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News18
17 hours ago
- Politics
- News18
Bangladesh Army Crushes Yunus' Dangerous Plot: India's Stance Vindicated
Yunus appears determined to cling to power and advance a broader foreign policy agenda—but now, the Bangladesh Army has stepped in, triggering a political meltdown A major showdown is brewing in Bangladesh. Like pieces on a chessboard, key players are taking their positions. On the one side is Muhammad Yunus, whose unelected regime continues to govern without elections. On the other is the military, led by Army Chief General Waker-uz-Zaman, who is demanding polls without further delay. The clash between them is growing increasingly confrontational. COUP, CORRIDOR AND CHAOS Yunus is under mounting pressure to hold elections. Political parties, including the dominant Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), are closing ranks against him. Meanwhile, the military's patience is wearing thin. Army Chief General Waker-uz-Zaman recently issued a sharp public warning, stating, 'Bangladesh needs political stability. This is only possible through an elected government, not by unelected decision-makers. The army is meant for defending the nation, not for policing. We must return to our barracks after the election." advetisement The trigger for this escalation seems to be Yunus' proposal for the Rakhine Corridor—a passage from Cox's Bazar to the state of Rakhine in Myanmar. The United States is pushing for this corridor under the pretext of humanitarian aid. But General Waker has called it a 'bloody corridor," fearing it could serve as a launchpad for military logistics or proxy operations in Myanmar. The corridor, he warned, endangers national sovereignty and risks dragging Bangladesh into conflicts with both the Burmese junta and regional militant groups. The army has made its red lines clear: 'We will not compromise on issues related to the corridor, national security, and national sovereignty." Despite alleged attempts by the U.S. to win over General Waker, he remains unconvinced. His recent visit to Russia, along with his resistance to Yunus' attempts to cosy up to Pakistan, China, and the U.S., in the current manner, speaks volumes. Waker has now called for elections by December 2025, making it clear that Yunus' time is running out. Meanwhile, Yunus is believed to be plotting a counter-move by engaging with other senior military officials. One such figure is Lieutenant General Faizur Rahman, reportedly aligned with Pakistani interests. Rahman has allegedly held meetings to sway the military away from Waker. However, sources indicate that Waker got wind of this and placed Rahman under surveillance. Since the ouster of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on August 5 last year, Bangladesh has been without elections. Law and order have deteriorated, and economic growth has stagnated. Public trust is eroding. Yunus, who was meant to be a temporary caretaker, has failed to deliver on his mandate—and some argue that this failure is intentional. THE YUNUS AGENDA Instead of focusing on stability and elections, Yunus has pursued sweeping changes that would alter Bangladesh's strategic trajectory for decades—moves that only an elected leader should undertake. Advertisement He has undermined India-Bangladesh relations, erasing decades of cooperation. He has warmed up to Pakistan, disregarding the scars of the 1971 war. He has allegedly offered the Lalmonirhat airbase—near India's sensitive Siliguri Corridor—to China. Clearly, Yunus wants a strategic alignment with Pakistan and China against India. And fourthly, he wants to turn his country into a mercenary by serving up the Rakhine corridor to the US. These are sweeping foreign policy and strategic pivots that Yunus simply has no legitimate rights to undertake. Yunus seems intent on clinging to power, using his position to push a broader agenda, particularly in foreign policy. His role was meant to be temporary, but he plans to overstay his welcome. This is also clear from his focus on foreign engagements meant to cement his rule. advetisement Yunus has been all over the world in less than a year— from the US and China to Switzerland, Azerbaijan, Egypt, UAE, Thailand, Qatar, and the Vatican City. It seems that by brushing shoulders with world leaders, Yunus is seeking to offset the need for elections back home. That strategy backfired recently when French President Emmanuel Macron refused to meet him at an upcoming UN conference. Following the snub, Yunus cancelled his