 | Israel Leads in Agriculture technologies Israel does not have a geography which makes it appear to be best suited for agriculture but still, it has become a major industry with Israel being a net exporter of food as well as a world-leader in agricultural technologies. Not only is more than half of the land area desert, but the climate and water resources do not make agriculture an instantly attractive industry. Just 20% of the land area is naturally arable. Today, agriculture represents 2.5% of total GDP and 3.6% of exports. Israel produces 95% of its own food to meet its requirements and supplements this by importing grain, oil seeds, meat, coffee, cocoa and sugar. But highly capital intensive agriculture is also facing some problems as the production is not highly sustainable. Israel is home to two unique communities, the Kibbutz and Moshav which developed as Jews returned to Israel from Europe in the early twentieth century. Let's hope that such communities continue to help Israeli agriculture. http://www.instablogs.com/ |
 | Instablogs Global report 14-August-2008 Govt. inaction fuels Child Prostitution in Sri Lanka The military and political situation in Sri Lanka has led to an increase in migration, which has made children and women extremely vulnerable to trafficking for prostitution. Govt. in Sri Lanka, on the other, has failed miserably to defend the rights of children. Child labor, child prostitution and issues of child soldiers still go unheard because this business generates massive income in foreign currency. As a result, children from rural areas are trafficked and prostituted to pedophiles by organized crime groups. There is none to take care of this and Sri Lanka is becoming one of the favored destinations of pedophiles and sex tourists from Europe and United States. Child prostitution being promoted to foreigners on the internet makes Sri Lanka one of the worst countries for the child abuse. This business in the South, along the beaches, has badly affected children with HIV and various venereal diseases. As this business is run by people having strong links with Govt. officials, therefore pressure is not exerted to ratify the "Optional Protocol on Child Prostitution" and one doesn't know as to how long this ghastly business will continue. Crime-ridden Arkansas town expands 24-hour curfew Officers armed with military rifles have been stopping and questioning passers-by in a neighborhood plagued by violence that's been under a 24-hour curfew for a week. On Tuesday, the Helena-West Helena City Council voted 9-0 to allow police to expand that program into any area of the city, despite a warning from a lawyer with the American Civil Liberties Union of Arkansas that the police stops were unconstitutional. Police Chief Fred Fielder said the patrols have netted 32 arrests since they began last week in a 10-block neighborhood in this small town on the banks of the Mississippi River long troubled by poverty. The council said those living in the city want the random shootings and drug-fueled violence to stop, no matter what the cost. Helena-West Helena, with 15,000 residents at the edge of Arkansas' eastern rice fields and farmland, is in one of the nation's poorest regions, trailing even parts of Appalachia in its standard of living. In the curfew area, those inside the homes in the watch area peered out of door cracks Tuesday as police cruisers passed. They closed the doors afterward. Inspite of unfavorable conditions, Israel Leads in Agriculture technologies Israel does not have a geography which makes it appear to be best suited for agriculture but still, it has become a major industry with Israel being a net exporter of food as well as a world-leader in agricultural technologies. Not only is more than half of the land area desert, but the climate and water resources do not make agriculture an instantly attractive industry. Just 20% of the land area is naturally arable. Today, agriculture represents 2.5% of total GDP and 3.6% of exports. Israel produces 95% of its own food to meet its requirements and supplements this by importing grain, oil seeds, meat, coffee, cocoa and sugar. But highly capital intensive agriculture is also facing some problems as the production is not highly sustainable. Israel is home to two unique communities, the Kibbutz and Moshav which developed as Jews returned to Israel from Europe in the early twentieth century. Let's hope that such communities continue to help Israeli agriculture. Netherlands won gold in women's 4x100 meters freestyle The Netherlands won a hotly contested women's 4x100 meters freestyle relay Sunday, adding the gloss of Olympic gold to the world record they captured earlier this year. Inge Dekker (54.37), Ranomi Kromowidjojo (53.39), Femke Heemskerk (53.42) and Marleen Veldhuis (52.58) -- finished strongly to take the gold medal in an Olympic record three minutes 33.76 seconds. The Dutch were only 0.14secs off their world record of 3:33.62 set at the European championships in Eindhoven in March. The United States, anchored by 41-year-old Dara Torres, were second in 3:34.33 - an American record. Australia, whose lead-off swimmer Cate Campbell only turned 16 in May, took the bronze in 3:35.05 - an Oceania record. The Dutch were bronze medalists behind Australia in Athens and silver medalists in the event at the 1932, 1952, 1984, 1988 and 2000 Olympics. It was the Netherlands' second Olympic gold medal in the women's freestyle relay following their win at the 1936 Berlin Olympics. China and Germany finished fourth and fifth respectively. http://www.instablogs.com/ |
العربية
中国
Français
Deutsch
Ελληνική
हिन्दी
Italiano
日本語
Português
Русский
Español
