Latest news with #TheStar
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Longtime fast-food chain closes all Kansas City area locations
A few months after closing multiple KC area locations, Jack in the Box appears to have exited the area completely. Its last remaining stores — 9101 Johnson Drive in Mission, 10137 Metcalf Ave. in Overland Park and 10630 Parallel Parkway in Kansas City, Kansas — have all closed. The company's website still lists a location as 'coming soon' at 740 NW Shoal Creek Parkway. Jack in the Box did not respond to The Star's request for comment Tuesday to say whether or not that location would open. Signs on the doors and windows of the Mission restaurant read: 'Thank you, Kansas City, for your support over the years. We've truly appreciated being part of the community.' The California-based chain has experienced financial hardship in the past few months. In April, after the KC area locations closed, the company announced that it would close 150-200 under-performing stores in an effort to save the brand. The company called the initiative the 'JACK on Track' plan, saying it seeks to run an 'asset-light business model.' In the company statement, Jack in the Box said it was 'exploring strategic alternatives' for Del Taco, a fast-food brand it acquired in 2022. Del Taco has shuttered more than a dozen locations across Colorado. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
The Star
2 hours ago
- Automotive
- The Star
Supportive legal framework needed for new tech
Digital Minister Gobind Singh Deo speaks at the ASEAN-GCC Economic forum 2025 at Mandarin Oriental hotel in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, —AZHAR MAHFOF/The Star. KUALA LUMPUR: Having a supportive legislative framework in place is essential towards building an ecosystem that can accommodate new and advanced technologies, says Digital Minister Gobind Singh Deo (pic). Apart from ensuring adequate technological infrastructure, he said there is a need to review legislations that may potentially pose challenges in implementing new technological solutions. Gobind said there is currently a unit in the National Artificial Intelligence Office (NAIO) looking into such matters and discussions on which laws may require amendments are already being held with various stakeholders. 'We have to be prepared to face these problems and deal with them when necessary, so we can build an ecosystem not just in terms of infrastructure but also a ready legislative framework that lets us move ahead,' he told reporters after the Asean-GCC Economic Forum. Citing the example of autonomous vehicle networks, Gobind said that in Malaysia, any vehicle on the road must have a licensed driver behind the wheel so as to adhere to legal requirements. 'When we talk about autonomous vehicle networks, we are looking at how cars can move on their own. 'We have also already seen autonomous buses in Putrajaya. The question is how we can prepare the legal framework for this,' he added. It was reported last year that an autonomous electric bus service trial will be rolled out in Putrajaya.
The Star
2 hours ago
- Politics
- The Star
Melaka CM lauds Chinese primary school's move to set up dedicated classroom for Islamic studies
MELAKA: Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh lauds a move by a Chinese primary school in Bertam Ulu here to introduce a dedicated Islamic studies classroom for its Muslim pupils. The Melaka Chief Minister described the gesture as a powerful symbol of unity and mutual respect in a multiracial society. "I am impressed by the initiative of SJK(C) Bertam Ulu to introduce a dedicated classroom for religious studies. "The commendable move by the school was also supported by the Bertam Ulu Chinese New Village Development and Safety Committee," he told The Star after visiting the school on Tuesday (May 29). Ab Rauf said the classes are aimed at the more than 100 Muslim pupils enrolled at the school. "I am emotionally touched by the strong sense of unity demonstrated here. "Bertam Ulu has been a melting pot of cultures for a very long time and this initiative reflects the true spirit of harmony that we cherish in the state,' he said. Ab Rauf said that the state government remains committed to fostering inclusivity and ensuring that all communities, regardless of race or religion, are supported equally. "This is a core value of our administration, we stand united and reject anything that attempts to divide us,' he said. Ab Rauf noted that the school management had relayed the concerns and aspirations of the teaching staff, particularly regarding the increasing number of Malay pupils, who now make up over 40% of the school's population. 'One of the school's main requests is for a new building, which would include a specially designed classroom for Islamic Education to allow pupils to learn in a more conducive environment. 'The current facilities are already overcrowded due to the growing student population," he said. Ab Rauf said the request for a new building was approved under the 9th Malaysia Plan (RMK-9), but it has remained pending. He assured the school's management that the state government would do its utmost to help bring the project to fruition. 'We will provide an official response to the request from SJK(C) Bertam Ulu for a new school building, ' he added. On a separate note, Ab Rauf said he hopes the concessionaire managing the state's stage bus service would take greater responsibility by enhancing the quality of its drivers' training. He said the concessionaire of the service, which is commonly known as "Pink Bus", was appointed by the Transport Ministry. Ab Rauf Yusoh said he made the call following a recent fatal accident involving a stage bus and growing complaints from the public over reckless driving of the stage buses that puts other road users at risk. 'Many locals have attributed these incidents to poor driving conduct, with some drivers displaying negligence. "There have been cases where carelessness has led to accidents,' he said. On May 26, the media reported that a subcontractor of a utility company was killed after a car, which was parked on a roadside, was rammed by a stage bus along the Lebuh Alor Gajah-Melaka Tengah-Jasin (AMJ) route at Sungai Petai here The crash, which occurred at around 4.55pm on May 26, claimed the life of 23-year-old Muhammad Aiman Mohd Farid, who was believed to have been thrown from the vehicle into a drain. The 22-year-old driver of the car, Muhammad Hakimi Hafiz Baharin, sustained bodily injuries. Following the incident, the 37-year-old bus driver was remanded for three days starting Tuesday (May 27) to assist in the investigation.