trip. The facade is not lost on anyone. Legitimacy will only come from the ballot box, not photo ops. advetisement Under tremendous pressure to hold elections, Yunus even hinted at quitting from his position, but it soon became clear that this was more of a threat and a tactic to mobilise his supporters. Yunus now says that the country is in a 'war-like state," pushing for elections only between December 2025 and June 2026—after what he calls 'necessary reforms." The problem with that is Yunus does not have the mandate to carry out such changes and now he's asking for another year in power. In fact, the streets in Dhaka are plastered with posters demanding 'reforms first, elections later" and to 'keep Yunus in power for five years". That may explain why Yunus appears reluctant to relinquish control. Backed by student groups and radical Islamist parties including the Jamaat, Yunus may be inclined to hold on to power for as long as it takes. His followers are radical but not strong enough to win elections. Instead, the BNP and Sheikh Hasina's Awami league remain the dominant political forces. Yunus' recent ban on the Awami league also shows his fear of free and fair elections. The Jamaat wants to hold off on elections until Sheikh Hasina is tried in court. But Hasina is reportedly in India, and India has no plans to force her out. These delay tactics are meant to buy Yunus time and continue to blame India for Bangladesh's woes. Yunus continues to claim that foreign conspiracies are undermining the government's reform agenda. In a recent address, he warned that if efforts to ensure fair elections and uphold justice are disrupted, the government—along with the people—will 'take necessary steps." Without the support of the military, Yunus has only one strength — street power. Violence has been raging through the streets of Bangladesh. It's ironic that Yunus cries 'foreign plot'—when his own actions reek of external influence. Sheikh Hasina, too, has entered the fray. In an audio message, exiled Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina accused Yunus of 'selling out" the nation to foreign powers. 'My father did not agree to America's demands for St. Martin's Island. He had to give his life for that. I never thought of selling the country to stay in power." She described Yunus as a 'militant leader" who took power with the help of extremists and terrorists, many of whom had previously been imprisoned and are now roaming free. 'The prisons have been emptied. Militants rule Bangladesh now," she said. St. Martin's Island, a tiny but strategic 3-square-kilometer territory near the Myanmar border in the Bay of Bengal, holds geostrategic importance with oversight of the Malacca Strait. Sheikh Hasina has repeatedly claimed that her refusal to hand it over to American interests cost her father his life—and cost her her own premiership. 'I could have remained in power," she said earlier, 'if I had surrendered the sovereignty of St. Martin's Island and allowed America to hold sway over the Bay of Bengal." INDIA'S DILEMMA For India, this rift between Yunus and the army is concerning as much as it is vindicating. Relations with the Yunus regime are at rock bottom. Bangladesh has restricted yarn imports through land ports, prompting India to retaliate by limiting Bangladeshi imports through the same route. A $770 million bilateral textile trade is now at risk. Contracts have been cancelled on both sides — including a $21 million shipping deal by Bangladesh and an Indian decision to possibly drop an economic zone in Chittagong. But beyond trade, there's a bigger strategic worry. Yunus' reference to India's northeast as a landlocked region, with potential to become an 'extension" of the Chinese economy — and his offer to China for access to an airbase near India's Siliguri Corridor — a potential chokepoint in a future conflict — is a major red flag with direct consequences for India's northeast. The proposed Rakhine corridor could also destabilise Myanmar and trigger a refugee crisis that spills into India's northeast. top videos View All India may see Gen. Waker—with all his flaws—as the lesser evil. He supports the 1971 independence spirit, opposes militant groups, opposes foreign interference and demands a return to democracy. This aligns with New Delhi's stance — Free, fair, inclusive elections must be held. But that also means the ban on Awami League must be lifted. Waker's opposition to the Rakhine corridor aligns with India's regional concerns. But Waker is also a wildcard — paranoid about being