A monthly update on the Worldwatch Institute’s Food and Agriculture program’s latest publications, events, and research on environmental, food, and sustainable development topics. In this Newsletter: Working for a Fairer, More Sustainable Food System Ireland Takes Strides to Walk Its “Green” Talk Farmers Increasing Resilience to Climate Change by Diversifying Crops Sowing the Seeds of a Food-Secure Future Norway Invests $23.7 Million to Ensure Crop Diversity in a Changing Climate Tweet of the Month Feasible solutions for feeding the world’s growing population have to prioritize rural communities’ livelihood needs http://bit.ly/184Aez8   (@WorldwatchInst), October 11, 2013. Upcoming Events October 18: Worldwatch President, Senior Fellow Erik Assadourian and  State of the World 2013contributing authors will be presenting at The 24th Annual National Bioneers Conference: Turning Vision Into Action, San Rafael, California.    October 29: Senior Fellow Erik Assadourian will deliver the Keynote Address at the 2013 Illinois Governor’s Sustainability Awards and Technical Symposium, East Peoria, Illinois.   November 6: Senior Fellow Gary Gardner and State of the World 2013 contributing authors will be presenting at the Greenaccord International Media Forum on the Protection of Nature, Naples, Italy.   November 7: Worldwatch’s Climate and Energy Director Alexander Ochs will be presenting at the Energy Africa Conference, Colorado School of Mines, Golden, Colorado. Quick Links Worldwatch Website Vital Signs Online Nourishing the Planet Blog ReVolt Blog Sustainable Prosperity Blog Transforming Cultures Blog Follow us on          Support Us   Click here to see how you can support our work     Comments? Questions? E-mail foodandag@worldwatch.org

October 2013 Dear Naresh,  When you think of October, what comes to mind? If you’re in the Northern Hemisphere, you may think of drooping apple trees, painted faces, and changing leaves. If you’re in the Southern Hemisphere, you may conjure up thoughts of budding plants, bright green leaves, and slightly longer days. Here at Worldwatch, October makes us think of food celebrations. Over the course of this month, two big food events will raise awareness about hunger and what it means to have good, sustainable food.   Today, October 16, is World Food Day. It marks the 68th anniversary of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), which has led international efforts to address hunger and malnutrition for nearly seven decades. Every year on this day, people worldwide celebrate food and seek to raise awareness of issues surrounding poverty and malnutrition. The World Food Day theme for 2013 isSustainable Food Systems for Food Security and Nutrition.        In the United States, October 24 is Food Day, a nationwide celebration of healthy, affordable, and sustainably produced food and an opportunity to come together in dialogue about food policy There are countless ways to celebrate Food Day: attend anevent in your community, organize a hunger run in your country, read what the FAO has to say about healthy food systems, join a Community Supported Agriculture network, write a letter to your local paper about the importance of good food, or sign up to host an Oxfam World Food Day dinner to foster conversation about where food comes from, who cultivates it, and how personal actions can make the food system more just and sustainable.    And continue to read our Nourishing the Planet blog to learn more about innovations and current events in sustainable agriculture. How will you celebrate food this month? Send your comments to foodandag@worldwatch.org, and we’ll profile your ideas on the Nourishing the Planet blog!  All the best, Sophie Wenzlau  Food and Agriculture Program Worldwatch Institute www.worldwatch.org Make a gift today! Visit our online donation page. Working for a Fairer, More Sustainable Food System: An Interview with Shiney Varghese   Nourishing the Planet spoke recently with Shiney Varghese, a senior policy analyst at the Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy who leads the organization’s work on global water policy. Varghese focuses on water availability, its impact on water and food security, and local solutions that emphasize equity, environmental justice, and sustainability. In this interview, she discusses strategies and policies necessary to feed a growing global population without compromising human health and the environment.  Back to top  Ireland Takes Strides to Walk Its “Green” Talk   True to its iconic national color—green—Ireland may be the first country whose government is taking steps to measure sustainability and to integrate the concept into its economy. Ireland’s “Origin Green” scheme, the brainchild of the Irish Food Board, is seeking to introduce real metrics of sustainability into the food industry, all the way to the farm itself. The board recently held a one-day conference on sustainable food production, educating some 800 attendees on the Origin Green program.   Back to top What Works: Farmers Increasing Resilience to Climate Change by Diversifying Crops The loss of arable land due to climate change may amount to as much as 21 percent in South America, 18 percent in Africa, and 11 to 17 percent in Europe, according to scientists at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. The potential of climate change to adversely affect food security in these regions is staggering. But the loss of arable land is just one of many climate change-related agricultural concerns. Industrially produced crops can be especially vulnerable to extreme weather conditions and the shifting demographics of pathogens.   Back to top  Sowing the Seeds of a Food-Secure Future Worldwide, 195 million children suffer from malnutrition, which adversely affects their development and overall well-being. Approximately 26 percent of these children live in sub-Saharan Africa. And according to the International Food Policy Research Institute, the number of malnourished children in the region will increase by 18 percent between 2001 and 2020. Fortunately, innovations such as school feeding programs and kitchen vegetable gardens are working to combat malnutrition and hunger in many African countries.  Back to top Norway Invests $23.7 Million to Ensure Crop Diversity in a Changing Climate   Last month, the government of Norway pledged $23.7 million to conserve and sustainably manage some of the world’s most important food crops, citing the critical need for crop diversity at a time when populations are soaring and climate change is threatening staples like rice and maize. Worldwide, agriculture depends on a relatively small number of crops—only about 150 are used on a significant scale. The Norwegian investment is intended to facilitate greater collaboration internationally in the collection, conservation, and utilization of seeds and plants. Back to top

