Latest news with #UTP
Agriland
4 days ago
- Business
- Agriland
‘Transparency' must be instilled in Agri-Food Regulator
Transparency and confidence must be instilled in the Agri-Food Regulator according to a senator who has called on the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon, to grant the regulator additional powers. Senator Victor Boyhan told the Seanad that Agri-Food Regulator 'should be in a position to produce the price and market reports' of the agri-food sector. 'The food regulator must carry out its functions. 'There must be reliable and verifiable sources of information it can stand over, so data is critical with regard to analysing the supply chain and the engagement and collaboration of all sides. The point about all sides is important,' the senator added. He also warned that if the regulator is to carry out its functions 'it must have the right to compel all information that is accurate and verifiable'. Agri-Food Regulator Responding in the Seanad, Minister Heydon said that the Bill that established the the regulator performs two key functions. The Minister added: 'It enforces the law on unfair trading practices, UTP, and it performs a price and market analysis and reporting function. 'Section 12 of the Agricultural and Food Supply Chain Act 2023 requires the regulator to publish analysis of information about price and market data relating to the agricultural and food supply chain. 'Currently, in respect of that function, the act provides that the regulator may seek from businesses … any data impacting upon price and margins considered necessary.' However Minister Heydon also highlighted that currently the act does not permit the Agri-Food Regulator to 'compel' businesses to provide financial information that is not in the public domain. But it does provide that the minister may make regulations on price and market information. The Programme for Government also commits to giving the Agri-Food Regulator 'enhanced powers to ensure transparency in the food supply chain with regard to providing market information'. Minister Heydon told the Seanad: 'I am fully committed to ensuring that the regulator is equipped with the necessary powers to fulfil its statutory function, subject to the legislative and consultative process. 'I need to ensure that the powers granted are proportionate. 'My department and I are in discussions with the Agri-Food Regulator and other key stakeholders to see how this can be achieved.'
The Star
25-05-2025
- Science
- The Star
UTP's water cube back in global race
WINNING an award for their water purification innovation three years ago turned out to be just the beginning for a group of students. Determined to take their project further, the winners of the 'RAPID Award' at the 2022 ChemE Cube Competition in Arizona, United States, entered it in another competition last year. Their enterprising spirit was recently rewarded when they were named the National Winner for Malaysia at the 2024 Energy Globe Award. The team's 'ShuiNew' water purification innovation. Calling themselves the Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS (UTP) ChemE Cube Team, the group of six comprises Poh Ching Hong (team lead), Kenneth Chong Yih Haur, Foo Jia Wen, Yap Wei Cheng, Liew Lih Xua and Low Chen Khang – all 24-year-old undergraduates pursuing engineering degrees at UTP in various disciplines, namely chemical, electrical and electronics, and mechanical engineering. According to Chong, the Energy Globe National Awards were presented at the country level across more than 180 participating nations. 'The best projects from each country will be nominated for the Energy Globe World Award soon,' he told StarEdu. Having received the national award on Feb 4, Chong expressed his team's hope of being nominated for the international stage in Austria. 'If we win at the international level, it can assist us in seeking funding opportunities for small-scale production,' he said. Describing his team's 'ShuiNew' innovation as compact and cost-effective, Chong said the water purification device is designed to tackle clean water challenges in developing regions. 'This one-cubic-foot setup utilises chlorination, coconut shell-based activated carbon adsorption, and ceramic membrane separation to remove up to 99.99% of chlorine, bacteria and viruses – providing a sustainable and accessible solution for communities lacking safe drinking water,' he said. He added that the system aims to purify at least 25 litres of surface water per day and meet the required drinking water standards at low cost. 'We came up with this idea considering that in Malaysia, access to clean water is still inconsistent and limited, especially in rural areas. 'As ShuiNew is portable, it uses lower energy input, resulting in significantly lower manufacturing costs compared to existing solutions. Consequently, it is more affordable,' he explained. Chong shared that their latest recognition at the Energy Globe Award further validates its potential global impact. 'It gives us the motivation to work harder to contribute to the community in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation),' he said. He shared that the team is actively looking for partners who can help to refine the product, and further develop and commercialise the system. 'The advantage of the system is that it is modular, allowing for more flexibility and scalability, instead of requiring a scale-up from a small prototype, which is often more challenging from an engineering perspective,' he said. To students looking to develop impactful innovations, Chong had this to say: 'Don't be afraid to take on challenges, especially as engineers are often required to solve problems innovatively. 