overthrown, and still carrying the baggage of his own role in Hasina's ouster. It is unlikely that the military will seize power but it is not beyond the realm of possibilities, especially as Yunus refuses to restore democracy in the name of revolution. Bottomline is, Yunus' unelected regime is inflicting tremendous damage on India-Bangladesh relations seemingly at the behest of China, Pakistan—his external allies and the Islamist forces within. If he is allowed to continue down this path, the future of this relationship will be stolen from the people on both sides of the border. Elections are the only way forward. That does not mean that challenges will not remain. Bangladesh's election process will remain tarnished with the rise of Islamists and the violent state-led suppression of the Awami league. But an elected government, accountable to its people, is more likely to uphold diplomatic engagement and maintain true autonomy, rather than be swayed by external actors. Location : New Delhi, India, India First Published: May 28, 2025, 16:20 IST News opinion Bangladesh Army Crushes Yunus' Dangerous Plot: India's Stance Vindicated | Finepoint
NDTV
a day ago
- General
- NDTV
Video: Mushroom Cloud Over China Chemical Plant After Massive Explosion
A large explosion at a chemical plant in eastern China on Tuesday caused giant plumes of smoke to rise from the building, state media said, with no casualties immediately reported. The blast occurred at the Youdao Chemical plant at around 11:57 am (0357 GMT) in Gaomi, a town in Shandong province around 450 kilometres (280 miles) southeast of the capital Beijing, according to the China News agency. See video here: #BREAKING #CHINA 🇨🇳 Massive explosion rocked the Shandong Youdao Chemical plant in Gaomi, China today. 🔥🔥🔥 — THE UNKNOWN MAN (@Theunk13) May 27, 2025 Videos broadcast by the Beijing newspaper Xinjingbao showed a gigantic column of grey smoke rising into the sky, a fire in an industrial zone and shop windows apparently blown out by the explosion. Clips also showed debris strewn across a road, a car with a smashed windscreen, and dark orange flames devouring installations in the background. Emergency services dispatched 55 vehicles and 232 first responders to the scene, the national Ministry of Emergency Management said in a statement. Youdao Chemical manufactures "low-toxicity" pesticides and employs around 300 people on a site of 47 hectares (116 acres), according to the Chinese online media The Paper. Industrial accidents occur regularly in China, where safety standards in its countless factories are sometimes not respected. In 2015, explosions at warehouses containing flammable chemicals in the port city of Tianjin killed over 170 people and injured 700 others.
Malaysian Reserve
2 days ago
- Health
- Malaysian Reserve
Perkeso elevating prevention, rehab and job reintegration as Malaysia ages
Its strategic shift from compensation-based support to prevention and rehabilitation marks a significant evolution in its mandate by AKMAR ANNUAR THE Social Security Organisation (Perkeso) is expanding its role beyond traditional social protection to address the complex needs of older Malaysians as the country prepares to enter aged nation status by 2030. With rising life expectancy and a growing elderly population, Perkeso's strategic shift from compensation-based support to prevention and rehabilitation marks a significant evolution in its mandate. CEO Datuk Seri Dr Mohammed Azman Aziz Mohammed firmly believes that prevention should come before rehabilitation, and rehabilitation should come before compensation. 'The organisation is committed to building an inclusive, future-ready protection system that evolves with the country's demographic realities,' he told The Malaysian Reserve (TMR). Malaysia is expected to become an aged nation in just five years, with 14% of its population aged 65 and above. The looming 'silver tsunami' has long been anticipated, prompting Perkeso to roll out targeted initiatives over the past decade. The organisation is committed to building an inclusive, future-ready protection system, says Dr Mohammed Azman (pic: MEDIA MULIA) Early Detection One of its earliest measures was the Health Screening Programme (HSP), launched in 2013 to detect chronic illnesses early among insured persons aged 40 and above. The HSP includes physical examinations, blood and urine tests, pap smears and mammograms for women, and mental health screening. As of April 19 this year, 883,521 individuals had benefitted from the programme. Dr Mohammed Azman said the initiative