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Thailand halal conference expected to attract thousands
Source: eturbonews.com
First Thailand Halal Assembly to help boost trade, travel with Islamic World poster-halal-assembly-re02Bangkok – An estimated 5,000 delegates are expected to meet in Bangkok between 28 – 30 December for the first “Thailand Halal Assembly 2014″ to be held at the Bangkok Convention Centre, Centara Grand Hotel at CentralWorld.
Organised jointly by the Halal Science Centre of Chulalongkorn University, the Central Islamic Council of Thailand and Halal Standard Institute of Thailand, the event is designed to help upgrade the standards of halal products and services being made in Thailand to cater to the rapidly growing Islamic market, both within Asia and worldwide. Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-Ocha will deliver the opening speech.
How Sustainable Farming Could Feed 3 Billion More People
Source: http://themindunleashed.org/2014/07/sustainable-farming-feed-3-billion-people.html
A three-pronged approach has been developed to remedy the global food shortage.
With the population of the world expected to hit 9.7 billion by 2050, it’s no secret that reliable, sustainable, and nutritious food sources need to be developed today to provide for the future tomorrow. But the outlook of providing enough food for future generations is skeptical at best, and scientists, researchers, and farmers are concerned that not enough is being done in the present to prevent food-related catastrophe.
However, some individuals do hold positive outlook that if given the right tools for change and support, another 3 billion people could be fed from sustainable farming methods.
Paul West, from the University of Minnesota in St. Paul, along with colleagues believe that if‘given the right levers’, feeding the whole world will be possible. The team believes that the majority of food production problems stem from just a handful of countries, and if such areas could be concentrated on, three billion more people could potentially be fed, along with reduced environmental damage.
“The way we are growing agriculture right now is totally not sustainable.” said West
West and his colleagues have been looking for “leverage points”, or areas with the most potential to change how we grow food. The team focused on the 17 crops that represent 86 percent of the world’s crop calories and consume the most water and fertilizer. From their findings, they developed a three-pronged approach to remedy the global food shortage situation.
Stated Greg Asner of the Carnegie Institute for Science in Stanford, California, “They’re taking a high-altitude view of all the possible points that need to be made if we’re going to feed a planet full of people. It’s incredibly valuable to have all that in one place.”
The study led by West suggests three fundamental areas where food production can be boosted and grown sustainably, leading to increased yields from unproductive farms, decreased amount of waste produced, and change in the way people eat.
In the map below, highlighted areas depict where the most money could be saved.
Documentary: Fast food, fat profits (Video)
One out of every three Americans is obese, but food revolutions are underway and some are fighting back.
Obesity in America has reached a crisis point. Two out of every three Americans are overweight, one out of every three is obese. One in three are expected to have diabetes by 2050.
Minorities have been even more profoundly affected. African-Americans have a 50 per cent higher prevalence of obesity and Hispanics 25 per cent higher when compared with whites.
How did the situation get so out of hand?
On this week’s episode of Fault Lines, Josh Rushing explores the world of cheap food for Americans living at the margins.
What opportunities do people have to eat healthy? Who is responsible for food deserts and processed food in American schools?
Fault Lines finds food revolutions taking place and speaks with the people that are fighting back.
More documentaries…
How You Can Help Feed The World – Yes You (Video)
In order to feed an expected population of 9 billion by 2050, we’ll have to produce 60% more food over 35 years. But climate change is making that nearly impossible. What do we have to change to feed the world? Start eating bugs?
Saudi Arabia in battle against MERS in the run-up to Hajj
Saudi Arabia is preparing preventive health measures to reduce the spread of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome before Hajj next month
Pilgrims undergo health checks at a Hajj Camp at the airport in Lagos on Friday (AFP)
Source: middleeasteye.net
While West Africa is struggling to contain the Ebola virus outbreak, in Saudi Arabia the health authorities are preparing to prevent the spread of another deadly virus.
Israelis protest IDF Gaza bombing as deadly op drags on (Video)
In Tel Aviv, Israelis protested the continuing fighting and called for an end to the blockade on Gaza. The protest, expected to be larger, had originally been canceled by police, saying the security situation didn’t allow for a large gathering. A small minority of war opponents exists in Israel, but they complain of being silenced.
Read full article…
Day 2 of Gaza truce ahead of crunch Cairo talks
As truce over the Gaza conflict appears to hold, Palestinians and Israelis prepare to enter Cairo talks amid conflicting demands on both sides
Source: http://www.middleeasteye.net/
A fragile ceasefire in the Gaza Strip entered a second day Wednesday as Israeli and Palestinian delegations prepared for crunch talks in Cairo to try to extend the 72-hour truce.
The ceasefire, which came into effect Tuesday, has brought relief to both sides after one month of fighting killed 1,875 Palestinians and 67 people on the Israeli side.
Delegations are now ready for what are expected to be tough talks aimed at securing a permanent ceasefire after the three-day window closes.
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