'Having supportive teammates can help delegate tasks and solve problems together.' He also said having supportive advisers is just as crucial, adding that his team was under the guidance of the then-UTP lecturer Dr Chuah Chong Yang. 'We'd also like to acknowledge the UTP Centre for Student Development for providing financial support for the construction of the cube, as well as the UTP Robotics Society (Petrobots) for the workspace and tools,' he said. Urging students to participate in science, technology and innovation competitions, he said it is necessary to stay informed about recent advancements. 'We hope that our achievement will motivate younger students to participate in such competitions,' he said. Held annually since 2000, the Energy Globe Award is presented by the nonprofit Energy Globe Organization based in Austria. Its aim is to highlight outstanding sustainable and impactful solutions addressing global environmental challenges. Charis, 22, a student in Kuala Lumpur, is a participant of the BRATs Young Journalist Programme run by The Star's Newspaper-in-Education (Star-NiE) team. For updates on the BRATs programme, go to With the theme of the article in mind, carry out the following English language activities. 1. Write five sentences based on the article, but include incorrect factual information. Exchange papers with a friend and rewrite each other's sentences with the correct facts. 2. Use words and pictures from today's newspaper to create a poster with your group. Your poster should show a new invention that could help solve an environmental problem in your country or the world. When your group is ready, present your poster to the class. The Star's Newspaper-in-Education (Star-NiE) programme promotes English language learning in primary and secondary schools nationwide. For Star-NiE enquiries, email starnie@
Agriland
20-05-2025
- Business
- Agriland
1-in-7 agri-food suppliers report unfair trading practices
One-in-seven agri-food suppliers have reported being subject to unfair trading practices (UTPs) according to a survey carried out for An Rialálaí Agraibhia (Agri-Food Regulator). The regulator has released the findings of its first supplier survey which gathered feedback from agri-food suppliers on their experiences of trading with eight specific buyers in the retail and wholesale sectors. Conducted by Coyne Research, the Agri-Food Regulator's Suppliers Survey covered two main areas: compliance with the UTP regulations; and other general trading issues. The survey provided feedback on over 940 trading relationships. The results of the survey form the basis of the inaugural conference of the Agri-Food Regulator, which is being held today (Tuesday, May 20). The regulator said that results indicate an overall high level of supplier satisfaction with how buyers conduct their business. While a 'high level of compliance' with the UTP regulations was also noted, the survey found that one-in-seven respondents still report being subject to an unfair trading practice. The two most common issues faced being faced by respondents were being required to pay for loss or deterioration of a product, and delayed payments. Lack of awareness on rights, and the wish to maintain long-term relationships, where cited ad the key reasons for suppliers not raising issued with buyers. Furthermore, less than half the respondents were aware that the regulator's compliant procedure is confidential. The year ahead for agri-food suppliers 70% of suppliers said that cost increases and inflation were the biggest concern for the year ahead. Commenting on these results, CEO of the Agri-Food Regulator, Niamh Lenehan said: 'I'm pleased to release the findings from what we intend to be an annual suppliers survey. 'We are grateful to those six businesses who cooperated with the regulator to distribute the survey to their agri-food suppliers – Aldi Ireland, BWG Foods, Lidl Ireland, Marks and Spencer Ireland, Musgrave Group and Tesco Ireland. 'I very much welcome these survey findings which will be used to inform our work programme for the year ahead. 'This will include using the information received to progress the development of guidelines for buyers, and the conducting of further risk-based inspections with respect to compliance with unfair trading law,' she said. Lenehan did admit that she is concerned that 14% of respondents reported experiences that they characterised as unfair trading practices. She said it was concerning that some suppliers reported that they may not raise a potential breach of the regulations with either the buyers or the regulator. 'Fear of retaliation and potential damage to trading relationships are clear concerns expressed and which then potentially impact negatively on the efficient functioning of the supply chain. 'With less than half of the respondents aware that the regulator operates a confidential complaint process, we acknowledge that we have a significant amount of work to do in creating greater understanding and awareness of unfair trading practices and the role of the regulator,' Lenehan said. The conference taking place today will also examine wider aspects of the agri-food landscape – including the biggest challenges facing suppliers in the year ahead, and the progress being made at national and EU level towards greater transparency for primary producers.