helps lower long-term healthcare costs and reduces disability risks by ensuring timely treatment and promoting healthy ageing. Private sector workers under 60 are statutorily covered under the Employment Injury Scheme and the Invalidity Pension Scheme, as provided by the Employees' Social Security Act 1969 (Act 4). Those who continue working after 60 are still required to contribute to the Employ- ment Injury Scheme, with employers contributing 1.25% of monthly wages. As of March 2025, there were 342,887 active contributors aged 60 and above under Act 4. Meanwhile, self-employed and informal sector workers are covered under the Self-Employment Social Security Act 2017 (Act 789). This includes gig workers such as e-hailing drivers, delivery riders and, since January this year, hawkers and petty traders. Self-employed workers, including hawkers and petty traders, are covered under Self-Employment Social Security Act 2017 (Act 789) (pic: TMRpic) A total of 103,833 self-employed persons aged 60 and above are now actively covered under Act 789. Perkeso also supports job-matching and reintegration through its MyFutureJobs portal, which offers career fairs, placement programmes and upskilling opportunities. To date, 15,553 older workers from this group have been successfully placed into employment. Recent figures also show a steady increase in payouts to older contributors, reflecting rising demand for support. Under Act 4, a total of 11,437 beneficiaries aged 60 and above were recorded in 2023, followed by 9,951 in 2024 and 2,376 in the first quarter of 2025. Under Act 789, Perkeso registered 511 beneficiaries in 2023; 767 in 2024 and 237 in the first quarter of this year. Dr Mohammed Azman elaborated that Perkeso's actuarial models now account for age-specific incidence of illness, injury and disability to better estimate future liabilities. He explained that the agency is reviewing eligibility conditions, contribution rules and benefit scope to reflect the realities of a greying workforce. To manage costs, Perkeso now operates 5 of its own dialysis centres, reducing reliance on over 800 third-party providers Managing Cost One of Perkeso's biggest sustainability concerns is rising medical inflation, especially as non-communicable diseases (NCDs) increase. In 2023, 29,310 insured persons were diagnosed with NCDs, a 26.5% increase from 23,174 in 2022. Perkeso has also borne the full cost of dialysis for insured individuals with end-stage kidney failure since 1999. What began as an RM1.12 million expenditure has grown to RM350 million annually. To manage costs, Perkeso now operates five of its own dialysis centres — in Klang and Shah Alam, Selangor; Kluang and Batu Pahat, Johor; and Kuala Lumpur (KL) — reducing reliance on over 800 third-party providers. Dr Mohammed Azman noted that gradual policy shifts are being considered to ensure social protection remains financially viable while meeting the health needs of a longer-living population. He added that protecting income alone is no longer sufficient — the goal is income sustainability and re-employment where possible. Perkeso Return-to-Work (RTW) programme continues to play a critical role in rehabilitating injured and disabled workers. Since 2020, 3,214 workers aged 60 and above have been referred to the programme. Of that total, 1,957 (61%) have successfully rejoined the workforce. A majority (78%) were reinstated into their pre-injury roles, while 15% started microenterprises supported by Perkeso's capital grants and advisory services. Industries with the highest RTW placements among older workers include manufacturing (21%), wholesale and retail (18%), and transport and storage (11%). In terms of job retention, 92% of cases successfully remained employed at their workplaces for a period of three months or above. To improve outcomes, Perkeso has introduced geriatric-informed case management. These plans incorporate physical, cognitive and psychological assessments and are administered by trained Disability Management Officers. Wellness modules and preventive screenings are also embedded in the rehabilitation journey. Additionally, Perkeso is formalising flexible reintegration pathways, allowing elderly workers to return on a part-time or phased basis in collaboration with employers. The agency offers mini-grants, ergonomic audits, workplace modifications and job coaching to support these transitions. It works with age-friendly employers and Human Resource Development Corp (HRDCorp) to develop training in digital literacy, modified-duty skills and entrepreneurship. To monitor the results of these reintegration and shape future policies, a centralised outcomes dashboard is being built. Despite these efforts, awareness and participation among informal and elderly workers remain low. Many senior citizens are still working in sectors such as agriculture but are not aware of their eligibility to be protected Lack of Awareness Universiti Malaya Social Wellbeing Research Centre director Prof Emer Datuk Norma Mansor said that only 26% of the estimated 1.1 million informal workers are contributing to Perkeso. 