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Eleanor Catton is youngest one Booker winner

17102013

Eleanor Catton won the 2013 Man Booker prize for English fiction on Tuesday for her novel “The Luminaries” and became the youngest winner in the award’s 45-year history.

The 28-year-old New Zealand novelist won the award because her novel is “awesome in its structural complexity; addictive in its story-telling; and magical in its conjuring of a world of greed and gold,” Chair of judges Robert Macfarlane said. The other shortlisted authors for the prize were Canadian Ruth Ozeki for “A Tale for the Time Being”, Indian-American Jhumpa Lahiri for “The Lowland”, Zimbabwean NoViolet Bulawayo for “We Need New Names”, Briton Jim Crace for “Harvest” and Irish writer Colm Toibin for “The Testament of Mary.”

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India, Brazil to work on internet regulations

17102013

Brazil and India will work on internet regulations in order to protect online privacy from snooping by other countries.

The partnership was announced in Brazilian capital Brasilia on Tuesday, after a meeting between foreign ministers of Brazil and India, Luiz Alberto Figueiredo and Salman Khurshid.“This is a matter of great concern to all democracies,” Khurshid said.

“There are several efforts to implement a platform to strengthen global security. But that platform should avoid any sort of restrictions, because the democratic system is very valuable,” he added.

Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff condemned mass global surveillance as practiced by the US and its intelligence partners, during a speech in September at the UN General Assembly.

Rousseff called for multilateral internet governance that respects the principles of neutrality. Brazil has been aggressively targeted by US spying agencies, according to recent revelations based on documents leaked by former US intelligence contractor Edward Snowden.

While the US insists it intercepts digital communications to prevent terrorist attacks, Brazilian targets, such as the Mines and Energy Ministry and state oil giant Petrobras, indicate the US is also driven by economic motives.

Brazil and India have agreed to share information of internet security strategies.

India has one of the world’s most advanced information technology sectors. Brazilian technicians will visit India to learn more about Indian achievements in the field.

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US Senate votes to end shutdown

17102013

Updated on : 17-10-2013 08:43 AM

Less than four hours before the midnight deadline, the United States’ Senate voted 81-18 the legisation to end a 16-day government shutdown and avert a catastrophic debt default.

