IDN-InDepthNews

Food security, nutrition & sustainable agriculture2016-02-252023-07-10

Scientists Deal with a Silent Killer of Productive Lands

BEIRUT (INPS) – Salinity is one of the most severe environmental factors limiting agricultural productivity. According to the International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA), rising salinity is fast becoming a silent killer of productive lands in areas like the Indo-Gangetic Basin, Euphrates River Basin, Nile Delta, and Aral Sea Basin.

The global cost of salinity-afflicted loss in crop yields is roughly 27.3 billion USD per year, according to a recent study, ‘Economics of Salt-induced Land Degradation and Restoration’, published by the Research Program on Water and Land Ecosystems of the Consultative Group for International Agricultural Research (CGIAR). Moreover, the salinized areas are increasing at a rate of 10% annually for various reasons.

UN INSIDER2016-02-252023-07-10

IFAD Showcases Agricultural Research for Development

ROME (INPS | IDN) – The United Nations International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) has joined hands with the International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA) linking research to development impacts in the Near East, North Africa and Europe.

A joint seminar held during IFAD’s 39th Governing Council meeting that concluded in Rome on February 18, showcased results from IFAD investments in agricultural research for development through Beirut-based ICARDA which proved effective in raising the incomes of smallholder farmers and helping them adapt to new climate-related challenges.

SYNDICATION, UNITED NATIONS2016-02-252023-07-12

IFAD Showcases Agricultural Research for Development

By Jaya Ramachandran | IDN-InDepthNews Analysis

ROME (IDN) – The United Nations International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) has joined hands with the International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA) linking research to development impacts in the Near East, North Africa and Europe.

UN INSIDER2016-02-242023-07-10

South Korea Set to Make Rapid Strides in Global Arena

NEW YORK (IDN | INPS) – North Korea’s nuclear ambition has not been checked effectively even though there were four resolutions of the United Nations Security Council. And North Korea’s alleged hydrogen bomb test and a successive rocket launch early February culminated their die-hard ambition to have a substantial nuclear capability together with delivery means.

Against this backdrop, the Republic of Korea (ROK, South Korea) is certainly putting its foot down and stepping up as a key player in the global arena, particularly on North Korean issue.

SYNDICATION, UNITED NATIONS2016-02-242023-07-12

South Korea Set to Make Rapid Strides in Global Arena

By Valentina Ieri | IDN-InDepthNews Analysis

Against this backdrop, the Republic of Korea (ROK, South Korea) is certainly putting its foot down and stepping up as a key player in the global arena, particularly on North Korean issue.

Since 2006, North Korea has conducted four rounds of nuclear tests and six rounds of missile launches, making it an unprecedented precarious situation surrounding the Korean Peninsula.

Individual Journalists, SYNDICATION2016-02-232023-07-12

Ukraine’s Future Between Grim and Grimmer

LONDON – It’s two years since a mass of demonstrators brought down the centrist government of President Viktor Yanukovych.

We don’t hear much about Ukraine these days, mainly because the foreign journalists, not having too much to do – and often being freelance and therefore only paid by the number of lines they get printed – have gone home or to other hot spots.

Most of the news these days comes out of the Washington-based IMF that repeatedly warns that the economy of Ukraine teeters on the brink and that corruption remains so deep and widespread that it is difficult, to say the least, to get good economic decisions made.

GLOBAL ISSUES2016-02-232023-07-10

Ukraine’s Future Between Grim and Grimmer

By Jonathan Power | IDN-InDepthNews Viewpoint

LONDON (IDN) – It’s two years since a mass of demonstrators brought down the centrist government of President Viktor Yanukovych.

Oceans, seas and marine resources2016-02-232023-07-10

Scientists Warn of the Perils of Sea-level Rise

BERLIN (IDN) – During the past millennia sea level has never risen nearly as fast as during the last century, says a new study. It warns that even if ambitious climate policy follows the 2015 Paris Agreement, sea levels would rise by 20 to 60 centimetres by 2100 and stresses the importance of coastal protection.

The Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK) has in fact come to the conclusion that sea levels worldwide might rise by 50 to 130 centimetres by the end of this century if greenhouse gas emissions are not reduced rapidly. For the first time it combines the two most important estimation methods for future sea level rise and yields a more robust risk range.

Africa2016-02-232023-07-10

Grace Keen to Succeed Robert Mugabe in Zimbabwe

NEW YORK | HARARE (INPS | GIN) – Robert Mugabe, the world’s oldest president, turned 92 on February 21 without a clear successor. His wife, Grace, however, is grooming herself for the job but will Zimbabweans favour a family dynasty even as the idea seems to have fallen out of favour in the U.S.?

Political analysts say Mugabe has no clear intention of handing over power, even as the country’s dire economic situation and drought has worsened the plight of a country that has seen four million of its citizens flee to the diaspora.

Africa2016-02-232023-07-10

RTS Award for Sudanese-born Journalist But Diversity Still Lacking

NEW YORK | LONDON (INPS | GIN) – The Sudanese-Born Nima Elbagir scooped a distinguished media prize from the Royal Television Society (RTS) February 18 for her work highlighting the human rights plight of children and young people in Africa and beyond.

RTS wrote for the award ceremony last week: “The work of the Specialist Journalist of the Year took this journalist (Nima Elbagir) to some of the darkest and most difficult places to report on in the past twelve months. The judges thought the winner demonstrated great determination and bravery as well as deep humanity. She highlighted the plight of young people moving between continents and had the language skills to follow their journey in a way that no-one else could achieve.”