'The lack of awareness and the voluntary nature of these schemes are major hurdles,' she told TMR. She said a recent survey conducted by her centre found that 30% of Malaysians aged between 60 and 69 are still working, along with 16% of those aged between 70 and 79 and 4.5% of those over 80. Many of them are in agriculture, forestry and informal services. Yet, she said, they are not aware of their eligibility to be protected. Norma acknowledged Perkeso's outreach efforts, including public expos and campaigns, but noted that awareness gaps persist even among community leaders. 'Some community heads I spoke to did not even know elderly informal workers could enrol, and that is a problem,' she disclosed. She said while Malaysia's universal healthcare system is praiseworthy, public long-term care services remain minimal. 'Most long-term care is family-provided. We have very little institutional support or public spending in this space,' she added. Norma said Malaysia also lacks insurance options for long-term care, which leaves the elderly exposed. She explained that most private insurance policies either become void or require prohibitively high premiums once individuals reach a certain age, effectively leaving low-income elderly people without any form of financial protection. She proposed a mandatory contribution model for all working Malaysians into a national social protection fund. 'It could be small contributions — perhaps subsidised or paid by family members — but everyone should be included,' she said. Norma proposes a mandatory contribution model for all working Malaysians into a national social protection fund Norma warned that as Malaysia ages, the country could face intergenerational poverty and a shrinking workforce if ageing needs are not addressed. She said if the social protection system fails to support older individuals, their adult children may have to leave the workforce to become full-time caregivers, which would result in a significant loss to the economy. Norma called for stronger collaboration between Perkeso and the Employees Provident Fund (EPF) to create a more sustainable model. 'Perkeso should handle protection against illness and injury, while EPF ensures retirement income. Together, they can build a more comprehensive net,' she said. Norma also emphasised that Malaysia should benchmark against countries like Australia and New Zealand, where ageing citizens benefit from more structured social and eldercare systems. Malaysia needs a long-term care strategy that combines public funding, community-based care and viable insurance models. 'Currently, it is left to chance. We need a national approach that considers longer lifespans, delayed retirement and chronic care needs,' she said. During the Movement Control Order (MCO), Perkeso stepped in with temporary assistance schemes for retrenched individuals. 'It was during MCO that I truly saw what Perkeso can do. It kept many afloat,' she said. She also highlighted the gap in coverage for informal workers who lack access to the Employment Insurance System (EIS). These workers are highly vulnerable and that it is time to make social protection universal, not segmented. Ageing is also not only a healthcare or welfare issue but one that cuts across economic development and social justice. 'We can no longer afford to think of ageing as a marginal issue. It is now mainstream,' she said. Beneficiaries Retirees and workers interviewed by TMR highlighted the value of Perkeso's schemes. A Komlah, a 49-year-old widow, receives RM2,673 monthly under the Dependant's Benefit scheme after her husband died in a factory accident. Perkeso also covered funeral costs and helped her daughter secure employment via MyFutureJobs. Ahmad Nasrin, a 59-year-old construction worker, was retrained and rehired as a safety supervisor after a spinal injury while former port manager Vijay Nadarajah re-entered the job market after being forcibly retired at 60. 