had their own wedding saree, they took a photo wearing my saree with my wedding jewellery too.
Source:The Star
May 08, 2021 01:20 UTC
Is democracy in decline, retreat or under siege?
This is not to say that the idea of democracy does not appeal to peoples of different cultures and political background. Democracy in practice today is built around the process of procedural democracy, in which people vote openly, freely and regularly to choose their government. Two important trends mark this decline – US domestic political problems and the reclassification of India, the world’s most populous democracy, from Free to Partly Free status. Political leadership is all about understanding the mood of the moment, seizing the opportunities and organizing the institutions to deliver. When institutional checks and balances fail due to corruption, corrosion or incompetence, then new forms of political leadership arise to challenge the old.
Source:The Star
May 08, 2021 01:10 UTC
Let down by insurance company
AFTER reading the letter “Utmost good faith principle fall on wayside” (The Star, May 5), I was compelled to write about my own experience with my former insurance company. I signed up for a health policy with a monthly contribution of RM100 (the highest plan) in February 2008. In January this year, I received a call from the insurance company informing me that my plan had lapsed because I had not settled my contributions for one year. To my surprise, the insurance company informed me that my plan had been downgraded from RM100 to RM30 due to my diabetic condition. Is this how an insurance company practises “humanising” as one of its core values?
Source:The Star
May 08, 2021 00:33 UTC
Mydin ventures overseas via e-commerce
PETALING JAYA: Retailer Mydin Mohamed Holdings Bhd is expanding its offerings overseas through e-commerce and has set its eyes on Singapore as its first market abroad. In a statement, the company said it had ambitions to expand and gain regional exposure and has a chance to do so through e-commerce. Mydin managing director Datuk Ameer Ali Mydin (pic below) said e-commerce was an important part of Mydin’s business and the retailer saw a 73% increase in online sales last year compared to 2019. As part of its effort to strengthen its e-commerce offerings, Mydin will be launching its Super Brand Day (SBD) on Shoppee Malaysia in conjunction with the platform’s Raya Bersama Shoppee campaign. In the spirit of Raya, Mydin will also continue to raise funds for the underprivileged through the Mydin Prihatin fundraising campaign where a portion of the purchase price on certain items will go to the fund.
Source:The Star
May 08, 2021 00:33 UTC
Don’t leave out dental students
I REFER to the letter “Medical students in clinical training need vaccination” (The Star, April 27). I fully agree with the writer that medical students who need to do ward visits for their clinical studies, placing them in direct contact with patients, need to be vaccinated. They should have been included under phase one of the National Immunisation Programme together with the Covid-19 frontliners for vaccination. May I add that dental students are in the same boat due to the nature of their training. Hence, medical and dental students undergoing clinical training need to be vaccinated as soon as possible.
Source:The Star
May 08, 2021 00:33 UTC
SMG employees mourn loss of cherished colleague and friend
PETALING JAYA: Star Media Group (SMG) lost one of its most dedicated employees, graphic artist Tan Lay Ting (pic), who was noted for her kindness and cheerful self. SMG assistant general manager Tan Chin Ai said her long-serving colleague was not only very friendly and bubbly but also particularly kind. “Lay Ting would sometimes cry together with clients when they walked in to place obituary ads for their family. Lim Sui Jin from the Technology Department said Lay Ting was a trusted comrade. Another colleague, Mindy Chin, said: “She was one of the most friendly and authentic people I know in SMG.
Source:The Star
May 08, 2021 00:11 UTC
Seniors eagerly waiting for round two
Nonagenarian Lee Fu Lian is eagerly waiting to complete his second dose of the vaccination in less than two weeks time. The 98-year-old said he received his first dose on April 19 and his second jab of the vaccine would be on May 12. “My arm was a bit sore and it lasted for about three days. “I will be receiving my second dose on May 17. “I felt great after my first dose but my arm felt a bit sore for half a day.
Source:The Star
May 07, 2021 23:48 UTC
Somerville keeps Penang on guard against JDT’s speciality
As such, he has warned his teammates to be wary of any late surprises when the two sides meet at the City Stadium today. When the two teams first met in March, JDT scored twice late into the match for a 2-0 win. “We can’t afford to switch off for even one minute because we know that it’s never easy when facing JDT. But I believe that with our fans allowed into the City Stadium, it will spur us to raise our game, ” said Somerville. Although he is itching to take to the field, he knows that the final decision will be up to the coach.
Source:The Star
May 07, 2021 23:29 UTC
A new era for the police force
This is part of the wide-ranging measures to strengthen the integrity and work culture within the police force, said new Inspector-General of Police Datuk Seri Acryl Sani Abdullah Sani. “We want to service the public, not burden it, ” said Acryl Sani, who emphasised courteous service to the people. He vowed that wrongdoing in the police force would not be swept away as transparency was key. Clean culture: Acryl Sani will not tolerate wrongdoing and corruption in the police force. Acryl Sani also spoke about improving the service delivery system of the police force and bridging the gap between the police and public.
Source:The Star
May 07, 2021 23:15 UTC
Students start Raya exodus
PETALING JAYA: The Hari Raya exodus of university students continues with more campuses in several states sending their undergraduates home to celebrate the festival with their loved ones. The Higher Education Ministry has allowed students at higher education institutions to cross state borders to return home for the celebration. The dates for students to head home are from May 7 to 12 and they will return between May 15 and 20. Assoc Prof Mohd Rushdan said the first group of students would leave for Kelantan and Terengganu from the university’s Dewan Tuanku Canselor at 8am. Prof Mohd Rushdan said 66 students would not be returning home and would stay on campus.
Source:The Star
May 07, 2021 23:15 UTC
‘Help us, help yourselves’
“Most of my customers prefer to have their food at the stall as roti canai is best eaten hot and fresh. The 39-year-old entrepreneur urged everyone, including food operators and customers, to do their part to win the battle against Covid-19. Here’s your order: Mohamed Ali attending to a takeaway customer at his stall in Transfer Road in George Town, Penang. Ravindran Arnasalam, owner of Chola Kitchen, had to close down his new branch in Kuala Lumpur after the MCO last year. “There are some restaurants where it can be quite crowded, but most eateries, especially those in malls, are quite orderly, ” he said.
Source:The Star
May 07, 2021 23:12 UTC
U.S. auto part makers brace for a bumpy ride as chip shortage to intensify
The chip shortage came at an inopportune time for automakers as demand rebounded from pandemic lows due to low interest rates and consumers' preference for personal transport amid the health crisis. Ford Motor Co, a major customer for Lear and peers including BorgWarner and Magna International, has said the chip shortage would halve its vehicle output in the second quarter. Auto suppliers also cautioned that the pain from the shortage could linger at least until the next year. "On the biggest raw material purchases, we have about 60% pass through with our customers," BorgWarner Chief Executive Officer Frederic Lissalde said. And that's really an unknown," Magna Chief Financial Officer Vincent Galifi said.
Source:The Star
May 07, 2021 19:30 UTC
Tears and singing as abducted Nigerian students return to parents
KADUNA, Nigeria (Reuters) - Nearly two months after their abduction by armed gunmen, more than two dozen students in northwest Nigeria's Kaduna state were reunited with jubilant family members on Friday amid tears and celebratory singing. Thirty-nine students were taken from a forestry college at gunpoint on March 11. Ten were later released, and parents said this week that two had escaped. Other students hugged relatives and cried tears of joy upon the reunion. Kidnappers have killed five students from Greenfield University, also in Kaduna, and have threatened to kill more if ransoms are not paid.
Source:The Star
May 07, 2021 16:41 UTC