Flooding

Share to Twitter Share to Linkedin Topline Nearly a quarter of the world’s population lives in an area at risk of flooding and almost all are in low- and middle-income countries, according to a study published in Nature Communications on Tuesday, underscoring the disproportionate impact climate change is having on the world’s poorest. Key Facts An estimated 1.81 billion people around the world are at risk of inundation from a 1-in-100 year flood—a term experts use for floods with a 1% chance of striking every year—according to the peer reviewed study from World Bank researchers. The vast majority—1.24 billion people—live in South and East Asia, the researchers said, with India and China collectively accounting for more than a third of global exposure. An analysis of economic data reveals that flood risk coincides with poverty and vulnerability, the researchers said, with nearly nine out of every 10 people at risk from flooding living in … [Read more...] about Nearly 1 In 4 People Worldwide At Risk From Flooding, Study Warns

This article first appeared in The Edge Malaysia Weekly, on June 20, 2022 - June 26, 2022. - A + A THE share price of DRB-Hicom Bhd has been on a downward trend since December 2020, when the shortage of semiconductors became apparent the world over. Last Friday, DRB-Hicom was trading at RM1.16 — its lowest since March 23, 2020. This means DRB-Hicom is now trading at the level when stocks tumbled in reaction to the first Movement Control Order (MCO), which was implemented in March 2020 to contain the spread of Covid-19. This is in contrast to other automotive or automotive-based groups listed on Bursa Malaysia. For example, Bermaz Auto Bhd is trading at more than double the level on March 23, 2020, and MBM Resources Bhd is 38% higher than at the start of the pandemic. Shares in Sime Darby Bhd, which is also a conglomerate like DRB-Hicom, were up 43.5% last Friday compared with March 23, 2020. UMW Holdings Bhd, another conglomerate with a huge automotive … [Read more...] about At an almost two-year low, DRB-Hicom is still demonstrating upside uncertainty

- A + A MELAKA (June 28): The Malaysian Nuclear Agency (Nuklear Malaysia) will increase the production of IS21 paddy seeds for distribution to farmers, thus expanding the cultivation of the high-quality variety nationwide. Its director-general Dr Abdul Rahim Harun said currently the quota of the IS21 seeds, generated using nuclear technology with a gamma radiation-induced mutation method, was 4,800 metric tonnes per season. “The maturation period of IS21 rice is similar to other varieties but with its characteristics, including high quality, resistance to unpredictable weather changes such as drought and floods and can survive if submerged in water for about 20 days, farmers do not need to replant the crops, thus saving costs. “This seed also has a good response with minimal use of fertiliser, as well as its disease-resistant nature to rice blast disease which reduces yield. It also does not require many pesticides to fight off diseases,” he told reporters after … [Read more...] about Nuklear Malaysia to increase IS21 seed production, expand cultivation nationwide

(CNN) Dozens of international flights loaded with baby formula have already come into the United States, but formula stock rates are not improving. Experts say it will take at least another couple months for this to change, as both supply levels and consumers' perspectives level out. Through Operation Fly Formula, the White House has committed to import enough formula to make the equivalent of about 40 million 8-ounce bottles. More than a quarter of that supply -- enough to make 13 million bottles -- has already been delivered as of June 19, according to a statement from the US Department of Human Services. Still, stock rates for formula continue to hit new lows, according to data shared with CNN by market research firm Information Resources Incorporated, or IRI. Inside the White House's Spring scramble to contain the baby formula crisis More than 21% of formula products -- powder, ready-to-drink and liquid -- were out of … [Read more...] about Why aren’t baby formula stock rates getting better?

(CNN) Around early May, officials with the US Food and Drug Administration remained largely focused on persistent problems at a shuttered baby formula plant in Michigan. But the White House was growing preoccupied with a problem of a much bigger scale: An infant formula shortage that could balloon to a full-blown crisis. Around that time, officials with the FDA held a briefing with White House staff to discuss the situation as an Abbott plant in Sturgis, Michigan, was still shuttered and continued to be plagued with problems. In that meeting, the details of which are previously unreported, FDA officials focused on the ongoing problems at the closed facility -- including why it remained so difficult to bring it back online -- using highly technical language. Given that Abbott controlled around 40% of the formula market, the closure of the plant spelled serious trouble ahead. Notably missing from the agency's presentation that day, according to sources familiar with the … [Read more...] about Inside the White House’s Spring scramble to contain the baby formula crisis

KUALA LUMPUR: Food security committees at the state and district levels will be set up to ensure the federal and state governments can implement the National Food Security Policy Action Plan 2021-2025 in a synergistic manner, says Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob. The Prime Minister said this was decided at a meeting he chaired yesterday with Mentris Besar and Chief Ministers, which was also attended by relevant ministers. The meeting, he said, emphasised the need to strengthen cooperation between the federal and state governments to enhance the country’s food supply security, which is facing various challenges due to current global developments. State governments have agreed to implement seven initiatives for this purpose, he said in a statement as reported by Bernama. These include increasing the area for agriculture, especially state-owned land, by gazetting agricultural land as reserves under Section 62 of the National Land Code and then leasing them out under Section 63 of … [Read more...] about Boosting federal-state coordination to tackle food security

Chandrakant Pandit. (Photo credit: Wikimedia Commons) In cricket, rarely does it happen that a coach hogs the limelight on the greatest conquest of a team. Essentially and rightly so, it is always about the players and their contributions whenever a team becomes champion. However, only on exceptional days like today, June 25, 2022, when Madhya Pradesh won the Ranji Trophy title for the first time after defeating 41-time champions Mumbai, the players were overshadowed by the coach. This is unusual and odd and yet no one will ever hold it against Chandrakant Pandit because the unassuming and always-invisible coach is the last man to take credit for his team's win. If you don’t believe then check the archives and past stories of the five Ranji wins (three with Mumbai and two with Vidarbha) under Pandit’s coaching where he can hardly be seen in pictures or on TV. However, it was a very different and extremely emotional day for Pandit who just couldn’t hold back his tears. As a player, … [Read more...] about MP clinch maiden Ranji Trophy title | Is there any Bollywood director for a biopic on Chandrakant Pandit?