'Sixty is the new 50. We are still capable, but there is little structured help for us,' he said. Currently, Perkeso's invalidity pension is only payable if a person becomes disabled before 60. After that, only employment-related injuries are covered, leaving gaps for age-related illnesses or disabilities post-retirement. Norma said this loophole must be addressed by evolving the legal framework to ensure continuous protection regardless of age. Perkeso has laid a strong foundation, but its role will need to be continuously expanded, reformed and strengthened to meet Malaysia's changing demographic landscape. 'Ageing with dignity means more than surviving. It means being seen, supported and secure,' Norma said. With nearly half a million older workers already under its care, Perkeso is well-positioned to anchor Malaysia's transition into an inclusive and compassionate ageing society. This article first appeared in The Malaysian Reserve weekly print edition
Newsweek
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Newsweek
The Handmaid's Tale Season 6 Episode 10 – Release Date, Schedule, Where To Watch
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Entertainment gossip and news from Newsweek's network of contributors We have arrived at the grand finale of The Handmaid's Tale, with episode ten of season six approaching on Tuesday, May 27. It has been a rollercoaster ride of a season, and now audiences get to see what the eight-year-long television show has been leading to in the final episode, titled "The Handmaid's Tale". As per the episode's official synopsis, June will reflect on her experiences in Gilead and decide what she will do next. THE HANDMAID'S TALE – 'Execution' – June faces her biggest challenge as Gilead cracks down on the rebels. THE HANDMAID'S TALE – 'Execution' – June faces her biggest challenge as Gilead cracks down on the rebels. Disney/Steve Wilkie READ: A Nice Indian Boy Gets New Digital Release Date – Where To Watch You are not going to want to miss the long-awaited finale, so to help you, we've got all the information on how to watch The Handmaid's Tale season six finale, including The Handmaid's Tale season six finale release time and The Handmaid's Tale season six finale release date. The Handmaid's Tale Season 6 Episode 10 Release Date The Handmaid's Tale season six, episode ten, releases May 27, 2025. New episodes of The Handmaid's Tale season six air weekly on Tuesdays through May 27, 2025. The Handmaid's Tale Season 6 Episode 10 – How to Watch The Handmaid's Tale season six finale will be available to stream on Hulu from 9 pm Pacific Time (PT) on May 26, 2025/Midnight Eastern Time (ET) on May 27. To watch The Handmaid's Tale season six finale, you will need a Hulu subscription. A monthly subscription is $9.99, or you can get the Disney Bundle, which includes Hulu, Disney+, and either ESPN+ or Max. That starts at $16.99 per month. What Time Does The Handmaid's Tale Season 6 Episode 10 Come Out? The Handmaid's Tale season six, episode ten, will be released at 9 pm Pacific Time on May 26/Midnight Eastern Time on May 27, 2025. New episodes of The Handmaid's Tale debut at different times depending on your time zone due to the late PT release. Here's what time new episodes become available globally: May 27 BRT : 1:00 am : 1:00 am BST : 5:00 am : 5:00 am CEST : 6:00 am : 6:00 am IST : 9:30 pm : 9:30 pm JST : 1:00 pm : 1:00 pm AET : 2:00 pm : 2:00 pm NZST: 4:00 pm The Handmaid's Tale Season 6 Episode 10 Runtime The official runtime for the season finale of The Handmaid's Tale season six is unavailable. So far this season, episodes have been between 39 and 57 minutes long. What Will Happen in The Handmaid's Tale Season 6 Finale? The official synopsis for The Handmaid's Tale season six finale reads: June reflects on her experiences in Gilead and decides what to do next. The episode is titled "The Handmaid's Tale". Synopses for previous episodes in season six of The Handmaid's Tale are as follows: Episode One: June and Serena's journey takes an unexpected turn. Moira makes a bold decision. Nick deals with a powerful visitor. June and Serena's journey takes an unexpected turn. Moira makes a bold decision. Nick deals with a powerful visitor. Episode Two: June tries to settle in a new community. Serena seeks a sanctuary. Luke and Moira take a big risk. June tries to settle in a new community. Serena seeks a sanctuary. Luke and Moira take a big risk. Episode Three: June struggles to save her loved ones. Commander Lawrence welcomes diplomats to New Bethlehem. Aunt Lydia searches for Janine. June struggles to save her loved