KUALA LUMPUR: National Road Safety Council member Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye today urged local authorities to initiate a policy governing the safety of roadside diners. He pointed out that cases of vehicles ramming these patrons have happened several times. The latest incident happened last Sunday when a pickup truck skidded and rammed into the customers of an eatery in Taman Equine, killing a woman and injuring four others. A similar accident happened in June 2003 in Section 14, Petaling Jaya, when a car rammed into diners who were seated on the curb outside a 24-hour restaurant. "It was reported that the local authority then declared that all food outlets and restaurants, including 'mamak' stalls, will have to stop placing tables, chairs or stools outside their premises. "But due to poor enforcement, many eateries still place their tables and chairs outside their premises, including on the walk path of shop lots which inconveniences the public, especially disabled people. It looks like … [Read more...] about Lam Thye calls for safety of roadside diners
Food safety declaration
Gene-edited food is coming, but will shoppers buy?
By Lauran Neergaard The Associated Press Wed., Nov. 14, 2018 WASHINGTON — The next generation of biotech food is headed for the grocery aisles, and first up may be salad dressings or granola bars made with soybean oil genetically tweaked to be good for your heart. By early next year, the first foods from plants or animals that had their DNA “edited” are expected to begin selling. It’s a different technology than today’s controversial “genetically modified” foods, more like faster breeding that promises to boost nutrition, spur crop growth and make farm animals hardier and fruits and vegetables last longer. The U.S. National Academy of Sciences has declared gene editing one of the breakthroughs needed to improve food production so the world can feed billions more people amid a changing climate. Yet governments are wrestling with how to regulate this powerful new tool. And after years of confusion and rancour, will shoppers … [Read more...] about Gene-edited food is coming, but will shoppers buy?
Lumad evacuees face harassment, lack of water and food
Lumad evacuees face harassment, lack of water and food (philstar.com) - July 25, 2018 - 6:07pm MANILA, Philippines — Lumads taking temporary shelter in a village gym in Lianga, Surigao del Sur are suffering from a lack of water and from tight security measures by the military, according to updates from the ground on Wednesday. The update comes in the same week that an international NGO said the Philippines was the deadliest for environment defenders in Asia in 2017. In a post by Higala: Friends of the Lumad in Caraga, Fr. Fortunato Estillore of the Indigenous People's Apostolate of the Diocese of Tandag said there is no access to water for drinking or for cleaning. There are no toilet facilities at the gym either. More than 1,600 residents of Lumad communities in Lianga and San Agustin, Surigao del Sur have spent nearly 10 days at the gymnasium or with relatives to avoid soldiers who have … [Read more...] about Lumad evacuees face harassment, lack of water and food
Joma to return if safety assured
MANILA, Philippines — After 31 years, Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) founding chairman Jose Ma. Sison is ready to return to his native land to restart peace negotiations. But Sison first wants an assurance of his safety from “peace spoilers” in the military who might sabotage the talks between the government and the National Democratic Front (NDF) if he returns. In an interview with radio station dzBB, Sison said he would end his exile and accept President Duterte’s invitation for him to return home from the Netherlands and directly talk peace with the government. “On the possibility of myself coming back home to be with the President to guide the peace negotiations and hasten the peace negotiations, there has to be sufficient development in the negotiations, there has to be strong basis that the peace spoilers will not be immediately upset,” Sison said. “If I will return home without an assurance and there is no better circumstance … [Read more...] about Joma to return if safety assured
A Scrumptious blend of street food and tourism
Bangkok is one of the best cities in the world for mouth-watering street food – as one US news network proclaimed recently. This goes a long way in helping tourism, and authorities here are spicing up the appeal of Thai food by incorporating gastronomy into the Kingdom’s national tourism policy starting this October. Indeed, plans are brewing to lead countrywide tourism promotion activities with food. Chinatown and Khao San Road are the most popular foodie destinations among foreign visitors. On the surface, street fare may look affordable and innocuous, just like somtam and pad thai. In reality, it’s a gritty world of questionable food hygiene and overpriced seafood that’s populated by not just sidewalk vendors but slick money-laundering mafia bosses as well. Of course, vendors do know how to cook clean street food, yet many just don’t. But that is changing. Authorities reckon it’s time such food is given a complete image makeover. This comes amid a … [Read more...] about A Scrumptious blend of street food and tourism