Latest news with #Mahmud
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Farmers in crisis as staple crop becomes increasingly difficult to grow: 'We're actually losing money'
Once a global spice powerhouse, Indonesia's clove industry is now struggling to cope with climate shifts and weather unpredictability. Now, the warm, sweet scent of cloves is a reminder of struggle rather than abundance in the region. A new AFP report highlights that rising global temperatures and related extreme weather events have significantly impacted clove farming in Indonesia, which is historically known for its abundant production. Clove is an aromatic spice used worldwide in medicine, perfumes, cigarettes, and food. In the culinary sector, clove is found in curry, chai, traditional Chinese five-spice, and the beloved pumpkin spice blend. Farmers tell AFP that unpredictable and intense rainfall is disrupting normal growing conditions, disturbing the needed — and delicate — balance of temperature and humidity necessary for clove trees to thrive. Clove trees in the region, which take over a decade to mature, now yield far less than they did years before. Some farmers report harvesting only two to three sacks of clove compared to five or six in previous years. The Food and Agriculture Organization reports that the 2023 clove yield, the most recent data available, was almost a quarter lower than 2010. Indonesia was once the world's leading clove exporter — but it has fallen behind Madagascar since 2020, according to data from the World Bank. This underscores the devastating economic implications of climate-induced agricultural challenges. "We're actually losing money," clove farmer Jauhar Mahmud told AFP. "Cloves do not bear fruit every year. They depend on the season." Drying times for cloves have also increased due to erratic weather, extending from three and a half days to at least five. Due to these factors, many farmers are seeking alternative incomes, such as selling spice-infused drinks or bamboo. Some are considering abandoning clove cultivation altogether. "Farmers are now reluctant to harvest because of the high cost and minimal return," Mahmud told AFP. Do you think America has a plastic waste problem? Definitely Only in some areas Not really I'm not sure Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. As AFP reports, Indonesia's clove farming challenges are a direct result of climate instability caused by planet-warming pollution. noted that extreme weather events like droughts, floods, and heat waves damage soil health and disrupt planting, causing reduced crop yields. These reduced yields drive up prices for consumers, but the higher retail costs often don't make up the difference for farmers. Farmers are struggling to cope with a diminished return on investment, which can devastate families and communities. That's especially felt in the region as clove farming holds deep cultural significance in Indonesia, where families have relied on it for generations. A decline in yield and a degradation of crops highlight the impact of climate shifts on traditional agriculture. This reality underscores the urgent need for more sustainable and resilient farming practices — and the importance of planet-conscious living overall. For years, various nonprofits and government organizations in the region have been providing support to farmers, including local programs to educate farmers on adapting planting schedules and techniques in response to a changing climate. Indonesian clove farmers are turning to sustainable practices like agroforestry, organic farming, and water conservation to mitigate climate impacts and protect their livelihoods. These methods can help improve soil health, reduce environmental impact, and help manage increasingly erratic weather patterns. Farmers are also diversifying their crops, intercropping clove trees with other crops more resilient to climate shifts. This can help reduce reliance on clove as a sole source of income, mitigating economic risks associated with climate instability. At the same time, more resilient clove varieties are being developed and introduced into the region to better withstand planetary warming and its impacts. Join our free newsletter for easy tips to save more and waste less, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Barnama
24-05-2025
- Business
- Barnama
PKNS Introduces Linkar 52 To Offer Affordable Urban Homes For Young Families
SHAH ALAM, May 24 (Bernama) -- The Selangor State Development Corporation (PKNS) continues to explore new mechanisms to create opportunities for local communities to own homes at affordable prices. PKNS Group chief executive officer Datuk Mahmud Abbas said this initiative is driven by the ongoing challenge of delivering affordable housing, especially in urban areas. He said among the new mechanisms implemented by PKNS is the introduction of transit-oriented development (TOD) projects, targeting individuals or couples who prefer a minimalist lifestyle as the target market. "In line with the state government's commitment to providing local communities with the opportunity to own homes at reasonable prices, PKNS is introducing Linkar 52, its first TOD project comprising two 33-storey towers with a total of 615 residential units. "With built-up areas ranging from 450 to 850 square feet, these smaller units also have the potential to save on maintenance and utility costs, making them suitable for individuals and couples who prefer a minimalist lifestyle," he told a press conference after launching the Linkar 52 project at Galeria SA Sentral here today. Mahmud said Linkar 52, developed as a key component of the SA Sentral project and equipped with 19 retail units and four lifts per tower, is offered at prices starting from RM351,000 per unit. It is located in a strategic area that integrates all aspects of a modern commercial hub, targeting young families and single individuals, and is suitable as a future investment asset that promises good returns. "We must bring value to this project, and one of the values we offer to customers is the design. "In addition, Linkar 52 is located within one to two kilometres of a hospital, and is also close to a university, a lake, a mosque, and various eateries, all of which are key factors that appeal to buyers," he said.