ones. Commander Lawrence welcomes diplomats to New Bethlehem. Aunt Lydia searches for Janine. Episode Four: June disrupts the rebels' plans. Commander Lawrence gains power and influence. June disrupts the rebels' plans. Commander Lawrence gains power and influence. Episode Five: June and Moira go undercover. Serena and Nick make consequential choices. June and Moira go undercover. Serena and Nick make consequential choices. Episode Six: June hides in an unexpected place. June hides in an unexpected place. Episode Seven: After a shocking revelation, June spirals. Serena plans for a prestigious future. After a shocking revelation, June spirals. Serena plans for a prestigious future. Episode Eight: June and Moira execute their dangerous plan. Serena makes a big commitment. June and Moira execute their dangerous plan. Serena makes a big commitment. Episode Nine: June faces her biggest challenge as Gilead cracks down on the rebels. (as per IMDb) Will There Be a Season 7 of The Handmaid's Tale? No. Season six will be the final season of The Handmaid's Tale.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Tequila Moore making, designing ‘Sweet Treats' for the city
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WJBF) – Tequila Moore understands the importance of being a part of a community, and that is what makes her business Sweets By Tequila a major success. Moore stops by WJBF to talk about how she got started in making and designing 'Sweet Treats,' plus, some taste testers join us for the Sweets on the Streets experience!So, when I was younger, every summer in high school, I would go spend the summer with my aunt in Aiken, and she made candy lollipops and personalized them for people's weddings and things like that. So fast forward some years later, she passed, and it never was a desire. I got pregnant, and I was sitting in the doctor's office. I saw blue and pink candy apples in a magazine, and I was curious on how to make them. So, I had them for my baby shower. After that, people just started messaging me like, 'Hey, how did you get those apples that color?' Because, you know, we're familiar with just red apples at the fair. So, what started as a hobby turned into a business, and so here we are almost ten years later. THE KULTURE | The Brunch House Of Augusta It felt so good because when I look back where I started and what my treats used to look like, people were literally spending their money for that. So, what I offer now is like, 'Oh, my God, people really supported me back then.' So, it's a great feeling, especially knowing that there are other businesses out that probably have been in business that they could have went to, and some of those people are still my customers. I've watched their babies grow up. We've done baby showers, birthday parties, graduations, we do all things sweet. We have candy apples, Rice Krispie treats, pretzels, anything sweet we make it. We don't bake a lot, but we do birthday parties, weddings, engagements, office parties, whatever you want to throw we make a treat for it. We do engagement boxes. We do personalized orders as well. So, it doesn't always have to be party orders. If you want to pop the question, we can make a box for her to have so we do things like that. ALSO ON WJBF: The Stop Food Truck 'stopping by' to discuss supporting local farmers, growing your own food I never do party orders without candy apples. That's the number one thing. I've literally made a candy apple look like a baby doll or a spray can. So, yeah, people always want candy apples with their package orders. I never get away from them. (Laughs)Oh, I love to dip strawberries, but I love candy apples, too. We have a love hate-relationship. (Laughs) It's the packaging. If I could just dip and not do the packaging, I would be good to go, but of course, you can't leave them open because they'll get sticky. But yeah, I love to dip strawberries, I do. (Laughs) THE KULTURE | Actress, producer Nakia Burrise I think it's my drive, and I'm willing to teach others as well. I've taught classes on how to make treats. I've helped a lot of other treat makers, and we support each other as well. So, a lot of us work together with parties and things like that. However, I'm always looking for something different, and I'm always a student. I like to learn more, so I learn from other treat makers online as well. THE KULTURE | AE The Cool So, I have a website, and it is . I also have Facebook and Instagram pages @SweetsByTequila, or my personal page, . Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