The bill will fund the government through 15th January, 2014 and averts default through 7th February, during which time it can work toward a long-term budget agreement that prevents these frequent crisis.  The US President, Barack Obama, said he would sign the legislation immediately after it is passed by the House of Representatives.  “The Senate has now voted to approve this agreement, and Democrats and Republicans in the House still have an important vote to take, but I want to thank the leaders of both parties for getting us to this point. Once this agreement arrives on my desk, I will sign it immediately,” Obama told reporters at the White House.  He said the US will start reopening the government right away. “We’ll begin reopening our government immediately, and we can begin to lift this cloud of uncertainty and unease from our businesses and from the American people,” he said.  The US President said he has got some thoughts about how they can move forward in the remainder of the year, stay focused on the job at hand and win the trust of Americans lost during the crisis.  “Because there is a lot of work ahead of us, including our need to earn back the trust of the American people that has been lost over the last few weeks. And we can begin to do that by addressing the real issues that they care about,” he said.  Obama said he is willing to work with anybody. “I am eager to work with anybody — Democrat or Republican, House or Senate members — on any idea that will grow our economy, create new jobs, strengthen the middle class, and get our fiscal house in order for the long term,” he said.  “I’ve never believed that Democrats have a monopoly on good ideas. And despite the differences over the issue of shutting down our government, I’m convinced that Democrats and Republicans can work together to make progress for America,” said the US President.  Obama said once these issues are resolved, he would like to move forward on immigration and farm legislation.  “In fact, there are things that we know will help strengthen our economy that we could get done before this year is out. We still need to pass a law to fix our broken immigration system. We still need to pass a farm bill. And with the shutdown behind us and budget committees forming, we now have an opportunity to focus on a sensible budget that is responsible, that is fair, and that helps hardworking people all across this country,” Obama said.

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Panasonic: LAUNCH OF ITS LATEST SMART PHONE- THE T31

17102013

         

PANASONIC REINFORCES ITS COMMITMENT TO INDIA WITH THE LAUNCH OF ITS LATEST SMART PHONE- THE T31

New Delhi, 16^th October, 2013: Reinforcing its commitment to deliver superior smartphone experience to its consumers in India, Panasonic today launched its latest smartphone – the Panasonic T31, the fifth in the series of Panasonic’s series of smartphones in India. Through this latest offering, Panasonic has showcased its technological expertise and has reiterated its commitment to offer superior quality smart phone experience at affordable pricing.

The PanasonicT31 is a unique combination of stylish design, cutting-edge technology and innovative convergence capabilities. The T31 runs on Android^TM 4.2.2 (Jelly Bean) and features superior quality graphics, multi-tasking and enhanced application performance. Priced at Rs. 7,990, the T31 comes with 4-inch WVGA display screen and dual-core processor ensuring impressive graphics with superior quality speed and performance. The smartphone also comes pre-loaded with popular Apps such as Hungama music application, Panasonic VIERA remote utility application, WeChat Instant messenger, and Gameloft gaming application with games like Assassins Creed, GT Racing 2, and Mortal Combat 4. Panasonic T31 is available in Bluish Black & Pure White colors and will be available to consumers in India from Second week of October, 2013.

Expressing his pleasure on the launch, Mr. Manish Sharma – Managing Director, Panasonic Indiasaid, “We have strong belief in the tremendous potential of the Indian smartphone market and are recent smartphones are evidence of our commitment towards this market. We have already launched four premium models since our entry into the segment and will continue to offer a wide range of phones in India. With our latest offering– the T31 – we aim to go beyond the metros & cater to our consumers across tier-II/III cities and deliver a remarkable mobile experience to the Indian mass consumers.”