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
US Congresswoman Calls For Tory Lanez's Pardon After Prison Stabbing Incident
Republican Florida Representative Anna Paulina Luna has called for Tory Lanez's freedom. The politician posted a plea for the rapper's freedom on social media, which has caught the attention of many fans. Luna's call comes a week after Lanez was brutally stabbed multiple times in prison, where he is currently serving a 10-year jail term for shooting Megan Thee Stallion. On Monday, Luna took to Twitter to share a link to a petition championed by the Caldwell Institute for Public Safety asking California Governor Gavin Newsom to pardon Lanez, whose real name is Daystar Peterson. In addition to sharing the link, Luna made an impassioned plea to Newsom. She wrote, "I am calling on Gov. Newsom @CAgovernor to review Tory Lanez's case and issue a pardon." Luna continued, "His 10-year sentence was based on flawed evidence, political pressure, and prosecutorial bias. Justice must be blind— not driven by headlines." She concluded by writing, "Free Tory Lanez." Luna's request to the California Governor generated wide-ranging reactions from netizens, with some supporting her call while others questioned it. One person in support wrote, "At one point, I was on Megan Thee Stallion's side, but I actually took time to read this case Jesus Christ, bro... it is so messy and inconsistent.. and the people that are upset are the people that have never read into the case at all. They're just getting all their information from Twitter." Another person supporting the call for Lanez's release wrote, "Absolutely agree. Every case deserves a fair review, free from politics or media pressure. Equal justice should always come first." A third person added, "Thank you for using your voice to bring an innocent man home." On the other hand, several others slammed Luna, asking her to focus on what she was elected for. One person wrote, "Stick to Florida and stay out of California business." Another person added, "@RepLuna, you are totally wrong. Have you reviewed the case? There was nothing political about this shooting that occurred in 2020. You have been lied to and misled. This man had 3 years to gather a defense and have his witnesses. Including his personal bodyguard who disappeared then on the last day suddenly appeared. His own witness a neighbor put the weapon in his hands. So by all means, let's review the evidence. You will find the verdict was justified. You just made it a political issue." Rep. Anna Paulina Luna's call for Lanez's pardon follows new evidence presented by his attorneys in their continued fight for his freedom. On May 14, The Blast reported that Unite the People (UTP), a nonprofit focused on legal advocacy, held a press conference introducing a statement from Bradley James, the former driver and bodyguard of Megan's ex-best friend, Kelsey Harris. James claimed he overheard Harris confess to firing the weapon herself, with Lanez intervening to stop her. According to James, Lanez never fired or touched the gun. UTP's legal consultant, Walter Roberts, stated that James's account aligns with previous trial testimony from Sean Kelly, the only non-involved eyewitness, who also placed Harris near the weapon. Roberts raised concerns about investigative inconsistencies, pointing out that Lanez was the only person tested for DNA, despite unknown DNA being found on the gun. He questioned why Harris and the driver, Jaequan Smith, were not tested or if their results were withheld. The new claims added further complexity to the case, which has been riddled with controversy and unanswered questions from the very beginning. UTP's presentation of new evidence came two days after Lanez was brutally stabbed 14 times on May 12, 2025, at California Correctional Institution. The attacker, 42-year-old Santino Casio, is a convicted murderer with a long history of violent offenses while incarcerated. Casio reportedly ambushed Lanez in a housing unit, causing both of the rapper's lungs to collapse. Emergency responders rushed Lanez to the hospital, where he was placed on a breathing device. Despite the severe injuries, he is now breathing on his own and is in stable condition. Meanwhile, authorities began an investigation into how Casio was able to carry out the attack, given his violent background.
Time of India
15-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
HC grants bail to Maoist leader, says unending trial no reason to indefinitely keep a person in jail
Cuttack: A person cannot be kept under confinement for an indefinite period on the assurance that one day the trial would be concluded, Orissa high court observed while granting bail to Maoist leader Sabyasachi Panda in a case registered against him at Tarasingi police station in Ganjam district in 2008. "In such event of long custody, the undertrial prisoner (UTP) would be the worse sufferer," Justice Gourishankar Satapathy said on Tuesday, adding, "If the UTP is acquitted of the charge after remaining in custody for a substantial period, the process cannot be reversed to give the UTP his earlier life because it is an irreversible process." The 56-year-old Maoist leader was arrested from a residential house in Berhampur by state police on July 18, 2014. Panda has since been in jail. He was wanted by police in different districts as several Maoist related cases were pending against him at the time of arrest. The case registered at the Tarsingi police station in Ganjam district was one of them. Pointing out that right to speedy trial is a "fundamental right of an accused", Justice Satapathy observed, "Keeping a person in detention for a period of more than 10 years without the assurance of speedy trial would by any standard constitute violation of right to speedy trial as guaranteed under Article 21 of the Constitution of India." by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Khám phá bộ sưu tập sofa giảm giá đẹp cho phòng khách hiện đại southermore Tìm Ngay Undo As per records, out of 132 cases registered against Panda, he has been acquitted in 97. Out of the remaining 35 cases, he has been convicted in one case and granted bail in six, prior to Tuesday. In the Tarasingi police station case, Panda is accused of rioting with deadly weapons along with co-accused and setting fire to an office and furniture by hurling bombs. "No doubt, the allegation against the petitioner (Panda) is grave and serious, but the prosecution is unable to produce any convincing evidence till today to justify the further detention of the petitioner in custody," Justice Satapathy observed, while granting him bail on furnishing bail bonds of Rs 50,000 with two solvent sureties each for the like amount.
