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The Food Chain
India’s Growth Outstrips Crops
By SOMINI SENGUPTA - Published: June 22, 2008
India’s supply of arable land is second only to that of the U.S., but it must buy some foods on international markets, exacerbating a global food crisis.

AP - World Bank Leader Urges Action on Food
Monday April 14, 8:45 am ET
By Harry Dunphy, Associated Press Writer
WASHINGTON (AP) -- The president of the World Bank urged immediate action to deal with mounting food prices that have caused hunger and deadly violence in several countries.
Robert Zoellick on Sunday said the international community has "to put our money where our mouth is" and act now to help hungry people. "It is as stark as that."
He called on governments to rapidly carry out commitments to provide the U.N. World Food Program with $500 million in emergency aid it needs by May 1.
He said the bank is granting an additional $10 million to Haiti for feeding programs, "and I understand others are looking to help."
"It is critical that governments confirm their commitments as soon as possible and others begin to commit," Zoellick said. Prices have only risen further since the WFP issued that appeal, so it is urgent that governments step up, he said.

China keeping Tibet closed to tourists
By TINI TRAN, Associated Press Writer Thu Apr 10, 1:31 PM ET
BEIJING - Chinese authorities jittery about protests during the Mount Everest leg of the Olympic torch relay have abruptly reversed a decision to reopen Tibet to foreign tourists.
Foreigners have not received permits to visit the Himalayan region since deadly anti-government riots broke out in the capital, Lhasa. Tourism authorities announced last week that foreign tour groups would be allowed in on May 1, the start of a three-day national holiday.
Tour operators said Thursday, however, that the Tibetan Tourism Bureau told them this week to stop arranging trips for foreigners. They said the bureau cited the need for safe passage for the torch relay to the summit of Everest, as well as continuing safety concerns in Lhasa.

Quality of Life follows the lives of two San Francisco graffiti writers in their mid-20s who get busted for writing on public property. One enters a graffiti abatement program while the other grapples with the reality of his situation, living his life the only way he knows how. Simultaneously touching on the interpersonal relationships of the protagonists and their respective environments, Quality of Life gives graffiti a face and a voice. Director Benjamin Morgan hopes his film, at the very least, will spark debate.

50PlusBeurs breekt record!
De vijftiende 50PlusBeurs, gehouden van 19 t/m 23 september in de Jaarbeurs Utrecht, trok dit jaar 7% meer bezoekers dan in 2006. Met 94.722 bezoekers is de beurs 's werelds grootste evenement voor actieve plussers.
In de aanloop naar de beurs was al een ander record gebroken: met 587 standhouders was het de grootste ooit. Bovendien is dit jaar de oppervlakte vergroot tot 50.000 m2, een groei van ruim 20%.
In 2008 wordt de beurs gehouden van 17 t/m 21 september.