It may not be as obvious to many here but to us living in a country where nearly everything is imported, the hike in food prices is noticeable. Food crisis being felt around world Sharply rising prices have triggered food riots in recent weeks in Mexico, Morocco, Senegal, Uzbekistan, Guinea, Mauritania and Yemen, and aid agencies around the world worry they may be unable to feed the poorest of the poor. In the Philippines, officials are raiding warehouses in Manila looking for unscrupulous traders hoarding rice, while in South Korea, panicked housewives recently stripped grocery-store shelves of food when the cost of ramen, an instant noodle made from wheat, suddenly rose. The shadow of "a new hunger" that has made food too expensive for millions is the result of a sudden and dramatic surge in food prices around the world. Rising prices for all the world's crucial cereal crops and growing fears of scarcity are careening through international markets, creating turmoil. Last Thursday, as world rice prices soared by as much as 30% in one day, Egypt decided to suspend rice exports for six months to meet domestic demand and to try to limit price increases. That was bad news for its main rice customers -- Turkey, Lebanon, Syria and Jordan. Egypt's move was matched by Vietnam, the world's second-largest rice exporter after Thailand, which cut exports by 25% and ordered officials not to sign any more export contracts this year. India and Cambodia also rushed to curb their exports in order to have enough supplies to feed their own people. With crude oil soaring above US$100 a barrel, higher fuel prices have driven up the cost of production and increased transportation costs for all foods. Pests in Southeast Asia, a 10-year drought in Australia and a 45-day cold snap in China have combined to aggravate the situation. At the same time, millions of people in China and India have suddenly become relatively wealthy and are changing their eating habits, consuming more meat and chicken, which places a huge demand on cereal stocks. In China, per-capita meat consumption has increased 150% since the 1980s. But producing more meat requires more feed to raise more animals. "You simply feed less people on maize [corn] via cattle than you do in maize direct," said John Powell, the UN World Food Program's (WFP) deputy director of external programs in Rome. Also influencing the food crisis is the move in North America and Europe to biofuel in an effort to ease global warming and reduce reliance on imported energy. A surge in demand for biofuel has resulted in a sharp decline in agricultural land planted for food crops. About 16% of U.S. agricultural land formerly planted with soybeans and wheat is now growing corn for biofuel. "For the first time in history, there is a clear link between the price of fuel and the price of food," Mr. Powell said. "If there were a miraculous 20% increase in the quantity of food production, we would not know what would go toward increased food consumption and what would go to biofuels. "Where it would go is where the prices are best." Rice is a staple food for half the world's population. But the sudden surge in prices and restrictions on exports come at a time when stockpiles of rice are at their lowest level in decades. At the moment, world rice inventories are said to stand at a mere 72 million metric tonnes -- about 17% of what the world consumes annually. The low stockpiles create a market in which any supply disruption will result in radical price swings. They also complicate delivering foreign aid to those most in need. The WPF, which feeds 73 million of the world's most destitute each year, says its costs have increased 55% since June. Unless it gets US$500-million in emergency funding, it may soon have to reduce feeding programs. Experts predict world food markets will be locked into an inflationary spiral for at least four years, but some say the crisis could linger for a decade or more. "There is pretty much a sense that what we are seeing is a step change or a structural change and not a peak to be followed by a trough," Mr. Powell said. "In other words, we are into an era of high food prices. It's not just volatility, it's a step increase." Close Presented by http://www.nationalpost.com/news/story.html?id=412984

The programme is ok saxib and the live streem is very impressive.

Where is the link Dabshid?

LoL@NG

Was there any talk concerning the situation in Somalia at the meet? Don't think so.

I would put the figure at more than 100,000. Me, the first link's figures are way too low.

A radio host was fooled this morning. she came on to replace the guy before her and had to do the traffic report. She read out something like the following. Traffic is slow in Abu Dhabi on Al 'Laxam' road and an alternative route through 'Fatoush' street and onto 'Mutabal' road is advised . She hung her head in shame. Needless to say i had humous for lunch after hearing that

We would have to settle for Anfield then

http://www.statistics.gov.uk/cci/nugget.asp?id=273

I'm not sure. Enough to fill Wembley I think. Could'nt find anything in the 2001 Census http://www.statistics.gov.uk/cci/nugget.asp?id=395

Left house 8.45am - 27 degrees C Got to site at 9.10am - 31 degrees C It got up to 37 degrees C Time to keep the white cap in the car,,,,

Originally posted by Nephthys: gastarii q , what is that? Typo dear. 'Gaastariig' is common among Somalis for some reason. I don't understand why though. Spicy food is not really our main stay is it? Unless you spent some time in India/Pakistan of course

I think the women's team have more honours LoL

LoL Getting on a bit? Ma aniga? I'll be playing with my grand kids and schooling them IA

OK How are the local media playing it? Haatuf etc? Alot of covergae?

So what I have been saying is the only way forward (the need to agree on an Ethio withdrawal in principal)seems to be formalising :cool:

Siraad Cali Yuusuf - Vice Chairwoman perviously

@ NG He did and went on to score as well! Needless to say I changed position after that ps hope you're ready for a spot of footy :cool:

Waxa laigu yidhi JB waxaad waydiisaa gabadhii Siraad maxa ku dhacay?

It happened whilst trying to defend againt mid yaroo Chinese'a. The guy was too small and too quick. I stumbled over hurting my hand. Thought it would go away but I now realise they (finger and thumb) are broken (fractured).

Somali do not look after themselves period! How many have told you (with an element of pride) 'waxa ihaya gastariq' or some other condition? I'm not talking about elderly people here.

I have had a broken thumb and finger for the past month! Fractured i think. I'm soo lazy to go and get it sorted it the hospital (not scared).

JB, Allah yarxamu for your grandpa.

Originally posted by J.a.c.a.y.l.b.a.r.o: Now what does that suppose to mean yaa North ?? ,, We're suppose to be +3GMT ,,,,,,, We were GMT+4. Now we are GMT+3 and you are now GMT+2.

I was thinking Baashi,,,