FOOD

[underpants]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/7284196.stm

Biofuels row stalls UN food text

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/7437253.stm


Latin American countries are refusing to sign a declaration on dealing with the world food crisis, delegates at a UN food summit have told the BBC.

Senior European officials say some of those countries, prompted by Brazil, will not sign a final statement which might "demonise" biofuels


Food summit biofuel reference "acceptable": U.S.

http://uk.reuters.com/article/oilRpt/idUKFCB00001420080605

ROME (Reuters) - A reference to biofuels in a draft declaration being negotiated at a United Nations food summit is acceptable to the United States, U.S. Agriculture Secretary Ed Schafer said on Thursday.

"Obviously it's in draft form at this time but I think the biofuel language, from my understanding, is acceptable," Schafer told reporters on the sidelines of the summit in Rome. Talks on the declaration have stalled over other issues.

[shireen]

1. the map of Africa is VERY troubling

Hopefully, with President Obama, we will start paying more attention to Africa, which has been horribly neglected for so long. Of all the continents, it has the greatest potential to grow and flourish, under the right leadership.

We all originated from Africa; about 60,000 years ago, many of our ancestors migrated from her to populate the rest of the world. (Fascinating details at https://www3.nationalgeographic.com/genographic/ ) Africa is a very special place. If I were religious, I'd call it a sacred place.

[jwirr]

2. My family is sponsoring a child and his family in Africa and when I

write to him this time I am going to send extra money for food. If it is bad for us imagine how bad it is for them.

[shireen]

5. which organization are you working through? NT

[jwirr]

7. Compassion - He is going to a Mennonite School and his mother and

grandmother live with them in what I understand to be a compound.

[DangerDave921]

3. Leadership

I assume you mean Africa needs the right INTERNAL leadership. I agree 100%. With proper governments -- freedom, markets, contracts, etc., that continent is absolutely awash in natural supplies. But Obama cannot force change on Africa from the outside. It has to happen from within.

[shireen]

4. i think he has the potential to seriously inspire and motivate. nt

[Trillo]

6. Yes. The map reminded me of birth rate maps.

http://www.pregnantpause.org/numbers/fertility.htm