Scroll.in
16-05-2025
- Politics
- Scroll.in
‘Procedure not followed': Dhaka on reports of India ‘pushing' persons into Bangladesh
Dhaka on Friday said that it has raised concerns with New Delhi about reports that India had 'pushed' people across the international waters into Bangladesh. Faisal Mahmud, the press minister in the Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi, told Scroll that the identities of 'those who entered Bangladesh without following any legal procedures or formal channels remain unverified'. 'Without valid identity documentation, it is extremely difficult to conclusively establish that they are Bangladeshi nationals who had been residing in India 'illegally',' he said. This came following reports alleging that Indian authorities had forced persons, including Rohingya refugees and at least three individuals alleged to be Indians, into Bangladesh and Myanmar. India's Ministry of External Affairs has not commented on the matter yet. The Bangladeshi High Commission, citing Indian newspapers, claimed that 1,081 persons alleged to be Bangladeshis had been arrested or detained by the police in India. 'The standard protocol in such cases requires Indian authorities to contact the respective Bangladeshi High Commission, Deputy High Commissions or Assistant High Commissions for identity verification,' said Mahmud. He added: 'If the individuals are confirmed to be Bangladeshi citizens, arrangements for their repatriation are to be made through formal diplomatic channels. Regrettably, this established procedure has not yet been followed.' While the Indian government had informed Bangladesh of the detentions, the process of verifying the identities of the detainees has not started yet, the press minister added. Maktoob Media reported on May 12 that Indian authorities had allegedly thrown 43 Rohingya refugees, detained from New Delhi, into international waters near the maritime border with Myanmar. This had allegedly forced children, women and elderly persons to swim to safety using life jackets. The refugees were registered with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and possessed identity cards, which set them legally apart from undocumented migrants. On May 8, the Bangladesh border force alleged that it had also detained at least 123 persons whom it claimed India had 'pushed' into the country without documents. Among those detained were Rohingyas and Bangla-speaking persons. A senior Indian police officer had confirmed to Scroll that some individuals had been detained by Bangladesh. But the officer did not confirm how many had been detained. On May 10, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma confirmed that the state government was pushing back Rohingya refugees, among other 'illegal infiltrators' into Bangladesh, instead of filing legal cases against them. On Thursday, Scroll reported, citing a report by the police in Bangladesh's Satkhira town, that there were three Indians who were among a group of 78 people who were allegedly 'pushed' across the water into Bangladesh on May 8. The police in Gujarat, from where the men were allegedly detained, rejected allegations that the group had been pushed into the water. The solicitor general of India had assured the Supreme Court on May 8 that the deportation of undocumented immigrants from the Rohingya community would take place in accordance with legal processes. On Friday, the Supreme Court questioned a petition alleging that the Indian government had forcibly deported 43 Rohingya refugees to Myanmar by pushing them into international waters. The bench declined the petitioner's request for an urgent hearing into the matter. Citing an order passed by another bench on May 8, it rejected the petitioner's request to pass an interim order halting the deportation of Rohingyas.