The Star
4 hours ago
- The Star
IGP: 144 saved from human traffickers so far this year
The Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Razarudin Husain during the Certificates of Appreciation during the Appreciation Ceremony of the Inspector-General of Police with the Media, 2025 in Bukit Aman, Kuala Lumpur.— MUHAMAD SHAHRIL ROSLI/The Star PETALING JAYA: Large-scale operations against human trafficking in the early part of this year have seen over 100 victims rescued, says Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Razarudin Husain (pic). A total of 45 operations led to the arrest of 249 suspects, he said at the monthly assembly of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) at Bukit Aman yesterday. 'One hundred and forty-four victims were saved from the net of human exploitation under Section 44 of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants Act 2007. 'The CID also recorded successes in the implementation of Operation Cyber Guardian organised by the Singapore Police Force, involving Japan, Hong Kong, South Korea, Singapore, Thailand and Malaysia. 'The operation that ran from Feb 28 to March 28 also focused on dismantling online sex crime (networks) against children. This operation then led to the arrest of four suspects, including a civil servant, as well as the seizure of over 50,000 pieces of child sex abuse material,' he said. The other suspects detained in the investigation were an accountant, a web designer and a telecommunications industry worker, Razarudin added. 'The arrest highlights the severe threat of cyber sexual crimes targeting vulnerable groups and reaffirm CID's unwavering commitment to combat these despicable offences,' he said. The IGP also commended ongoing efforts against illegal gambling via Ops Dadu Khas. 'A total of 6,719 raids were conducted with 8,603 people arrested. We also seized 3,464 electrical devices, including computers and handphones, as well as RM1.6mil in cash,' he said.
The Star
4 hours ago
- Health
- The Star
New rules for online healthcare
Better regulations: Online healthcare service providers will now have to adhere to several new guidelines set by the Health Ministry. — FAIHAN GHANI/The Star PETALING JAYA: Private online healthcare service providers, such as virtual clinics, are now required by the Health Ministry to comply with a set of guidelines that detail the standards and practices for their operations in the digital space. Under the guidelines, these providers are prohibited from attending to emergency cases involving injury or acute illnesses. The Health Ministry said in a circular dated May 5 that these guidelines would be an interim measure and could be a precursor to a future law to regulate the Online Healthcare Services (OHS) space. 'It is becoming apparent that healthcare policies and regulations created in an analogue age may be inadequate to cater for the often-disruptive healthcare service models in the digital age,' the guidelines said. 'Ambiguities and lacunas in the law create uncertainty for healthcare professionals, platform providers and patients alike. 'It is crucial for there to be clear standards and requirements to guide those involved in the online healthcare services industry,' the guidelines added. According to the guidelines that came into effect on May 5, OHS can only attend to non-emergency cases; follow-up management for stable cases; group session counselling services for areas such as psychology, nutrition or rehabilitation; referral or secondary care programme by specialist or consultant; or support services such as the supply of medication, laboratory and imaging services. They are barred from attending to emergency cases which involve injury or illness that are acute and pose an immediate risk to a person's life or long-term health or psychiatric cases requiring in-person sessions. Aside from that, cases which require the supply through post of any psychotropic drugs or drugs falling within the ambit of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 and its related regulations; as well as cases which require intermediate or complex medical treatment are also prohibited. The company that runs the platform must be incorporated and registered with the Companies Commission of Malaysia and those with e-pharmacy services must employ a licensed pharmacist. At least one senior member of the board must be a medical practitioner registered in Malaysia with a valid practising certificate. The platform must be based in Malaysia and have a physical office. The platform must also have in place processes and procedures to enable the registration of Healthcare Professionals and Patients; conduct proper and necessary screenings and checks; obtain all required supporting documents from healthcare professionals and patients; and extend their best efforts to verify their veracity before approving any registration. Patients' written information for the collection, use, processing and retention of confidential data and written information as well as the provision of OHS are obtained and recorded during the registration process in line with the Personal Data Protection Act 2010, the relevant Code of Professional Conduct and the Malaysian Medical Council Guideline. 'Such consent must be reproducible as and when required,' it said. A proper patient grievance mechanism and process to enable them to provide feedback on OHS, Healthcare Professionals and the platform must be in place. 'The Platform Provider shall ensure that any issue raised using such Grievance Mechanism is promptly addressed and managed,' it stated. 'The Platform is merely a technology platform to provide patients with access to Healthcare Professionals and facilitate the delivery of Online Healthcare Services, and there is no doctor-patient relationship between the Platform Provider and the Patient,' the guidelines said. It should also ensure the e-prescription issued must be controlled, given to the patient for single use only and can only be dispensed up to three times per prescription. Medications that are categorised under Group B under the Poisons Act 1952, whereby it cannot be purchased over the counter and can only be prescribed by a registered doctor or pharmacist, cannot be given on these platforms. 'Platform provider shall ensure any collection, use, processing, disclosure, transfer, retention and disposal of confidential data complies with all applicable laws including data protection laws,' it said. The healthcare professional employed by these platforms must be registered with a professional regulatory body in Malaysia; and possess valid practising certificate. 'A healthcare professional should have appropriate liability protection and coverage to provide protection from any malpractice incidences,' it said.
