GRAPES

 

Classified under the family of berries, grapes come in different varieties as well as colours – green, red, blue, purple and black. While majority of the production of grapes in the world are used by the wine making industry, the remaining lot is consumed as fruits and a small portion is used in making dried fruits. Tracing its roots, it is said that grapes were first domestically cultivated in the Middle East, where it soon became popular when the city of Shiraz started using it to make wine. Eventually, other countries also started growing it and using it in the wine making process. Grapes are easily available in the markets throughout the year. The vine containing the cluster of berries are not only pretty to look at and delicious with its sweet and tasty taste but are loaded with essential nutrients that work for the well-being of the body.

Here Are Some Amazing Benefits of Grapes For Health And Skin.

Loaded with Antioxidants.

Grapes are a powerhouse of antioxidants - they contain a wide range of phytonutrients right from carotenoids to polyphenols. Studies have revealed that these phytonutrients help in preventing certain kinds of cancers and help in maintaining heart health. Among polyphenols, resveratrol is known for its miraculous properties such as inhibiting the formation of free radicals that could cause cancer and dilating blood vessels to ease blood flow and lower blood pressure. Point to note: The antioxidant content is the highest in the seeds and the skin. So, do make use of them.

Prevents Skin Problems.

It is found that resveratrol prevents signs of ageing and other skin problems. According to a study conducted by the team at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), resveratrol, when combined with a common acne medication benzoyl peroxide, fights the acne causing bacteria.

High Source of Potassium.

The nutritional breakup of grapes reveals that per 100 grams of the fruit contains 191 mg of potassium. High intake of potassium and lowering sodium content can help your body in numerous ways. Potassium also counteracts excess sodium. A low-sodium-high-potassium diet has proven beneficial for high blood pressure, high cholesterol and heart health in most cases. According to Robynne Chutkan, a gastroenterologist, author and founder of the Digestive Centre for Women in Washington D.C., a bloated stomach can invite many health-related problems. Cutting down on salt intake and focusing on potassium-rich fibre can help in getting a flat stomach.

Good for the Eyes.

According to a study done by University of Miami, Florida, grapes promote eye health from signalling changes at the cellular level to directly countering oxidative stress. Including grapes in the diet results in lower levels of inflammatory proteins and higher amounts of protective proteins in the retinas, which is the part of the eye that contains the cells that respond to light, known as photoreceptors.

Boast Brain Power.

Certain studies have found that resveratrol helps in increasing blood flow to the brain, thereby it could help speed up mental responses and prove to be beneficial for those suffering from brain related ailments like Alzheimer’s. A study done by the University of Switzerland also found that resveratrol can help remove plaques and free radicals, which affect the brain.

Good for the Knees.

A study done by Texas Woman's University has established that daily intake of grapes can help get relief from knee pain, especially the ones triggered due to symptomatic osteoarthritis. Grapes are high on antioxidants, the most important and beneficial one being polyphenols, which help in improving the flexibility and mobility of joints.

Anti-Inflammatory Properties.

It has been found that grapes contain certain enzymes which bring about anti-inflammatory effect in our body. As such it brings about relief to the arteries, promotes heart health and helps in other repair functions of the body.

Besides all the health benefits, grapes are also loaded with vitamins and essential minerals such as Vitamins A, B6, B12, C and D, calcium, iron and magnesium. However, one should not overload on grapes as they also contain sugar. It is said that berries should be included at least 3-4 days in a person’s weekly diet plan. And one should always consume a mix of fruits for better benefits.

As usual, we remind you to take your Memo Plus Gold daily. It will help to keep you alert and mentally sharp. For more information or to order for Memo Plus Gold, please visit : https://oze.my.

Flash floods hit KL after heavy rain

 

Netizens shared videos of flash floods on Jalan Parlimen heading towards Bukit Aman, Jalan Perak and Lebuhraya Sultan Iskandar.

PETALING JAYA: 

Parts of Kuala Lumpur were affected by flash floods after heavy rain this morning, which is expected to worsen traffic congestion throughout the city.

Netizens reported flash floods on several roads, including Jalan Parlimen heading towards Bukit Aman, Jalan Perak, and Lebuhraya Sultan Iskandar, Bernama reported.