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Zee TV creates the #BokwaasDictionary

17102013

The channel crowd-sources content to promote the premiere of Chennai Express

With ‘Chennai Express’ having broken every record at the Box Office, Shah Rukh Khan has been riding a wave of success. However with the lead actor Shah Rukh Khan and director Rohit Shetty having gone all out to promote the theatrical launch of the film, anticipation is riding high now that the World Television Premiere of the film is around the corner on Sunday, October 20 at 8 PM on Zee TV. With innovation being the key word of the hour, Zee TV is going all out to promote the premiere of the film across all mediums.

On the social media space of Twitter and Facebook, the channel has created the #BokwaasDictionary as made popular byDeepika Padukone’s character Meenamma in the film. Twitter and Facebook users are being tapped to contribute their fun and quirky interpretations of words and phrases used in everyday lingo. Besides the dictionary, there is also an app that invites users to register and ‘book’ their tickets to the movie premiere by entering their email id to win fun and exciting prizes.

In addition to the online media, Zee TV will also promote the premiere of the film through an on-ground activity which will see dancers in a float shaped as a train compartment moving through the cities of Mumbai, Delhi and Ahmedabad and teaching passersby steps of the lungi dance. Print, Outdoor, TV and DTH are the other mediums being tapped aggressively to make this campaign an extensive 360 degree promotion. Shah Rukh, too, who was out of the country for the last few weeks, rushed back to Mumbai to shoot special bytes to promote the premiere.

“Shah Rukh flew into Mumbai in the wee hours of Friday morning and then spent the evening shooting promos and links for Zee TV who are premiering the movie on October 20^th” said a source. “It is amazing to see his commitment and dedication to his work in making the television premiere as huge as its theatrical release. Shah Rukh has such an infectious energy that gets everyone around him moving no matter the hour or day.”

The promos are already airing on Zee TV. Besides Shah Rukh, the director of the film Rohit Shetty is coming as a special guest for the upcoming Dance Ka Tashan finale to promote the premiere of the film.

Watch the World Television Premiere of Chennai Express on Sunday, October 20, 2013 at 8 PM only on Zee TV.Ready, Steady, Po!

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Don’t evoke fear to woo Muslim voters: Cleric

17102013

New Delhi, October 15, 2013: In a veiled reference to Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi, Jamiat-Ulama-i-Hind leader Mehmood Madani Tuesday asked the secular parties not to seek votes of the Muslim community by evoking fear of any person.

Speaking to Times Now news channel, Madani said the secular parties should not seek votes on a negative plank.

“In the next election, they should not try to seek our votes by showing fear of someone, on a negative plank,” he said.

“We say that there should not be politics to get votes by creating fear. If it takes place, we are not going to get scared,” he said.

Madani demanded the secular parties should tell what they have done for the minority community and what were their plans for the future. “For (getting justice), for equal opportunity, what is their planning,” he said.

Without naming any party, he said the secular parties should tell how many promises in their manifesto have been fulfilled.

Jamiat-Ulama-i-Hind is an over 90-year-old organisation which works on a range of issues including social, educational and religious reform among Muslims and protection of Islamic beliefs, identity, heritage and places of worship.

Madani’s apparent reference was to Modi who is the prime ministerial candidate of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and has been targeted by the Congress and some other parties for the 2002 communal riots in Gujarat.

Union minister and Congress leader Manish Tewari, however, termed communal vs secular forces the main polarisation in the country’s politics.

“The fundamental thing is that the main polarisation in Indian politics is communal versus secular. In 2014, polarisation will come to the fore due to narrow politics of orgainsations such as VHP (Vishwa Hindu Parishad) and BJP,” he said.

“The secular and progressive forces will have to decide on which side of polarisation they want to be,” he said.

The BJP, in turn, termed the Congress the most communal party in the country.

“If there is any party which has been communal in last 50 years, it is Congress. They have been dividing people for votes,” BJP spokesperson Nirmala Sitharaman said.

Modi has been described as a “divisive” figure by several Congress leaders and there have been suggestions from various quarters that minorities will vote for non-BJP candidates due to his projection as the prime ministerial candidate.

