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Increasing food supply through production, trade policies necessary to prevent widespread hunger

"If we are to succeed in alleviating poverty and providing the necessary framework for sustainable development on our planet, there is no more pressing need than ensuring the supply of affordable food for our people," Pascal Lamy, director-general of the World Trade Organization, writes in the Guardian's "Poverty Matters Blog."

22 Nov 2011

EU ban on labels claiming water helps in dehydration draws reaction

Brussels bureaucrats faced ridicule for banning drink manufacturers from claiming that water can prevent dehydration. EU officials concluded that, following a three-year investigation, there was no evidence to prove the previously undisputed fact. And now manufacturers of bottled water are forbidden by law from making the claim and will face a two-year jail sentence if they defy the edict, which comes into force in the UK next month.

21 Nov 2011

NSF renews cooperative agreement for arctic research facility

The National Science Foundation awarded $16.3 million to the University of Alaska Fairbanks in support of the Toolik Field Station, a major site for national and international research in the North American Arctic since 1975.

18 Nov 2011

High-level panel releases recommendations to address food security, climate change in anticipation of U.N. meeting

In advance of a U.N. climate change conference this month in Durban, South Africa, the Commission on Sustainable Agriculture and Climate Change, a high-level international panel, on Wednesday announced its recommendations for achieving food security while addressing the effects of climate change, VOA News reports.

17 Nov 2011

Ban smoking in cars urges BMA

The British Medical Association is calling for a ban on smoking in all cars. The BMA says research shows levels of toxins in a car after a cigarette has been smoked are up to 23 times higher than they would be in a smoky bar.

17 Nov 2011

New insight into how ammonia is formed

For the past 100 years, the Haber-Bosch process has been used to convert atmospheric nitrogen into ammonia, which is essential in the manufacture of fertilizer. Despite the longstanding reliability of the process, scientists have had little understanding of how it actually works. But now a team of chemists, led by Patrick Holland of the University of Rochester, has new insight into how the ammonia is formed.

14 Nov 2011

FDA warnings to retailers selling cigarettes to under-18s

The federal health regulators have lashed out at some 1,200 retailers for unlawfully selling cigarettes and other tobacco products to children under 18.

13 Nov 2011

USAID releases new issue of Frontlines

The November/December issue of USAID's Frontlines focuses on the agency's 50th anniversary and food security in the Horn of Africa. In his "Insights" column, USAID Administrator Rajiv Shah writes, "As we continue to shape a brighter future for generations to come, we must rededicate ourselves to continually improve the way we work and strengthen our capacity to deliver meaningful results for people around the world and at home."

11 Nov 2011

Cigarette package warnings stopped citing free speech

A federal judge has obstructed a U.S. rule requiring tobacco companies to display graphic images on cigarette packs citing free speech.

8 Nov 2011

U.N. increasing joint aid efforts with Cambodian government to assist flood victims

The U.N. reported Friday "that it is increasing its joint efforts with Cambodian authorities and aid providers to offer food assistance to some of the thousands of people that have been displaced by severe flooding recently," the U.N. News Centre reports.

8 Nov 2011

U.N. agencies respond to flooding in Horn of Africa

The U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees "reports heavy rains and flooding in parts of Somalia, Kenya and Ethiopia are causing havoc among thousands of displaced Somalis in the region" and "flood-damaged roads are hampering relief efforts to thousands affected by the heavy rains," VOA News reports.

7 Nov 2011

Lifestyle Foods launches Lifestyle Elevate for consumers

Lifestyle Foods announces the launch of Lifestyle Elevate, an online store that will allow consumers to order Lifestyle Foods product, and have it shipped directly to their home or business.

5 Nov 2011

Gates delivers report to G20 leaders calling for increased development efforts

"In a report about financing for development delivered [Thursday] at the G20 summit, Bill Gates, co-chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, urged leaders to commit to increasing the pool of resources dedicated to development, or risk causing irreparable damage to the livelihoods of millions of the poorest people," a Gates Foundation press release states (11/3).

5 Nov 2011

Tackling global hunger through the empowerment of small-scale farmers

In this post in the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation's "Impatient Optimists" blog, Rick Leach, president and CEO of World Food Program USA, examines the empowerment of small-scale farmers to become active participants in the global economy as a strategy to tackle world hunger.

5 Nov 2011

Global food prices drop but still high; market remains volatile, food indexes show

"The U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization FAO index of global food prices hit an 11-month low in October, reflecting sharp falls in grain, sugar and oils prices, the U.N. food agency said on Thursday, Reuters reports.

5 Nov 2011

Gates to address G20 leaders about foreign aid, Robin Hood tax

Bill Gates, co-chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, is expected to tell G20 leaders on Thursday that tightening foreign aid budgets amid the current economic crisis "is counterproductive and pointless," the Toronto Star reports.

4 Nov 2011

Sustainable seafood initiatives could protect freshwater species

Sustainable seafood initiatives, including certification and ecolabeling and awareness schemes, could be extended to more effectively cover inland, freshwater fisheries, according to researchers writing in the November issue of BioScience.

4 Nov 2011

Industry becoming more involved in ensuring food security, conference attendees hear

"Food security concerns as the world's population surpasses seven billion have prompted global companies to become more actively involved in ensuring future supplies, participants at an agricultural conference said on Monday," Reuters reports.

2 Nov 2011

Gothenburg senior citizens recruited for Consumer Logistics project

Heavy carrier bags and a lurching bus are an equation that is difficult to solve for most people, but for an elderly person getting the shopping home on public transport can be an almost insurmountable task. A newly launched research project at the University of Gothenburg, Sweden, is now enlisting the help of the senior citizens themselves to learn about the challenges in everyday logistics, and it is hoped that the results will lead to better urban planning.

2 Nov 2011

Several West African nations facing food insecurity; WFP steps up efforts in Niger

Several countries in West Africa, including Niger, Mauritania and Chad, are facing food insecurity crises "unless the international community acts now, the United Nations warned on Friday," AlertNet reports.

1 Nov 2011