JAMMU: Fronted by a 20-year-old in pigtails, the dancing flash mob swings into action, campaigning to save a threatened wildlife reserve — part of a growing, youth-led environmental movement rattling Indian authorities. The battle between the state and environmental activists is not new in India, where impoverished tribal communities have long complained of being displaced in the pursuit of economic growth. But it has rarely been fought by young women like Neola Pereira, who turns up at protests dressed in skinny jeans, fluent in internet-speak, and ready to dance. “People think only environmentalists need to fight for the environment, but that’s not true,” the business student told AFP. Pereira has campaigned for months to stop a government plan to expand train tracks, widen a highway and build an electricity transmission line that will slice through the iconic Mollem National Park — home to endangered tigers and other big cats. The existing railway line transports ... » Learn More about Lady guards roam India’s iconic forest
South african peri peri sauce recipe
South Korean consortium to produce 100 million doses of Russia’s Sputnik V vaccine per month
SEOUL: South Korea's Huons Global said on Friday (Apr 16) that it will lead a consortium to produce 100 million doses of Russia's Sputnik V COVID-19 vaccine per month as Moscow ramps up production for supplies abroad. The announcement comes after South Korean biotech firm GL Rapha signed a deal with Russia's sovereign wealth fund late last year to make more than 150 million doses of Sputnik V per year. Huons said the consortium will begin producing sample batches in August and respond flexibly to supply demands from the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF). The consortium includes three other local companies - Prestige BioPharma, Humedix and Boran Pharma - which will build a new production facility, Huons said in a statement. READ: Kremlin says pressure on countries to reject Russia's Sputnik V vaccine is unprecedented READ: India's Gland Pharma to make up to 252 million Sputnik V COVID-19 vaccine doses Shares in Huons Global jumped 29.8 per cent to their daily ... » Learn More about South Korean consortium to produce 100 million doses of Russia’s Sputnik V vaccine per month
GUGU Korean fried chicken takes flight
In the midst of the COVID-19 crisis, GUGU Chicken has emerged as a rising star in the fried chicken market. Having opened up multiple branches during the pandemic, it has captured the attention of Korean fried chicken enthusiasts all over Thailand. Celebrating the one-year anniversary of its establishment, GUGU Chicken entered the Thai market on 19 April 2020. Since then, the brand has seen remarkable success, with at least 2500 orders being prepared and sold from its branches each day. The founder, Mr. Jungsuk Suh, explains the reasons behind the brand’s popularity. Firstly, he cites its authenticity; the chicken is prepared based on an original Korean recipe, with the ingredients themselves being imported from Korea and the recipe for the brand’s signature sauce being devised by a Korean chef. Knowing this, it is undeniable that GUGU Chicken is genuine Korean fried chicken. Service-wise, all branches are compliant with international standards of quality. With an emphasis on ... » Learn More about GUGU Korean fried chicken takes flight
SKorea president nominates new PM
SEOUL: South Korean President Moon Jae-in on Friday nominated former four-term lawmaker and interior minister Kim Boo-kyum as the new prime minister in his cabinet reshuffle, the presidential Blue House said. Kim will become the third prime minister of the Moon government, which was inaugurated in May 2017, if the nomination is approved in the parliamentary confirmation hearings. The president replaced five ministers of land, labor, industry, science and ocean. Lim Hye-sook was named as the minister of science and ICT, and Moon Sung-wook was picked as the minister of trade, industry and energy. An Kyung-duk was nominated as the minister of employment and labor, and Noh Hyeong-ouk was selected as the minister of land, infrastructure and transport. Park Jun-young was named as the minister of oceans and fisheries. The cabinet reshuffle came after Moon’s ruling Democratic Party was routed in the April 7 mayoral by-elections for the capital Seoul and the second-biggest city of ... » Learn More about SKorea president nominates new PM
How do you write an Anthony Bourdain travel book without Anthony Bourdain?
In March 2017, Anthony Bourdain had an idea for a book but no time to write it. Since he started travelling and eating on camera with the Food Network’s A Cook’s Tour in 2000, the chef, frequent dropper of F-bombs and insatiable eater of delicious things had spent the majority of his time in the field, most recently for his CNN show, Parts Unknown. Bourdain and his team decided he would carve out some time to write in the summer of 2018, when he would have a few rare continuous weeks at home during a break in filming. That, of course, never happened, as Bourdain died by suicide in June 2018. Nevertheless, almost three years after his death, and after a pandemic that almost completely shut down international travel, Ecco will publish World Travel: An Irreverent Guide by Bourdain and his longtime assistant (or “lieutenant,” as he often referred to her), Laurie Woolever. “To me, there was no question that the book would go on,” Woolever said in a recent video call from her home in ... » Learn More about How do you write an Anthony Bourdain travel book without Anthony Bourdain?