Sky News AU
23-04-2025
- Sky News AU
Elite college grad who pepper-sprayed Muslim New York Uber driver dodges prison - for a surprising reason
The former sorority girl who pepper-sprayed a Muslim Uber driver in Manhattan last summer has struck a sweetheart deal to stay out of prison — partly thanks to her victim. Manhattan College grad Jennifer Guilbeault, 24, pleaded guilty to the lesser charge of one felony count of aggravated harassment in the second degree in Manhattan Supreme Court on Monday — despite initially being hit with a hate crime that had her facing up to 15 years in prison for the senseless July 31, 2024, attack on driver Shohel Mahmud. Mahmud, who claimed that Guilbeault attacked him because 'he's brown,' told The Post on Tuesday that he ultimately didn't want the former PR agent to serve any prison time for the attack — because he's a religious person who believes in forgiveness. 'She's almost my kid's age,' said Mahmud, a father of three from Elmhurst, Queens. 'After all, I believe in the Judgment Day. I have to stand in front of my God, that's the reason why I forgive her. If I forgive her, God will forgive me.' He stood by his claim that Guilbeault was caught on camera saying she attacked him because of his skin color — but Manhattan prosecutors said they reviewed the driver's tape, where he claims the comment was captured, and that it is not 'clear enough' to confirm the woman made the comment. Guilbeault, a native of Northbridge, Mass., was riding with her friend in the backseat of Mahmud's car after he picked them up near Lexington Avenue and East 66th Street when she suddenly lurched forward and sprayed the noxious substance in the driver's eyes, prosecutors have said. Elite college graduate Jennifer Guilbeault has pleaded guilty in the Manhattan Supreme Court to aggravated harassment after pepper-spraying an Uber driver. Picture: Prosecutors said Guilbeault ambushed the driver when he began praying in Arabic just as he approached a red light — where she was then captured on Mahmud's dashcam repeatedly yelling, 'Get him out!' 'Her friend, she is yelling, 'Jen, Jen, what the f***, what are you doing? What's going on?' ' Mahmud told The Post days after the attack. 'Her friend is asking, 'Why did you do that?' And she say, 'He's brown.' ' Prosecutors said Guilbeault has expressed remorse for the attack and actively engaged in therapy and anti-bias programming since the summer incident — factors they considered, along with her lack of criminal record, when ironing out the deal. Guilbeault was caught on the driver's dashcam attacking him - and he claims he was pepper-sprayed because of his skin colour. Picture: Reddit They also noted in court papers that the victim was OK with the no-jail deal. Manhattan Supreme Court Judge Laura Ward accepted the terms of the plea. As part of the plea deal, Guilbeault will have to complete her community service within a year and continue with therapy and anti-bias and alcohol abuse programs. Manhattan prosecutors said it was unclear if Guilbeault attacked the driver due to his skin colour. Picture: Reddit If she completes all of the court-mandated punishments, she will be allowed to withdraw her plea on the aggravated harassment rap and plead down to the non-criminal offense of harassment in the second degree. Her lawyer, Michael Alber, did not respond to Post requests for comment on the sentencing. Alber has previously denied that Guilbeault's rage was fueled by hate. Guilbeault had just started a career at New York public relations firm D Pagan Communications in Melville, LI, before she was fired from the agency over the shocking incident. Originally published as Elite college grad who pepper-sprayed Muslim New York Uber driver dodges prison - for a surprising reason
The National
22-04-2025
- The National
Woman who pepper-sprayed Muslim Uber driver pleads guilty to aggravated harassment
A New York woman who pepper-sprayed her Muslim Uber driver has pleaded guilty to aggravated harassment, according to court documents seen by The National. "[Jennifer] Guilbeault has several programmes to complete as well as 100 hours of community service," read an email from the New York Supreme Criminal Court. Court documents alleged that in July last year, Guilbeault, 23, pepper-sprayed Uber driver Shohel Mahmud, 45, as he began to pray in Arabic at a red light. Guilbeault was seated in the back with another passenger. 'Ms Guilbeault lunged forward, towards the driver's seat,' the district attorney said at the time. Video obtained by local news outlet ABC7 showed that she then sprayed Mr Mahmud in the face. Mr Mahmud can be seen shouting in pain, and shortly after Guilbeault can be seen and heard saying to the other passenger: 'Get him out.' In the video, the other passenger appears shocked and repeatedly asks Guilbeault what she is doing. When describing the attack to ABC7, Mr Shohel said that he 'was kind of hanging out of the car' and that his seat belt prevented him from escaping initially. 'I closed my eyes and finally got out, but realised my car was running so I put it in park again and got out,' he said. Guilbeault was initially charged with hate crimes. 'Everyone is welcome to live and work in Manhattan, and our hate crimes unit will continue to address bias-motivated attacks by thoroughly investigating and prosecuting cases, conducting community outreach, and supporting victims,' said Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg when charges were first announced in October. Guilbeault's lawyer, Michael Alber, has not yet responded to The National's requests for comment on her guilty plea. In October, he said his client had not been "motivated by race, religion, national origin or any other discriminatory factor" in the incident. "This case needs to be looked at with all surrounding circumstances, which include assessing all of the evidence and lack of evidence," he added. "We look forward to working with the District Attorney's office to fully vet all of the facts in the proper forum, which does not embellish or exaggerate the claims, especially where the integrity and credibility of claims can properly be tested. "A full and fair review of the evidence is going to show a crime was not committed in this matter, and that a rush to judgment is not appropriate, and is hurtful to all those involved." Hate crimes generally concern specifically attacking someone due to bias-motivation based on ethnicity, religion, gender or disability. Hate crimes have strong potential to resulting in more severe penalties, but can often be more difficult to prove.