The areas surrounding Wisma Bernama and Bank Negara Malaysia were also said to be affected.

Some of the waterlogged roads were said to be nearly impassable to traffic.

In a statement, Rapid KL said alternative train services had been activated following water ponding on the track at the Sri Rampai LRT station heading towards Wangsa Maju.

The train from Putra Heights will turn back at Wangsa Maju, it said.
The SMART tunnel was also closed to road users to facilitate a flood operation.

Ampang Jaya police said the downpour had led to a landslide at the junction between Jalan Serdang and Jalan E6 Taman Melawati, which cut off access to some 20 houses.

No casualties were reported, although the landslide damaged a car and toppled a guardhouse.

The affected residents were told to move to a multipurpose hall at Jalan E5 Taman Melawati.

The Dewan Rakyat sitting was adjourned to 10.30am, instead of the usual 10am, because several MPs were stuck in the floods.

Dewan Rakyat Speaker Johari Abdul cited Meeting Rule 12 (2) for the adjournment.

Separately, the meteorological department (MetMalaysia) issued a warning of thunderstorms and heavy rain across several areas in Peninsular Malaysia until 1pm.

The warning covers Selangor, Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya, Melaka and Penang.

Other areas likely to be affected are in Kedah (Kubang Pasu, Kota Setar and Bandar Baharu), Perak (Kerian, Larut, Matang, Selama, Manjung and Bagan Datuk), Pahang (Bentong and Rompin), Negeri Sembilan (Seremban, Port Dickson, Rembau and Tampin) and Johor (Tangkak, Segamat, Muar, Batu Pahat, Kluang, Pontian, Kulai, Kota Tinggi and Johor Bahru). - FMT

Children at Global Ikhwan welfare homes punished with 500 squats, says minister

 

Police rescued a total of 662 children from welfare homes linked to Global Ikhwan Services and Business Holdings, early last month. (PDRM pic)

KUALA LUMPUR: 

Investigations into the children rescued from welfare homes linked to Global Ikhwan Services and Business Holdings (GISBH) found some of them had to do 500 ear squats (ketuk ketampi) as a punishment, says home minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail.

Driven by the need to protect these children, he said the police decided on carrying out more thorough investigations, including by using the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 (Sosma).

Those responsible must be brought to justice, and the process is very clear in how we are making decisions on this matter,

 he said during the ministerial briefing in the Dewan Rakyat on the GISBH issue.

He explained that the large number of detainees – 415 individuals linked to the firm – necessitated some being held under Sosma.

“The scale of the arrests is significant. We will seek remands.

Additionally, the crimes are considered serious, involving material or financial benefits, power, or influence. So, it’s appropriate for us to invoke Section 130V of the Penal Code. This allows us to use Sosma after the remand period expires,

 he said.

Section 130V makes it an offence to be a member of an organised crime group, punishable with not less than five years but not more than 20 years’ imprisonment, upon conviction.

Earlier, two MPs voiced opposition against the government’s use of Sosma to detain 58 individuals linked to GISBH.

Takiyuddin Hassan (PN-Kota Bharu) said Sosma should not be used as those arrested were not terrorists, while Hassan Karim (PH-Pasir Gudang) said the use of Sosma undermines the government’s reform agenda.

Underweight, cognitive disorders

Separately, women, family and community development minister Nancy Shukri revealed that a special task force found that some of the rescued children were underweight, while several had cognitive disorders.

The total number of children rescued stood at 662, but Nancy said that 560 are now under the care of the social welfare department and the remainder were returned to their families or guardians.

At first I said 560, but we only focused on 558 as two of the children are with their mothers as they are still nursing. We did not separate them,

 she said, according to Malaysiakini.

She added that the task force found that over half of the 558 children were underweight based on their body mass index (BMI).

She also reported that 78 children had moderate cognitive impairments, 30 had severe cognitive issues, three were issued with disability (OKU) cards, and 27 showed signs of disabilities.

Nancy said that the health ministry and the social welfare department will work together to provide the children with more detailed cognitive assessment. - FMT

Only Syed Saddiq responded to MoU on opposition allocations, says minister

 

Federal territories minister Dr Zaliha Mustafa said there is no reason for the government to resume negotiations on the MoU as the opposition rejected it without any official feedback. (Bernama pic)

KUALA LUMPUR: 

Only Muar MP Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman has officially responded to the draft memorandum of understanding (MoU) on allocations for opposition MPs so far, says federal territories minister Dr Zaliha Mustafa.