Spicy food equals weight loss? That mala xiang guo is actually packed with calories
In this new series on how to better manage your calorie intake when eating out, we ask the experts on what you can do when ordering your favourite local dish. This week, we look at mala xiang guo. What makes this spicy, tongue-numbing dish what it is, is the mala sauce. While the recipe varies from hawker stall to hawker stall, it mainly consists of chilli flakes, Szechuan peppercorns, toasted sesame seeds, salt and vegetable oil, according to Kong Pun Pun, a dietitian and coach at HealthifyMe. The difference in the spice level comes from the amount of chilli flakes and Szechuan peppercorns used, she said. On average, this works out to about 104 calories for a tablespoon of mala sauce, said Kong. A higher spice level would require more mala sauce, which means the spicier your order, the more calories it has. READ: How to enjoy your nasi padang without feeling too guilty about those calories To find out if you're within your caloric limit, give the calorie ... » Learn More about Spicy food equals weight loss? That mala xiang guo is actually packed with calories
Why You Should Go for a Vegan Food Tour in Thailand
Thailand is one of the most impressive countries on Earth. It has a little bit of everything you would want especially vegan food. In the south, you get the chance to explore the amazing island and islets, spend time on a beach, take the kayak, or dive to discover the universe underwater. But you can also head for the North and discover some mesmerizing temples in remote areas in the woods. Thailand is a country full of possibilities and places to visit and see. But from a gastronomic point of view, you might think that Thailand does not offer any options for vegans. And this is partially true, if you come to look only at the street food shops you will encounter. You will mostly see meat, cooked in a wide diversity of ways. There is pork, chicken, beef, and seafood. But for vegans, this might represent an obstacle. Thankfully, there are vegan food tours that are organized in Thailand and that promise to offer you an amazing culinary experience that meets your expectations. ... » Learn More about Why You Should Go for a Vegan Food Tour in Thailand
Citi’s exit from consumer banking is ‘no surprise’
NEWS that American banking group Citigroup Inc is closing down its consumer banking business in 13 markets, including Malaysia, does not come as a surprise and has ignited fresh concerns that competition in the banking space can only get more heated. With costs increasing 3% to 5% yearly on a general basis and product and servicing charges remaining flat or on a decline, observers say it is now not only the smaller consumer-centric banks that are struggling but lenders of all sizes. “With the onslaught of fintech startups and new digital banks, big existing lenders need to consider restructuring their businesses as the consumer business will come under severe margin pressures in the coming years, ” a former foreign bank CEO tells StarBizWeek. On Thursday, the New-York based Citigroup said it will exit the consumer banking business in 13 countries across Asia and Europe as well as the Middle East and African region. Instead, it will operate its consumer-banking business from ... » Learn More about Citi’s exit from consumer banking is ‘no surprise’
Home-based learning: What have we learnt from the great HBL experiment?
SINGAPORE - As students of all levels returned to school this past week, it was announced that home-based learning (HBL) is here to stay. Education Minister Ong Ye Kung said recently that online learning is set to become routine, suggesting that HBL could be held once a fortnight, for starters. Amid the coronavirus pandemic , HBL was rolled out nationwide after schools shut in April. After the circuit breaker to stem the spread of Covid-19 ended on June 1, most students in primary and secondary schools alternated between being physically in school and HBL, on a weekly basis, for a month. Now that the weekly rotation is over, it is timely to assess what lessons were learnt from the big HBL experiment and its chief benefits that can also be reaped in the physical classroom. Educators interviewed by The Straits Times say virtual and classroom learning are two distinct beasts, but there are useful synergies between the two, which, when combined, could lead to students ... » Learn More about Home-based learning: What have we learnt from the great HBL experiment?
It’s not the end after Tokyo – veteran diver Mun Yee’s game for Hanoi
PETALING JAYA: The Tokyo Olympics may not be the final international outing for national diver Leong Mun Yee. The 36-year-old veteran is game for another SEA Games stint end of this year if Malaysia Swimming want to tap into her experience to combine with the younger divers. It will be a history-in-the-making achievement if Mun Yee makes it to the SEA Games in Hanoi as it will be her 12th appearance. No other Malaysian athlete has lasted that long when it comes to competing in the SEA Games and Mun Yee wants to show that she is still determined and committed to keeping up with the sport. “I wanted to call it a day at the Olympics earlier and I’ve informed Malaysia Swimming about it, ” said Mun Yee. “But then I was asked to consider whether I want to continue on a bit as the SEA Games is just four months after we come back from the Olympics. “If I am needed, I will continue until the SEA Games, ” said Mun Yee. Mun Yee is the most decorated Malaysian diver in the SEA Games ... » Learn More about It’s not the end after Tokyo – veteran diver Mun Yee’s game for Hanoi