- ians

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Ansal API Feeder Tour Championship round two

17102013

 

Bhoop Singh stays on top with a brilliant 65

 

Harendra Gupta sets new course record, climbs to second

 

Lucknow, October 16, 2013: LucknowⳠBhoop Singh returned a brilliant seven-under-65 to continue in the lead in round two of the Ansal API Feeder Tour Championship presented by The Palms Golf Club Sushant Golf City. SinghⳊtotal now reads 16-under-128. Harendra Gupta of Chandigarh set a new course record thanks to a blistering 10-under-62 to end the day in second position, two strokes behind the leader.

 

Bhoop Singh (63-65), the overnight leader, maintained his two-shot lead with a bogey-free 65 on Wednesday. The 42-year-old displayed some great iron-play to land his tee shots within seven feet to set up birdie putts on the third, fifth and 14^th, all par-3s. Singh also landed his chips within range for easy tap-in birdies on the sixth, 10^th and 15^th. He converted an eight-footer for birdie on the ninth.

 

㉠hit it extremely close today just like round one. My iron-play was outstanding and I didnⴠmiss any putts. I hit some excellent tee shots on the par-3s and chipped well from the edge of the greens on the par-5s. I⬬ look to play in the same manner going into the final round,䠳aid Bhoop Singh, who is yet to win a professional event.

 

Harendra Gupta (68-62) fired an awesome 10-under-62 to break the course record of 63 set by Bhoop Singh in round one on Tuesday. Gupta thus climbed from overnight tied eighth to second place with a total of 14-under-130. His round featured an eagle and eight birdies. Harendra made a 20-feet eagle putt on the par-5 15^th. He also found the green on three other par-5s in two shots. Gupta landed it within four feet for birdies on the third and ninth and sank an 18-feet birdie putt on the 11^th. 

 

Harendra, a multiple winner on the PGTI, said, ㉠capitalized well on the par-5s today where I had an eagle and four birdies. It was a good putting day for me even though I was playing with Vijay KumarⳠputter after having forgotten mine at home. This is the first time ever that I⭠playing an event in Lucknow and I look forward to ending the week on a high.

 

Sandeep Syal (67-66) of Chennai occupies tied third place at 11-under-133. His bogey-free 66 in round two featured five birdies on the trot from the 12^th through the 16^th.

 

Manoj Kumar (65-68) of Lucknow joined Syal in tied third. ManojⳠround of 68 included an eagle on the 15^th, five birdies, a bogey and a double-bogey.

 

Lucknow Sheeraz Kalra is placed fifth at 10-under-134.

 

Arjun Singh Chaudhri of Noida and DelhiⳠHoney Baisoya, currently placed first and second on the PGTI Feeder Tour Order of Merit, are in tied 11^th place at six-under-138.

 

 

The cut was declared at even-par-144. Thirty-six professionals made the cut.

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American Airlines Announces DFW International Airport’s First Flights to Hong Kong and Shanghai

17102013

New flights to connect the world’s fastest growing economies and major global airport hubs

American Airlines announced it will launch new international service from Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW) International Airport to Hong Kong and to Shanghai in the summer of 2014, marking DFW’s first-ever flights into Hong Kong and China. American will serve the DFW to Hong Kong International Airport (HKG) route daily with Boeing 777-300ER aircraft, and it will fly between DFW and Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) using Boeing 777-200 aircraft.

“American’s new flights to Hong Kong and Shanghai will begin an exciting era for DFW and are among the most significant air service development announcements in DFW Airport’s history,” said Robert Hsueh, Chair, Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport Board of Directors. “These direct routes connect DFW to major destinations in Asia and will play a key role in further strengthening ties between our region and Asia.”