She said Syed Saddiq of Muda had also requested certain amendments to the MoU, which the government is willing to consider.

If no official response is received from other opposition MPs, only the Muar MP is likely to be eligible for this allocation,

 she said during a special chamber session in the Dewan Rakyat today.

She was responding to a motion by Shahidan Kassim (PN-Arau), who urged the federal government to review the MoU concerning allocations for opposition MPs.

Zaliha said the draft MoU was submitted by deputy prime minister Fadillah Yusof, who is also the government’s chief whip, to the opposition’s chief whip Takiyuddin Hassan on Sept 15. However, it was rejected without any feedback from the opposition, she added.

“In my discussions with the deputy prime minister (Fadillah), it was noted that the negotiation process between the government and the opposition has essentially stalled because the opposition has yet to provide any official feedback. Therefore, there is no reason for the government to resume negotiations.

To use an analogy, it is as if the government has made a proposal to the opposition, but since there was no reply, it wouldn’t be appropriate for the government to propose again,

 she said. - FMT

Zahid’s younger brother joins PAS

 

A screenshot of Abdul Hakim Hamidi (left) handing over his membership form to party president Abdul Hadi Awang.

PETALING JAYA: 

Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi’s younger brother, Abdul Hakim, has officially registered to be a lifelong PAS member.

In a Facebook post, Parit Buntar PAS said Hakim had personally handed over his membership form to party president Abdul Hadi Awang at the party’s central headquarters in Jalan Raja Laut, in Kuala Lumpur.

We hope his presence will further strengthen (PAS’s) relationship with Umno leaders who are committed to unity based on Islamic principles,

 the post read.

The post included a video of Parit Buntar MP, Misbahul Munir Masduki saying that today marks a 

historic day

, while he stood next to Hakim as the latter signed a log book.

Misbahul was also seen holding an official membership form and congratulating Hakim on his membership.

The 28-second video also included pictures of Hakim meeting Hadi and Bachok MP Syahir Sulaiman.

In a statement, Hakim said his decision to join PAS should not come as a surprise as his father, Hamidi Abdul Fatah, was not only a religious teacher at Maahad Ulum Bagan Datuk but also a dedicated PAS activist who served the community.

“When my brother (Zahid) joined Umno, my father chose to follow suit, seeing Umno as a Malay party still committed to upholding Islam.

Nevertheless, his heart remained with PAS,

 he said, adding that his father maintained his subscription to the party’s mouthpiece, Harakah.

However, Hakim said, the situation has changed and Umno has become increasingly weak.

“I see that Umno is no longer the party it once was. My faith in its original mission has begun to fade.

This realisation has brought me back to my family’s roots, that is, to PAS. I am confident that only PAS can still defend the rights of Malays and uphold Islam in our homeland,

 he added.

Hakim emphasised that his familial bond with Zahid and the rest of their family remains strong despite his decision to pursue a different political path: 

Our parties may differ, but the ties of kinship will never break

. - FMT

Mara to help student who missed MRSM test due to financial woes

 

Mara chairman Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki said financial issues should not hinder a student from receiving the best possible education. (Bernama pic)

PETALING JAYA: 

Majlis Amanah Rakyat (Mara) has stepped in to assist a 12-year-old girl who could not take the Mara Junior Science College (MRSM) entrance exams due to her family’s financial constraints.

Mara chairman Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki said the agency would be in touch with Nur Nasuha Nusi’s parents after she missed out on the MRSM entry tendency test and International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) special test for Form One.

He said the Kuala Krai MRSM in Kelantan will arrange for Nur Nasuha’s transportation so that she can take the test, Bernama reported.

Asyraf reiterated that financial issues should not hinder a student from receiving the best possible education and called for other similar cases to be reported directly to him.

Nur Nasuha was unable to take the entrance exams at the Kuala Krai MRSM as her family could not afford the transportation costs to send her there for the tests. The Kuala Krai MRSM is about 75km from the state capital Kota Bharu.

Separately, her father, Nusi Mamat, expressed gratitude to Mara for paying special attention to his daughter’s plight. - FMT