Latest news with #DailyObserver
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Farmers issue urgent warning as frequent disasters drive up prices of staple crops: 'It crushes the spirit of a nation'
When crop prices go up, it can have dire consequences in families' homes, including a lack of food. Sadly, this is the crisis happening in Bangladesh. According to the Daily Observer, Bangladesh is on the World Bank's Food Inflation Index Red List and has been for two years in a row. Statistics can be great at telling stories, and this one is where millions of families don't have food and children are malnourished. World Bank data shows that Bangladesh food inflation has surpassed 10% for 12 months. For example, "rice prices have increased by 10-15 taka per kilogram, and oil by 20-30 taka per liter," according to the Daily Observer. To put this in context, Business Insider noted that as of May 13, 2025, one taka is worth $0.0082. The exchange rate is where another crisis lies. Since the taka's value against the dollar has decreased, imports are more expensive, and the country relies heavily on them to feed its people. Sugar, oil, and rice prices have increased so much that ordinary people can't afford them. Additionally, the country is experiencing frequent droughts, floods, and rising salinity, which are all reducing crop yields and causing food prices to increase. A World Bank report indicated that 30% of children in Bangladesh suffer from malnutrition. More and more women are also suffering from anemia. According to the Daily Observer, "Hunger doesn't just weaken bodies, it crushes the spirit of a nation, fosters social unrest, and shatters the economic backbone." Rising food prices are not isolated in Bangladesh. Rising global temperatures are affecting crop yields across the world. For example, Japan suffered from a rice shortage because of the heat. The country was forced to import 44,000 tons, mainly from the U.S. What is stopping you from upgrading to a heat pump system? The cost of installation I live in a cold area I don't know enough about it I already have one Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Grocery prices are also rising in the U.S. The average household spends 12% more on groceries now than two years ago. The climate crisis not only creates crop issues and rising grocery prices, but it is also damaging entire ecosystems and food chains. Scientists are working on climate-resilient crops. For instance, the Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences published a study about boosting rice and tomato crops' resilience by genome editing. The results showed a decrease in crops lost to heat. While you may not be able to control crop yields, you can control what you buy. Too much food gets wasted, so you can shop smarter to reduce your grocery bill. Every year, $750 worth of food is wasted. So, cutting back your list by 15% can save you $110. Join our free newsletter for easy tips to save more and waste less, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Experts issue warning over increasing threat to millions of vulnerable people: 'A fight for global justice'
Climate-related poverty is a silent but devastating consequence of rising global temperatures. According to a report by the Daily Observer, some of the poorest communities, often the least responsible for carbon pollution, are facing harsher living conditions, economic instability, and even displacement. Climate-related poverty happens when major environmental changes make it harder for people to meet their basic needs. Rising sea levels and disasters like hurricanes, floods, and wildfires can significantly impact resources, disrupt livelihoods, and result in economic hardships. And when flash floods wash away entire villages or droughts cripple food production, it's the poorest communities — the ones that don't have enough to recover on their own — that struggle the hardest. An example of climate-induced hardship is 2013's Typhoon Haiyan, which displaced millions of Filipinos and destroyed homes and livelihoods. In another part of the world, long droughts and desertification in Africa's Sahel wiped out farms, leading to food insecurity and malnutrition. The growing crisis strains healthcare, infrastructure, and government resources — problems already visible in areas battling severe drought and water shortages. Even regions once safe from extreme weather are now seeing displacement risks as the climate changes. While investing in solutions requires significant resources, ignoring the problem costs far more. Rising hunger, mass migration, and global conflicts are already warning signs. Tackling climate-induced poverty today is not only smart but also necessary. Fighting it is also "a fight for global justice," as the Daily Observer noted. At-risk nations can invest in drought-tolerant crops and solar-powered irrigation to safeguard food supplies. They can also build flood defenses, permeable pavement, and early warning systems to help protect their communities from future disasters. Switching to renewable energy can reduce dependence on dirty energy sources, which account for the bulk of the human-caused pollution warming our climate, as NASA notes. Meanwhile, programs aimed at bolstering local resilience are essential to make climate change solutions more accessible for all. By investing in sustainable strategies now, we can protect vulnerable communities and help foster a safer future for everyone. Do you think America has a plastic waste problem? Definitely Only in some areas Not really I'm not sure Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Times of Oman
18-04-2025
- Politics
- Times of Oman
India slams Bangladesh's comments on West Bengal situation
New Delhi: Official Spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs, Randhir Jaiswal, on Friday slammed Bangladesh for its comments on recent incidents in West Bengal. Jaiswal said that the rhetoric was a disingenuous attempt at drawing parallels between Bangladesh and India, where the perpetrators of criminal acts roam free. "We reject the remarks made by the Bangladesh side with regard to the incidents in West Bengal. This is a barely disguised and disingenuous attempt to draw a parallel with India's concerns over the ongoing persecution of minorities in Bangladesh, where the criminal perpetrators of such acts continue to roam free," Jaiswal said. "Instead of making unwarranted comments and indulging in virtue signalling, Bangladesh would do better to focus on protecting the rights of its own minorities," MEA stated in a post on X. Earlier, Bangladesh's interim government vehemently denied any involvement in the communal violence that recently erupted in Murshidabad, Bangladesh-based Daily Observer stated on Thursday. In a statement on Thursday, Shafiqul Alam, the press secretary to Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus, expressed condemnation over the attacks on Muslims, which resulted in significant loss of life and property, urging the Indian government and West Bengal authorities to take necessary steps to ensure the safety and protection of the minority Muslim population. The controversy erupted after reports surfaced suggesting that an initial investigation into the Murshidabad violence by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) had pointed to the involvement of alleged Bangladeshi miscreants. Meanwhile, a team of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) arrived in West Bengal's Malda on Friday. The team is scheduled to visit the violence-hit areas of Murshidabad and Malda following protests over the Waqf Amendment Act in the state earlier in the month. The Waqf (Amendment) Bill was tabled in the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha on April 2 and 3, respectively. It was passed in both Houses and later received the President's assent, after which it became a law. On April 5, President Droupadi Murmu gave her assent to the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025. While the Opposition has been protesting against the Waqf Act, the BJP has launched a 'Waqf Reforms Awareness Campaign', which will run from April 20 to May 5. The initiative will tell the benefits of the Waqf Act to the Muslim community.