“Today’s news underscores our commitment to strengthen American’s global network in the most important markets around the world,” said Tom Horton, Chairman and CEO of American Airlines. “This is just another example of how we’re taking a fresh look at everything we do to provide what our customers value most — from new planes, products and services, to new destinations around the world. Simply put, we’re building an even stronger foundation to succeed in our pending merger with US Airways.”

The new American flights to Hong Kong and Shanghai extend the most prolific period of international air service expansion in DFW Airport history. DFW has now added 17 new international destinations to its flight portfolio over the past three years, giving the Airport a total of 204 destinations, including 56 international markets and 148 domestic airports.

“We’ve been working hard on building our international relationships, and our work continues to pay off for North Texas,” said Fort Worth Mayor Betsy Price. “Today’s news is great for the Metroplex and a landmark development for the state of Texas, whose residents will have direct access to Hong Kong and Shanghai for the first time in our history. The Asian market is ripe for Texas business and tourists alike.”

“DFW Airport, Mayor Price and I have been advocating for more direct access to the Asian market because it’s critical for businesses here and across the state,” Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings said. “These new routes will represent more than $360 million in annual economic impact for our region and launch Dallas and Fort Worth into a new dimension of international business and cultural engagement.”

Passengers flying the new routes will find the world’s finest airports at either end of the flights. Like DFW, Hong Kong International Airport and Shanghai Pudong International Airport each rank among the top airports in the world for customer service by Airports Council International (ACI), and all three airports are inducted into the ACI Director General’s Roll of Excellence for maintaining outstanding customer service marks over a period of five years.

American’s service between DFW and Hong Kong service represents American’s first-ever service into Hong Kong, and will connect two of the busiest hubs in the oneworld® alliance, as well as the largest hubs for two of oneworld’s original carriers, American and Cathay Pacific.

American’s service between DFW and Shanghai will connect the world’s most populous city with the fastest growing metropolitan region in the United States, as well as two longtime partner airports. DFW International Airport and the Shanghai Airport Authority signed an airport alliance in 2008, which has led to exchanges of information and best practices as well as training exchanges for the airports’ respective aircraft rescue firefighting teams.

For more information, please contact

Jasmine Roy

Manager- Corporate Communications – Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport

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Quake of M7.1 – BOUGAINVILLE REGION, PAPUA NEW GUINEA

17102013

 

Preliminary Earthquake Report

Magnitude	7.1
Date-Time	16 Oct 2013 10:31:01 UTC 16 Oct 2013 20:31:01 near epicenter 16 Oct 2013 14:31:01 standard time in your timezone
Location	6.490S 154.920E
Depth	58 km
Distances	65 km (40 mi) WSW of Panguna, Papua New Guinea 74 km (45 mi) WSW of Arawa, Papua New Guinea 377 km (233 mi) SE of Kokopo, Papua New Guinea 539 km (334 mi) ESE of Kimbe, Papua New Guinea 642 km (398 mi) WNW of Honiara, Solomon Islands
Location Uncertainty	Horizontal: 0.0 km; Vertical 5.7 km

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Source smartphones, tablets & accessories, computer peripherals and more!

17102013

Source smartphones, tablets & accessories, computer peripherals and more!

Meet suppliers face to face at India’s biggest China products show 6th edition – 1st time in Delhi! December 12-14, 2013 Hall 18, Pragati Maidan New Delhi, India • Consumer Electronics • Computer & Networking • Telecom Products • Electronic Components • Solar & Energy-Saving Products • Security Products Claim your FREE entry to our Electronics & Components show in New Delhi – you’ll save INR100!  • Meet reliable suppliers offering the hottest new products from China for the Indian market • Cut out the middleman by sourcing directly from privately owned manufacturers • Source cost-effectively from other Asian supply hubs including Hong Kong & Taiwan • See products & exhibitors now – preview the Fair online at ChinaSourcingFair.com/India Register now for FREE entry! A must-visit show if you are an importer, distributor, trader or a buyer who purchases in volume!  Supporting Associations:  www.chinasourcingfair.com/india